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Oahe Downstream Recreation Area

The park's three campgrounds give visitors a variety of recreational opportunities, from boating to hiking to disc golf. During the winter, bird watchers can view bald eagles, which roost in the treetops below the dam. The Corps of Engineers began building the dam in 1948 and in 1962 started generating electricity. It's one of the largest constructed reservoirs in the United States, measuring 231 miles connecting the capital cities of South Dakota and North Dakota. A fishing boats speeds across Lake Sharpe at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area.
   
Camping/Cabins/Lodge

  • Located 5 miles north of Ft. Pierre on Highway 1806, on the south side of Oahe Dam  Location map (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)  DOT Road Report

  • Open year-round. Campgrounds closed to camping Nov. through March for bald eagle nesting. Day-use area remains open year-round.

  • Park entrance license required: $6/day/vehicle or $28 for an annual pass

  • Camping & Fees: $16/electrical site. 205 sites (all electrical) in three campgrounds. Four wheelchair accessible sites. Showers. Water. Dump station.

  • Camping Cabins: Five accessible cabins. Each sleep four people. $35/night. 

  • Group Lodge: $125

  • Reservations: (800) 710-2267 or www.CampSD.com. Up to 90 days prior to arrival. Campsites Mid-May to Labor Day. Cabins Apr. through Oct.

  • Recreation: Camping. Cabins. 14-station archery range. Biking. Boating. Cross-country skiing. 18-hole disc golf course. Fishing. Game/equipment checkout. Hiking. Horseshoes. Three picnic shelters and areas. Playground. Swimming Volleyball. Large day use area. OHV area. Rifle range, shotgun trap shooting range. Bald eagle viewing in winter.

  • Trails: Dirt-surfaced trail loop. Cottonwood Trail is a National Recreation Trail. Listed on the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial National Recreation Trail. See maps below.

  • Swimming/Beaches: Swimming beach. No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk.

  • Fishing/Boating: Fish cleaning station. Boat ramp and marina. Walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass, channel catfish, salmon, trout, panfish. Fishing license required. 

  • Marina/Resort: Oahe Dowstream Marina & Resort - (605) 223-2627

  • Park maps: PDF files. Require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
    - Campground map.
       (4 pages, 201KB)
    - Disc golf course.
        (1 page, 87KB)
    - Trail map and guide.
        (4 pages, 246KB)
     - Walking map
        (1 page, 288KB)


Oahe Downstream
Recreation Area 
20439 Marina Loop Road
Ft. Pierre, SD 57532
(605) 223-7722
Email: Oahe@state.sd.us 

Click for more information on Lewis and Clark in SD state parks.
Three campgrounds offer a variety of camping opportunities throughout the recreation area. Each campground has a comfort station with showers, playground and picnic areas. Five camping cabins are located on the waterfront in campground #3. 

Fishing
The Oahe Downstream area is a popular area for boaters and anglers. From the recreation area, campers can access Lake Sharpe and, within a less than five minute drive, Lake Oahe. Anglers can expect to find walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass, channel catfish, salmon, trout and panfish.
Recreational Opportunities
A number of unique recreational opportunities are available at Oahe Downstream, including an 18-hole disc golf course,, OHV area, archery range, and rifle and shotgun trap shooting ranges.

Oahe Downstream is one of the South Dakota state parks that offers the opportunity for visitors to see the majestic bald eagle. They typically perch within 50 feet of the riverbank in tall cottonwood trees. Learn more about bald eagles in South Dakota state parks.
Resort Information
Oahe Marina & Resort offers cabins, rental camping trailers, c-store and fuel. The facility is privately operated under agreement with the Division of Parks and Recreation.

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