Cottonwood Recreation Area (Nebraska)
| Cottonwood Recreation Area | |
| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Area | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Nebraska |
| Counties | Cedar |
| Nearest towns | Crofton, Yankton |
| Coordinates | 42°51′39″N 97°28′57″W / 42.860802°N 97.482453°WCoordinates: 42°51′39″N 97°28′57″W / 42.860802°N 97.482453°W [1] |
| Area | 42 acres (17 ha) |
  Location in Nebraska | |
| Website: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Gavins Point Project | |
Cottonwood Recreation Area is a recreation area in northeast Nebraska, United States. It is located about 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Yankton and located on the shores of Lake Yankton. The recreation area is located immediately downstream of Gavins Point Dam and Lewis and Clark Lake. It is named for Cottonwood Island, an original island located in the Missouri River, for the large groves of Cottonwood Trees that dominate the area.
Although the area is located on the north bank of the Missouri River, it is often incorrectly assumed the area is a part of South Dakota. However upon Nebraska Statehood, the original midpoint of the main channel of the Missouri River was determined to be the state line - which would put the stateline between Cottonwood Recreation Area and Pierson Ranch Recreation Area about 1 mile north of Training Dike.[2]