Chief White Crane Recreation Area
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- 146 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- gfp.sd.gov(605) 668-2985
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 209 acres, Chief White Crane Recreation Area lies in Yankton County, about 4 miles southwest of Yankton.
Popular activities here are horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, and wildlife watching. Water access includes a boat ramp and a fishing pier. Camping is available: 146 campsites, including RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, and showers. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Year-round. Vehicle traffic prohibited Nov. 15 through the last Friday in March due to bald eagle nesting. Between Oct. 1 and April 30 water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. | ||
Official wording
Year-round. Vehicle traffic prohibited Nov. 15 through the last Friday in March due to bald eagle nesting. Between Oct. 1 and April 30 water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily (resident) | $10 · day |
| $15 for nonresidents (nonresident) | $15 |
| Annual (resident) | $40 · year |
| $60 for nonresidents (nonresident) | $60 |
| Campsites - electrical | $30 · night |
| Campsites - non-electrical | $16 · night |
| Camping cabins | $60 · night |
Official wording
Daily: $10 for residents $15 for nonresidents Annual: $40 for residents $60 for nonresidents Campsites - electrical: $30 per night Campsites - non-electrical: $16 per night Camping cabins: $60 per night
South Dakota park passes
- Annual park entrance license — $40 resident / $60 nonresident. Vehicle entrance to all state parks and recreation areas Details
- Daily park entrance license — $10 resident / $15 nonresident. Daily vehicle entrance Details
- Custer State Park temporary license — $25 per vehicle / $20 per motorcycle (1-7 days). Custer State Park Details
- George S. Mickelson Trail pass — $5 daily / $20 annual per person Details
From the South Dakota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Go Outdoors South Dakota (Brandt)
- Phone
- 1.800.710.2267
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites 146 campsites (2 tent sites non-electric) and 10 camping cabins | 146 | ElectricShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
146 campsites (2 tent sites non-electric) and 10 camping cabins
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingHikingWildlife viewing and birdingCanoeing and kayakingFishingGeocachingHorseback ridingPicnickingBoatingCamping
Trails
Biking (on trails), Hiking, Biking Trail(s), Hiking Trail(s), Paved Trail(s)
Boating and paddling
Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boat Ramp(s)
Fishing
Fishing, Fishing Pier(s), Shore Fishing Access
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
Water
- Boat ramp
- Fishing pier
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
Lodging
- Cabins
Accessibility
- Accessible trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible trails
- Camping Cabin(s)
- Campsite(s)
- Fishing Pier(s)
- Group Picnic Shelter(s)
- Paved Trail(s)
- Playground(s)
- Showers
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 31323 Toe Road
Yankton, SD 57078 - Nearest town
- Yankton — about 4 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 42.8513, -97.4601
- Phone
- (605) 668-2985
- Lewis-Clark@state.sd.us
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Directions from the park
4 miles west of Yankton off SD Hwy 52, 2 miles south on Toe Road
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- South Dakota State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Aug 24, 2026
- GFP 'Find a State Park' map JSON
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology