South Dakota Trails
Hiking, Biking, Walking and more

There are many ways to explore southeast South Dakota any season of the year. One is on the extensive trail systems offered at many of the state parks and communities throughout the region. Just pick your favorite mode of transportation: bicycle, horseback, cross-country skis, snowmobile or your own two feet. Southeast South Dakota trails range from meticulously groomed, paved and level surfaces, to terrain suitable for only the most extreme mountain biker or hiker. A variety of guided "Walk and Talk" hikes are available at the state parks or take along your favorite bird, animal or plant book and make your own nature walk. There are also parks that offer designated equestrian trails, some with camping facilities especially for horseback riders including a spot to bed the horses after a long day's ride.

ADAMS HOMESTEAD & NATURE PRESERVE

HIKING/BIKING/CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

Located: Four miles north of Sioux City, Iowa, two miles southwest of McCook, Exit 4 off I-29. Trails: 8 miles of easy hiking or biking trails. The nature preserve includes wildlife observation blinds and more than seven miles of biking and hiking trails. View native plant species and one of the oldest cottonwood groves in South Dakota. A trail meanders through a century old homestead including home, barns, church and school house. Guided golf cart tours available by reservation for visitors with physical limitation. 605-232-0873

BEAVER CREEK NATURE AREA

HIKING

Located: Five miles southeast of Brandon off I-90, Exit 406. Trails: Hiking trails range from easy to extremely hilly. Access to much of this park is by foot trail only. The park has minimal development and showcases the area's woodland slopes, native prairie and creek bottoms. Great area to view a variety of wildlife. Historic cabin. Annual Homesteader Day Harvest Festival held the Sunday after Labor Day. 605-594-3824

BIG SIOUX RECREATION AREA

HIKING/BIKING/CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWMOBILING

Located: Four miles south of Brandon off I-90, exit 406. Trails: Big Sioux Recreation Area lies on the banks of the Big Sioux River and offers some of the best examples of the tallgrass prairie in eastern South Dakota. Approximately five miles of moderate to somewhat difficult trails ramble through woodland and prairie. A bicycle trail connects with nearby Brandon. Winter hosts cross-country skiers and snowmobilers that gather at the warming house. GPS trail. 605-582-7243

BIG SIOUX RIVER
RECREATION TRAIL AND GREENWAY

HIKING/BIKING

Located: Sioux Falls. Trails: 19 miles of hiking and biking trails begins at Falls Park and loops around the city to the Outdoor Campus on the southern end of Sioux Falls. Walk, jog, bike or rollerblade your way along the Big Sioux River as it flows through Sioux Falls. The River Greenway offers a paved bike trail that winds through scenic urban and wildlife areas. 1-800-333-2072

CHIEF WHITE CRANE RECREATION AREA

HIKING/BIKING

Located: Five miles west of Yankton off SD 52. Trail for hiking or biking. 605-668-2985

CLAY COUNTY PARK

HIKING/BIKING

Located: Four miles southwest of Vermillion off of SD 50. Trails: 34 acres of vast and beautiful wilderness with breathtaking views. The three mile paved nature trail showcases the beautiful and diverse plant and wildlife and includes a lookout area over the magnificent Missouri River. 1-800-809-2071

DEVIL'S GULCH

HIKING

Located: Garretson. Trails: Scenic hiking trail to Devil's Falls and Devil's Stairway. Legend says Jesse James' horse jumped the chasm here. 605-594-2225

GREAT BEAR RECREATION PARK

HIKING

Located: Sioux Falls. Trails: 6 kilometers of hiking trails range from hard surface to back country deer trails. 605-367-4309

LAKE HERMAN STATE PARK

HIKING/CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

Located: Two miles southwest of Madison off SD 34. Trails: Easy hiking trails in the summer which lead through grass prairie, wetlands and historic sites. In the winter you will find five miles of cross country skiing trails. 605-256-5003

LAKE MITCHELL

HIKING

Located: Lake Mitchell campground, one mile north of Mitchell on Highway 37. Trail: A scenic trail follows Lake Mitchell, connecting the picnic shelter, the beach and the campground area. Also connects to the city of Mitchell. 605-995-8457

LAKE VERMILLION RECREATION AREA

HIKING

Located: Five miles south of I-90 at Montrose Exit 374. 605-296-3643

LEWIS & CLARK RECREATION AREA

HIKING/BIKING/BRIDLE/SNOWMOBILING

Located: Six miles west of Yankton off Hwy. 52. Trails: Lewis & Clark Recreation area provides six miles of paved scenic bike trails that follow beautiful Lewis & Clark Lake on the Missouri River. A 1.2 mile nature hiking trail along the bluffs of the Missouri. The nature trail begins near the boat ramp at the Gavins Point Campground. A scenic overlook at the top of the trail offers a beautiful view of the lake and the chalk rock bluffs. A multi-use trail on the sloping bluffs along the Missouri River offers equestrian riders, hikers and mountain bikers a choice of three different loops with varying degrees of difficulty. 605-665-2985

MADISON

HIKING/BIKING

4.2 mile recreation trail starts at Flynn Field and travels along Highway 34 to Johnson’s Point. Whether you run, bike, skate or walk you can take in all that Lake Madison has to offer while getting a little fresh air and exercise. The trail expands onto Highway 19 from Highway 34 as well. 605-256-2454

MERIDIAN TRAILS

HIKING/BIKING

Located: Yankton. Trails: Eight miles of paved trails throughout the city of Yankton, an additional 20 miles of trails lead to and along Lake Yankton and Lewis and Clark Lake. 1-800-888-1460

MITCHELL TRAILS

HIKING/BIKING

Located: Mitchell. Northridge Park Trail: A 1/2 mile concrete trail. Trail extends from Northridge Park to 15th Ave. to 11th Ave. to Capital Street. Dry Run Creek Park Trail: This asphalt trail runs from Minnesota St. to Burr St. for 1.1 miles. This park includes tennis courts, picnic shelters and a skateboard park. Dakota Wesleyan University Trail: A 1/2 mile concrete trail encircling beautiful DWU campus. Highway 37 Truck Route Trail: A 2.2 mile trail from N. Minnesota & 23rd St. to Ohlman St. This trail is concrete and runs near Cadwell Sports Complex. 1-866-273-2676

NEWTON HILLS STATE PARK

HIKING/MOUNTAIN-BIKING/BRIDLE
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

Located: Six miles south of Canton off County Road 135. Trails: The Woodland Trail is listed in the registry of National Recreational Trails and crosses dense basswood and oak forests, as well as open grasslands. Also a great trail for bird-watchers. Hikers, mountain-bikers and horseback riders share the trails and must respect the rights of other trail users. Don't miss the Observation Tower. A climb to the top promises an amazing view of the area. Breathtaking displays of fall color can be enjoyed September through early November. 605-987-2263

OUTDOOR CAMPUS

HIKING

Located: Sioux Falls. Trails: Two mile hiking trail through prairie and woodland, accessible to people with disabilities. 605-362-2777

PALISADES STATE PARK

HIKING/ROCK CLIMBING

Located: Near Garretson; Seven miles north and one west of I-90, Exit 410. Trails: Four trails twist and turn through scenic quartzite formations along Split Rock Creek. Difficulty level ranges from somewhat difficult to strenuous. Historic sites along the trail include a historic bridge designated as a National Historic Structure. A challenging climb awaits the more adventurous outdoorsman on towering Sioux quartzite spires and sheer cliff walls. 605-594-3824

PIERSON RANCH RECREATION AREA

HIKING/BIKING

Located: Four miles west of Yankton off SD 52. Easy paved trail for hiking or biking. 605-668-2985

SIOUX RIVER RED ROCK TRAIL

HIKING/BIKING

Located: Dell Rapids. Trails: Hiking/biking trail along The Dells of the Big Sioux River. 605-428-3595

SIOUXLAND SNOWMOBILE TRAIL

SNOWMOBILING

The Siouxland Trails offer 121 miles of snowmobile trails around the region to Sioux Falls, Dell Rapids, Renner, Coleman, Madison and Hartford.

SPIRIT MOUND HISTORIC PRAIRIE

HIKING

Located: Five miles north of Vermillion off SD 19. Trails: Stand where Lewis and Clark stood 200 years ago, by taking the three-quarter mile trail to the summit of Spirit Mound, near Vermillion, where over 300 acres of prairie are being restored to native grasses. The view is sure to spark your own adventurous spirit. Interpretive signs along the trail transform the hike into a memorable learning experience. 605-987-2263

SPRINGFIELD RECREATION AREA

HIKING/BIKING

Located: One mile east of Springfield, off SD 37. Trails: Easy paved winding trails along the Missouri River. Connects to the town of Springfield.605-665-2985

UNION GROVE STATE PARK

HIKING/BRIDLE

Located: 11 miles south of Beresford off I-29. Trails: A secluded and scenic trail for hikers and horseback riders with a wide variety of trees and other plant life along the trail. Moderate difficulty. Horseback riders have 150 acres of rolling hills at their disposal. 605-987-2263