GROUP LOOP A

🎉 **Introduction / Overview: Your Dedicated Space for Large Gatherings**

For South Dakota families, clubs, and organizations, planning a successful large-scale outdoor gathering—be it a family reunion, a scout troop outing, or a multi-family camping trip—requires a dedicated, reservable space. **GROUP LOOP A** provides precisely that solution. This is not a single campsite, but rather a specialized **Group Camping Area** located within the massive and highly popular **Lewis and Clark Recreation Area** near Yankton, South Dakota.

Managed by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), Lewis and Clark is one of the state's premier resort parks, drawing visitors from across the Midwest with its modern amenities and access to the vast 31,400-acre Lewis and Clark Lake. Within this expansive park, Group Loops A, B, C, and D are specifically designed to accommodate large parties. **GROUP LOOP A** provides a centralized, contained area where multiple families or groups can set up camp together while still benefiting from the full services and recreational opportunities of the surrounding State Recreation Area.

The core concept of Group Loop A is **reservability and dedicated space**. Unlike the individual campsites, which have strict capacity limits, this loop is structured for group logistics, offering a crucial resource for those who need guaranteed space and a central meeting point for their entire party, away from the hustle of the main camping loops.

🗺️ **Location and Accessibility: Lakeside Fun Near Gavins Point Dam**

GROUP LOOP A is situated within the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, which is located approximately five miles west of the city of Yankton, South Dakota. The official administrative address for the entire park is **43349 SD Hwy 52, Yankton, SD 57078, USA**. This area is commonly referred to as **West Yankton**.

The Lewis and Clark Recreation Area is comprised of four separate campground sections: Gavins Point, East Midway, West Midway, and Yankton. Group Loops A, B, C, and D are generally situated near the Midway sections, often located strategically between major amenities but still near the lake. Group Loop A’s location ensures easy access to the main park road (SD Highway 52) and the **Park Office/Welcome Center**, which is vital for large groups needing to check-in, obtain information, or seek assistance.

The campground’s proximity to **Lewis and Clark Lake** and the **Gavins Point Dam** means group members have immediate access to all water-based activities. Furthermore, the location is connected to an extensive network of paved and natural trails, allowing group members easy walking or biking access throughout the entire recreation area, from the marinas to the swim beaches.

🛠️ **Services Offered (Tailored for Large-Scale Gatherings)**

Group Loop A, as a specialized facility, provides services that prioritize the comfort, convenience, and coordination necessary for large gatherings, while leveraging the infrastructure of the surrounding State Recreation Area.

• **Dedicated Group Campsites:** The loop offers a specific number of sites, often with an expanded footprint, designed to accommodate multiple RVs and tents simultaneously, beyond the typical single-family limit.
• **Electric Service:** Sites within the Group Loop typically provide reliable **electrical hookups** (likely 30 and 50 amp service) to support multiple camping units and essential group equipment.
• **Centralized Shared Amenities:** The Group Loop often features a centralized area with easy access to shared resources such as picnic tables and fire rings for communal meals.
• **Proximity to Modern Restrooms:** Group Loop A is positioned for easy access to nearby **flush toilet and shower facilities** located in one of the main adjacent camping sections (Midway or Gavins Point), ensuring modern sanitation for the entire party.
• **Reservability:** Unlike many single sites, Group Loop A is designed to be **reservable up to one year in advance**, a critical service for large groups that must coordinate dates well in advance. Reservations are made through the South Dakota GFP system.
• **Access to Dump Stations:** Campers benefit from easy access to the centrally located **RV dump station** within the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area for pre- and post-trip maintenance.

🌟 **Features / Highlights**

The most compelling features of Group Loop A are the benefits derived from its unique function as a reservable group space within a popular, amenity-rich State Recreation Area.

• **Guaranteed Group Space:** The most significant feature is the **ability to reserve a dedicated, contained loop** for an extended period, eliminating the stress of trying to find neighboring campsites for a large group.
• **Centralized Location for Activities:** The loop’s strategic placement within the Lewis & Clark Recreation Area provides **walkable access** to the lake, swim beaches, boat ramps, and the extensive network of paved multi-use trails, ensuring a variety of activities for all ages.
• **Family-Friendly Infrastructure:** Group Loop A is near the recreational facilities of the park, including playgrounds, basketball courts, and disc golf courses, making it an ideal choice for **family reunions** with active children.
• **Proximity to Lewis and Clark Lake:** Immediate access to the 31,400-acre reservoir means easy engagement in all water sports, including **boating, sailing, fishing, and swimming**, a key draw for any South Dakota summer outing.
• **Modern Park Amenities:** Group campers benefit from the security and convenience of a well-maintained State Park, featuring modern restrooms, a visitor center, and nearby concessions at the privately operated Lewis and Clark Resort and Marina.
• **Historic Area Context:** The camp is nestled in the beautiful Missouri River Valley, offering scenic views and a connection to the historical trail followed by the park's namesakes, **Lewis and Clark**.

📞 **Contact Information**

While Group Loop A is a physical location, reservations and management are handled centrally by the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area Office and the statewide South Dakota GFP reservation system.

Official Park Address (For GPS and Check-in):
43349 SD Hwy 52, Yankton, SD 57078, USA

Park Office Phone Number:
Phone: **(605) 668-2985**

Statewide Reservation Line (Essential for booking Group Loop A):
Phone: **1-800-710-CAMP (2267)**
Website: **www.campsd.com**

South Dakota residents are advised that booking Group Loop A requires using the official statewide reservation system, often a year in advance due to its popularity. The park office phone is best used for specific questions about the loop's capacity, availability of amenities during the planned stay, or local park conditions.

👍 **What is Worth Choosing GROUP LOOP A**

For South Dakotans managing a large gathering, choosing GROUP LOOP A at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area is an investment in stress-free coordination and guaranteed fun. It is worth choosing for three decisive reasons:

First, it offers **guaranteed, advanced reservations for large parties**. This is the single biggest logistical benefit. Knowing that an entire, private area is secured up to a year in advance eliminates the high-stress, often futile effort of trying to piece together multiple, adjacent sites in a first-come, first-served or rapidly filling single-site campground.

Second, the loop provides **superior group functionality**. It concentrates all participants in one dedicated area, which is crucial for safety, communication, and shared activities like group meals or organized games. This centralized base allows the group to fully utilize the loop's potential for socializing without disturbing other campers in single-site loops.

Third, campers receive **full access to the State Recreation Area's world-class amenities**. Group Loop A’s location means every member of the party, from small children to seniors, is steps away from one of the state's best resources for recreation: the lake, the beaches, the trails, and the modern facilities, ensuring there is a variety of activity to suit every guest at the family reunion or group retreat. The convenience, combined with the dedicated space, makes Group Loop A the definitive choice for large-scale outdoor events near Yankton.