New marina among season’s highlights at riverfront resort
Aug. 15, 2024
This paid piece is sponsored by The Ramkota Companies.
There has never been a better time to spend some time on the Missouri River.
The marina at Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center in Oacoma has been completely replaced, “so it’s 100 percent brand-new,” said Craig Gill, general manager of the resort, which is part of Sioux Falls-based The Ramkota Companies.
The former 30-year-old marina with about 125 boat slips has been upgraded to a new 160-slip facility, custom-built to accommodate seasonal boaters, pontoons, fishing craft and houseboats.
“It’s very popular already. We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback on it,” Gill said.
“Many of our slips are seasonal, so people put the boat in once and leave it until fall. We keep a certain amount for overnight slips, and during fishing season, we see a lot of people who come in for a night or two.”
The resort draws visits to the river “from border to border” across South Dakota and beyond, he said.
“Some will stay on their houseboat, but a lot of our slips are for local or semi-local guests who come out for the day and hop on the river or come for a weekend. We see a lot of people from Sioux Falls and Madison who enjoy doing that.”
When you arrive at the Missouri River this season, so far “you’ll find good water levels, and it’s been pretty calm,” Gill said. “We’ve had some winds, but nothing crazy, and the river is busy.”
The marina also offers rental craft for guests, including two brand-new pontoons this year. Pontoons can seat about 10 people comfortably, with a few that have additional capacity.
Arrowwood Cedar Shore itself is right off Interstate 90 and includes 99 rooms with suites available. Some face the hillside, half face the Missouri River, and all have decks or balconies. Guest rooms have all-new luxury bedding, luxury towels, updated fixtures, window coverings and flooring.
Plus, the resort offers 16 River Ranch bunkhouses ideal for larger families and groups, including those on fishing and hunting trips. There are 16 cabins to rent by the day or by the week, each with a double guest room that adjoins a king room.
The resort’s common spaces also recently received a top-to-bottom renovation, inside and out.
That includes a renovated outdoor area with a tiki bar and a courtyard that offers additional seating.
“We have some opportunities for outdoor dining, with street food features on Friday and Saturday, along with live music at the tiki bar,” Gill said. “Our restaurant is back to offering lunch for the season in addition to breakfast and dinner, and that will continue both for the summer and hunting season.”
The resort’s amenities include an indoor pool, sauna and hot tub, fitness center, game room, bean bag pit and business center.
An adjacent campground offers an additional way to experience the Missouri riverfront, with a walking path along the river, volleyball and basketball courts, a playground and picnic shelter.
“We have a mix of seasonal campers, and we have 15 spots open to the public for overnight or weekend camping,” Gill said. “It’s all full hookups, so you have water, electrical and sewer. We follow the same 90-day booking window as the state of South Dakota, so you can make reservations that far ahead, and we do still have availability.”
In addition to campsites for RVs or campers, there are eight sleeping cabins, all featuring a double bed with bunk bed, electricity and air conditioning. Guests must bring their own bedding and clean the cabin.
The broader resort also has capacity for additional travelers this summer.
“We’re a bigger resort, so we have plenty of availability, but it is shaping up to be a nice, strong summer,” Gill said. “We’re looking forward to a great season now that some of these major projects have been completed.”
