Lake Thompson Recreation Area RV & Campground Guide
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Lake Thompson State Park is an excellent spot for those who love the great outdoors. This park was named Dry Woods Lake by the local American Indians. However, it was later renamed after Jacob Thompson, who served as the Secretary of the Interior under President James Buchanan. The recreational area offers a variety of activities, including biking, boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, and wildlife watching. The lake spans over 12,000 acres, making it one of the state's largest natural bodies of water. The park is an ideal destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of South Dakota.
Spring 40-75 F
Summer 60-90 F
Fall 35-55 F
Winter 5-20 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Thompson Recreation Area
The Lake Thompson Recreation Area offers a campground with 103 campsites, five camping cabins, and a group lodge. All the campsites come with electrical hookups for RVs and trailers. The campground is situated beside the shoreline, so you can easily walk to Lake Thompson. However, the campsites do have limited privacy and shade between the campers. Lake Thompson Recreational Area provides a wide range of amenities for campers, including accessible features for people with disabilities. Along with that, there are basketball hoops, fish cleaning stations, a group lodge with modern facilities, a playground for children, and self-serve entrance kiosks.
What to Do at
Lake Thompson Recreation Area
Lake Thompson State Park offers a variety of activities for outdoor fun, such as boating, hiking, and fishing. Visitors can rent watercraft so that they can explore the scenic shoreline or venture to the center of Lake Thompson. Hikers have access to trails that cater to both beginners and experienced trekkers. Fishing aficionados can catch bass, walleye, and perch in the lake.
Fishing
If you are a fishing enthusiast, you will love to know that the lake has more than 44 miles of shoreline that is perfect for fishing. Anglers can cast their lines and expect to catch a variety of fish species, such as northern pike, walleye, black bullhead, sunfish, yellow perch, and silver bass. Fishing at the lake is an experience that you will not want to miss.
Nature Watching
Lake Thompson Recreation Area is a natural habitat for various species of wildlife. You may come across white-tailed deer, raccoons, and rabbits. Additionally, the park is a perfect spot for birdwatchers who can catch a glimpse of the red-winged blackbird, American goldfinch, and great blue heron. If you travel by boat, you may see northern pike, walleye, black bullhead, sunfish, yellow perch, and silver bass in Lake Thompson.
Flora and Fauna
This region in South Dakota is renowned for its flora. You might find the pasqueflower, arrowleaf balsamroot, blanketflower, or kinnikinnick on your travels throughout the park. Along with that, there are plenty of mammals, birds, and fish species in this park.
Hiking
The Lake Thompson Recreation Area TRACK Trail travels through the park. This easy 1-mile loop is perfect for hikers of all skill levels, especially those new to hiking and who want to experience the great outdoors without taking on a challenging trail. As you hike along the Prairie View Trail, you'll have the chance to spot local wildlife and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Boating
Boating is one of the top activities in the park. You can easily access the water through the boat ramp in the recreation area's southern portion. You can take a kayak, canoe, or motorized boat to explore the waterway.
Swimming
A beautiful, protected beach is just a short walk from the camping area. The beach is well-maintained. It is perfect for a refreshing dip or a relaxing sunbathing session.
Biking
The Lake Thompson Recreation Area allows you to bike on both park roads and trails. You can take the Lake Thompson Park Tour Trail's paved loop around the campground.
How to Get to
Lake Thompson Recreation Area
If you're traveling from Lake Preston, you need to head south on Highway 25 for approximately 10 miles. After reaching the junction with Highway 34, turn left. Continue on Highway 34 for about 15 miles until you see the entrance to Lake Thompson State Park on your right.
Entering Lake Thompson Recreation Area
Lake Thompson Recreation Area is open all year round. The park has parking lots and offers some ADA-accessible amenities. Between October 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets, and other water systems may be closed. Operating hours are from sunrise to sunset, and visitors can enter on foot, bike, or in passenger vehicles and RVs. There are no RV size restrictions within the park.
Lake Thompson Recreation Area Entry Fee : $8.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Thompson Recreation Area
Many visitors choose to explore the park during the spring and fall seasons because of the mild temperatures. During these seasons, the park has various outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. The fresh air, colorful foliage, and blooming flowers make for an unforgettable experience.
You can see some of the most impressive animals in the park, such as white-tailed deer, red foxes, and various bird species. While the park is generally a safe place to visit, you should be aware that there have been occasional sightings of black bears in the area.
There are 103 camping spots for RVs. Many of them are equipped with electrical and water hookups. If you are looking for more room, there are five camping cabins and even a group lodge available for rent.
During the summer, the campgrounds can fill up with visitors. You will want to book a reservation through the park's website. Depending on the type of site, the costs will vary. However, they tend to start at $26 per night.
Yes, well-behaved and leashed pets are always welcomed at Lake Thompson Recreation Area. You will need to keep them out of the public buildings, including the restrooms. Along with that, you have to clean up any pet waste around your campsite.