Openings · last 7 days
85
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 85 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233467
When Cottonwood (NE) reopens
Cottonwood (NE)'s openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
140
Openings · last 90 days
146
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dNo strong weekday pattern is evident in the openings Campsite Sniper has detected: 146 openings spread across the week.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 03:00 and 09:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 39 of 146 detected openings (26.7%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Central Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Lead-time profile
Days before stay date · percentilesHalf of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 13 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 6–26.8 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | 15 | 10.3% |
| 05 | 14 | 9.6% |
| 34 | 13 | 8.9% |
| 14 | 12 | 8.2% |
| 68 | 9 | 6.2% |
Site 47 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 15. One free watch covers every site here.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18 – Oct 18, 2026 · of 76 monitored sites
Of the 2,294 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Oct 18, 2026): 923 open for online reservation · 1,371 reserved.
Where the open windows are
59.8% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 923 of 2,294 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18 – Oct 18, 2026Not open online59.8%
Open site-nights923 / 2,294
Reserved (of online inventory)1,371 / 2,294
Weekday openings608
Weekend openings315
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 608 fall on weekdays and 315 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Oct 2026October holds the most room. 560 of 1,332 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 74 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 23 | 26 |
| 27 | 26 |
| 35 | 24 |
| 21 | 23 |
| 30 | 23 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateFri · Sep 18
Next open weekendFri · Sep 18
The next bookable night is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
923 open site-nights across 74 sites at Cottonwood (NE), from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 183 2-night, 155 3-night, 40 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 18 at site 21.
RV length. Longest recorded site here is 125 ft. 74 sites take 25 ft, 72 sites take 35 ft, 69 sites take 40 ft.
Showing 60 of 74 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 41 ft | Yes | 26 | 15 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4 +14 more |
| 27 | 50 ft | Yes | 26 | 15 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4 +14 more |
| 35 | 39 ft | Yes | 24 | 14 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 5, Oct 6 +12 more |
| 21 | 50 ft | Yes | 23 | 7 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +11 more |
| 30 | 49 ft | Yes | 23 | 15 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +11 more |
| 18 | 48 ft | Yes | 20 | 15 nights | Sep 20, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 9, Oct 10 +8 more |
| 28 | 48 ft | Yes | 20 | 9 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 7, Oct 8 +8 more |
| 34 | 51 ft | Yes | 20 | 13 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 9, Oct 10 +8 more |
| 19 | 49 ft | Yes | 19 | 7 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +7 more |
| 15 | 32 ft | Yes | 18 | 7 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 12 +6 more |
| 39 | 54 ft | Yes | 18 | 9 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 29, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 9, Oct 10 +6 more |
| 54 | 37 ft | Yes | 18 | 7 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 12 +6 more |
| 55 | 34 ft | Yes | 18 | 7 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 12 +6 more |
| 68 | 42 ft | Yes | 18 | 11 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 9 +6 more |
| 70 | 47 ft | Yes | 18 | 11 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 9 +6 more |
| 46 | 55 ft | Yes | 17 | 7 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 4, Oct 12, Oct 13 +5 more |
| 48 | 46 ft | Yes | 17 | 6 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 6 +5 more |
| 50 | 43 ft | Yes | 17 | 7 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 6, Oct 12, Oct 13 +5 more |
| 52 | 41 ft | Yes | 17 | 7 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 12, Oct 13 +5 more |
| 61 | 51 ft | Yes | 17 | 7 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13 +5 more |
| 13 | 46 ft | Yes | 16 | 4 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 12 +4 more |
| 14 | 46 ft | Yes | 16 | 7 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14 +4 more |
| 47 | 73 ft | Yes | 16 | 14 nights | Sep 27, Sep 28, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 9, Oct 10, Oct 11, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14 +4 more |
| 65 | 43 ft | Yes | 16 | 6 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 13, Oct 14 +4 more |
| 74 | 52 ft | Yes | 16 | 5 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8 +4 more |
| 20 | 52 ft | Yes | 15 | 7 nights | Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 9, Oct 10, Oct 11, Oct 12 +3 more |
| 45 | 89 ft | Yes | 15 | 15 nights | Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 9, Oct 10, Oct 11, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15 +3 more |
| 63 | 58 ft | Yes | 15 | 6 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 6, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15 +3 more |
| 71 | 37 ft | Yes | 15 | 4 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 12 +3 more |
| 37 | 69 ft | Yes | 14 | 7 nights | Sep 20, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 16 +2 more |
| 41 | 60 ft | Yes | 14 | 7 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 16 +2 more |
| 43 | 51 ft | Yes | 14 | 7 nights | Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 16 +2 more |
| 49 | 49 ft | Yes | 14 | 5 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +2 more |
| 58 | 70 ft | Yes | 14 | 7 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 16 +2 more |
| 26 | 66 ft | Yes | 13 | 7 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4 +1 more |
| 40 | 60 ft | Yes | 13 | 7 nights | Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 16, Oct 17 +1 more |
| 76 | 47 ft | Yes | 13 | 4 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15 +1 more |
| 10P | 61 ft | Yes | 12 | 4 nights | Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 16, Oct 17, Oct 18 |
| 12 | 64 ft | Yes | 12 | 4 nights | Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 18 |
| 17 | 50 ft | Yes | 12 | 4 nights | Sep 20, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 18 |
| 31 | 99 ft | Yes | 12 | 10 nights | Sep 27, Sep 28, Oct 9, Oct 10, Oct 11, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 16, Oct 17, Oct 18 |
| 07 | 66 ft | Yes | 11 | 4 nights | Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14 |
| 33 | 66 ft | Yes | 11 | 10 nights | Sep 24, Oct 9, Oct 10, Oct 11, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 16, Oct 17, Oct 18 |
| 38 | 61 ft | Yes | 11 | 4 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 18 |
| 56 | 57 ft | Yes | 11 | 3 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 18 |
| 75 | 62 ft | Yes | 11 | 7 nights | Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 16, Oct 17, Oct 18 |
| 11 | 71 ft | Yes | 10 | 4 nights | Sep 20, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 18 |
| 22 | 69 ft | Yes | 10 | 7 nights | Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 7, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 16, Oct 17, Oct 18 |
| 51 | 125 ft | Yes | 10 | 3 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 27, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 18 |
| 60P | 60 ft | Yes | 10 | 3 nights | Sep 20, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 18 |
| 72 | 51 ft | Yes | 10 | 5 nights | Sep 20, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 18 |
| 05 | 57 ft | Yes | 9 | 8 nights | Sep 28, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 9, Oct 10, Oct 11 |
| 42 | 66 ft | Yes | 9 | 3 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 18 |
| 53P | 65 ft | Yes | 9 | 3 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Oct 4, Oct 6, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 18 |
| 64P | 52 ft | Yes | 9 | 3 nights | Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 8, Oct 18 |
| 36 | 60 ft | Yes | 8 | 5 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 16, Oct 17, Oct 18 |
| 69 | 55 ft | Yes | 8 | 4 nights | Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 18 |
| 24 | 63 ft | Yes | 7 | 3 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 18 |
| 67 | 63 ft | Yes | 7 | 4 nights | Sep 27, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 14, Oct 18 |
| 04P | 48 ft | Yes | 6 | 3 nights | Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 18 |
About Cottonwood (NE)
Overview
Cottonwood Recreation Area is located just downstream of Gavins Point Dam and Lewis & Clark Lake along the western shore of Lake Yankton. The numerous outdoor recreational opportunities attract more than 2 million visitors annually to the Lewis & Clark Lake area, making it one of the most popular recreation destinations in the Upper Great Plains. Lewis & Clark Lake is 31,400-acres in size with more than 90 miles of shoreline is impounded by Gavins Point Dam, which was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944, commonly called the Pick-Sloan Plan.
For more information about Lewis and Clark Lake, please visit the Gavins Point Project website .
Recreation
Cottonwood Recreation Area is conveniently located between Lewis and Clark Lake and Lake Yankton. Lewis and Clark Lake is known for great boating, sailing, swimming and other water-based recreation activities. Lake Yankton is popular with families as a popular fishing spot along with the excellent kayaking, canoeing and paddling opportunities. Numerous paved, multi-use trails connect the area with the additional numerous recreation areas located along Lewis and Clark Lake, Lake Yankton and the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark Lake attracts more than 2 million visitors each year to its shores. Recreation opportunities around the lake include camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, boating, sailing, swimming, bird-watching, and photography.
For the biking and hiking enthusiasts, three trails are available in the area. They include a paved trail that runs from Yankton to the Gavins Point area, a multi-use trail in the Gavins Point area and the Calumet Bluff hiking trail located near the visitor center. Wintertime activities include ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and sledding.
Developed public parks and recreation areas surround the lake above and below Gavins Point Dam. Camping facilities provided by the Corps and the States of South Dakota and Nebraska include marinas, boat ramps, trails, campsites with electricity, modern restrooms, playground equipment and trailer dump stations.
Facilities
All 77 campsites have electric hookups, and all sites are reservable. Two modern shower houses with flush toilets are available for campers. A playground, horseshoe pits and picnic shelter are available within the campground and the adjacent Day-Use Area has a large reservable picnic shelter, picnic area, accessible fishing dock, disc golf course and a boat ramp for access to Lake Yankton. Nearby Training Dike Day-Use Area has a popular swimming beach on Lake Yankton along with access to the Missouri River downstream of Gavins Point Dam. A RV dump station is located just north of Cottonwood Campground off of Toe Road.
Natural Features
Cottonwood Recreation Area is located in the in the lush golden chalkstone-lined Missouri River Valley. Many visitors to the lake area prefer to stay at Cottonwood because of the calmer, quieter waters of Lake Yankton, a much smaller lake of approximately 250-acres in size - versus the much larger Lewis and Clark Lake upstream of the dam. Lake Yankton provides excellent habitat for a variety of waterfowl and other bird species. The area abounds with wildlife including Whitetail Deer, turkeys, and other game species. Bald Eagles and other birds of prey are spotted by visitors regularly due to the great fishing opportunities available year-round.
Nearby Attractions
The Lewis and Clark Visitor Center : Contains exhibits on the Missouri River and area history including the Lewis and Clark Expedition with stunning views of Lewis and Clark Lake along with the Missouri River. Please contact the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center at (402) 667-2546 for more information.
The Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
Visit nearby Yankton, South Dakota - the historic capitol of the Dakota Territory.
Located both upstream and downstream of Lewis and Clark Lake, visit the Missouri National Recreational River .
76 monitored sitesRVs up to 125 ft74 with hookups74 shadedWaterfrontLakefrontPets OKFire pitsMax party 8
Getting there
From U.S. Hwy 81 in Yankton, South Dakota, drive four miles west on South Dakota Highway 52, then south on Dam Toe Road and follow signs.
U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Yankton, SD 57078402-667-2546. FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL 877-444-6777.
BikingBirdingBoatingCampingCanoeingDay Use AreaDisc GolfFishingHikingKayakingPaddlingPhotographyPicnickingPlayground Park Specialized Sport SiteWater AccessWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-233467 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233467 · Cottonwood (NE) · Yankton SD12 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Cottonwood (NE)?
Reservations for Cottonwood (NE) are made through Recreation.gov. 923 of 2,294 tracked site-nights are currently open (40.2%). Campsite Sniper has also detected 146 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Cottonwood (NE)?
Campsite Sniper detected 85 site-date openings at Cottonwood (NE) in the last 7 days, 140 over 30 days and 146 over the last 90.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Cottonwood (NE)?
155 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 18 at site 21. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which sites at Cottonwood (NE) fit a 35-foot RV?
72 of the 74 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 125 ft.
Which month has the most availability at Cottonwood (NE)?
October 2026, with 560 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 1,332.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Cottonwood (NE)?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 13 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 6-26.8 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
When is the next open date at Cottonwood (NE)?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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