State Parks

Photo © SD Tourism

Sandy Shore Recreation Area

/userdocs/Sandy Shore Recreation Area

Sandy Shore was named for its pristine sand beaches along the shorelines of the clean, clear watered Lake Kampeska. Two shorefront camping cabins are perfect for your summer family vacation or a fall outdoors getaway. A sand beach is inches from their decks that provide the easiest swimming access in the state. Each cabin also has a dock out front to utilize during your stay and a fire pit on the shoreline for viewing the evening sunset. 15 modern electric campsites across the parking lot from the lakeshore all provide excellent places for a summer or fall family camping adventure with prime access to the infamous beaches. 

Lake Kampeska is host to a mixed bag of walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, perch, and crappies for your spring, summer, or fall fishing adventures. Numerous other quality fishing and waterfowl hunting lakes are within a short drive making Sandy Shore the perfect outdoor adventure hub. The lake is also a hotspot for water-based recreation such as kayaking, tubing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. Sandy Shore has the largest boat ramp on Lake Kampeska and is the best place to access all of these opportunities.

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Activities

  • Biking (on park roads)
  • Biking (on trails)
  • Birdwatching
  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Fishing Pole Checkout
  • Kayak Rental
  • Kayaking
  • Lawn Game Checkout
  • Life Jacket Checkout
  • Paddleboarding
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming
  • 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: $26 per night | Electrical: Tent-only: $19
  • 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: 17 campsites and 2 camping cabins

Directions: 5 miles west of Watertown off US Highway 212

Nearest Town: Watertown

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Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.

Maps

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Contact Info

Sandy Shore Recreation Area
1100 South Lake Drive
Watertown, SD 57201
605.882.5392
Email: SandyShore@state.sd.us
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Amenities

  • ADA/Accessible Features
  • Biking Trail(s)
  • Boat Ramp(s)
  • Campground(s)
  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Drinking Water
  • Electrical Campsite(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Hiking Trail(s)
  • Picnic Tables
  • Playground(s)
  • Self-serve Entrance Kiosk(s)
  • Shore Fishing Access
  • Showers
  • Swim Beach(es)
  • Tent-only Campsite(s)
  • Vault Toilets (open year-round)
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ADA / Accessible

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

Latitude: 44.89384
Longitude: -97.24095
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