Goat Island Recreation Area

The Goat Island Recreation Area campground in Nebraska offers a truly remote camping experience, accessible only by watercraft, which promises both solitude and connection to unspoiled nature. Located within the Missouri National Recreational River, this primitive camping destination features five designated campsites outfitted with fire rings, while allowing backcountry camping outside designated hunting seasons. The island’s serene landscape includes sandy trails, cottonwood forests, and quiet backchannels that support diverse wildlife like deer, turkeys, and muskrats.

Goat Island is situated along a three-mile stretch of the Missouri River, between Yankton and Vermillion, South Dakota. This untamed part of the river exudes a rare, historic charm, with its braided channels and sandbars resembling the early explorations of Lewis and Clark. Nearby attractions, such as hiking trails and the Discovery Bridge (viewable but inaccessible for crossing), underscore the area’s appeal to adventurers seeking tranquil escapes and ecological richness. Campers should be prepared for a fully primitive experience without modern facilities, adding to the allure for those yearning for a retreat into genuine wilderness.