Cow Creek 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
- 46 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- gfp.sd.gov(605) 773-3117
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Cow Creek Recreation Area is a 271-acre recreation area in Sully County, about 15 miles northwest of Pierre.
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, wildlife watching, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are 46 campsites (RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, and showers). There are also cabins for rent.
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. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open. | ||
Official wording
Year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open.
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 | $23 · 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: $23 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 46 campsites and 4 camping cabins | 46 | ElectricShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
46 campsites and 4 camping cabins
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingFishingCampingPicnicking
Boating and paddling
Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boat Ramp(s)
Fishing
Fishing, Fish Cleaning Station(s), Shore Fishing Access
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic shelters
Water
- Boat ramp
- Fish cleaning station
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ 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
- Camping Cabin(s)
- Flush Toilets
- Group Picnic Shelter(s)
- Showers
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 28229 Cow Creek Road
Pierre, SD 57501 - Nearest town
- Pierre — about 15 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 44.5557, -100.4762
- Phone
- (605) 773-3117
- CowCreek@state.sd.us
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Directions from the park
15 miles northwest of Pierre off SD Highway 1804
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