South Dakota State Parks

Camping in a trailer, tent or cabin, the campgrounds in Southeast South Dakota are waiting for you. Many of our parks have hiking trails for human feet, horse hooves or bicycles. The park and campgrounds at Lewis and Clark, near Yankton, is number two on the list of 10 most visited state parks in South Dakota. So don't wait, start planning your outdoors vacation at one of these Southeast South Dakota State Parks today.

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve

(1,500 acres) Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve is located 2 miles SW of McCook, exit 4 off I-29, along the Missouri River. It was donated by the Adams sisters (granddaughters of original homesteader Stephen Searl Adams) as a "place for inner renewal". Special features: Several restored historical buildings, visitor center, bird watching blinds, hiking trails, cross country skiing, picnic shelter, guided golf cart tours available by reservation for visitors with physical limitations. (605) 232-0873

Beaver Creek Nature Preserve

(165 acres) Beaver Creek is located 5 miles SE of Brandon, off I-90, exit 406. Pioneers named the creek for the numerous beaver found along the winding spring-fed stream which flows year-round, supplying the plants and animals with water. This makes the preserve a great area to view a variety of wildlife.
Every September, the park hosts the Homesteader Day Harvest Festival. The event attracts thousands of visitors of all ages who want a taste of homestead life and living history. The free event typically features fiddlers, pioneer crafts, living history and old-time farming demonstrations.
Special features: Historic 1870s log cabin, handicap accessible hiking trail and picnic shelter, fishing. (605) 594-3824

Big Sioux Recreation Area

(430 acres) Big Sioux Recreation Area, on the banks of the Big Sioux River, is close to the cities of Brandon and Sioux Falls. Just follow I-90 to exit 406. Special features: 1869 homestead cabin, some of the oldest trees in the state, wooded and prairie trails, GPS trail, disc golf course, volleyball, archery range, bike trail connects with Brandon, canoeing/kayaking on the Big Sioux River, park programs. Winter hosts cross-country skiers and snowmobilers that gather at the warming house. Facilities: 50 total campsites - 43 electrical, 2 camping cabins, playground, picnic shelters, showers, dump station, fishing, game/equipment checkout, snowshoe checkout, handicap access. Entrance fee. (605) 582-7243

Chief White Crane Recreation Area

(169 acres) Chief White Crane Recreation Area is located 5 miles SW of Yankton off SD Hwy. 52. Special features: Canoeing on Lake Yankton, bald eagle viewing in winter, volleyball, horseshoe pits, park programs. Facilities: 146 campsites - 144 electrical, 10 camping cabins, picnic shelter, showers, dump station, playground, hiking/biking trail, game/equipment checkout, fishing, boat ramp, handicap access. Entrance fee. (605) 668-2985

Lake Alvin Recreation Area

(59 acres) Lake Alvin Recreation Area, located 4 miles east, 1 mile north of Harrisburg, off Co. 135, is a small park but is popular for its beach facilities and excellent fishing. Its proximity to Sioux Falls and Newton Hills State Park make it a great place to enjoy a day on the beach. Facilities: swimming beach, picnic shelter, fishing dock, handicap access, boat ramp. Entrance fee. (605) 987-2263

Lake Herman State Park

(227 acres) Lake Herman State Park, located 2 miles west of Madison off SD 34, is popular among fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. The park is located on a peninsula and offers visitors spectacular views of the lake. Special features: Historic 1871 cabin (Nat'l Historic Structure) and cemetery, trails through grass prairie, wetlands and historic sites, trail, disc golf course, horseshoe pits, canoe/kayak rental, bird watching, park programs. Facilities: 72 total campsites - 70 electrical, 2 camping cabins, showers, dump station, playground, fishing dock, boat ramp, swimming beach & bath house, picnic shelters, cross-country ski trails, game/equipment checkout, handicap access. Entrance fee. (605) 256-5003

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

(267 acres) Lake Vermillion Recreation Area, near Canistota, 5 miles south of I-90 at Montrose exit, is known for its clear waters and abundant fish. Fall sportsmen can find waterfowl and upland game nearby, making it an ideal hunting camp. Facilities include: 66 total campsites - 62 electrical, 1 camping cabin, showers, dump station, fishing dock, fish cleaning station, boat ramp, playground, swimming beach, hiking trail, sand volleyball, canoe rental, picnic shelter, handicap access. Entrance fee. (605) 296-3643

Lewis & Clark Recreation Area

(864 acres) Lewis & Clark Recreation Area, situated on beautiful Lewis & Clark Lake, 6 miles west of Yankton off SD 52, is one of the state park system's favorite resort parks. Three separate campgrounds comprise this modern recreation area, attracting visitors from throughout the Midwest. Features: largest marina in the state, restaurant, campground and resort with pool, three swimming beaches, paved bicycle trail follows the lake, mountain bike area, disc golf course, visitor center, park programs. Facilities: 374 campsites - 350 electrical, 13 camping cabins, 8 horse camp sites, 8 picnic shelters, showers, dump station, playground, fishing /boat docks, bridle trail, hiking trail with lookout over lake, archery trail, sand volleyball and horseshoe, soccer field, game/equipment checkout, canoe rental, snowmobiling, handicap access. Entrance fee. (605) 668-2985

Newton Hills State Park

(1,064 acres) Newton Hills State Park, located 6 miles south of Canton off Co. 135, is part of the Coteau des Prairie. Abundant wildlife can be found in the park, including over 200 species of birds, deer, wild turkeys, marmots, rabbits, red and gray fox and squirrels. Artifacts and burial mounds found near the park indicate that a Woodland Indian Culture inhabited this region. The area's unique dark forest, amidst a vast open prairie, has prompted many recent legends, including buried gold, robbers' hideouts and horse thieves.
The park hosts the Sioux River Folk Festival each August and FestiFall/Candlelight Walk each October.
Special features: Woodland Trail is a National Recreational Trail, multi-use trail and arboretum trail, look-out tower, bird watching area, canoeing on the Big Sioux River, park programs, canopy tent rentals for special events, rent-a-camper available game/equipment checkout. Facilities: 118 campsites - 103 electrical, showers, dump station, 5 camping cabins, 10 horse camp sites, 5 picnic shelters, swimming beach, playground, basketball court, sand volleyball and horseshoe, bridle trail, equestrian camps with corrals, fishing, boat ramp, cross country skiing, warming shelter, handicap access. Entrance fee. (605) 987-2263

Palisades State Park

(157 acres) Palisades State Park is located near Garretson, 10 miles north of I-90 from Brandon, exit 406. Palisades State Park is one of the most unique areas in South Dakota. Split Rock Creek, which flows through the park, is lined with Sioux quartzite formations varying from shelves several feet above the water to 50-foot vertical cliffs. Four hiking trails twist and turn through these beautiful Sioux quartzite formations. Scenic overlooks and rushing water make Palisades a popular getaway.
Special features: Rock climbing, historic sites, bridge is a Nat'l Historic Structure, nearby golf course. Facilities: 35 campsites - 16 electrical, showers, 5 camping cabins, playground, sand volleyball and horseshoe, game/equipment checkout, picnic shelter, fishing, handicap access. Entrance fee. (605) 594-3824

Pierson Ranch Recreation Area

(60 acres) Pierson Ranch Recreation Area is located 4 miles west of Yankton off SD 52. Special features: Paved bike trail, softball diamond, tennis court, basketball court, soccer field, sand volleyball and horseshoe, multiple picnic shelters for reunions and large picnics. Facilities: 67 campsites - 67 electrical, 2 camping cabins, showers, dump station, playground, game/equipment checkout, hiking trail, fishing, handicap access. Entrance fee. (605) 668-2985

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie

(320 acres) Spirit Mound is located 5 miles north of Vermillion, off SD 19. The Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery visited Spirit Mound on August 25, 1804. They came to the site because they had heard that little people inhabited the mound. At the mound the expedition didn't find any little people, but did find a "most butifull landscape." Over 300 acres of prairie is being restored with prairie grasses and other native plants. Facilities: 3/4 mile hiking trail to summit, interpretive signs, handicap access. (605) 987-2263

Springfield Recreation Area

(45 acres) Springfield Recreation Area is nestled along the shore with breathtaking views of the Missouri River. Adjacent to the park overlooking the river is a beautiful nine-hole golf course, and a bike trail connects the park to the town of Springfield.
Special feature: Adjacent nine-hole golf course overlooking the Missouri River, good base for waterfowl hunting in the fall. Facilities include: 21 campsites - 17 electrical, showers, dump station, 2 camping cabins, playground, hiking trail, picnic shelter, handicap access fishing dock, fish cleaning station, boat ramp. Entrance fee. (605) 668-2985

Union Grove State Park

(499 acres), Union Grove State Park is located 11 miles south of Beresford off I-29. Horseback riders, hikers, bikers and cross-country skiers enjoy several miles of trail through the forest along Brule Creek. The trees and plants attract a variety of birds sure to keep botanists and birdwatchers entertained for hours. Wildlife such as deer, wild turkeys, beaver and many small animals abound in the park. Campers enjoy the quiet well-shaded campsites, and the horse camp is the perfect base for a weekend of riding.
The park is ablaze with color during the fall. Leaves changing color and the variety of birds attracted to ripening fruit trees create a spectacular autumn festival.
Facilities: 24 campsites - 11 electrical, 4 horse camping sites, showers, 2 picnic shelters, hiking trail, bridle trail, historic interest, equestrian camps with corrals, cross country skiing. Entrance fee. (605) 987-2263

Walkers Point Recreation Area

(41 acres), Walkers Point Recreation is located 9 miles SE of Madison off SD 19. Campsites offer picturesque views of Lake Madison, while anglers enjoy both on- and off-shore fishing. The ski beach is popular with waterskiers. Facilities: 43 campsites - 42 electrical, showers, dump station, handicap access fishing dock, fish cleaning station, boat ramp, picnic shelter, playground, game/equipment checkout, canoe rental, park programs. Entrance fee. (605) 256-5003