Located on scenic Lake Oahe, Okobojo Point Recreation Area has some of the best water activities you’ll find in central South Dakota. The lake’s 2,000 miles of shore give you an endless amount of kayaking and canoeing. You’ll also find some of the best fishing in the region, with a wide range of species populating the waters of the lake. You’ll be able to catch walleye, smallmouth bass, catfish, and northern pike.
The park is also a great spot for summer beach days. There are miles of sandy beaches that wrap around Okobojo Point, perfect for long walks and relaxing in the sun. There is a beach volleyball court as well if you want to stay active in the sun. The lake allows motorized boats so that you can water and jet ski.
The park has over 20 secluded campsites that give you your own private retreat for RV camping. Most of the sites are situated directly on the water as well, giving you scenic views of Lake Oahe from your campervan.
Okobojo Point Recreation Area is located in central South Dakota, just a short drive from Pierre, the state capital. The park is just off SD-1804, a fairly large road, so finding the park is easy. Once you arrive at the park, you shouldn’t have any problems getting your rig to the campground.
If you are coming from Pierre, take SD-1804 north out of the city and you’ll get to the park in just under half an hour. From Bismarck, take US-83 south out of the city and you’ll reach the park in around three and a half hours.
The campsites are scattered around Okobojo Point, with some being easier to reach than others. There are some winding roads you’ll have to navigate to get to the back of the park. If you have a large rig, you should try to find a campsite that is closer to the main entrance, as you’ll have fewer issues with tight turns.
There are 18 sites found in the park’s campground, none of which have hookups of any kind. Many of the sites are close to restrooms, although some of the sites deeper in the park will be about a ten minute walk to get to the restroom. There are a number of picnic tables near the sites as well. Dogs are welcome, although you’ll have to keep them on a leash at all times.
The sites are scattered along the shore throughout the park, giving you plenty of privacy and seclusion. Most are directly on the water, with excellent views of the Missouri River. All of the sites in the park are just a quick walk or drive from the boat launch.
The campground does not take reservations for any of the sites, so they are all first-come, first-served. There are only 18 sites in the campground, so you should try to come early in the day if you want a spot. You can also call ahead before you arrive to ask about availability, although the park will not accept any reservations over the phone.
The wide, open waters of Lake Oahe attract a great variety of waterfowl, and you’ll also find dozens of other species living in the trees surrounding the shores of the lake. You’ll see ducks, geese, shorebirds, tern, gulls, and bald eagles around the rim of Lake Oahe.
Okobojo Point is also part of South Dakota’s Great Lakes Birding Trail, a network of hiking trails that highlight some of the best birdwatching spots in the state.
South Dakota has a group of dedicated birdwatching societies, many of which publish useful field guides and bird checklists online. Check the websites of some of these groups to learn more about the birds that live in central South Dakota.
The park is an excellent location for fishing, with some of the best angling in the region. Make sure you pack your fishing gear in your camping trailer. You’ll find a wide variety of fish species in Lake Oahe, including walleye, northern pike, catfish, smallmouth bass, and sauger.
There’s a boat launch located at the southern tip of the park. There are no rentals, so you’ll need to bring all the gear you need with you.
Lake Oahe has over 2,000 miles of shoreline, making for excellent hiking along the water. Within the recreation area, you’ll find two miles of walking trails. If you want to extend your hike, you can head out of the park and along the shore of Lake Oahe, where you’ll find miles of trails. You can also connect to the Great Lakes Birding Trail, a network of hiking trails that cuts through central South Dakota and takes you to some of the best birdwatching areas in the state.
All of the walking trails in the park can also be used for biking, and many trails outside of the park are also open to biking.
Lake Oahe is one of the largest lakes in the state, giving you plenty of room for water activities such as water skiing and jet skiing. Motorized boats are welcome, so you can explore your way around the lake as fast as you like.
There is a boat launch at the southern tip of Okobojo Point, near many of the RV campsites. The park does not rent boats, so you’ll need to bring your own or find a store nearby that offers rentals.
If you want to be a bit more active on your beach day, head over to the volleyball court. It’s right next to the swimming beaches, and close to many of the campsites.
The volleyball area is also close to multiple picnic areas, in case you want to have a snack and relax between matches. The court stays open running through mid-spring to early fall, although exact times may vary by year.
Okobojo Point Recreation Area has miles of sandy beaches that rest on the shores of the Missouri River, making it an excellent summertime swimming spot. Many of the beaches are right next to the campsites, so you can step out of your camper onto the sand.
The beaches are not monitored any time of the year, so take caution when swimming with kids. Dogs are allowed on the beaches, provided they stay on a leash.
