Lake Thompson Recreation Area South Dakota (SD) RV Rentals
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Introduction
Lake Thompson Recreation Area, also known as Lake Thompson, is a popular destination for RV camping due to its rich history, unique natural features, and a variety of recreational activities. The park is located in the heart of South Dakota and spans over 18,000 acres, making it the largest natural lake in the state. The lake was formed over 10,000 years ago when a glacier melted and left behind a large depression. Over the centuries, the depression filled with water, creating the lake we see today. The area surrounding the lake was once home to several Native American tribes, including the Dakota and Lakota Sioux, who considered the lake to be a sacred site. RVThereYet is an RV rental company, offering a diverse fleet of motorhomes, including Class A, Class B, and Class C Rentals, Travel, Trailers, and Motorhomes for unforgettable adventures in scenic RV parks and campsites in Lake Thompson Recreation Area. Ensure early reservations for camper rentals at Lake Thompson Recreation Area.
RV Rentals in Lake Thompson Recreation Area
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Transportation
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Driving/Transportation
If you’re planning a trip to Lake Thompson Recreation Area there are several transportation options available. The most convenient way to get to the park is by private vehicle and there are several entrances to choose from. The park’s main entrance is located on the west side of the lake off of Highway 212. Keep in mind that there are restrictions on rig sizes with a maximum length of 45 feet and a maximum width of 10 feet.
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Parking area
RVs are welcome at the park with designated parking areas available. Overnight parking outside of designated campsites is not allowed. Camping with an RV is recommended as it allows for easy exploration of the park using alternative transportation methods.
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Public Transportation
Yes there are several options for getting around the park. Shuttle buses are available during peak season providing transportation to popular areas within the park. Walking paths are also abundant offering scenic routes for visitors to explore on foot.
Top Campsites in Lake Thompson Recreation Area
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Reservations camping
1. Tipp’s Point Campground 2. Elephant Rock Nature Park Campground 3. Cedar Cove Marina & Resort 4. Lake Murray RV Park
Tipp’s Point Campground is the most popular reservation-only campsite within Lake Thompson Recreation Area. Located on the eastern shore of the lake it offers 91 sites including 50 full hookups and 41 water and electric hookups. The campground is pet-friendly and open year-round. Activities include hiking fishing boating and swimming. Amenities include restrooms with showers a dump station picnic tables and fire rings. RVs and trailers up to 60 feet are permitted.
Elephant Rock Nature Park Campground is another popular reservation-only campsite near Lake Thompson Recreation Area. Located just a few miles south of the park it offers 50 sites including 30 full hookups and 20 water and electric hookups. The campground is pet-friendly and open year-round. Activities include hiking fishing and wildlife viewing. Amenities include restrooms with showers a dump station picnic tables and fire rings. RVs and trailers up to 40 feet are permitted.
Cedar Cove Marina & Resort is a popular reservation-only campsite located on the southeastern shore of Lake Thompson Recreation Area. It offers 60 sites including 50 full hookups and 10 water and electric hookups. The campground is pet-friendly and open year-round. Activities include boating fishing swimming and hiking. Amenities include restrooms with showers a laundry facility a marina with boat rentals and a restaurant. RVs and trailers up to 60 feet are permitted.
Lake Murray RV Park is a popular reservation-only campsite located on the western shore of the lake. It offers 50 sites including 30 full hookups and 20 water and electric hookups. The campground is pet-friendly and open year-round. Activities include fishing boating and swimming. Amenities include restrooms with showers a laundry facility a boat ramp and a convenience store. RVs and trailers up to 40 feet are permitted.
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First-come first-served
” in lowercase on its own line as requested. 1. Oakwood Lakes State Park Campground 2. Lake Herman State Park Campground 3. Lake Poinsett Recreation Area Campground 4. Dakota Sunsets RV Park and Campground
Oakwood Lakes State Park Campground is the most popular campground near Lake Thompson Recreation Area. Located just 12 miles east of Lake Thompson this campground has 76 sites including 52 sites with electric hookups. Oakwood Lakes State Park Campground offers a range of activities including fishing boating hiking and swimming. Amenities include showers flush toilets and a dump station. The campground is pet-friendly and RVs and trailers up to 60 feet are permitted. Oakwood Lakes State Park Campground is open from May 1 to October 31.
Lake Herman State Park Campground is the second most popular campground near Lake Thompson Recreation Area. Located just 14 miles southwest of Lake Thompson this campground has 75 sites including 43 sites with electric hookups. Lake Herman State Park Campground offers a range of activities including fishing boating hiking and picnicking. Amenities include showers flush toilets and a dump station. The campground is pet-friendly and RVs and trailers up to 50 feet are permitted. Lake Herman State Park Campground is open year-round.
Lake Poinsett Recreation Area Campground is the third most popular campground near Lake Thompson Recreation Area. Located just 8 miles southeast of Lake Thompson this campground has 124 sites including 82 sites with electric hookups. Lake Poinsett Recreation Area Campground offers a range of activities including fishing boating swimming and hiking. Amenities include showers flush toilets and a dump station. The campground is pet-friendly and RVs and trailers up to 60 feet are permitted. Lake Poinsett Recreation Area Campground is open from May 1 to October 31.
Dakota Sunsets RV Park and Campground is the fourth most popular campground near Lake Thompson Recreation Area. Located just 10 miles southeast of Lake Thompson this campground has 40 sites including 30 sites with full hookups. Dakota Sunsets RV Park and Campground offers a range of activities including fishing boating and hiking. Amenities include showers flush toilets and a laundry facility. The campground is pet-friendly and RVs and trailers up to 70 feet are permitted. Dakota Sunsets RV Park and Campground is open year-round.
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Alternate camping
1. Westside Campground 2. Eastside Campground 3. North Shore Campground
Westside Campground is a first-come-first-served campground located on the west side of Lake Thompson Recreation Area. This campground has 25 sites including 10 sites with electric hookups. Westside Campground is open from May 1 to October 31. Accommodations include picnic tables and fire rings. RVs and trailers up to 30 feet are permitted. Pets are allowed.
Eastside Campground is a first-come-first-served campground located on the east side of Lake Thompson Recreation Area. This campground has 25 sites including 10 sites with electric hookups. Eastside Campground is open from May 1 to October 31. Accommodations include picnic tables and fire rings. RVs and trailers up to 30 feet are permitted. Pets are allowed.
North Shore Campground is a first-come-first-served campground located on the north side of Lake Thompson Recreation Area. This campground has 12 sites including 6 sites with electric hookups. North Shore Campground is open from May 1 to October 31. Accommodations include picnic tables and fire rings. RVs and trailers up to 30 feet are permitted. Pets are allowed.
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General activities
1. Private Campgrounds 2. Backcountry Camping
If the campsites inside Lake Thompson Recreation Area are full RV renters can look for private campgrounds nearby. Some popular options include Dakota Sunsets RV Park and Campground Oakwood Lakes Resort and Campground and Pioneer Campground and RV Park. These campgrounds offer a range of amenities including full hookups showers and laundry facilities. They are also pet-friendly and can accommodate RVs and trailers of various sizes.
Another alternative camping option for RV renters near Lake Thompson Recreation Area is backcountry camping. The nearby Prairie Coteau Scientific and Natural Area offers primitive camping opportunities. RV renters can park their vehicles at the trailhead and hike into the backcountry to find a campsite. Backcountry camping is free but campers must obtain a permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
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Alternative activities
Fishing Lake Thompson is a hotspot for anglers looking to reel in some big catches. The lake is home to species such as largemouth bass crappie and bluegill. Fishing is allowed year-round and there are several fishing piers and boat ramps located around the lake. Hiking The recreation area offers several hiking trails that wind through the woods and along the lake’s shoreline. The trails range in difficulty from easy to moderate and they offer stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscape. The most popular trail is the Lake Thompson Trail which is a 3.5-mile loop that takes hikers through the heart of the recreation area. Biking The Lake Thompson Recreation Area is a popular destination for cyclists of all skill levels. The park features several miles of paved and unpaved bike trails that offer scenic views of the lake and surrounding forests. The most popular bike trail is the Lake Thompson Bike Trail which is a 5-mile loop that offers a mix of flat and hilly terrain. Boating Lake Thompson is a popular destination for boaters with several boat ramps and docks located around the lake. Boaters can enjoy activities such as waterskiing wakeboarding and tubing. The lake is also a popular spot for paddleboarding and kayaking with several rental options available. Horseback Riding The Lake Thompson Recreation Area offers several miles of equestrian trails that wind through the woods and along the lake’s shoreline. The trails are open to riders of all skill levels and there are several horse rentals available in the area.
Season-specific experiences in Lake Thompson Recreation Area
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Spring activities
Alternative Activities Nature Watching Lake Thompson is a great place to observe wildlife with several species of birds mammals and reptiles calling the area home. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the lake’s shoreline or through the woods to spot animals such as deer turkeys and egrets. Sightseeing The recreation area is home to several landmarks and points of interest including the historic Thompson Lake Dam and the Lake Thompson Observation Tower. Visitors can take a guided tour of the dam or climb the observation tower for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscape. Photography Lake Thompson is a photographer’s paradise with several picturesque spots perfect for capturing the area’s natural beauty. Some popular photo opportunities include the Thompson Lake Dam the Lake Thompson Observation Tower and the sunset over the lake. Picnicking The recreation area offers several picnic areas with tables grills and scenic views of the lake. Visitors can pack a lunch and enjoy a leisurely picnic while taking in the beautiful surroundings. Bird Watching Lake Thompson is a popular destination for bird watchers with several species of birds calling the area home. Visitors can take a guided bird watching tour or explore the area on their own to spot birds such as egrets herons and osprey.
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Summer activities
As spring arrives in Lake Thompson Recreation Area RV campers flock to this picturesque destination for its abundance of recreational activities. One such activity is fishing at the lake which is teeming with walleye northern pike and perch. The peaceful ambiance and beautiful scenery make it the perfect spot to cast a line and unwind. Another popular springtime attraction is the Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway a 19-mile drive that offers breathtaking views of rolling prairies lush wetlands and diverse wildlife. Visitors may spot bison pronghorn antelope and deer roaming the landscape. History buffs will enjoy exploring the nearby Fort Thompson Historic Site which provides a glimpse into the lives of the Dakota people and the U.S. Army during the mid-19th century. Visitors can explore the fort’s ruins including the powder magazine and officers’ quarters. For those seeking adventure the Lake Thompson Recreation Area offers miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through the scenic landscape. The trails range from easy to challenging making them suitable for all skill levels. Lastly birdwatching is a must-do activity in the spring as the Lake Thompson Recreation Area is home to over 200 species of birds. Visitors can spot everything from bald eagles to pelicans at the lake and surrounding wetlands.
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Fall activities
As the summer heat sets in Lake Thompson Recreation Area offers a variety of activities to keep RV campers entertained. One popular summer pastime is water skiing and wakeboarding on the lake. With calm waters and plenty of space it’s the perfect place to practice your skills or try something new. Another must-do summer activity is visiting the nearby Sandy Shore Resort which features a sandy beach swimming area and boat rentals. Visitors can soak up the sun go for a swim or rent a pontoon boat and explore the lake. For those who enjoy fishing summer is the perfect time to head out on the lake and catch some of the area’s famous walleye. The lake is also home to bass crappie and bluegill making it a popular destination for anglers of all skill levels. Hiking and biking are also popular summer activities in the Lake Thompson Recreation Area. The trails offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape and are a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. Finally no summer trip to Lake Thompson Recreation Area would be complete without attending the annual Lake Thompson Summer Festival. This event features live music food vendors and a variety of family-friendly activities making it a must-do for RV campers of all ages.
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Winter activities
Fall is a fantastic time to visit the Lake Thompson Recreation Area as the foliage transforms into vibrant hues of red orange and yellow. One popular activity is hiking the Lake Thompson Trail which offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding forest. The trailhead is located near the campground making it easily accessible for RV campers. Another must-see landmark is the historic Thompson Homestead which dates back to the 1800s and offers a glimpse into the area’s past. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the homestead and learn about the life of the Thompson family. For those interested in fishing fall is the perfect time to cast a line in Lake Thompson as the cooler water temperatures attract a variety of fish species. Finally RV campers can enjoy the fall colors from the comfort of their own vehicle by taking a scenic drive along the Lake Thompson Loop.