WEST WHITLOCK RECREATION AREA, GETTYSBURG, SD

Our Opinion: Rave. A bit out of the way, but we felt it was worth the drive.

Date of Stay: June 30, 2008

Weather During Stay: Sunny, breezy upper 80’s when we arrived at 5 pm, had cooled to 78 when the sun went down at 9 pm.. Overnight low was 66 degrees with a slight breeze.

Site Description: The campground consists of one large, paved loop with 82 long, level, graveled sites with 30 amp electric. Most sites are shaded. All sites can be reserved.. Water is available at various places throughout the campground, and a dump is positioned for easy access arriving or leaving.

We chose site 73, very long, fairly level, with good afternoon shade. All sites have nice aluminum picnic tables in good condition. The campground also has two cute wooden cabins with partially covered porches, four more electric sites, and a dozen dry camping sites in another, smaller loop.

Vault toilets are scattered around the campground, and the two clean bath houses have running water, flush toilets and showers (and provide shelter in severe weather). Dumpsters and aluminum can recycling bins are near each bath house at at the fish cleaning station (most campers other than us have a fishing boat).

Rate: $14 for a site with 30 amp electricity, plus a day use fee of $3/person or $5/vehicle. We decided to buy an annual pass for $23, since we are likely to visit more SD state parks this year. Too bad we didn’t do that at Custer State Park!

Phone/radio/TV: Verizon service is weak to non-existent, though we probably could get a half-way decent signal if we put up the antenna. A pay phone is available. We didn’t bother with the TV satellite, but many sites would work with rooftop dishes. Didn’t bother with the TV antenna. NPR is available on 92.3 from Sioux Falls, SD.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: This is a flat park on Lake Oahe, made by damming the Missouri River. Elevation is 1,640’. Green everywhere - mowed green lawns and many large deciduous trees Views are of other campers, trees, and shady green lawns. The lake is nearby, but not within sight of our campsite.

Lighting/Noise: The only noise is from other campers, as we are several miles - or maybe even several hundred miles - from any heavily traveled roads. There is one streetlight at the playground in the center of the camping loop, and lights on each of the two bath houses. No lighting at each campsite - yay!

Favorite Sites: All sites are similar. We were looking for shade and distance from other campers and the playground.

Hiking/Walking: Walking the loop and the park entrance road is around 2 miles. A 2 mile long trail has been mowed through the tall prairie grass around the perimeter of the park.

Comments: We are on a three-day trip up to North Dakota, mostly on two-lane highways. Our stops have been selected to break the trip into easy driving days, and West Whitlock Recreation Area (a state park) happened to be along the route, about 10 miles off the two-lane highway we are traveling in the part of SD. Though there are commercial parks in the area, we like the extra space you can usually find in public parks, as is the case here. Very restful and refreshing stop.