Pease Creek Horse Camp

🐴 Pease Creek Horse Camp: Saddle Up for Adventure on Lake Francis Case

For South Dakota residents who know the true meaning of the wide-open spaces, combining a camping trip with the companionship of your horse is the ultimate prairie getaway. The Pease Creek Horse Camp, a dedicated section within the larger Pease Creek Recreation Area, offers an essential and picturesque basecamp for equestrian enthusiasts. Located in the beautiful rolling hills above the mighty Missouri River’s Lake Francis Case, this facility is specifically designed to accommodate campers traveling with their horses, providing the necessary amenities to ensure comfort for both rider and mount.

Pease Creek Recreation Area, managed by the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP), encompasses nearly 600 acres of wooded terrain, a unique landscape in this part of the state that provides welcome shade and privacy. The Horse Camp allows riders direct access to multi-use trails that wind through the bluffs, offering scenic views and a direct connection to the state's natural beauty. It represents a commitment to supporting the rich tradition of horseback riding in South Dakota, providing a safe, reserved place to rest after a day on the trail.

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🗺️ Location and Accessibility: Off the Scenic Missouri River Highway

Pease Creek Horse Camp is situated in South Central South Dakota, providing a relatively central location for users traveling from across the state.

The physical address for the overall recreation area is:

Geddes, SD 57342, USA

More specifically, the park is located approximately 9 miles south of Geddes, just off SD Highway 1804, a scenic route that follows the eastern side of the Missouri River. The entire recreation area is easily accessible by paved and well-maintained gravel roads, accommodating large rigs and horse trailers. This is a drive-up campground with designated parking pads at the horse camp sites. Its location on the bluffs above the vast Lake Francis Case is key, offering both water recreation proximity and miles of land-based trails.

The park is generally open year-round, though services are limited in the off-season. Reservations are highly recommended for the Horse Camp, especially during peak summer and fall riding seasons, and can be made through the South Dakota State Parks online reservation system.

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🏕️ Services Offered: Dedicated Care for Horse and Rider

The Pease Creek Horse Camp is a specialty facility that prioritizes the needs of the equestrian camper. The Horse Camp operates with a limited number of sites (approximately 5-7 sites) separate from the main electric campground loop.

• Individual Horse Corrals: Each horse campsite is furnished with its own individual corral, a critical feature that allows riders to safely secure their mounts right at their campsite.

• Non-Electrical Campsites: The sites are typically non-electrical, offering a more rustic, primitive experience favored by many trail riders, though they can accommodate RVs and horse trailers.

• Water Spigots: Water spigots are available in the horse camp area, essential for watering horses (water systems may be shut off from October through April).

• Basic Amenities: Each site includes a fire ring and a picnic table.

• Restrooms: Vault toilets are available within the Horse Camp area and are typically open year-round. Campers can access the main campground’s comfort stations, which include flush toilets and hot showers, a short walk or drive away.

• Access to General Facilities: Proximity to the main campground allows horse campers to utilize the boat ramp, fish cleaning station, and children's playground located within the broader Pease Creek Recreation Area.

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✨ Features / Highlights: Trail Riding and Lakeside Views

Pease Creek Horse Camp offers unique highlights that make it a standout destination for South Dakota riders and outdoor enthusiasts.

• Dedicated Multi-Use Trail System: The park features a 3.5 to 7-mile marked trail that is shared by hikers, bikers, and equestrians. This trail system winds through wooded areas and across rolling hills, often providing scenic overlooks of the bluffs and Lake Francis Case.

• Lake Francis Case Access: While camping is land-based, the recreation area sits right on Lake Francis Case, one of the largest reservoirs on the Missouri River. This provides excellent opportunities for fishing (walleye, pike, bass, catfish) and other water sports.

• Shaded, Wooded Environment: The campground is set in a rare wooded area for this region, providing valuable shade and a tranquil, private atmosphere that is highly appreciated during the hot South Dakota summers.

• Quiet, Secluded Atmosphere: The entire Pease Creek Recreation Area is often noted for being "in the middle of nowhere," offering a quiet, laid-back experience away from the crowds of more heavily trafficked tourist areas.

• All-Season Recreation: The multi-use trail allows for year-round activities, including horseback riding, hiking, and even cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter.

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📞 Contact Information

Pease Creek Horse Camp is part of the South Dakota State Parks system. For all inquiries, reservations, and information on health requirements for horses (especially for out-of-state visitors), contact the park or the state reservation line.

Address: 38180 297th Street, Geddes, SD 57342, USA

Local Park Phone (Pease Creek/North Point Area): 605-487-7046

Reservations (Toll-Free): 1-800-710-2267

Email: NorthPoint@state.sd.us

Note: A South Dakota State Park entrance license (daily or annual) is required for all vehicles entering the recreation area, in addition to the nightly camping fee.

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🌟 What is Worth Choosing Pease Creek Horse Camp

The Pease Creek Horse Camp is the premier choice for South Dakota residents seeking a dedicated, amenity-supported basecamp for equestrian adventure along the Missouri River corridor.

Choose this horse camp if you:

Require Horse-Specific Amenities: The provision of individual horse corrals at each site is the key feature. This ensures the safety and comfort of your horses, allowing for immediate access to the animals and peace of mind during your stay.

Are a Trail Riding Enthusiast: With a designated multi-use trail system leading directly from the camp and winding through scenic, wooded terrain with lake overlooks, the camp offers a quality riding experience right at your doorstep.

Seek Seclusion with Comfort: The Horse Camp provides a highly-valued, non-electric, rustic atmosphere while still offering access to modern comforts like hot showers and flush toilets in the nearby main campground, giving you the best of both worlds—wilderness feel with necessary convenience.

Pease Creek Horse Camp provides an exceptional value and a perfect location for South Dakota's horse owners to explore the majestic bluffs and waterways of the Missouri River.