Can you reserve a site at Goat Island Primitive Camping?

No. Goat Island Primitive Camping is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Goat Island Primitive Camping

Campground ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Missouri National Recreational River (National Wild & Scenic River) · Open Access

1,147 ft
Elevation

Aerial View of Goat Island — Photo: NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

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.

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.

42.76575, -97.06686 · 42°45'56.7"N 97°4'0.7"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 31°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	31	36	48	62	73	82	86	83	78	65	48	34
Low °F	10	14	25	36	48	59	63	61	52	39	25	15
Precip in	0.5	0.7	1.4	3.1	4.0	4.3	3.6	2.9	3.1	2.4	1.3	0.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Goat Island Camping — Photo: NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

Goat Island in the Autumn — Photo: NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

Member photos

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Common questions about Goat Island Primitive Camping

Can you reserve a site at Goat Island Primitive Camping?: No. Goat Island Primitive Camping is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Goat Island Primitive Camping

Nebraska Tailwaters 21.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Gavins Point Overlook Day Use Shelter 21.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cottonwood (Ne) 22 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cottonwood (NE) Day Use Shelter 22.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bow Creek Primitive Camping 4.2 mi · Campground
Missouri National Recreational River Headquarters 17.6 mi · Visitor Center
Green Island Primitive Camping 18.3 mi · Campground
Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery 22.1 mi · Facility

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Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.