Trails

Mitchell Bike Trail

Adams Homestead & Nature Area

Meridian Pedestrian Bridge, Yankton

Big Sioux Recreation Area

Goat Island Recreation Area

Primitive camping and hiking, only accessible by watercraft, in the Missouri River near Vermillion.

Good Earth State Park at Blood Run

South Dakota’s newest state park is located just a few miles southeast of Sioux Falls. It features 6 miles of hiking trails through prairie, shaded woodlands, ravines and along the banks of the Big Sioux River with three scenic decks along the trails. Blood Run is a National Historic Landmark.

Great Bear Recreation Park

Hiking trails range from hard surface to back country deer trails, available for cross country skiing in winter, at Sioux Falls.

Green Island Recreation Area

Primitive camping and hiking, only accessible by watercraft, just west of the Discovery Bridge over the Missouri River at Yankton.

Lake Alvin Recreation Area

Hiking trail, 4 miles east of Harrisburg.

Lake Herman State Park

This park, near Madison, has over 3 miles of easy hiking trails through prairie, wetlands and historic sites. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during winter.

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

Easy hiking trail, 5 miles south of I-90 from Montrose exit.

Lewis & Clark Recreation Area

This park, near Yankton, offers miles of asphalt trail that winds along the shore of Lewis & Clark Lake and through wooded areas. It connects with the Meridian Trails system in Yankton. The park has a rugged multi-use trail for equestrian riders, hikers and mountain bikers and scenic snowmobile trails in winter. Continues on page 16

TRAILS DIRECTORY Trail/Nearest Town

Adam’s Homestead & Nature Preserve N Sioux City Beaver Creek Nature Area Brandon Big Sioux Recreation Area Brandon Big Sioux River Recreation Trail Sioux Falls Chief White Crane Recreation Area Yankton Clay County Park Vermillion Devil’s Gulch Garretson East River Snowmobile Trails Several Goat Island Recreation Area Vermillion Good Earth State Park at Blood Run Sioux Falls Great Bear Recreation Park Sioux Falls Green Island Recreation Area Yankton Lake Alvin Recreation Area Harrisburg Lake Herman State Park Madison Lake Vermillion Recreation Area Montrose Lewis & Clark Recreation Area Yankton Madison Bike & Recreation Trail Madison Meridian Trails & Bridge Yankton Mitchell Trails & Lake Mitchell Mitchell Newton Hills State Park Canton Outdoor Campus Sioux Falls Palisades State Park Garretson Pierson Ranch Recreation Area Yankton Prairie Arboretum Trail Freeman Sioux River Red Rock Trail Dell Rapids Spirit Mound Historic Prairie Vermillion Springfield Recreation Area Springfield Union Grove State Park Beresford

Hiking Biking Handicap Access Equestrian Cross Country Ski Snowmobiling Snowshoeing

Trails continued from page 15

Madison Bike & Recreation Trail

Four mile trail for hiking and biking from Flynn Field to Johnson’s Point, Lake Madison.

Meridian Trails

Miles of paved trails throughout the city of Yankton connect to trails along Lewis and Clark Lake. The historical Meridian Pedestrian Bridge offers scenic vistas of the Missouri River.

Mitchell Trails & Lake Mitchell

Mitchell Trails encompasses several parks, the beautiful DWU campus, and connects with the Lake Mitchell trail. Over 16 miles of paved and unpaved bike trails within the city connect to 13 miles of hiking and biking trails around Lake Mitchell. Mountain bike rental is available.

Newton Hills State Park

Newton Hills’ Woodland Trail, near Canton, is on the National Recreational Trails registry. It crosses dense forests as well as open grasslands. An observation tower provides a bird’s eye view. Enjoy breathtaking displays of fall color.

Outdoor Campus

Two miles of walking trails through tall grass prairie and riparian woodlands within the city of Sioux Falls. The trails are accessible to people with disabilities and are pedestrian only. Trails are available in winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Snowshoes are available for checkout.

Palisades State Park

Four trails twist and turn through scenic quartzite formations along Split Rock Creek at Palisades State Park, near Garretson. A challenging climb awaits on towering Sioux quartzite spires and sheer cliff walls.

A five-year expansion plan is underway that will more than double the size the park. This future expansion will increase hiking and camping opportunities and more in the park!

Pierson Ranch Recreation Area

Easy paved trail at scenic Lewis & Clark Lake, Yankton.

Prairie Arboretum Trail

A 40 acre oasis at Freeman features an outdoor amphitheatre, visitor center, large winding pond, walking trails, a rose garden, perennial gardens, dwarf conifer garden and sculptures.

Sioux River Red Rock Trail

This outdoor recreational trail follows the The Dells of the Big Sioux River from Dell Rapids to a scenic overlook.

Snowmobile Trails

Hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails connect Garretson, Dell Rapids, Brookings, Madison, Mitchell, DeSmet, Huron, Lennox and Parker. State Parks that provide snowmobile trails are Big Sioux and Lewis & Clark Recreation Areas. For a map of East River Snowmobile Trails visit www.gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/2020EastRiverTrails.pdf

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie

Stand where Lewis and Clark stood 200 years ago, by taking the three-quarter mile trail to the summit of Spirit Mound, near Vermillion. Over 300 acres of prairie are being restored. Interpretive signage makes this hike a learning experience.

Springfield Recreation Area

This easy paved winding hiking/biking trail follows the Missouri River and connects to the town of Springfield.

Union Grove State Park

This park south of Beresford features a large variety of trees which provide impressive fall color and attract many birds, making the four mile multi-use trail a great hike for birdwatchers. Horseback riders have 150 acres of rolling hills at their disposal.

Follow the path to adventure in Southeast South Dakota!

EXPERIENCE PALISADES FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE ROCK CLIMBING

Ever been told to “hang in there”? You hear that a lot around Palisades State Park!

Palisades State Park is one of the top 5 most popular state parks in South Dakota. A small, but scenic geologic wonder, Palisades is nestled among the sheer cliffs overlooking Split Rock Creek just a short half-hour’s drive from Sioux Falls. The park offers the regular menu of outdoor recreation opportunities, including camping, hiking, picnicking, and sightseeing. However, it also offers a unique form of outdoor excitement for the more adventuresome at heart.

You see, Palisades is one of just a few premier rock climbing sites in the Midwest. Numerous climbing routes are easily accessed and provide a wide assortment of climbing experiences. The 1.6 billion year old Sioux quartzite formations play host to a variety of face and crack climbs, with even a few hidden bouldering sites thrown in for good measure. Whether top-roping a novice route on South Wall or Rattlesnake Rock, or a more ambitious route at Swing Set Cove or on Positron, climbers from all over the Midwest make the trek to Palisades to take on the forces of gravity.

Since climbing is just one of many popular activities taking place at Palisades, there are a number of common courtesies expected. Also, since the geologic resources and related ecosystems are unique, and in some cases quite fragile, a few climbing restrictions have been developed over the years. Check with the park office for the latest information regarding climbing in the park. They can provide tips on low-impact climbing, resource protection, co-existing with other park visitors and safe climbing practices in order to have best climbing experience possible.

The nearby City of Garretson, just two miles north of the park, provides all the services necessary for an extended visit. With a campground, gas stations, grocery store, eating establishments, a motel, convenience stores, specialty shops, a new library, mechanics and even a few local "watering holes", this small community does it right when it comes to welcoming the traveling public. And for the history buff seeking to learn more about the legendary Jesse James and his "leap of faith", the Garretson city park at Devil’s Gulch adds a unique dimension to what the Palisades area has to offer.

When you think of rock climbing, you don’t always have to venture out to the mountains. Sometimes a prairie oasis like Palisades State Park may offer more than meets the eye. And the views experienced while hanging from a rope fifty feet above the waters of Split Rock Creek are quite different than those experienced by other park visitors. It’s all a matter of perspective!

Palisades State Park is located 10 miles north of I-90 off Exit 406 near Brandon.

For more info, contact Palisades State Park, 25495 485th Avenue, Garretson, SD 57030, 605-594-3824 or visit the park webpage: www.gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/palisades-state-park.