Lake Thompson Recreation Area
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- See fee details
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- 103 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- gfp.sd.gov(605) 847-4893
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Lake Thompson Recreation Area is a 398-acre recreation area in Kingsbury County, about 7 miles southeast of De Smet.
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and biking. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are 103 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 |
|---|---|
| Annual (resident) | $40 · year |
| $60 for nonresidents (nonresident) | $60 |
| Campsites - electrical | $30 · night |
| Campsites - non-electrical | $16 · night |
| Camping cabins | $60 · night |
| Group lodge | $280 · night |
Official wording
Annual: $40 for residents $60 for nonresidents Campsites - electrical: $30 per night Campsites - non-electrical: $16 per night Camping cabins: $60 per night Group lodge: $280 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 103 campsites, 5 camping cabins, and group lodge | 103 | ElectricShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
103 campsites, 5 camping cabins, and group lodge
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Modern Lodging
Modern Lodging
The group lodge at Lake Thompson offers increased comforts in an outdoor setting any time of the year.
Virtual Lodge Tour
Things to do
BikingHikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingFishingHorseback ridingSwimmingCamping
Trails
Biking (on trails), Hiking, Biking Trail(s), Hiking Trail(s), TRACK Trail(s)
Swimming
Swimming, Swim Beach(es)
Boating and paddling
Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking, 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
- Playground
Water
- Swimming beach
- 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)
- Campsite(s)
- Flush Toilets
- Group Lodge
- Showers
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 21176 Flood Club Road
Lake Preston, SD 57249 - Nearest town
- De Smet — about 7 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 44.3235, -97.4346
- Phone
- (605) 847-4893
- LakeThompson@state.sd.us
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Directions from the park
6 miles southwest of Lake Preston off US Hwy 14
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- South Dakota State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Aug 12, 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. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology