National Park Service · Missouri National Recreational River

Goat Island Primitive Camping

Two designated tent camping only areas. The first (southern) campground area is in the process of being established. The second (northern) is targeted to be established in 2022. Primitive camping is allowed anywhere on the Island, with the exception of the established hunting season after Labor Day to January when camping is restricted to the two designated camping areas. Please email or call (605-665-0209) for a back country use permit issued by the Park's HQ Office.

First-come, first-servedAccessibility info

Limited data

The federal database holds very little for this campground, so this page is short. For current conditions and details, the official links in the sidebar are the better source.

Getting there

Goat Island lays within the 59-Mile District of the Missouri National Recreational River in between the two cities of Yankton and Vermillion, South Dakota. Goat Island is 3.6 river miles long and located between River Mile 786.2 and 782.6.

Campgrounds nearby

First-come

Missouri National Recreational River

Bow Creek Primitive Camping

4.2 miles away

First-come

Missouri National Recreational River

Green Island Primitive Camping

18.3 miles away

21.2 miles away

Gavins Point Overlook Day Use Shelter

21.6 miles away

22 miles away

Cottonwood (Ne) Day Use Shelter

SD · 1 site

22.2 miles away

Data source: Recreation.gov RIDB, retrieved August 30, 2026. The Campsite Atlas is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Recreation.gov or any federal agency. Always confirm critical details on the official Recreation.gov page before you travel.