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Chief White Crane
Recreation Area
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On the shores of Lake Yankton,
Chief White Crane is in close proximity to the Missouri River and Gavins Point Dam. The park was named after Chief White Crane who
met with Lewis and Clark in this area in 1804. The park has an
abundance of large, mature cottonwood trees that provide
excellent shade for the campground and serve as a place for bald
eagles to roost during the winter. |
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Photo by Doug Backlund |
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Camping/Cabins |
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Located
5 miles W of Yankton off SD Hwy 52
Location map (Requires
Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
DOT Road Report
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Open year-round. Vehicle
traffic prohibited Nov. 1 through March 31 due to bald eagle
nesting.
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Park entrance license required:
$6/day/vehicle or $28 for an annual pass
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Camping &
Fees: $12/non-electrical,
$16/electrical, $18/prime (waterfront) site. 146 sites (144 electrical,
37 prime). Two accessible
sites. Two tent-only sites. Showers. Water. Dump station.
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Camping Cabins: 10 cabins, one
wheelchair accessible. Each sleeps
four people. $40/night.
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Reservations: (800) 710-2267 or
www.CampSD.com. Up to 90 days prior to arrival. Campsites May
to Sept. Cabins year-round, not available Nov. 1 to March 31.
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Recreation:
Camping. Cabins.
Biking. Boating. Canoeing on Lake Yankton. Fishing. Game/equipment
checkout. Hiking. Horseshoes. Picnic shelter.
Playground. Volleyball. Bald eagle viewing in winter. Paved road
connects to bike trail that goes from nearby Lewis and Clark
Recreation Area to Yankton.
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Swimming/Beaches: No
swimming beach within park, but one within short walking distance. No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk.
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Fishing/Boating: Fish cleaning
stations. Two boat ramps. Accessible fishing dock. Bass,
northern pike, walleye, panfish. Fishing license required.
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Park maps:
PDF files.
Require
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Campground map.
(2 pages, 136KB)
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Trail map and guide.
(1 page,
53KB)
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Walking map
(1 page, 116KB)
Chief
White Crane
Recreation Area
C/O Lewis & Clark
Recreation Area
43349 SD Hwy 52
Yankton, SD 57442
(605) 668-2985
Email:
Lewis-Clark@state.sd.us
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With its 146 campsites and ten camping
cabins, Chief White Crane is a great place for groups to gather to
spend the weekend. Combined with its own facilities and the features
of the other two state parks nearby, Lewis & Clark and Pierson Ranch,
visitors can take advantage of a wide variety of recreation
opportunities.
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Bald Eagle Viewing |
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Chief White Crane is one of the South
Dakota state parks that offers the opportunity for visitors to see the
majestic bald eagle.
In South Dakota, many bald eagles spend
their winters below the Missouri River dams where they are able to catch
fish and prey on waterfowl attracted to the open water.
They typically perch within 50 feet of the
riverbank in tall cottonwood trees. The birds usually feed in the
morning and rest in their roosting trees in the afternoon.
Bald eagles will abandon their roosts if disturbed
by humans. For this reason, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks
prohibits motorized traffic in state recreation areas with winter bald
eagle roosts. Walkers and cross-country skiers are allowed in
these areas but must refrain from disturbing roosting bald eagles.
Learn more
about bald eagles in South Dakota state parks.
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Nearby Attractions |
- Lewis and Clark,
Pierson Ranch recreation areas
- Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
- Gavins Point Dam, Powerhouse and Visitor Center
- Dakota Territorial Capital Replica
- More attractions and events can be found at
www.TravelSD.com
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Copyright Ó 2006 State of
South Dakota |