West Whitlock Recreation Area
Guide

West Whitlock Recreational Area is a popular destination for angles of all ages. Anglers can toss in a line and put their skills to the test to catch diverse species of fish. The waters of Lake Ohea Reservoir are teaming with walleye, white bass, sauger, smallmouth bass, northern pike, chinook salmon and perch to name but a few. The park also has its very own fish cleaning stations and bait shop for added convenience to anglers. Fishing enthusiast will greatly enjoy the wide open waters, private fishing spots and diversity of fish species present in West Whitlock Recreational Area. A fishing license is required in order to fish on the reservoir.

A lot of visitors come to West Whitlock recreation park to enjoy the amazing boating experience in Lake Oahe that is accessible from the park's designated boat launch ramp. These ramps allow you to safely board your kayak or canoe and take to the waters of Lake Oahe Reservoir, where you and your family can enjoy a peaceful boating experience gazing at panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

West Whitlock Recreational Area looks to provide its guest with many recreational activities to entertain them during the course of their camping holiday. Hiking trails allow guest to have leisurely walks that loop around the lake's high water shoreline offering opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the scenic natural beauty of the surrounding woodlands and lake waters. The most popular hiking trails in West Whitlock Recreational Area is “The Louis Badger Trail”. This trail is around two miles long and is well-maintained which makes for an easy and relaxing hike while enjoying the outdoors.

During the winter season, West Whitlock Recreational Area offers a number of winter related activities such as cross-country skiing on the Louis Badger Trail. Every year, a large number of winter enthusiasts visit West Whitlock to enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on this almost two mile long trail.

The lands around West Whitlock Recreational area have a rich history, glimpses of which can still be viewed around the park grounds. The park offers a replica of an Arikara earth lodge that was found in the park and is a reminder of the many lodges that once spread across this landscape. These lodges were made up of logs of cottonwood, grass and willow branches with each lodge being large enough to accommodate up to 20 people at a time. The people who lived here (the Arikara people), were farmers and grew crops such as beans, corn, squash, tobacco and sunflower. The replica takes you back to those simpler and peaceful times and is a must see when visiting West Whitlock Recreational Area.

There are picnic shelters available on the shore at West Whitlock that can be reserved online or via phone. These picnic shelters at contain facilities like running water, electrical hookups, toilet/ restrooms, and parking space for your vehicles. The picnic sites also have picnic tables are a fire pit area where you can relax and enjoy the views of the surrounding woodlands and lake waters.