SOUTH DAKOTA STATE PARKS
Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
Anderson Building
445 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre SD 57501-3185
605-773-5490
South Dakota is a vacationer’s paradise, with a wide variety of topography, from rolling prairies to rugged forests and mountains. Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial are probably the most popular attractions in the famous Black Hills, but be sure to stay a while to experience the Old-West charm of Deadwood, the beauty of Spearfish Canyon, and the excitement of a real rodeo in Belle Fourche or the annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis.
ANGOSTURA RECREATIONAL AREA
HC 52, Box 131-A
Hot Springs, SD 57747
605/745-6996
800/710-CAMP
The reservoir is 10 miles SE. of Hot Springs on US 18. The impounded waters of the Cheyenne River formed this lake; Angostura means "narrow opening" in Spanish. The Dakota and Cheyenne Indians once fought a fierce battle in the area to control the warm water springs which bubbles up in the area. The waters are still popular today.
Prehistoric man used the area as a hunting ground. Many village sites along the Cheyenne River date to 10,000 years ago. Visit the Mammoth site, largest in the world, at Hot Springs.
The 5,000 acre reservoir has an interpretive program during the summer. The area features water-skiing, swimming, fishing, marinas, camping at 7 areas, hiking trails, many beaches and a resort with 4 motel-style units.
The units are located near the reservoir dam. Each unit has 2-double beds, AC, with a restaurant nearby. The units are open from May—Sept. 15, and rent for about $35 a night.
Activities: comfort station, hiking, fish cleaning station, fishing pier, RV dump station, swimming beach, hiking trail, pontoon boat rentals, WaveRunner Fishing boat rentals, 78-slip marina.
CUSTER STATE PARK
HCR 83, Box 70
Custer, SD 57730-9705
605/255-4000.
In the summer of 1984, Major General George A. Custer led a scientific expedition through the Black Hills. When word spred that the expeditoin had discovered gold near the present day city of Custer, prospectors and settlers soon followed.
After the turn of the century, visionaires like Governor Peter Norbeck realized that our environment was more precious than gold. In 1919, he urged the State Legislature to preserve over 48,000 acres near Custer as a permanent state park. Today the park spreds out over 73,000 acres. Custer State Park is the largest park in the state.
Three major streams cross the park, and there are 4 man-made lakes. The park’s buffalo herd is one of the largest in the world. Movies, evening programs, square dancing and outdoor cooking programs are held at some of the lodges.
Hike to Harney Peak, within the Black Elk Wilderness Area, the highest mountain between the Rockies and the Alps. There are guided horseback rides from the Blue Bell and Game Lodges. There is a replica of Gordon Stockade, a fort built by the first white settlers looking for gold. The Black Hills Playhouse offers 11 weeks of drama and musical comedy during the summer.
Visitor’s Centers: Knowledgeable Park staff always ive friendly answers to your questions, with displays, books and videos for sale. The Peter Norbeck Visitor Center is locted on Highway 16A, and the Wildlife Station visitor Center is on the Wildlife Loop.
SCENIC DRIVES:
The Needles Highway features 14 miles of hairpin curves and narrow tunnels, granite spires and scenery. The park has a unique topography of granite spires and high prairie. The Needle’s Eye area is world famous for rock climbing.
Iron Mountain Road is the most scenic route ot Mount Rushmore from Custer State Park. Pigtail bridges curl around towering pine trees and granite tunnels frame the scultured faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln.
The Wildlife Loop Road passes over rolling pine hills and through open prairie grasses. Within the 18-mile drive you will likely spot coyotes, elk, deer, buffalo and antelope. Other wildlife includes pronghorns, prairie dogs, turkeys, bobcts, hawks, bighorn sheep, mountian goats, coyotes, eagles, whitetail deer, black tailed deer and cougars.
French Creek Natural Area: General George Custer first observed gold along the rocky banks of French Creek in 1874. Today, backpackers and day-users can explore the area along the 12-mile long natural area that stretches through the heart of the park. Primitive camping only, but you will observe wildflowers, and wildlife, plus great trout fishing.
Hiking Trails: Custer State Park has designated trails for hiking, horseback rdig and mountian biking. These marked trails allow visitors a first hand experience.
Acitivites: Buffalo Jeep Safari rides to theworld’s largest buffalo herd, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, horseback rding, hayrides, chuck wagon cookouts, Swimming, Paddle Boats, Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, Naturalist programs, Mountain Bike Rentals, Overnight pack trips.
Black Hills Playhouse: This repertory company is located within the park, and has over many season brought modern and old time melodrama to the stage to delight guests and locals. Call the park for current performance dates and openings. Curtain time is 8 p.m.
The Badger Hole: Poetic souls are drawn to the Badger Hole, home of the state’s first poet laureate, Charles Badger Clark (1883-1957). After a cabin tour, hike the Badger Clark Historic Trail and read his poetry at quiet stops along the pines.
Gordon Stockade: Relive the life of a centry past at the 1874 Gordon Stockade. Watch interpreters perform the day-to-day chores of frontier liferom starting a fire wit steel and flint, to cooking over an open campfire.
Mount Coolidge: View the hills from the vantage point of 6,000 ft. Mount Coolidge. You can see Crazy Horse Monument and Mt. Rushmore, Harney Peak and the Needles.
The four lodges within the park include Blue Bell Lodge, Legion Lake Resort, State Game Lodge, and Sylvan Lake Lodge.
BLUE BELL LODGE
HCR 83, Box 63
605/255-4531
This lodge was built in the 1920’s by a Black Hills pioneer, at an elevation of one mile, and it is an isolated full family resort center. The lodge is named for the symbol of the telephone company and is set in the pines on SD 87 S., near French Creek and Wind Cave National Park.
Dine on buffalo burgers at the Bluebell Restaurant, or attend a chuck wagon feed which includes a hay ride. See the buffalo herds by jeep, horseback ride on old Indian trails to Mt. Coolidge, or rent a bicycle. Leave the children with a resort baby-sitter. There is a general store, gift shop and gas station, with fishing nearby. Ride a hay wagon. Over night pack trips available, complete with campfire meals and trailside camping. There is also a fine dining room and cocktail lounge at the resort.
The resort offers 18 hand-crafted log cabins scattered around the lodge. Each unit has tiled tub/shower, electric heat and 1 or 2 double beds sleeping up to four. There are also 13 modern housekeeping cabins and 4 sleeping cabins, all isolated for privacy. The 1-bedroom cabins have heat, refrigerator, shower, hot plate, linens and towels, and all with double beds, some with bunkbeds, sleeping up to six persons. The 2-bedroom cabins have living room, kitchenette, shower, fireplace, heat, refrigerator, electric stove, linens and towels, some with porches and some with 3-double beds and a hide-a-bed, or trundle bed. All 2-bedroom cabins sleep up to eight.
One day’s rent deposit is required in advance. The cabins and resort units rent for $40 a unit and up, and are open 4/20—10/22.
LEGION LAKE RESORT
HCR 83, Box 67
Custer, SD 57730
605/255-4521.
This resort once was a cabin camp of the American Legion. The resort is centrally located on US 16A, 7 miles E. of Custer, and is great for fishermen and swimmers. It is located lakeside at Legon Lake, with cottages nestle in the pines.
Dine on rainbow trout at the Legion Lake Restaurant, or take a jeep ride to the buffalo herd. The fishing is great here, or rent a paddle boat just outside your cabin door. Hikers and bikers enjoy the Centennial Trail that passes near the reosrt. Mountain Bike rentals available.
The cottages are located near the convenience camp sotre, with gift shop, groceries, fishing licenses and supplies and a dinng area.
The resort has 25 units, 12 one-room sleeping cabins, and 2 and 3-room housckeeping cabins for 2-7 persons, open 5115—9130. The cabins rent for $25 a night and the resort units rent for $50 a night.
STATE GAME LODGE & RESORT
HCR 83, Box 74
Custer, SD 57730
605/255-4541.
This lodge is listed on the National Reister of Historic Places, and was originally called the State Game Keepers Lodge. It is a massive pine and rock structure that was frequented by the U.S. Presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower, and was also called the Summer Whitehouse.
The lodge is on US 16A, near the entrance to the park. The resort has a complete convention facility and a lighted 4,200-foot airstrip. Dine at the Pheasant Dining Room and Decoy Lounge, or the Coolidge Inn General Store featuring cafeteria-style food, fishing licenses, supplies and gasoline.
Take a trail ride or jeep ride to the Buffalo Safari Jeep Ride, hike, bicycle, or cross-country ski in winter. There are good chances for wildlife viewing, particularly of Bighorn Sheep.
Sleep in the stately historical rooms which were slept in by the presidents, or rent one of 40 motel units, 6 cabins, and 14 sleeping cabins. The cabins rent from $35 a night and the lodge rooms start at $55 a night. Open 5/10—10/1. Note: some cabins are now open year around.
SYLVAN LAKE LODGE
Box 1000, Hill City, S.D. 57745; 605/574-2561 or 605/787-6446 in winter.
This lodge is on SD 89, near the starting point for hikers to Harney Peak and the Cathedral Spires, Little Devil’s Tower, and Sunday Gulch.
The Needles Highway is the most scenic road to resort. The Sylvan Resort Hotel and cottages overlook scenic Sylvan Lake, the oldest man-made lake in the Black Hills. Fish, swim, or rent canoes and paddle boats at the lake. In the winter the Needles Highway is openonly to cross-country skiers and snowmobilers.
The beautiful, rustic hotel has a dining room (featuring buffalo burgers and fresh trout), a large lobby with a fireplace, and 29 guest rooms, all with telephones and TV, and some with kitchenettes. There are 13 guest cabins located to the W. of the hotel, with woodburning fireplaces made of natural rock, and queen-sized beds. The eighteen 1, 2, and 3 bedroom housekeeping cottages contain kitchenettes, and there is a laundromat nearby. All cottages have king-sized beds. Stay in the Senator’s Cottage, or try the Honeymoon Cabin. There are special packages at the resort for family reunions. The resort is open from 5/10—9/30. Rates run from $45-$108 per unit per night.
The Lakota Dining Room offers superb vistas of the area while dining on natural native game. Try the buffalo burgers. The resort also has groceries, fast food, souvenirs, fishing licenses and camping supplies at the Lakeside General Store.
FARM ISLAND RECREATION AREA
1301 Farm Island Road
Pierre, SD 57501-5829
605/224-5605
Farm Island Recreation Area is 4 miles E of Pierre off Highway 34. The park is along the shores of the Missouri River and is an access point for boaters and fishermen. There is alarge swimming each and enclosed picnic shelter. Lewis and Clark passed through the area on their way west. In the early part of the 1900’s Fort Teton was built at the site of present day Fort Pierre.
Lodging: There is one heated camping cabin open eyar around for rental. There ae also campsites, RV area and showers and indoor bathroom facilities. An entrance fee is charged.
Activities: hunting, fishing for walleye. Lots of Canada goose in the area. There is a boat launch and fishing pier. Hike the 500-acre nature area that is also used for cross-country skiing.
WEST BEND RECREATION AREA.
Reservations are also taken for West Bend through Farm Island.
West Bend offers two camping cabins, comfort station, electric hookups at the campsties, and picnic shelters. Fishing and boating on the 154 acre preserve. Open year around. An entrance fee is charge. The Recreation area is E of Pieerre on the Missouri River.
LEWIS AND CLARK RECREATION AREA
RR 1, Box 240
Yankton, SD 57078
605/668-2985
Resort Lodging: 605/665-2680
Marina: 605/665-3111
800/710-CAMP
Located on the Missouri River, 5 miles E of Yankton, he recreation area is home to great boating and fishing. There are three modern campgrounds and modern resort with restaurant. Plus, 2-3 bedroom camping cabins. There is also a full-service marina, archery course. There is a zoned swimming beach with bath houses, and hiking and horse trails.
Activities: There are 375 boat slips, PWC rentals, concessionaire store, and repair service.
There are three units to the area:
The Yankton Unit Lodging: The motel offers 24 units, 5 modern cabins and a swimming pool. An excursion service is operated out from the marina.
Midway Unit
: Miles of sandy beaches with swimming. Rustic log style camping cabins are found in this area.Gavins Point: You will find campsites and hiking trails, a horse camp with riding trails. This is an undeveloped part of the park, with no cabins.
OAKWOOD LAKES STATE PARK
RR2, Box 42
Bruce, SD 57220-9611
605/627-5441; 800/710-CAMP
Early trappers and traders gathered at Oakwood Lakes, and today a reenactment is staged yearly. The Park is set among eight glacier lakes, with shaded picnic area, interpeetive trails, and hiking. Group shelters are for larger outdoor gatherings. The park has a historic log cabin serving as visual display of pioneer life. The park is open eyar around. The park, in E South Dakota, is near the state agricultural college in Brookings. Three burial mounds are still seen in the park.
Cabins: Heated and air conditioned camping cabins are available year around.
Fishing in the lakes offers over 3,000 acres of sport fishing including walleye, perch, pike and bullhead. A fishing pier is near the campground. In the winter a warming house with wood-burning stove offers shelter for cross-country skiers on the 4 miles of groomed trails. There is also a swimming beach and bath house, amphitheater, interpretive shelter, and cross-country ski trails, and horse trail.
PALISADES STATE PARK
25495 485th Avenue
Garretson, SD 57030-6117
605/594-3824
Jesse James is reported to holed up in the canyons of the park, one of the most unique areas in the state. Split Rock Creek flows through the park, with formations of quartzite towering into clifss 50 feet or higher. There are numerous caves in the park.
A flour mill once was located on a bluff powered by large water-wheel. Low grade silver was discovered downstream in 1886, with over 200 claims staked.
Cabins: There are two mocern camping cabins in the park under well-shading trees. The cabins are heated and air conditioned. There are picnic tables and BBQ grills and a modern comfort staiton with showers. The park is open year around.
Activities: children interpretive programs in the summer. Hiking and fishing is popular. Three trails twist throuigh the park fomration. This is a great place for rockhounds, with one of the few places where pipestone is found. The Sioux Indians quaried the stone for peace pipes.
PICKEREL LAKE RECREATION AREA
RR 1, Box 113
Grenville, SD 57239
605/486-4753
Pickeral Lake was carved by glacial action, and offers wonderful fishing and swimming. A half mile nature trail winds through the area. Although the Recreation area is only 368 acres, there is great camping and two camping cabins to enjoy the outdoors. Boating is popular. Pickerel Lake is open year around. An entrance fee is charged.
ROY LAKE STATE PARK AND RESORT
RR2, Box 94
Lake City, SD 57247
605-448-5701
Located in the NE. part of the state where glacial lakes are commonplace, Roy Lake is outstanding. The 1,500-acre lake is between Britton and Sisseton, on Hwy. 10, and is a popular park for fishing, hiking and camping. There is evidence of prehistoric Indian villages dating back to over 1,000 years ago; search for the burial mounds in the area. A swimming beach, boat launching area and picnic areas are part of the facilities. A hiking trail leads over a foot bridge to Roy Island. Rent motorboats at the concession stand. During the winter snowmobile and cross-country ski trails wind through the area, and the warming house is great for rests. There are six 1 and 2-bedroom modern cabins with full kitchen facilities, utensils provided. All have bathrooms (with or without showers), but bring your own towels. There are 2 primitive cabins sleeping 4. A $30 deposit is required on all cabins. The 2-bedroom cabins rent from $26-$36 a day, or from $156 a week, and sleep up to 6. The one bedroom cabins rent for $20-$23 a day, or up to $130 a week, and sleep up to 3. Cabins without showers are $6 cheaper per day.
SHADEHILL RECREATION AREA
Box 63
Shadehill, SD 57653-0063
605/374-5114
The recreation aea encompasses a huge lake along the Little Missouri River, near the town of Lemmon. The Bismarch-Deadwood trail with historic wagon ruts can still be seen. The man-made lake is a fishing and boating haven, with campgrounds, swimming beaches.
The true story Lord Grizzly recounts the travails of Hugh Glass, an early explore, mauled by a Grizzly Bear, and left behind in the Shadehill area. He survived, after crawling across half the state of South Dakota. General Custer passed this way also, looking for gold in the Black Hills to the south.
The reservoir was created in the 1950 as an empoundment for area ranchers. Fish for walley, smalmouth bass, crappie, pike, largemouth bass, perch and bluegill. There is upland gaming hunting for grouse, pheasants, partridge and waterfowl. It also has a flock of Canadian geese.
SNAKE CREEK RECREATION AREA
35316 SD HWY. 44
Platt, SD 57369
605/337-2587
Located 14 miles W of Platte, off Highway 44.
This is Lewis and Clark country. The area is mixed with steaming hot springs and burning bluffs that are actually oil-bearing shale. Lightning strikes cause the shale to ignite. Sometime the cavities smoke for months or years.
As you boat up river you cross Red Rock, a formation rising above the Missouri river. It was used as a landmark for steamboat captains, and now is a beacon for fishermen.
Snake River and Platt Creek are located on the Missouri River’s Lake Francis Case. There are over 100,000 acres of lake to fish for walleye, paddlefish, catfish, and bass. Down stream from Fort Randell Dam is a wild Bald and Golden eagle roosting area. The recreaitonal area is open year around, with an entrance fee charged.
Cabins: There are modern cmaping cabins with heat and AC. There is also picnic shelters, fish cleaning station, boat ramps, playgroiunds, volleyball courts, hiking and a comfort station.
WEST WHITLOCK RECREATION AREA
HC 3, Box 73A
Gettysburg, SD 57442
605/765-9410
West Whitlock was once a popular campsite for the Arikara and Mandan tribes. Now it is one of the best fishing areas in the Mid-west. The park is located on Lake Oahe Reservoir, in the middle of the state. A replica of a Arikara earth lodge is part of the past, while modern cabins welcome boaters and fishermen.
The park is named after a pioneer who once owned the land. A ferred crossing operted in the vicinity and a small settlement was known as Whitlock Crossing.
Lake Oahe has over 2,000 miles of shoreline, and is one of the largest earthen dams in the world. The park is open year around.
Activities: Interpretive center, junior naturalist programs, hiking trails, fishing for walleye, bass, northern, trout, sauger, chinook salmon. Visit the spawning and imprinting station.