Left Tailrace in SD -- Campground & RV Camping

Left Tailrace Campground sits along the shore of Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River, directly below the Big Bend Dam built in 1966. Located in central South Dakota near Fort Thompson, the project area encompasses 80,000 acres of grasslands and reservoir waters popular for walleye, bass, and catfish fishing. On-site facilities feature 81 electrical sites with 30 and 50-amp pedestals, 12 non-electrical tent sites, picnic tables with shelters, fire rings, drinking water, comfort stations with showers, a dump station, a boat ramp with a courtesy dock, a fish cleaning station, playgrounds, and a nine-hole disc golf course.

Getting there: From west bound I-90 take exit 265 at Chamberalin SD, turn right on to Highway 50 travel approximatly 16 miles, turn left on to BIA Highway 4, travel 8 miles to FT. Thompson SD, turn left on to highway 47 travel 3 miles then take a left at the Left Tailrace Campground sign on Big Bend Dam then travel approximately 1 mile to the Left Tailrace Campground. From East bound I-90 take exit 248 at Reliance SD take a left onto Highway 47 north bound, travel 18 miles to Big Bend Dam. Turn right after crossing the Power House bridge, then turn right at the Left Tailrace Campground sign, and travel about 1 mile to the Left Tailrace Campground.

• Little separation from through roads or other sites here, a 93-site campground with the nearest through road 0.3 miles off.
• Sits on broad, near-level ground.
• The Lake Francis Case shoreline is 0.1 mi off.
• Estimated night sky: Bortle 4, a rural sky with a glow on the horizon.
• Most sites here have an electric hookup, with 12 hike-in sites and 93 on the water.