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West Pollock Recreation Area – Explorers' Paradise
by Jim Straight
These expedition members were expected to be biologists, ecologists, map makers, the President's ambassadors to everything and everyone unknown in the west and even taxidermists. They encountered new species of animals, birds and plants almost every day, then had to try to describe these new species in writing. What would you think if you had never seen a prairie dog, then to come over a hill and find yourself upon a town of these fuzzy little barking dogs sprawling as far as you can see, or to be some of the first American settlers to see an antelope, mule deer, or grizzly bear. Imagine what the Arikara villages must have looked like with over 60 lodges in some villages. Wow, sign me up for that trip.
I find myself pondering this scenario every time I head north toward West Pollock Recreation Area, because that history isn’t that far in the past. The beautiful rolling hills, the wildlife, the grass swaying in the wind as far as the eye can see. All of these things are still alive here, you may have to use a little more imagination but they are still here. Just to the east of the recreation area are the three stone idols mentioned by William Clark in his journal entry dated October 13, 1804. The legend is that a man his wife and dog sat staring into the west for so long that they eventually turned to stone.
If you are looking for a beautiful, quiet little campground nestled along the banks of Lake Oahe, you have found it. The fishing on northern Lake Oahe is second to none, and is very accessible with the boat ramp and fish cleaning station located within the park boundaries. It also serves as a great base camp for upland bird, waterfowl and deer hunters. The 29 electrical first come, first serve campsites are open year round. The comfort station with warm showers and the camper fill/dump station open in April, and stay open as late into the fall season as the weather will allow. For the kids, there is a great playground system, centrally located in the campground, that will keep them entertained and keep the imagination running.
If you are looking for a great weekend get away where you can relax in a quiet spacious campground on Lake Oahe and enjoy the same great scenery that the Lewis and Clark expedition got to enjoy in 1804, don’t overlook West Pollock Recreation Area. The Recreation Area is located three miles to the south west of Pollock off Hwy 1804, just south of the North Dakota border.
Jim Straight is a park manager at Indian Creek Recreation Area, near Mobridge.