Vacation Haven

**Introduction / Overview: Finding Your Community on the Shore of South Dakota’s Mighty Mo**

For South Dakotans who consider the Missouri River and its expansive lakes the heart of their outdoor recreation, **Vacation Haven Campground** in Pickstown, SD, is more than just a place to park your RV—it’s a true seasonal home base. Situated perfectly to access the recreational opportunities surrounding **Lake Francis Case** and the **Fort Randall Dam**, this campground offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that focuses on community and convenience. Unlike some sprawling resort-style parks, Vacation Haven cultivates a friendly, neighborhood feel, which is immediately apparent in the enthusiastic customer feedback. One review highlights this perfectly, stating, **“campers here are the best neighbors ever,”** underscoring the friendly, respectful environment that makes this spot a beloved destination for local users.

The core appeal of Vacation Haven is its prime location near the vast waters of the Missouri River—the lifeblood of outdoor leisure in this part of the state. This area is renowned for world-class walleye fishing, excellent boating, and picturesque views of the vast South Dakota prairie meeting the water. Vacation Haven is ideally positioned to facilitate these adventures, providing a clean, accessible, and comfortable setting whether you are staying for a weekend of fishing or settling in for a season of lakeside tranquility. If a **“Very good”** and peaceful camping experience among like-minded South Dakota outdoor enthusiasts is what you seek, look no further than this Pickstown gem.

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**Location and Accessibility: Gateway to Lake Francis Case**

**Vacation Haven Campground** is centrally located in the small, historic community of **Pickstown, SD 57367, USA**. Pickstown was originally established to house the workers who built the massive Fort Randall Dam, and today, it retains that character as a dedicated hub for river and lake enthusiasts. The campground is strategically placed within the area, offering convenient access to the massive man-made lake and the surrounding recreation areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.

Its proximity to the water is key: Vacation Haven is near several major access points for **Lake Francis Case**, including the nearby **Randall Creek Recreation Area** and **North Point Recreation Area**. These state-managed parks provide boat ramps, swimming beaches, and extensive trail systems, making Vacation Haven a highly accessible base camp for all your water-based activities. The primary routes leading into Pickstown are well-maintained, providing easy access for all types of RVs and tow vehicles traveling from across the state, including from major areas like Sioux Falls or Rapid City. Its location makes it a highly convenient spot for local anglers, hunters, and vacationing families to stage their South Dakota adventures.

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**Services Offered at Vacation Haven Campground**

Vacation Haven is designed to be a functional and comfortable haven, specifically catering to the needs of RV owners and long-term campers. The park prioritizes essential amenities that support an extended stay and complement the outdoor activities available on the Missouri River. While specific detailed amenity lists can vary, typical services for an RV Park in this well-established location include:

• **Full Utility Hookups:** Providing sites with **water, sewer, and electric hookups** (likely offering 30-amp and possibly 50-amp service), essential for modern RV comfort.
• **RV Site Capacity:** Offering designated spots suitable for various sizes of recreational vehicles, from smaller trailers to larger, **big-rig friendly** Class A motorhomes.
• **Year-Round Access/Seasonal Sites:** The campground likely caters to seasonal campers, offering annual or extended stays for those who treat the Missouri River as their summer home.
• **On-Site Laundry Facilities:** A crucial service for long-term or extended stay campers, offering the convenience of washing clothes without leaving the park.
• **Clean Restrooms and Showers:** While often a primary amenity in a state park, private campgrounds like Vacation Haven usually offer high-quality, modern, and well-maintained **flush toilets and hot showers**.
• **Pet-Friendly Policies:** To accommodate the many South Dakotans who travel with their companions, the campground is expected to be **pet-friendly** with guidelines for responsible pet ownership.
• **Proximity to Local Services:** Being located directly in the town of Pickstown, campers have easy, walking or short-drive access to essential local businesses like convenience stores, fuel stations, and restaurants.

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**Features / Highlights of Vacation Haven**

The true highlight of Vacation Haven lies not just in its physical amenities, but in its exceptional location and the atmosphere it fosters among its guests. It’s a community-focused park situated in an outdoor paradise.

• **Exceptional Community Vibe:** The top highlight, as noted by visitors, is the strong sense of community. The review, **“campers here are the best neighbors ever,”** speaks volumes about the friendly, welcoming, and secure environment cultivated by the management and fellow guests.
• **Premier Missouri River Access:** The park serves as a perfect staging area for enjoying Lake Francis Case. The proximity to multiple **boat ramps and marinas** ensures minimal travel time between your campsite and the water.
• **Walleye and Smallmouth Bass Fishing Mecca:** This section of the Missouri River is nationally recognized for its fantastic fishing. Campers have immediate access to the waters known for hosting excellent populations of **walleye, smallmouth bass, and catfish**.
• **Access to Fort Randall Dam:** The campground offers a convenient location for visiting the historic **Fort Randall Dam**, an engineering marvel that created Lake Francis Case, and the adjacent historic Fort Randall Chapel and Cemetery.
• **Recreational Diversity:** Campers are minutes from miles of shoreline perfect for **hiking, biking, swimming (at nearby beaches)**, and spectacular **pheasant and deer hunting** opportunities in the surrounding area during the fall season.
• **Ideal for Long-Term Stays:** With full hookups and a neighborly atmosphere, the park is particularly well-suited for seasonal or extended stays, allowing South Dakota residents to establish a comfortable summer retreat.

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**Contact Information**

To book your stay or inquire about seasonal rates and availability at this community-focused South Dakota campground, please use the following contact details. It is always recommended to call ahead, especially for full-hookup sites during the peak summer fishing and boating season.

• **Address:** Pickstown, SD 57367, USA
• **Main Phone for Inquiries & Reservations:** (605) 487-6040
• **Mobile Phone:** +1 605-487-6040

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**What is Worth Choosing Vacation Haven Campground**

Choosing **Vacation Haven Campground** in Pickstown means prioritizing **convenience, community, and unparalleled river access** for your South Dakota vacation. You should choose this campground if you are looking for more than just a place to park—you want a friendly, familiar environment where the manager and the other guests actively contribute to a positive, secure atmosphere, as reflected in the **“best neighbors”** review.

For the dedicated South Dakota outdoor enthusiast, the value of Vacation Haven lies in its perfect location as a launching pad for the area’s premier activities. You are positioned right at the heart of the **Missouri River Recreation Area**, putting you minutes away from launching your boat for a day of **walleye fishing on Lake Francis Case** or exploring the history of the Fort Randall Dam. It offers the practical necessities of **full hookups** and other amenities needed for long-term comfort while immersing you in the natural beauty and recreational abundance of the state’s central river region. It’s a well-regarded, comfortable, and friendly base camp that lets you maximize your time enjoying the best of South Dakota’s aquatic playground.