Couples Connection

Best Local Outdoor Date Ideas

Adventure awaits you and you don’t have to travel very far

By Chellee Unruh

Even though we enjoyed a mild winter, nothing beats a South Dakota summer. The days are longer, the sunsets are breathtaking and summer weekends offer the perfect opportunity to soak it all in. You know how adding a few drinks more can make your date night a bit mor fun? There is no better way to spice up your relationship than getting your heart pumping and releasing some endorphins. Releasing endorphins improves your mood and gives you that feel-good vibe we all love. A better mood leads to better dates and a much better relationship.

Rather than the traditional date of sitting at a patio bar sipping on a cocktail, (which also sounds amazing) we checked in with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks employee David Parker for some alternative date night ideas to get your heart racing and have fun at the same time. “There’s lots to do around this area, with little to no prior experience needed,” says Parker, director of the Outdoor Campus. “And if you do want to go over the basics before you head out, the Outdoor Campus can get you started on many of these fun activities with our many introductory classes!” Paddling (Canoe, Kayak, Paddleboards) – Most state parks are great places for paddling, and you don’t need much experience to get started. In the Sioux Falls area, rentals are available at Lake Herman, Lake Vermillion and Newton Hills. A little more “extreme” would be a trip down the Jay Heath Memorial Canoe and Kayak Trail, which takes paddlers down the Big Sioux River.

Cycling – Bike trails in the parks offer colorful scenery and quiet space. In the area, Newton Hills has bicycles to rent. Also, entrance licenses are only required on motorized vehicles, so they aren’t required if you bike into the park (like at Big Sioux). This year, visitors can participate in the state parks poker run, a self-guided activity found at over 40 GFP areas.

Disc Golf – You don’t have to be a PGA pro to enjoy this one. You just need to be able to throw a Frisbee. It is easy to do and a lot of fun. Most parks offer free disc checkout. In the Sioux Falls area, that includes Big Sioux and Lake Herman.

Rock Climbing – Palisades State Park is becoming well-known to local climbers for its Sioux quartzite formations. Thanks to

its location along Split Rock Creek, the area was once home to a flourmill powered by a water wheel on the creek. There are four hiking trails in the park that take you along the cliffs and formations. The climbing options here range from easy scrambling to 5.12 roofs.

Outdoor Concerts | Good Earth State Park – Start your date off by hiking some of the over six miles of trails, then top it off with a free outdoor concert and food truck cuisine. The Good Earth Summer Concert Series runs most Sundays throughout the summer.

Take a Class – You don’t have to be an experienced outdoors couple to enjoy nature. You can embark on a new adventure together by taking a class and learning a new outdoor skill. The Outdoor campus offers a variety of classes weekly during the summer. You can also find weekly classes at most parks too.

These are just a few great ideas to take your date into the great outdoors. Our area has a lot to offer so get out there and explore together. Adventure awaits you and you don’t have to travel very far. When you return from your date, venture to your favorite patio, kick back and enjoy a cold beverage. You can discuss your date and plan your next outdoor excursion. n

THE OUTDOORS ARE OPEN

Make the most of South Dakota’s outdoors this summer! Whether you want to learn a new skill or brush up so you can introduce someone to a new pastime, GFP’s Outdoor Campus Sioux Falls has a class for you and your friends, or the whole family!

Sioux Falls | 605.362.2777 | gfp.sd.gov/toc-east

DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF DANCE

Artistry Dance offers quality instruction for all ages in pre-ballet, ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, liturgical, modern, contemporary/lyrical, hip hop, adaptive, and Irish. Class sizes are limited.

REGISTER ONLINE at artistrydancestudio.com

GRAND OPENING | July 28 | 10am–8pm

Classes start September 7

2912 E Jackson St • near 69th & Southeastern Ave • Sioux Falls