State Parks

Photo © SD Tourism

Cow Creek Recreation Area

/userdocs/Cow Creek Recreation Area

Water-lovers enjoy fishing, boating, or just watching the waves at Cow Creek. Both primitive shoreline camping and campground camping are available. The shoreline sites offer outstanding views of Oahe Reservoir while providing a great deal of privacy. Campsites in the campground have easy access to drinking water and restrooms/showers.

Lake Oahe Reservoir, located on the Missouri River, provides hours of outdoor fun. The lake has more than 2,000 miles of shoreline and its clear waters are ideal for boating, sailing, fishing, water skiing and diving. Campers, history buffs, mountain bikers and hikers will find new adventures in this rugged land first explored by Lewis and Clark.

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Activities

  • Biking (on park roads)
  • Birdwatching
  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Kayaking
  • Paddleboarding
  • Walking (on park roads)
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Fees

  • Daily: $8 per vehicle
  • Annual: $36 first vehicle | $18 second vehicle (with coupon) | $80 transferable license

    Purchase Online

  • Campsites - electrical: $20 per night
  • Campsites - non-electrical: $16 per night
  • Camping Cabins: $55 per night
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Park Specs

Open: Year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open.

Park Size: 46 campsites and 4 camping cabins

Directions: 15 miles northwest of Pierre off SD Highway 1804

Nearest Town: Pierre

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Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.

Contact Info

Cow Creek Recreation Area
28229 Cow Creek Road
Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.3117
Email: CowCreek@state.sd.us
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Amenities

  • ADA/Accessible Features
  • Boat Ramp(s)
  • Campground(s)
  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Electrical Campsite(s)
  • Fish Cleaning Station(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Self-serve Entrance Kiosk(s)
  • Shore Fishing Access
  • Showers
  • Vault Toilets (open year-round)
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ADA / Accessible

  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Showers
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GPS Coordinates

Latitude: 44.55568
Longitude: -100.4762
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