Recreation area

Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery

Fish And Wildlife Service · Yankton · South Dakota — managed by Fish and Wildlife Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, following construction of Gavins Point Dam. The purpose of the hatchery is to help maintain fisheries in the Missouri River Basin, following impacts to natural river flows and loss of habitat due to development and channelization of the Missouri River Basin. Hatchery staff rear threatened and endangered fish species, including the Pallid sturgeon and American paddlefish; and rear and stock many game fish species including walleye and yellow perch throughout the Missouri River Region. Proximity to a Corps of Engineers recreation site make this an attractive point of interest including trails and self-guided tours of the hatchery. A large-scale aquarium includes thirteen indoor tanks which display many of the fish, reptile, and amphibian species found in the Missouri River basin, along with informational displays on endangered, threatened, and unusual species.

Getting there

Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery (NFH) and Aquarium is located near Yankton, South Dakota.

Contact
(605) 665-3352

Activities

  • WILDLIFE VIEWING
  • FISH HATCHERY
  • HIKING
  • PICNICKING
  • FISH VIEWING SITE
  • ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
  • MOUNTAIN BIKING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more South Dakota camping

Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby South Dakota campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.