How much does camping cost at Nebraska Tailwaters?

Camping fees at Nebraska Tailwaters range from $18-$35/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Nebraska Tailwaters first-come first-served or reservation?

Nebraska Tailwaters accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Nebraska Tailwaters before I book?

Yes! Nebraska Tailwaters has 13 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Nebraska Tailwaters?

Nebraska Tailwaters is open May 14 to October 18. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Nebraska Tailwaters?

Yes, Nebraska Tailwaters has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Nebraska Tailwaters?

Cell phone service at Nebraska Tailwaters is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Nebraska Tailwaters have?

Nebraska Tailwaters has 42 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Nebraska Tailwaters?

Yes, pets are allowed at Nebraska Tailwaters. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Nebraska Tailwaters?

Nebraska Tailwaters offers: Restrooms, Showers, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Nebraska Tailwaters?

Popular activities at Nebraska Tailwaters include Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Nebraska Tailwaters

4.29

277 reviews

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, NEBRASKA TAILWATERS RECREATION AREA, 55291 HWY 121, CROFTON, NE 68730

Top 15% in NESummer

Romantic GetawayScenic ViewsFishing

Featured in:Boating Camping Nebraska Group Camping Nebraska Summer Camping Nebraska +5 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,198 ft

Price

$18 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

42 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,198 ft

Price

$18 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

42 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Nebraska Tailwaters

$18.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP CAMP: $35.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $20.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $18.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone /...

Standard Site Fee$20.00

Group Site Fee$35.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

402-667-2546. FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL 877-444-6777.

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, NEBRASKA TAILWATERS RECREATION AREA, 55291 HWY 121, CROFTON, NE 68730

Nebraska Tailwaters

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, NEBRASKA TAILWATERS RECREATION AREA, 55291 HWY 121, CROFTON, NE 68730

Nearby places

Yankton, SD (approx. 6 miles, 10 minutes by car)

Crofton, NE (approx. 4 miles, 8 minutes by car)

Weather at Nebraska Tailwaters

Best Time to Camp at Nebraska Tailwaters

Best season: summer. Summer offers the fullest, most reliable access to the river and water-based recreation — expect warm, sunny days (highs typically in the mid-70s to low-90s °F, nights in the 50s–60s) ideal for boating, fishing, swimming, and paddling the Missouri below Gavins Point Dam. Tailwater fishing (walleye, smallmouth, catfish) and boating are at their peak, camp facilities (electric sites, showers) are fully available, and dramatic chalkstone cliffs make sunsets spectacular. Expect moderate to high day- Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 15% in NE

Summer offers best weather, full water access, and peak fishing/boating per seasonal notes.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 14 to October 18. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open for reservations from May 15 to October 13. Out-of-season stays are not available.

About Nebraska Tailwaters

Nebraska Tailwaters sits on the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam at Lewis and Clark Lake, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The mid-sized campground offers electric hookups, showers, and a dump station in rolling foothills terrain near Crofton. Anglers target walleye, smallmouth bass, and catfish in the tailwater, while boaters and wildlife watchers enjoy access to the river and surrounding landscape.

Nebraska Tailwaters offers varied camping options including primitive tent camping, RV camping with electric hookups, and a group camping area with additional facilities.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the fullest, most reliable access to the river and water-based recreation — expect warm, sunny days (highs typically in the mid-70s to low-90s °F, nights in the 50s–60s) ideal for boating, fishing, swimming, and paddling the Missouri below Gavins Point Dam. Tailwater fishing (walleye, smallmouth, catfish) and boating are at their peak, camp facilities (electric sites, showers) are fully available, and dramatic chalkstone cliffs make sunsets spectacular. Expect moderate to high day- Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation1198 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryAncient chalkstone cliffs frame the Missouri River here, their golden limestone faces carved by millions of years of water and erosion. The formations glow at sunrise and sunset. Bald eagles hunt along the river year-round, especially in winter. The tailwaters below the dam stay cold and oxygen-rich, supporting walleye, smallmouth bass, and catfish. Bird diversity is high. Elevation sits at 1,198 feet in the Missouri River Valley.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging is available onsite; accommodations are limited to camping facilities.

Programs & ActivitiesNo explicit mention of cultural or educational programs within the campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 14 nights total within a rolling 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 people per campsite.

Groups

The Group Camping Area includes electric hookups, a picnic shelter, fire pit, grill, and vault toilet. No specific guest or vehicle limits were mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made on Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

AccessibilityAccessibility features include handicap-accessible fishing piers and showers. However, some users noted a lack of accessible pathways for elderly or handicapped individuals to reach the riverbank for fishing.

Site SizeSites vary in size. Some reviews mentioned small tent sites, while RV spots were described as spacious with room for extra vehicles and trailers.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary across the campground. Tent campers appreciated the privacy in certain spots, while some RV sites were noted to be close together.

Total Campsites42 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites close to the river such as #31 or group sites for larger gatherings. Avoid sites with steep slopes (#10) if leveling is a concern.

Best CampsitesSites 31, 26, and 27 get mentioned in reviews for river views and quieter settings. Group sites work well for family gatherings. Some RV sites sit close together, so check spacing if that matters to you.

Need help booking Nebraska Tailwaters?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Nebraska Tailwaters Campground offers comprehensive amenities, including 42 campsites split into 31 electric sites and 11 tent-only non-electric sites. Amenities include modern shower facilities with flush toilets, river access for shore fishing, an accessible fishing pier, a boat ramp, a fish cleaning station, and an RV dump station. The Group Camping Area features electric hookups, a picnic shelter, fire pit, grill, and vault toilets.

Showers

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Nebraska Tailwaters Campground offers a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including fishing, hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing. Winter activities such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing are also available.

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is available, but some reviews noted issues with odor near the dumpsters and fish cleaning stations. One user stated, 'Fish cleaning station and carp carcasses smelled horrible if the wind shifts.'

Cell CoverageReviews suggest mixed experiences with cell phone service. Verizon was reported as very poor by one user, but general cell service is available throughout the campground.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Nebraska Tailwaters

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From Booking Sources

4.3

277 reviews

Satisfactory

Nebraska Tailwaters is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews highlight Nebraska Tailwaters for its cleanliness, quiet environment, and excellent fishing opportunities. Complaints were mostly about site spacing, noise disturbances, and limited accessibility for elderly individuals.

Review Summaries

Based on 277 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praised the campground for its cleanliness ('Very clean park'), friendly staff ('Camp host extremely friendly'), and scenic views ('Beautiful setting on the Missouri River'). The free showers...

Based on 277 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints included bright yard lights impairing night sky visibility ('Incredibly bright yard lights'), noise from groups during quiet hours, and difficulty accessing the river for...

Based on 277 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites 6, 14, and 31 are frequently praised for their size and proximity to amenities, while site 5 was noted as small. Complaints about sloped sites include the first 10 sites having significant...

Based on 277 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors suggest bringing earplugs due to potential noise disturbances and utilizing the nearby visitor center for educational opportunities. One user recommended, 'Lots of trails in the area for...

Based on 277 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are favored for fishing and boating, while winter brings opportunities for ice fishing and sledding. Seasonal reviews underline the importance of preparing for variable weather...

Based on 277 reviews

Camper Quotes

Quotes include: 'Showers and bathrooms were excellent and very well maintained,' 'Fishing is pretty darn good,' and 'Lots of recreation activities nearby.'

Based on 277 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features like handicap-accessible fishing piers are appreciated, but reviews indicate challenges for elderly or handicapped users accessing the river bank.

Based on 277 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are welcomed, but must be leashed. Reviewers appreciated the environment for walking dogs but mentioned limited amenities specifically catering to pets.

Based on 277 reviews

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Campgrounds

Lewis and Clark Lake

Nebraska Tailwaters

About Lewis and Clark Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding Nebraska Tailwaters, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Straddling the Nebraska/South Dakota border, Gavins Point Dam, SD is the smallest of the six Missouri River main stem dams and the southernmost dam on the river. Lewis and Clark Lake, named for the first documented explorers of the Louisiana Territory, is 25 miles long, has 90 miles of shoreline, and 27 recreation areas offering camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, boating, water-skiing, swimming, bird-watching, hiking, photography, and biking opportunities.

Directions

From Yankton, west on SD 52 or north on northeast 121.