South Dakota
Nature|National & State Parks

The Best Kayaking Lake In South Dakota Is One You May Never Have Heard Of

Oakwood Lakes State Park in South Dakota offers excellent kayaking opportunities with its 8 connected glacial lakes and on-site rentals.

Published Aug 4, 2021

Written by 

Annie

When the weather is hot, there is no better way to cool off than some sort of water sport, whether it be swimming, fishing, tubing, or kayaking. When it comes to the latter of the bunch, we happen to have our own opinion of which location is best, which is Oakwood Lakes State Park in South Dakota:

Located outside of Bruce, Oakwood Lakes State Park is a relatively little-known state park that is home to everything from hiking and biking to fishing, camping, and, of course, some of the best kayaking in the Mount Rushmore State!

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Oakwood Lakes State Park Facebook

Featuring 8 connected glacial lakes, there is no better place to kayak than Oakwood Lakes, thanks to not only its impressive size but lazy waters (perfect for beginners!) and on-site rentals.

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Oakwood Lakes State Park Facebook

Need we mention that the lake and surrounding area are as beautiful as they are tranquil?

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Oakwood Lakes State Park Facebook

In addition to kayaking on Oakwood Lakes, the water is also a stellar spot for swimming, canoeing, fishing, and boating.

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Oakwood Lakes State Park Facebook

Admission to Oakwood Lakes State Park is $8 per vehicle per day.

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Oakwood Lakes State Park Facebook

Please note: Kayak rentals are not included with the price of admission.

To learn more about Oakwood Lakes State Park, please visit the South Dakota Game, Fish, & Parks' website.

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Oakwood Lakes State Park is open year-round.

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Oakwood Lakes State Park Facebook

Where is your favorite place to kayak in the Mount Rushmore State? Let us know in the comments! Do you have a favorite restaurant, event, or attraction that you would like to see featured on Only in South Dakota? Let us know via our nomination form! For even more of our favorite SoDak lakes, you will want to check out these 10 Beautiful South Dakota Lakes With A Magical Aura About Them.

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Breathtaking Small Town State Park in South Dakota That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Sturgis is a small town in South Dakota famous for its motorcycle rally, but perhaps it should be famous for its natural wonders like this one.

Published Sep 19, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Crazy-but-true fun fact: South Dakota is home to 63 state and National Park sites. Seriously! That might sound like quite a lot, but given how amazing our state truly is, perhaps it's not all that enormous a revelation. Nevertheless, several of these South Dakota state parks are out-of-the-way and exist only near small towns - like, for instance, Bear Butte State Park.

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The main draw to Bear Butte State Park is, of course, Bear Butte itself, a 4,436-foot-tall summit from which you can see four different states. In Lakota, the mountain's name is Mato Paha, or "Bear Mountain." It is truly an incredible sight to behold.

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Clint/Flickr

Hikers will be thrilled to learn that there are nine amazing miles of trails weaving all over the park, and exploring it on foot is easily one of the best ways to take it all in.

Bear Butte is gorgeous, but the surrounding landscape is utterly awe-inspiring, and together they form an entire work of art on one beautiful canvas. Bear Butte Lake is picturesque at worst, offering crystal-clear, cool water that often reflects the sky above, be it crystalline blue or overcast and grey.

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Traveling skier/TripAdvisor 

This place has enormous cultural significance to this day, and every so often you might find prayer bundles along the trails. Please do not disturb these - they are not litter!

Should you be the camping type, you're in luck (woohoo!) - there are two gorgeous campgrounds near the lake just waiting to be booked. Need more to do once you're checked in? Wander around nearby Sturgis for a little while. Sturgis is famous for its enormous annual motorcycle rally, but I promise the town is wonderful year-round as well.

While you're at it, check out all the fun things to do in Sturgis from our friends at Viator. If you find you can't get enough South Dakota at any given time, check out all the best places to visit in South Dakota next time you have a moment to be fully immersed in all things Mt. Rushmore State.

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Notch Trail Is A Hidden Adventure In South Dakota Worthy Of A Day Hike

Published Jul 8, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Sometimes, all we want to do is get out and enjoy the world - and all the amazing things within it. Lucky for us, South Dakota just so happens to be a wonderland filled to the brim with awe-inspiring views, geological wonders, and more - all of which are worthy of a day trip (or longer). Hidden away in Badlands National Park is one of the best hikes in the entire state. Known as the Notch Trail, this awesome journey is idyllic and magical without being too lengthy. Of all the amazing hikes in South Dakota, this one is among the best!

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Badlands National Park is like something out of a dream - surreal, beautiful, and nearly alien.

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Annmarie Croswell/AllTrails

With 17 incredible trails to choose from, it might be kinda tough to decide which one to play with, so let me help you choose: Do the Notch Trail. I promise it's an incredible adventure.

In the spring and summer, wildflowers abound.

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John Condon/AllTrails

The trail is open year-round, though the warmer months are by far the best times to show up. Just bring plenty of water! You'll have to leave your pup at home, though, as unfortunately, no dogs are permitted here.

Along the way, you'll spot various wonderful geological features sure to fascinate and intrigue.

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Barry Smith/AllTrails

First, you'll meander through a jaw-dropping canyon formed over millions of years of erosion via wind and water. Marvel at the history of this incredible planet on plain display at Badlands National Park - on this incredible loop trail especially.

Drop-offs are common, so watch your footing - don't fall!

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Kristin Povinelli/AllTrails

Wear sturdy, good. hiking shoes and keep your eyes peeled - the views along this whole hike are truly incredible. There are some spots with decent shade, but not many, so plan accordingly, and arrive early in the day for the best results.

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If you've got a fear of heights, well, perhaps this one isn't for you.

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But if you ARE up for heights, amazing views, and more... boy oh boy, is this hike for you. Folks can't get enough of this amazing adventure.

Of all the scenic hiking trails in South Dakota, this one is among the best of the best.

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For more information about this incredible hiking trail in South Dakota, check out the official Notch Trail AllTrails listing. Thinking about cranking your hiking game up to 11? Check out all the cool perks that come with an AllTrails Plus subscription!

Do you know of any amazing hikes in South Dakota? Tell me about 'em in the comments!

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