Located along the part of the Missouri River referred to as Lake Francis Case, lovely 695-acre Snake Creek Recreation Area offers guests stunning views and the opportunity to engage in a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Early explorers to the area would watch for the “burning bluffs” that guests can still enjoy when the light hits the edge of the Missouri River just right. Visitors to this popular area will find a sandy swim beach, picnicking areas, a boat ramp, a fish cleaning station, a playground, hiking trails, and a campground with a variety of amenities here. There are ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and enjoying the shore line at this lovely park. Guests will enjoy lovely views of the Missouri River amid the rolling hills of this area which was surveyed by members of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Guests looking to extend their stay will find 115 camp sites and 10 cabins split between two camping areas to choose from. The park offers sites to accommodate RV’s up to 80-feet long. Some sites offer electrical hookup. Guests will find flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station available for their use. Open year round, this campground is most popular from the end of April to early October.
The park's address is:
35316 SD Hwy-44
Platte, SD 57369
Guest will find the Snake Creek Recreation Area located 14-miles west of Platte off SD Hwy-44. Guests traveling from Platte, will take Hwy-44 west for approximately 14-miles and turn left into the recreation area. The turn is just before the Platte Winner Bridge takes you over the Missouri River.
Guests to Snake Creek Recreation Area will find ample parking available to them. There is parking near the marina, near the swimming beach, at the park shop, and within the campground areas.
Guests to Snake Creek Recreation Area will find no access to public transportation within the park.
Located on the eastern shore of the Missouri River, lovely Snake Creek Recreation Area is a popular place to enjoy nature and participate in the exceptional water related sports available here. Guests can take in stunning views of the majestic Missouri river from their spot at the sandy swim beach, enjoy a leisurely hike along the rolling hills, or relax and cast a line. This area, rich in history and natural beauty, begs to be experienced. Guests to the park will find a variety of amenities here. Along with a sandy beach for cooling off in the heat of summer, guests will find amenities making fishing and boating a breeze. The park maintains a boat ramp, a fish cleaning station, and has fishing pole and life jacket checkouts available. Guests will also find a hiking trail, a playground, an amphitheater, a picnic shelter, and restrooms available for use.
Guests wishing to stay overnight can choose between camping and renting a cabin. You can rent cabins that sleep four with two twin and one double bed. Some cabins are only feet from the river. Guests seeking to camp will find 115 sites available to choose from. Guests can find sites to accommodate RV’s up to 80-feet in length. Many sites offer partial shade, and some are near the river shore. Camping guests will find flush toilets and hot showers available. There is also a dump station available for those traveling in RV’s.
Guests to lovely 695-acre Snake Creek Recreation area will want to pack their swimsuits and sunscreen. Resting along the eastern shore of the Missouri River, this popular park maintains a sandy swimming beach. With picnic areas near by this area, guests can easily make a day of swimming and relaxing in nature beside the shores of the majestic Missouri River. Guests will want to be mindful that, as with any natural body of water, there are some hazards associated with swimming in the Missouri River.
The Mighty Missouri River is a great draw for fans of boating, and Snake Creek Recreation Area is popular with the boating crowd. The Missouri River, or “Big Muddy”, is divided into four distinct reservoirs. Guests to Snake Creek Recreation Area will find themselves in the Lake Francis Case Region. This 102,000-acre reservoir has a maximum depth of 140-feet making it an ideal space for many kinds of craft. The park maintains a boat ramp and has a nearby marina making your boating dreams a reality.
Once you have had your fill of fun in the sun, guests to Snake Creek Recreation Area may be interested in finding some indoor activities. Those interested in history and local culture, may enjoy a visit to the Cecil and Phyllis Melcher Museum in nearby Platte. This museum, open 1-4 Fridays and Saturdays after the Memorial Day weekend, invites guests to explore artifacts that speak of the history of the Platte area. Guests will encounter exhibits related to South Dakota wildlife, local heroes, and collections of toys and arts of the area. Guests wishing to see the collection in the off season should call to schedule a viewing.
Guests finding themselves in Snake Creek Recreation Area will want to take advantage of their location and cast a line into the majestic Missouri River. Regardless of the season, the majestic Missouri River offers an astonishing variety of fish. Visitors to Snake Creek Recreation Area shouldn’t be surprised to find bass, perch, walleye, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, catfish, pike, trout, salmon, and paddlefish. Ice fishing is a winter option in this popular shore side recreation area. Guest who find themselves in this area without their gear will be happy to hear that the park supports a fishing pole checkout. Guests will also find that this park maintains a boat ramp and fish cleaning station to make their fishing experience easier and more enjoyable.
Guests to Snake Creek Recreation Area will want to make sure they have comfortable walking shoes on hand. The park maintains a hiking trail.
Shannon Trail is a grass trail with its trail head located near the gazebo. Guests will find amenities near the trail head, making this hiking experience a great addition to an afternoon spent at the swim beach. The trail is approximately three-quarters of a mile in length. The trail runs between the two campground loops within the park. Guests will encounter several species of native plants here and may spot native deer, pheasants, and wild turkey while meandering the partially wooded draws here. Guests will find educational information on posted signage here.
Guests to Snake Creek Recreation Area with an interest in history and Native American culture will find a visit to the to the Akta Lakota Museum well worth their time. Open year-round this museum is located in Chamberlain. Hours of operation are May-Oct. 8 am – 6 pm Monday-Saturday and Sundays 9 am – 5 pm. Nov.- May hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday – Friday. Located within St. Joseph’s Indian School, this unique museum gives voice to the Northern Plains Indian Tribes. Here guests will engage with exhibits that tell the story of Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota peoples.
