Snake Creek Recreation Area sits at the confluence of its namesake stream with the Missouri River, about an hour and a half west of Avon. More than 100 campsites are divided between two campgrounds within the recreation area, many of them with electric hookups. The campsites range from shady and secluded to open and grassy, and each one includes a picnic table, campfire ring and quick access to restrooms and drinking water. Many sites are a stone's throw from the water. Snake Creek Recreation Area also provides boat ramps, docks, fishing access, a swimming beach and several miles of hiking trails through the forest.
Less than 40 minutes from Avon, the North Point Recreation Area overlooks the Fort Randall Dam, which holds back the waters of the Missouri River to form 100,000-acre Lake Francis Case. Included within the recreation area is a large campground with amenities similar to those at nearby Snake Creek. Each of the 100-plus campsites comes with an electrical hookup, and many sit directly on the lakeshore. Lake Francis case is a prime spot for fishing, with abundant populations of bass, catfish, walleye and panfish. A current South Dakota fishing license is required, available through the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks website or at most bait shops and sporting goods stores across the state.
Midway Gulch Campground is about 35 minutes from Avon, making it one of the closest campgrounds to the city. A short drive from the river, Midway Gulch has 15 campsites which include paved parking spots and electrical hookups, making them better suited to RVs than to tents. The campground is known for its rustic cabins and cottages, which have one to four bedrooms and come fully furnished with kitchen appliances, linens, heating and air-conditioning. Visitors to the campsites and cabins all have access to the centrally located bathhouse, which includes hot showers, modern restrooms and laundry facilities.
Lewis and Clark Lake is a 31,000-acre reservoir on the Missouri River, a little over half an hour east of Avon. Although the man-made lake didn't even exist when Lewis and Clark explored the area, it's hard not to feel like like you're walking in their footsteps as you follow the secluded hiking trails along its shoreline. The Lewis and Clark Recreation Area spans much of the lake's northern shore, and includes over 12 miles of trails and four campgrounds with more than 400 campsites. Within each campground, centrally located comfort stations provide showers and restrooms, and drinking water is available from spigots. The sites are mostly shady, though some are a bit more open, and a picnic table, campfire ring and electric hookup is provided at each one.
