Lewis & Clark Recreation Area facts for kids

Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
View of Lewis and Clark Lake from along a trail on the South Dakota shore.
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area Location in South Dakota
Location	Yankton, South Dakota, United States
Nearest city	Yankton
Area	928 acres (376 ha)
Elevation	1,214 ft (370 m)
Established	1966
Named for	Lewis and Clark Lake
Governing body	South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks
Website	Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks

Lewis and Clark Recreation Area is a State Recreation Area in southeastern South Dakota, near Yankton. The Recreation Area is located on the northern shore of the 31,400-acre Lewis and Clark Lake, a large Missouri River Reservoir, impounded by Gavins Point Dam.

Aerial photo of Gavins Point Dam and Lewis and Clark Lake, looking north.

Three campgrounds are located within the recreation area, called the Yankton Section, Midway Section, and Gavins Point Section - with a total of 418 campsites, along the shores of Lewis and Clark Lake. There are 19 camper cabins. Numerous biking, hiking, equestrian, and nature trails travel along Lewis and Clark Lake and the surrounding bluffs. Several beaches and boat launching facilities can be found along the lakeshore. The area also has a disc golf course and an archery range.

In 2014 zebra mussels, an aquatic invasive mussel were discovered in the lake and have infested the reservoir and the Missouri River downstream of Gavins Point Dam. The Lewis and Clark Marina and Resort, located within the recreation area, is privately operated under an agreement with Division of Parks and Recreation. Amenities include a motel, cabins, swimming pool, floating fuel dock, slip and boat rentals, and a full-service restaurant.