Shady Cedar Campground

🌲 **Introduction / Overview**

If you're a local South Dakotan or a visitor seeking an authentic, relaxing, and fun-filled outdoor getaway, look no further than **Shady Cedar Campground** in Bonesteel. Tucked away in the beautiful Missouri River valley, this private campground has become a beloved destination for those who cherish the state's incredible natural resources. More than just a place to park your RV, Shady Cedar Campground is a community and a gateway to some of the best fishing and water recreation the region has to offer. The name speaks for itself, providing a welcome respite from the South Dakota sun with its cedar tree cover, making for a truly peaceful setting.

This is a place where you wake up to the sounds of nature, spend your day on the water, and wind down with friendly faces. Customer reviews consistently highlight the **accommodating owners** and the **fun, friendly atmosphere**, ensuring every camper feels right at home. It's the perfect home base for exploring the vast recreational opportunities surrounding Lake Francis Case and the Missouri River.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

Shady Cedar Campground enjoys a prime location that balances secluded nature with convenient access to a vibrant recreational area. The campground is situated just a short drive—approximately 2.5 miles—north of the town of Bonesteel, South Dakota. Its official location is:

Address: 29594 State Hwy 1806, Bonesteel, SD 57317, USA

The site is easily accessible directly off State Highway 1806, making it a simple stop for even the largest RVs traveling through the area. Crucially, the campground is "just minutes" from the magnificent **Missouri River**. This immediate proximity to the water is a huge advantage for boaters and anglers. Specifically, the popular **Whetstone Bay boat dock** and its associated fish cleaning station are only about 7.5 miles down the road, providing an incredibly convenient launching and processing point for a day of fishing on Lake Francis Case. While offering a tranquil, nature-surrounded experience, the nearby town of Bonesteel provides essential amenities, including a fully stocked grocery store, a convenience store with fuel and live bait, two restaurants, and a coffee shop on Main Street.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

Shady Cedar Campground is primarily an RV park, focusing on providing essential, high-quality services to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free stay. The owners have ensured that the core needs of campers are met with full utility hookups and on-site social amenities.

• **Full RV Hookups:** All 52 campsites are equipped with water, electrical, and sewer hookups, accommodating a wide range of RV sizes and ensuring modern convenience.
• **Ample Parking:** The spacious sites provide sufficient room not only for the camping unit but also for boat parking, a critical service for guests visiting the nearby Missouri River.
• **The Grain Bin Bar:** A unique and popular on-site social gathering spot. This bar allows campers to sip their favorite beverages, relax, and share stories about their day's adventures on the river.
• **Local Information and Support:** The owners and hosts are highly praised for being very accommodating and providing special attention to guests' needs, which often includes local knowledge and resources for fishing and activities.
• **Proximity to Fishing Resources:** While not on-site, the close access to the Whetstone Bay boat dock and **fish cleaning station** is a key service advantage for the many anglers who visit.

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⭐ **Features / Highlights**

What truly sets Shady Cedar Campground apart is its focus on the "river life" experience, creating a memorable atmosphere under the cedar trees that gives the site its name.

• **Shaded, Private Campsites:** The campground is nestled among the cedar trees of the Missouri River valley, which provides natural shade and a more private, secluded feel compared to open-field RV parks.
• **Gateway to Lake Francis Case Walleye:** The location is renowned for being minutes from Lake Francis Case, which is widely celebrated as having some of the **very best walleye fishing** in all of South Dakota.
• **The Grain Bin Social Hub:** The unique on-site bar acts as the campground's social heart, offering a centralized spot for fun, fellowship, and community building among guests. This contributes significantly to the "fun people" and "great place" reviews.
• **Exceptional Hospitality:** Real customer feedback consistently highlights the **excellent owners/hosts** for being very accommodating, fun, and providing special attention to guest needs, transforming a standard stay into a deeply enjoyable experience.
• **Convenient Local Access:** A quick drive to Bonesteel ensures guests have easy access to necessary supplies like fuel, groceries, live bait, and dining options without sacrificing the tranquility of the campground.

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📞 **Contact Information**

For bookings, inquiries about site availability, or to learn more about the amenities, you can reach Shady Cedar Campground using the following details:

Address: 29594 State Hwy 1806, Bonesteel, SD 57317, USA

Phone: (605) 491-2400

Mobile Phone: +1 605-491-2400

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✅ **What is Worth Choosing**

Choosing Shady Cedar Campground is choosing a specific, highly desirable type of South Dakota outdoor experience. It is the premier choice for RV campers and anglers who prioritize convenience, community, and direct access to world-class fishing. The **full hookups at every site** eliminate the logistical concerns often associated with camping, allowing you to focus on relaxation and recreation. More importantly, the reviews—"Great place, fun people, very accommodating owners. Lots of fun and special attention to your needs"—are a testament to the **superior hospitality** that defines a stay here. This is not a sterile, corporate-run facility; it is a locally-owned destination where the owners actively work to ensure every guest has a great time.

If your main goal is to spend your days fishing for walleye on Lake Francis Case, the value of being minutes from Whetstone Bay boat access and a dedicated fish cleaning station cannot be overstated. When the day is done, the **"Grain Bin Bar"** provides an on-site, unique social amenity that sets this campground apart, turning the end of the day into a relaxing social event. For a South Dakota camping experience that perfectly blends modern RV convenience with the best of the Missouri River valley's recreation and genuine, friendly local charm, Shady Cedar Campground stands out as the ideal choice.

The combination of a beautiful, shaded natural setting, comprehensive RV services, proximity to one of the state's top fishing destinations, and a proven track record of excellent owner-operated service makes Shady Cedar Campground a truly exceptional local treasure in Bonesteel, South Dakota.