Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area RV & Campground Guide
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Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area is an 88-acre state park that sits between Lake Cochrane and Lake Oliver in South Dakota. The park was named after Byron J. Cochrane, who was the area's first American settler in 1872. After Cochrane settled a plot of land, other homesteaders came to the area seeking fertile farmland near the lakes of the region. This park is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and boating on its two lakes.
Spring 35-56 F
Summer 62-85 F
Fall 39-59 F
Winter 8-25 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area
The campground at Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area has 30 campsites that can accommodate RVs up to 75 feet in length. All sites at the campground are pet-friendly and feature electrical hookups. Amenities at the campground include seasonal showers, a vault toilet, a dump station, and a playground.
What to Do at
Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area
There are plenty of activities to enjoy at Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area, including birdwatching, especially for migratory waterfowl, and playing lawn games, including horseshoes and volleyball on the beach. Visitors can also go hunting within the park during the appropriate seasons with a valid South Dakota hunting license. In addition, if you are new to fishing, you can borrow fishing equipment from the park office.
Fishing
Anglers love fishing in Lake Cochrane and Lake Oliver for black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, sunfish hybrids, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and walleye. Anglers can fish from the shore at either lake or take a boat out to try their luck in deeper waters.
Nature Watching
At the park, you can spot ducks and other waterfowl from the picnic area overlooking the lake. Hikers may see pronghorns, deer, rabbits, and chipmunks while exploring the trails.
Hiking
Over three miles of hiking trails are found at this state park, and all trails intersect for loop trips. Hikers can get onto the trails via the park trailhead, which you can find on the right-hand side of the Edgewater Drive entrance.
Boating
Motorized boats are allowed in Lake Oliver, and a boat ramp is available to access the water. There is no launch at Lake Cochrane, but it is popular for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding from the beach.
Swimming
There is an unmonitored swim beach at this state park, and it is located on Lake Cochrane. For the best swimming, visitors should come to the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the park is at its warmest.
Biking
Bikers can ride on this park's roads or hiking trails. You can access the trails from either the main trailhead or directly off Edgewater Drive.
How to Get to
Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area
To reach Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area from Sioux Falls, you can take I-29 North to SD-15 South/SD-28 East, about 69 miles. From there, turn left onto SD-15 South and continue for six miles before turning right onto 188th Street. Continue 10 miles, then turn left onto 486th Avenue and drive for three more miles. Keep right, then continue onto County Road 375. After another mile, turn left onto Edgewater Drive, then continue one more mile before turning left to enter the recreation area.
Entering Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area
After entering the recreation area, visitors must pay a day-use fee at the park office. Inside the park, parking is available at a large lot on the shores of Lake Oliver, near the fishing pier and boat launch. In addition, there is another large parking area on the shores of Lake Cochrane, near the swimming area.
Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area Entry Fee per vehicle : $8.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area
Perhaps the best time to visit this state recreation area is between May and October when showers and flush toilets are in service, and the weather is pleasant. Visitors can stay in the campground at other times of the year, and vault toilets will be available.
The region around Lake Cochrane is home to an abundance of native wildlife, including antelope, prairie dogs, river otters, Blanding's turtles, and tiger salamanders. Birders can look forward to adding several species of waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors to their journals.
Thirty campsites at Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area can accommodate RVs. All sites have electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Campers are required to make a campsite reservation before they visit this state recreation area. Reservations can be made online or by calling the recreation area's office, and camp rates are typically $26 a night for a regular campsite or $55 a night to reserve the campground cabin.
Pets are allowed to visit Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area, but they must be kept on a leash and under the supervision of their owners at all times. Pet owners must also pick up after their four-legged family members.