Lewis and Clark Lake, Nebraska & South Dakota, USA

Stretching 25 miles long and straddling the Nebraska and South Dakota border, 28,000-acre Lewis and Clark Lake is the smallest of the Missouri River reservoirs. Lewis and Clark Lake has become one of the most popular recreational spots in the Great Plains. It is located along Highway 121, near the town of Crofton, on the Nebraska side, and a few miles west of Yankton on Highway 52…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lewis and Clark Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Lewis and Clark Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Lewis and Clark Lake, NE/SD

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Nebraska - Lewis and Clark Region, NE - South Dakota - Southeast Region, SD -

    Stretching 25 miles long and straddling the Nebraska and South Dakota border, 28,000-acre Lewis and Clark Lake is the smallest of the Missouri River reservoirs. Lewis and Clark Lake has become one of the most popular recreational spots in the Great Plains. It is located along Highway 121, near the town of Crofton, on the Nebraska side, and a few miles west of Yankton on Highway 52 on the South Dakota side. The area is rich in Native American history and made famous by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Originally designed to provide steady outflow of water to assist navigation, the Missouri River was dammed to provide flood control, hydroelectric power, irrigation, improved water supply, fish and wildlife management, and recreation.

    Lewis and Clark Lake was created as a project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by impounding the Missouri River. The Gavins Point Dam was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944, also known as the Pick – Sloan Plan to recognize the leaders of the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation, Lt. General Lewis Pick and William G. Sloan. Ground breaking for Gavins Point Dam began in 1952; it is 74 feet high and 8,700 feet long. Completed in 1957, Lewis and Clark Lake currently covers 28,000 acres at full pool and 31,400 acres at maximum pool. On September 1956, Gavins Point generators began producing electricity for customers, and currently provide enough electricity to meet the annual needs of 68,000 homes.

    Lewis and Clark Lake features lush, rolling hills, sandy beaches, and golden chalkstone bluffs. The Eastern end of the lake is dominated by the Gavins Point Dam and the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center. The Visitor Center, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is located at the historic site of Calumet Bluff, where the famous meeting between the Yankton Sioux Tribe and Lewis and Clark took place. The Center provides information concerning the history and development of the Missouri River, along with hands-on displays of the geology, exploration, early navigation, settlement, and natural history of the river. Some of the exhibits include Native Americans, steamboats, and the history of the Corps of Engineers. The Center also features the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Walk, the Calumet Bluff Theater, and the Dorian Prairie Garden. Traveling to the western end of the lake on the Nebraska side, you will find the Santee Indian Reservation. You are welcome to visit the Indian Reservation; each year they hold an annual tribal pow-wow.

    Lewis and Clark Lake is a naturalist’s delight, and is best known for its nature trails. South Dakota’s Lewis and Clark Recreation Area is one of the most popular campgrounds, hosting about 1 million visitors annually. It has over 400 boat slips and three trail systems, the Gavins Point Nature Trail, Chalk Bluffs Multi-Use Trail, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail. Whether you are a walker, hiker, biker, or equestrian rider, you will find a trail to suit your needs. Another popular recreation area on the South Dakota side is Chief White Crane Recreation Area. It was named after Chief White Crane who was one of the members of the Yankton Sioux Tribe who met with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Chief White Crane Recreation Area also has trails, as well camping and accommodations for overnight guests.

    Nebraska Game and Parks Commission State Recreation Area (SRA) includes five areas on the south side of the lake: Weigand- Burbach, Miller Creek, Bloomfield, South Shore, and Deep Water. South Shore and Deep Water are access-only areas with parking. A park entry permit is required for all areas. Close by is the Niobrara State Park and the Brazile Creek Wildlife Management Area. There is a checklist of birds that was prepared for the Niobrara State Park, which can be used while visiting the lake. Check with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission SRA to acquire this checklist. Lewis and Clark Lake is a prime area for bird watchers. Depending on the time of the year, geese, great blue herons, and bald eagles can be spotted while visiting the lake.

    In addition to bird watching, hunting and fishing are popular recreations at Lewis and Clark Lake. Weigand – Burbach area is closed to hunting, but the other State Recreation Areas are open when in season. Some of the animals that are hunted are white-tailed deer, mourning dove, waterfowl, and wild turkey. Lewis and Clark Lake is great for channel catfish. According to South Dakota Game, Fish, and Park Services, the average size channel catfish are nearly 20 inches long. The largest fish sampled in 2006 was 10 pounds. Other fish of interest are the largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, and sauger. Spawning of walleye and sauger can overlap, causing them to sometimes spawn together forming hybrids. Lewis and Clark Lake has one of the highest percentages of walleye/sauger hybrids. Jetties were installed in the Weigand – Burbach area to improve habitat, therefore making it a great place to catch fish.

    The Lewis and Clark Lake is a great spot to learn about our nation’s history, as well as enjoying many types of recreations all year long. Whether you like to fish, hunt, boat, bird watch, ice fish, or cross country ski, there is something there for everyone.

    Things to Do at Lewis and Clark Lake

    These are some activities in the Lewis and Clark Lake, NE/SD area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lewis and Clark Lake?

    Lewis and Clark Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Perch
    • Sauger
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Walleye
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Lewis and Clark Lake

    If you’re considering a Lewis and Clark Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lewis and Clark Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Lewis and Clark Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Lewis and Clark Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 28,000 acres

    Shoreline Length: 90 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,208 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 1,204 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 1,210 feet

    Average Depth: 16 feet

    Maximum Depth: 45 feet

    Water Volume: 388,000 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1957

    Drainage Area: 15,872 sq. miles

    Lewis and Clark Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Lewis and Clark Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Lewis and Clark Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Lewis and Clark Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Lewis and Clark Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Lewis and Clark Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: