RV and Camper Storage Near Yankton and Lewis & Clark Lake

If you own an RV or camper in southeast South Dakota, you already know the problem: where does it go when you’re not using it? Your driveway isn’t great, your HOA says no, and leaving it in a field isn’t doing it any favors. Here’s what you need to know about RV storage near Yankton and Lewis & Clark Lake — and how to keep your rig in good shape between trips.

Why You Need Dedicated RV Storage

Let’s start with reality. Your RV or camper takes up a lot of space. It’s 20 to 40 feet of vehicle that sits unused for most of the year, and it creates problems when it’s parked at home:

HOA restrictions. Many neighborhoods and housing developments in the Yankton area have rules against parking RVs in driveways or on the street. Even if your HOA doesn’t prohibit it outright, that passive-aggressive note from the neighbor gets old.

Driveway damage. A fully loaded RV is heavy. Concrete driveways crack. Asphalt driveways rut. Your spouse’s parking spot disappears.

Weather exposure. Southeast South Dakota weather is hard on RVs left outside year-round. Winter means ice, snow load on the roof, and freeze-thaw cycles that find every seal and seam. Summer means UV damage to the roof, decals, and tires. Hail — and we get hail — can cause serious damage to an unprotected rig.

Security. An RV parked in your driveway or a side yard is visible and accessible. An RV in a gated storage facility is neither.

Dedicated RV storage near Yankton, SD solves all of these problems at once.

Types of RV Storage

Outdoor (Uncovered) Storage

The most affordable option. Your RV sits on a gravel or paved pad in a fenced, gated facility. You’re protected by the gate and cameras, but your rig is exposed to the elements.

Best for: - Newer RVs with solid seals and roof coatings - Short-term storage between trips (spring through fall) - Budget-conscious owners who are willing to do more prep and maintenance - Travel trailers and pop-ups that handle weather well

Drawback: You’ll deal with more UV damage, more cleaning, and more winterizing effort than covered or indoor options.

Covered Storage

Your RV parks under a roof structure — open sides but protected from rain, snow, and direct sun. A good middle ground between cost and protection.

Best for: - Owners who want weather protection without the premium of indoor storage - Rigs with rubber roofs that degrade faster under UV exposure - Long-term storage (over winter)

Drawback: Still exposed to wind-driven rain and dust. Not temperature controlled.

Indoor Storage

Your RV goes inside an enclosed building. Maximum protection from weather, UV, pests, and temperature extremes.

Best for: - High-value motorhomes and fifth wheels - Vintage or classic RVs - Owners who want to pull out their rig and go without a full cleaning and inspection first - Long-term winter storage

Drawback: Most expensive option. Availability is limited — indoor RV storage fills up fast in this area.

What Size Do You Need?

RVs and campers vary dramatically in size. Here’s a rough guide:

Always measure your rig — with slides retracted, awning in, and any hitch extensions included. Add at least 2-3 feet to each dimension for access and air circulation.

Winterizing Your RV Before Storage

If you’re storing your RV through a South Dakota winter — and you should be, unless you enjoy dealing with frozen pipes — proper winterization is non-negotiable. Skipping this step is how people end up with burst plumbing and a $3,000 repair bill in April.

The Winter Prep Checklist

Water system: - Drain all fresh water, gray water, and black water tanks completely - Bypass the water heater - Blow out water lines with compressed air OR pump non-toxic RV antifreeze through the entire system - Open all faucets and flush the toilet to ensure antifreeze reaches every line - Leave faucets slightly open

Exterior: - Wash and wax the exterior (a layer of wax protects paint and decals through winter) - Inspect and reseal any cracks in caulking around windows, doors, and roof penetrations - Cover or remove external speakers, satellite dishes, and fragile accessories - Close all vents and openings to prevent critter entry — stuff steel wool in any gaps

Mechanical: - Fill the fuel tank and add fuel stabilizer (run the engine for 10 minutes to circulate) - Change the oil (dirty oil + months of sitting = corrosive sludge) - Check and inflate tires to recommended PSI - If possible, park on blocks or plywood to prevent flat spots - Disconnect batteries and store them in a temperature-stable location on a trickle charger

Interior: - Remove all food, even canned goods (freezing ruins cans) - Clean the fridge, leave doors propped open - Place moisture absorbers (DampRid or similar) in the main cabin and bathroom - Scatter dryer sheets or mothballs to deter mice (mice love RVs — every cable, cushion, and insulation panel is a target) - Remove bedding and store it separately to prevent mildew

Spring De-Winterizing: Getting Your Rig Ready

When the ice melts and Lewis & Clark Lake starts calling, here’s your spring checklist:

1. Reconnect and charge batteries
2. Check tire pressure and inspect for cracking
3. Flush the antifreeze from water lines — run fresh water through the entire system
4. Inspect the roof for winter damage (ice dams and snow load can cause issues)
5. Test all appliances — fridge, stove, water heater, AC, furnace
6. Check exterior seals and reseal anything that looks questionable
7. Lubricate slide-outs, jacks, and hinges
8. Inspect underneath for any signs of rodent damage to wiring or insulation
9. Restock supplies and provisions
10. Take a test run before your first big trip

Lewis & Clark Lake: Why RV Storage Here Makes Sense

Lewis & Clark Lake is the recreational heart of southeast South Dakota. Thirty-one thousand acres of water, multiple campgrounds and recreation areas, excellent walleye and catfish fishing, and some of the best boating in the state.

If you camp at the lake regularly — and a lot of RV owners in this area do — having your rig stored nearby means shorter tow distances and more spontaneous weekends on the water. Instead of driving your camper from Sioux Falls or Omaha every trip, pick it up in Springfield or Tyndall and you’re at the lake in minutes.

Popular campgrounds and recreation areas around Lewis & Clark Lake: - Springfield Recreation Area — full hookups, boat ramp, right on the lake - Lewis & Clark Recreation Area — the big one, south of Yankton - Pierson Ranch Recreation Area — quieter, west end of the lake - Bloomfield and various NE-side sites — across the river in Nebraska

Storing your RV close to these spots makes lake season a whole lot easier. Read our guide to boating on Lewis & Clark Lake for more on what this area offers.

Lock N’ Leave It Storage: RV Storage in Southeast SD

Lock N’ Leave It Storage offers RV and camper storage at our facilities near the Yankton and Lewis & Clark Lake area:

• Springfield — Our closest location to the lake. Ideal for campers and RVs used primarily for lake recreation.
• Tyndall — Central to Bon Homme County. Good access to both the lake and hunting areas to the west.
• Freeman — Serving Hutchinson County and the surrounding area.

What we offer for RV owners: - Spaces sized for rigs of all lengths - Gated access with security cameras - Month-to-month leases — store seasonally or year-round - Easy access for large vehicles — wide driveways and pull-through options - A facility that’s maintained year-round, not just during the busy season

Don’t Wait Until Spring

RV storage spots — especially covered and indoor options — fill up. If you know you’ll need storage for winter, reserve your spot in late summer or early fall before the rush. If you’re looking for lake-season storage to keep your rig close to Lewis & Clark Lake, reach out anytime.

Contact Lock N’ Leave It Storage for RV storage availability, pricing, and to find the right spot for your rig. We’ll get you set up so the only thing you have to worry about is where to camp next.