Welcome to Randall Creek Recreation Area

Welcome to Randall Creek Recreation Area. . , Lat 43° 3' 15" N , Long 98° 33' 21" W, You are just downriver from Ft. Randall Dam, the first dam in South Dakota completed under the Pick-Sloan Plan by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1956., The Missouri River remains 'free-flowing' for the next 39 miles to just above Lewis and Clark Lake, with conditions similar to those experienced by the Lewis and Clark Expedition over two hundred years ago., Beyond Gavins Point Dam lies another 59 miles of 'free-flowing' river which is also part of this Water Trail and of the Missouri National Recreational River, a unit of the National Park Service., Built in 1856, the legendary Fort Randall Military Post played a strategic role in many events on the northern plains from the frontier and treaty periods through the settlement era. , The Post Cemetery holds the remains of settlers, Indian interpreters and military personnel., Fort Randall Chapel circa 1902, Fort Randall was abandoned in 1892, but ruins, including a chalkstone chapel, remain just below the present dam. A self-guided trail leads visitors around the old fort's site, which is open year-round., One of six major Missouri River dams, Ft. Randall Dam was completed in 1956. It was named for the Fort Randall Military Post and Col. Daniel W. Randall. , The other dams include Fort Peck in Montana, Garrison in North Dakota, and Oahe, Big Bend and Gavins Point in South Dakota., Looking west over the Missouri River, Ft. Randall Dam and Lake Francis Case, The reservoir behind the dam, Lake Francis Case, was named for South Dakota's US Senator Francis H. Case. Extending upstream to Big Bend Dam near Ft. Thompson, SD, the lake's 19 recreation areas feature modern and primitive campgrounds and day use areas. Common fish include walleye, catfish, northern pike, crappie, white bass, perch, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass., Known for its lack of vegetation and unusual rise above the adjacent hills, Old Baldy was first encountered by Lewis and Clark on September 7th, 1804., Nearby, they discovered a colony of 'barking squirrels' or prairie dogs, which were previously unknown to scientists. , Prairie dog, Old Baldy, Old Baldy, also known as 'The Tower,' can be seen on the south side of the river approximately nine miles downstream from Ft. Randall Dam and some four miles upstream from Sunshine Bottom. It is about a half-mile off the river and rises 70 feet above the surrounding bluffs. The formation is not accessible from the water., The Niobrara Formation is exposed in the bluffs along the river. This rock was formed approximately 85 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period while a shallow inland sea covered this area., Fossils, including coccoliths and foraminifera shells, make up most of the Niobrara Formation. It is also rich in fossil remains of fishes, marine and flying reptiles, and toothed birds., Niobrara chalk bluffs, Bald eagles are attracted to this section of the river for its mature cottonwood trees, which provide habitat, and for the clear, open waters below the dam that are ideal for catching prey., Eagle Roost Area, a National Natural Landmark, is located within the Randall Creek Recreation Area and is a great place for viewing bald eagles. , A segment of the Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge, named for South Dakota's long-serving US Senator Karl Mundt, is located on the south bank of the river., Eagle nest in cottonwood, Over 1,000 acres of mostly forested land provide important habitat for 100-300 bald eagles and over 200 other bird species at Karl Mundt. , Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the general public. Please be respectful as you pass by on the river., Note: Emergency access points are limited on both sides of the Missouri in this reach. Please plan accordingly., Reverse , Welcome!. , The 39-Mile and 59-Mile Districts of the Missouri National Recreational River above and below Lewis and Clark Lake are among the last relatively natural stretches of America's longest river. Come immerse yourself in some of the many experiences and stories to be discovered along this Water Trail. Exploring the river, you will see how the MniSose earned its nicknames 'Old Misery,' 'the Mighty Mo' and 'the Big Muddy.', Interpretive signs at river access points explain the geology as well as the human and natural history along the Water Trail. Learn of the Missouri's role in America's development, of the peoples who have called this river and region home for generations and how the river itself has changed over time. In your own water vessel, follow Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery Expedition and see plants, animals and landforms described in their journals. Imagine the stories and fates of some of the riverboats that once traveled this stretch of river., You will see ever-changing features of the river such as islands, sandbars, meanders and backwaters, and encounter native species of wildlife, perhaps even threatened or endangered fish and birds. Finally, you will learn about the partners who work together to protect and manage this river and who have created this Water Trail for your enjoyment and exploration., These two sections of river have been designated as part of the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) and are protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to preserve their relatively natural condition and 'outstandingly remarkable' natural, cultural, historic, scenic, and recreational values, and to provide today's visitor with a glimpse of the untamed river that native peoples, early explorers, trappers, traders, and riverboat crews encountered. They are also part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail which spans portions of what are now 11 states.