Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area
RV Guide

Introduction

Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area is a no-frills, bare bones, and low-key recreation area located on the Summerville Road in South Dakota.

The Recreation area is small and the landscape is a mixture of rough terrain and verdant trees. Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area is small in size and offers 10 electric campsites to camping enthusiasts. Despite its small size, the recreation area offers tons of activities for overnight RV campers to enjoy. In addition to the fun outdoor activities, the recreation area is also home to various historic sites.

It makes for an interesting trip with friends and family to a park that not only refreshes you physically but also mentally with some informative and enlightening historic sites.

Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area is also a point of interest for many historians given the fact that historical figures such as Hugh Glass and General Custer journeyed through this area. The site is close to the same area wherein 1823, Glass was horrifically attacked by a grizzly bear and legendarily survived it.

A night or two in this Recreation Area of South Dakota will help campers lay back, relax and enjoy some well-deserved time off.

RV Rentals in Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area

Transportation

Driving

The Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area is situated south of Lemmon, on State Route 73. It is near Shadehill Reservoir. Located a mile off the Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area is the Grand River National Grasslands.

The recreation area has paved and dirt roads that run through the length of the park from the campgrounds to the park store and park manager living quarters. The small size of the park makes it very easy to access the various amenities and facilities. The campsites are on grass patches with gravel roads leading to them that make them ideal for tenting. The Park Manager’s Residence and Park Shop are right on the entrance.

Parking

Public Transportation

Campgrounds and parking in Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area

Campsites in Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area

First-come first-served

Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area Campgrounds

Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area in Lemmon has one campground with 10 campsites along the shores of Flat Creek Lake. All 10 of the campsites are electrical with either 20, 30, or 50 amp hookups. BBQ facilities and fire pits are provided at every site along with a picnic table. Two good drinking water spigots and a vault toilet are also provided at the campground.

Pets are allowed to stay with the owners on the campsites as long as they are on a leash. All the campsites are no pull-thru sites and the spots are provided on a first come-first served basis.

Seasonal activities in Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area

In-Season

Picnicking

It’s truly a relaxing and an unwinding experience to picnic right by Flat Creek Lake. The picnic tables and picnic shelters are all set up overlooking the lake with nearby vault toilets and showers. All guests have to do is pack up some sandwiches, and get ready for a day out in South Dakota’s vast natural beauty.

This destination is even a good choice for those seeking some alone-time. The peace and quiet you find at the Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area is unmatched as it is a small park with only a few limited campsites. After enjoying your picnic lunch you would love walking alongside the lake and enjoy the beautiful calming views of the lake water, rolling hills, and lush grasslands.

Biking

Picnicking alongside a lake isn’t the only fun activity available at Llewellyn Johns Recreational Area. Biking alongside it is just as exhilarating. The park is small yet there are several biking trails running within the recreation area that allow visitors to admire the surrounding beauty as they bike through the woods, lake and gravel roads.

Once you are done biking the trials, jump into a lake or drink fresh water from the spigots to drive the summer heat away!

Boating & Water Skiing

You don’t need to visit a marina or a yacht club to enjoy water skiing. Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area offers this fun activity for locals and guests within this small recreational park.

The Flat Creek Lake offers an incredible opportunity to learn water skiing at your own pace in its quiet and less chaotic surroundings. Campers can bring their own equipment to enjoy this watersport and cool off in the summer heat. You can also kayak or canoe your way across Flat Creek Lake.

Off-Season

Birdwatching

South Dakota is home to various species of birds. Not just that, but it is also a stop-over for many migrating birds in the region. Bird lovers and photographers can visit Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area any time of the year and catch sight of exotic birds visiting these rich prairie grasslands during their migratory journey. You’ll find yourself watching these birds for hours without even realizing it.

Cross Country Skiing

When the snow covers the expansive grounds of Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area, the campers bring their own equipment to enjoy some quality time with friends and family with cross country skiing.

Whether you are a pro skier or just starting out, there’s never a boring moment with skiing.

The less crowded grounds of Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area provide the liberty to fall and get up as many times as you want to learn your way around skiing without worrying about crashing into anyone.

Snowmobiling

Cross country skiing isn’t the only winter sports to enjoy at the Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area, snowmobiling is another winter activity that gives winter vacationers an adrenaline rush as they zoom by in their snowmobiles.

The grassy land and the trails transform into snowmobiling trails as the first snow falls in. Since there are no rentals nearby, you’ll have to bring your own.