Known for its clear waters and abundant fish, Lake Vermillion Recreation Area is a popular area among fishermen, boaters and swimmers. During the fall, sportsmen can find waterfowl and upland game within minutes from the park. This 512-acre reservoir is located 27 miles west of Sioux Falls.

Lewis and Clark Lake, near Yankton, is one of the state park system's most popular resort parks. Three separate campgrounds comprise this modern recreation area, attracting visitors from throughout the Midwest. Modern resort facilities - from marinas to camping cabins to sandy beaches - attract water lovers to Lewis and Clark.

Originally Big Owl and Little Owl rivers, the sheltered watersheds of the Moreau and Little Moreau Rivers provided traditional winter campgrounds for the Cheyenne, and later the Minneconjou and Two Kettle bands of Teton Sioux. The river names were later changed from Owl to an early trader's name of Moreau. Grassland attracted the first European settlers to the Moreau Valley. During the late 1870s through 1890s, cattle barons from southern states grazed thousands of cattle on this rich grassland.

A small, get-away park, Llewellyn Johns' ten campsites offer a quiet camping experience. Nearby Shadehill Recreation Area offers recreational opportunities as well as points of historical interest to keep you busy all day. Or, if you prefer peace and quiet, this is a great campground to just sit back and relax.

Nestled along the wooded shores of Mina Lake, Mina Recreation Area is a water-lover's haven with plenty of room for boating, fishing and swimming. When you leave the water, a spacious campground, hiking trail, and several picnic areas provide hours of family fun.

Newton Hills State Park was named after William Newton who settled in the area in the 1850s. Newton's wife was a mid-wife; until the 1870s, she was the only European American north of Vermillion who could deliver babies and cure the sick.

Located on the shores of the Missouri River just above Fort Randall Dam, North Point Recreation Area provides a spectacular river view. Lewis and Clark came up the river in late-August, early-September in 1804. In this area, they saw their first prairie dogs, which they called "barking squirrels." They were also told to watch for an infrequent phenomenon called "burning bluffs," where the shale ignites and smokes.

This small, quiet park is a great get-away for those seeking to relax. And, if your idea of relaxation involves a fishing pole, North Wheeler aims to please. With lake access between Pease Creek and Platte Creek, visitors can spend their days on the water and their night relaxing in the campground.

The park's three campgrounds give visitors a variety of recreational opportunities, from boating to hiking to disc golf. The Corps of Engineers began building the dam in 1948 and in 1962 started generating electricity. It's one of the largest constructed reservoirs in the United States, measuring 231 miles connecting the capital cities of South Dakota and North Dakota.

Nestled among eight connecting glacial lakes, this park provides a never-ending variety of activities throughout the year, from hiking and swimming, to ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Shaded campgrounds and picnic areas complement the park's excellent swimming and boating facilities.

Scenic rolling hills, wide expanses of prairie, and one of the most outstanding vistas along the Missouri River await those who love the outdoors. The miles of sandy beach invite park visitors to play in the water, enjoy a volleyball game, try some shore fishing and walk near the river wave.

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. Scenic overlooks and rushing water make Palisades a popular getaway. The park is popular among campers, photographers, sightseers, picnickers, rock climbers and hikers.

With almost 600 acres to explore and easy access to the Missouri River's Lake Francis Case for great fishing, Pease Creek is a popular day use and camping park. The wooded terrain provides shaded campsites and hiking opportunities on the bluffs above Lake Francis Case.

Naturalists enjoy the migrating birds and vast numbers of prairie grasses and wildflowers at Pelican Lake Recreation Area. Winter enthusiasts appreciate the park's cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing and ice fishing.

Visitors to colonial dorchester state historic site are walking into a rare look at a remarkably preserved past.

Right off Highway 52, the park provides easy access to picnic shelters and campsites. In addition, the large day-use area serves as an excellent facility for hosting family reunions and large group picnics.

Fishing and water recreation draws a quieter crowd to Platte Creek Recreation Area to enjoy Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River. Visitors to Platte Creek enjoy natural features similar to those at Snake Creek, but from a quieter campground with similar amenities.

Randall Creek Recreation Area is located on the banks of the Missouri River, downstream from Fort Randall Dam. Spend hours peacefully watching the water flow, observing the animals and birds that frequent the area, and enjoying he breathtaking beauty of the surrounding shoreline.

Revheim Bay Recreation Area is a day-use park with four picnic shelters, a playground, an off-highway vehicle area, two sets of horseshoe pits, and a sand volleyball court. The picnic shelters range in size from large groups to small families. The park is a great place to hold a family reunion, company picnic, or to spend a relaxing day.

Three separate areas in this park cater to the needs of campers, swimmers, naturalists, boaters and anglers. Campers stay in the South Unit, while the 200-acre Forest Drive Unit is a great place for wildlife viewing. The Boat Ramp Unit provides access to the more than 1,000-acre lake.

Rocky Point Recreation Area is located on the 8,000-acre Belle Fourche Reservoir. The reservior was created in 1911, when Orman Dam was constructed to store water for agricultural use. At the time of its completion, Orman Dam was the largest earthen dam in the world. In 1989, Orman Dam was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

The Roughlock Falls Nature Area is located in Spearfish Canyon and is considered one of the most beautiful locations in the Black Hills. The water feeding Roughlock Falls flows into Spearfish Canyon from Little Spearfish Creek. Spearfish Canyon highlights an outdoor wonder that is impressive and unique to the Black Hills.

Roy Lake is known for its excellent fishing, but you don't have to be an angler to enjoy all this park has to offer. Visitors will find sandy beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps and a variety of trails to keep them busy.

On the banks of Lake Kampeska, Sandy Shore Recreation Area offers just that ... a long, sandy beach. The beach is a great place to enjoy Lake Kampeska, which is a glacial lake named for its clear water. Early homesteaders settled along the shores of the lake.

Nestled on the shores of Shadehill Reservoir, Shadehill Recreation Area offers opportunities to enjoy land- and water-based activities. The reservoir is one of western South Dakota's few large lakes. The dam, built in 1951 by the Bureau of Reclamation, creates more than 5,000 surface acres of water to enjoy.