The U.S. state of South Dakota operates 13 state parks, 43 recreation areas, 6 nature areas, and 1 trail, totaling approximately 96,000 acres. These sites are administered by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks.
These areas preserve natural geologic features, historic and sacred Plains Indian sites, and historic pioneer settlements and forts. They also provide recreational facilities and access to waterbodies, including the Missouri River, on which there are 25 recreation areas.
South Dakota State Parks and recreation areas range in size from the 19-acre Sandy Shore Recreation Area to the 71,000-acre Custer State Park. It was the first park established in the system, in 1919. Good Earth State Park at Blood Run is the most recent park, added in 2013. System-wide visitation in 2016 was 7,500,000. [1]
The state is currently exploring establishing a new state park in Spearfish Canyon. The proposed Spearfish Canyon State Park would encompass 1,600-acres including Spearfish Falls, Roughlock Falls, and portions of Little Spearfish Canyon. The land is currently owned by the state of South Dakota and the federal government. [68] [69]
Lake Sharpe is a large reservoir impounded by Big Bend Dam on the Missouri River in central South Dakota, United States. The lake has an area of 56,884 acres (230.20 km2) and a maximum depth of 78 ft (24 m). Lake Sharpe is approximately 80 mi (130 km) long, with a shoreline of 200 mi (320 km). Lake Sharpe is the 54th largest reservoir in the United States. The lake starts near Ft. Thompson and stretches upstream to Oahe Dam, near Pierre. The lake is located within the following counties: Buffalo, Lyman, Hyde, Hughes, and Stanley. The Big Bend of the Missouri is about 7 miles (11 km) north of the dam.
Lewis and Clark Lake is a 31,400 acre (130 km²) reservoir located on the border of the U.S. states of Nebraska and South Dakota on the Missouri River. The lake is approximately 25 miles (40 km) in length with over 90 miles (140 km) of shoreline and a maximum water depth of 45 feet (14 m). The lake is impounded by Gavins Point Dam and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District.
Lake Francis Case is a large reservoir impounded by Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River in south-central South Dakota, United States. The lake has an area of 102,000 acres (410 km2) and a maximum depth of 140 ft (43 m). Lake Francis Case has a length of approximately 107 mi (172 km) and has a shoreline of 540 mi (870 km). The lake is the eleventh-largest reservoir in the United States and is located within the counties of: Charles Mix, Gregory, Lyman, Brule, and Buffalo. The lake stretches from Pickstown, South Dakota upstream to Big Bend Dam.
Lake Alvin is an artificial lake in Lincoln County, South Dakota between Harrisburg, South Dakota and Granite, Iowa. The lake is formed by a dam on Nine Mile Creek just before it enters the Big Sioux River, east of Harrisburg. It is part of a 59-acre (240,000 m2) recreational area.
Pelican Lake is a natural lake in South Dakota, in the United States. The north-east shore is part of Watertown, South Dakota.
Angostura Recreation Area is a state recreation area in South Dakota on the eastern side of Angostura Reservoir in Fall River County. It was established in 1954, five years after the Angostura Dam created the reservoir. It is located approximately 10 miles south of Hot Springs.
The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) is the U.S. State of South Dakota's State Agency charged with the management of the state's public recreational and outdoor resources. The GFP manages the 13 State Parks and 43 State Recreation Areas within the South Dakota State Parks System, totaling over 96,000 acres of public lands. The agency manages the hunting of game and the state's fisheries, manages several wildlife management areas and game production areas to restore or establish habitat for a variety of species. The agency conducts public outdoor education programs, typically focusing on hunting and boating safety. The department issues hunting and fishing licenses along with issuance of boat registrations. The agency is also charged with enforcement of fish and game laws, including invasive species regulations. The agency is headquartered in Pierre, South Dakota.
Pierson Ranch Recreation Area is a state recreation area in Yankton County, South Dakota in the United States. The recreation area is 60 acres (24 ha) and lies directly below Gavins Point Dam and Lewis and Clark Lake and is adjacent to Lake Yankton. The area is open for year-round recreation including camping, swimming, fishing, hiking and boating. It is 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Yankton.
Oahe Downstream Recreation Area is a state recreation area in Stanley County, South Dakota in the United States. The recreation area is named for being immediately downstream of the Oahe Dam and Lake Oahe, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam and reservoir. The recreation area is located along the Missouri River and is popular for camping, fishing and other water-based recreation. The area is located about 7 miles upstream of Pierre - the state capitol. The recreation area was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following construction of Oahe Dam, and legislation passed by Congress transferred ownership of the recreation area to the State of South Dakota in 2002.
Farm Island Recreation Area is a state recreation area in Hughes County, South Dakota in the United States. It is named for Farm Island located in the Missouri River, just downstream of Pierre, the state capitol. The island is now connected to the main shore via a causeway. The area is popular for camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and other water-based recreational opportunities.
Lake Alvin Recreation Area is a state recreation area in Lincoln County, South Dakota in the United States. The recreation area is popular for fishing, hiking, and swimming at Lake Alvin. It is approximately 13 miles southeast of Sioux Falls and just west of the Iowa border and the Big Sioux River.
Springfield Recreation Area is a state recreation area in Bon Homme County, South Dakota in the United States. The recreation area is located on the upper part of Lewis and Clark Lake, and is popular for boating, fishing, and hunting. There is a 20-site campground and a boat launch to access the lake and the Missouri River. The area is about 30 miles west of Yankton.
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area is a South Dakota state recreation area in McCook County, South Dakota in the United States. The park is open for year-round recreation including camping, swimming, fishing, hiking and boating on Lake Vermillion.
Spearfish Canyon Nature Area is a nature area in Lawrence County, South Dakota in the United States. It is located in Spearfish Canyon, near Little Spearfish Creek, just before the creek joins Spearfish Creek, within the Black Hills National Forest. The area is managed by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. Birdwatching, fishing, hiking, and snowmobiling are popular activities within this area. The area is about 15 miles southwest of Spearfish or about 14.5 miles west of Lead, just west of Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.
Snake Creek Recreation Area is a South Dakota state recreation area in Charles Mix County, South Dakota in the United States. The recreation area is 695 acres (281 ha) and lies along the shores of Lake Francis Case, a reservoir on the Missouri River. The area is open for year-round recreation including camping, swimming, fishing, hiking and boating. There are 115 campsites, 10 camper cabins, and a full-service marina. The recreation area is 14 miles (23 km) west of Platte.
Randall Creek Recreation Area is a South Dakota state recreation area in Gregory County, South Dakota in the United States. The recreation area is 184 acres (74 ha) and lies directly below Fort Randall Dam, along the banks of the Missouri River. The area is open for year-round recreation including camping, swimming, fishing, hiking and boating.
Beaver Creek Nature Area is a nature area in Minnehaha County, South Dakota in the United States. It is located along Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Big Sioux River just east of Sioux Falls. Birdwatching, fishing, hiking, and snowmobiling are popular activities within this area. Wildlife found in the area include: Bald eagle, White-tailed deer, Coyote, Beaver, and many song birds and waterfowl.
Sandy Shore Recreation Area is a South Dakota State Recreation Area in east-central South Dakota, United States, near Watertown. The recreation area is located on the shore of Lake Kampeska, a 5,250-acre inland glacial lake. Within the recreation area is a beach, boat ramp, 17-site campground and canoe/kayak rentals. At 19 acres in size, it is South Dakota's smallest state park.
Platte Creek Recreation Area is a South Dakota state recreation area located on the eastern shore of Lake Francis Case, a Missouri River Reservoir in Gregory County, South Dakota in the United States. The recreation area is 252 acres (102 ha). The area is open for year-round recreation including camping, swimming, fishing, hiking and boating.
Shadehill Recreation Area is a state recreation area in South Dakota located around the Shadehill Reservoir in Perkins County. The recreation area is administered by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. It covers 2,287 acres and offers campgrounds, beaches, access for boating, fishing and other water activities.