Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area

Stopped here for the night. 10 sites all with just 15 & 30 amp service arranged in a semi circle. There is a water tap located about 25’ from road but isn’t marked as fresh water. All sites have picnic table and fire pit. Campground has vault toilets only. ( To dump tanks or take on fresh water drive to Shadehill Park 3 miles away that has these facilities outside park entrance behind fish cleaning station). Largest rig allowed is 29’. Reservations required via website or 800 number ($2 charge added using 800 number). No noise after 10 but does begin around 6:30am during week.

We liked this small (10 site) campground. Very quiet but then we were the only ones here. Electricity only at the sites 15 & 30 amp), there is a water spigot for drinking water. Dumping station is over at Shadehill Rec Area.

If you want shade choose sites 4 through 10. 1, 2, and 3 are in the sun most of the day.

Site 3 was easily accessed with our 27 foot Airstream.

Although close to highway 73 the road noise is not bad, maybe because we just came from a parking lot in Rapid City.

Bring insect repellent!

If you have a reservation you don't have to check in with anyone. Just go right to your site and set up camp.

Nice little park, other reviews described it perfectly. I second the need for bug spray, the misquotes and biting black flies were horrible. Be sure to reserve your space on-line, and check the photos for trees and shade. Spots 1-3 are full sun almost all day.

The park is right off the highway, exit and go up the hill, circle of spaces is on the left. The dump/water is a few miles away. There is a little noise from the highway but it's not bad at all.

The lake looks inviting but I didn't see anyone in the lake, just boats.

The campground is ‘okay’. 10 sites, in a ‘horseshoe’ with a park area (with pavilion & vault toilet) in the central area. The fee is a little misleading, as it is $15.00 per night, with additional charges for being an out-of-state resident, a park tax, and a tourism tax. In addition, you must pay an $8 per day fee for the use of the park. Fortunately the sites have electric, and although not conveniently located on site, we were able to use the showers at nearby Shadehill Recreation Area, and their dump station. The campground itself is right off the road, and therefore there is some road noise, as well as traffic going to the Shadehill Recreation Area. During our stay, we experienced dogs running loose and very loud neighbors, which did not enhance our visit. The park ranger drove through, and actually stopped and visited with people in the campground, and did not seem too concerned about the dogs running loose, running into others sites, etc… The sites are level, and as mentioned in other reviews, sites 1-3 are more ‘full sun’. Site 10 is nicer, as you are on the end of the loop, and therefore don’t have neighbors close by on both sides. There are metal picnic tables and a fire box with grate at each site. Cell service was ‘spotty’.

As previously posted, the sites are layed out in a horseshoe and all seem level though the gravel pad is a bit crowned and narrow. It is a no-frills campground and the out of state fee on top of the camping cost makes it a touch high for what you get. Throw in the $8 day use or $35 annual state pass, then it is a pricy no-frills campground for a short stay. The restaurant and convenience store right across the street is not to be missed. Astrid makes one feel at home and is a lot of fun to talk with. We did a breakfast and a lunch there and enjoyed both meals. No dump station here, but Shadehill Recreation Area is only 5 miles away with an awesome, new dump station with separate potable water. No hiking, except on the road to Shadehill Recreation Area but a nice loop trail about 5 miles to the south. Most sites were empty when we were there. I didn't notice any noise to speak of. Good Starlink speeds here.