🏆🏆🏆 Lake Francis Case — Recreation area on Lake Francis Case — 102-mile reservoir on the Missouri River
Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area sits on Lake Francis Case — a 102-mile-long reservoir on the Missouri River created by Fort Randall Dam (completed 1956). Lake Francis Case is the third-largest Missouri River reservoir, offering walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike fishing. Fort Randall Dam itself is historically significant — remnants of the original Fort Randall (1856) are visible nearby. The fort was one of the most important military posts on the frontier, and Sitting Bull was held prisoner here after his surrender in 1881.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Gregory County, SD |
| Entry Fee | SD Park Entrance License required |
| Lake | Francis Case — 102 miles! |
| History | Sitting Bull imprisoned at Ft Randall! |
About Llewellyn Johns
Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area in Campbell County provides Missouri River recreation on Lake Oahe in northern South Dakota — near the North Dakota border. The area sits along one of the most remote stretches of the Missouri River corridor, where the prairie is vast and the population sparse.
Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area in Day County provides lake recreation in the Coteau des Prairies — the “highland of the prairies” — a glacial plateau in northeastern South Dakota dotted with hundreds of prairie potholes and kettle lakes. This region is one of North America’s most important waterfowl breeding areas, producing millions of ducks and geese annually for the Central and Mississippi Flyways.
Things to Do
Fishing for walleye and northern pike on Lake Oahe, camping, boating, and experiencing the wide-open northern Missouri River prairie.
Fishing, camping, birdwatching (duck and goose breeding habitat), boating, swimming, and exploring the prairie pothole region — North America’s “duck factory.”
Insider Tips
Local favorite: Llewellyn Johns is a small but popular recreation area for locals seeking a quiet day on the water. Pro tip: Good panfish and bass fishing in a peaceful setting. Camping: Basic campground facilities make this suitable for weekend getaways.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Swimming and fishing. Fall: Quiet season — excellent fishing. Spring: Bass spawning. Winter: Ice fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are South Dakota recreation areas free?
South Dakota state parks and recreation areas require a park entrance license — currently $8/day or $36/year for out-of-state visitors. Annual licenses are a good value if visiting multiple parks. Camping fees are additional and vary by campground and site type.
More parks nearby: Burke Lake Recreation Area is within about an hour’s drive, while Chief White Crane Recreation Area lies within about an hour’s drive.
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for South Dakota state parks online at reservations.gooutdoorssouthdakota.com.
🎣 Visit Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area
102-mile reservoir — where Sitting Bull was held prisoner.
Wildlife & Nature
Llewellyn Johns RA — on Lake Sharpe. The area’s Missouri River bluffs, prairie, and lake support bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and ring-necked pheasants.
Nearby Attractions
Pierre — nearby — state capital. Missouri River — at the park.
