Waterways

Palisades State Park, Garretson, Photo Courtesy of Matador Network and SD Tourism

Downtown Riverfest, Sioux Falls

A paddling paradise

Our lakes and rivers offer pristine waters, picturesque scenery, historical sites and abundant wildlife. With more than 175 natural and man-made lakes and three major rivers, Southeast South Dakota is perfect for canoeing and kayaking. Paddlers can immerse themselves in the region’s natural beauty. Canoe and kayak outings can be combined with fishing, swimming, camping or hiking along the shoreline and can last for a couple of hours or be a week-long adventure. Identify all access areas and hazards before beginning. Sometimes portages are needed to get around dams, fences and sandbars. Always have a contingency plan to get off the river if weather or river/lake conditions change or a paddler becomes sick or tired. Most shorelines in South Dakota are privately owned. Permission must be secured before going on land. River sandbars may appear to be excellent camping sites, but water levels can rise quickly. South Dakota law requires that non-motorized boats over 12 feet long, including canoes and kayaks, be licensed in South Dakota or another state. The registration

Meridian Bridge, Yankton

decal must be shown on each side of the bow. Every person in the watercraft must have an approved personal flotation device that fits properly, is readily available and in serviceable condition.

Big Sioux River

Originating in northeastern South Dakota, the Big Sioux River winds southward to Sioux Falls, where it forms the boundary between South Dakota and Iowa until it meets the Missouri River. With good water levels in the spring and early summer, it is possible to paddle from US Hwy 14 near Brookings to the river’s confluence with the Missouri River. Paddlers favor the segment from Lien Park in Sioux Falls to Newton Hills State Park. Points of interest include Big Sioux Recreation Area, Gitchie Manitou Park, the old Klondike Mills site and Newton Hills State Park. Big Sioux Recreation Area and Newton Hills State Park have canoe launch sites and camping facilities. Park entrance license is required. There are several low head dams where your watercraft must be portaged to the other side. The Jay Heath Canoe and Kayak Trail is designed for paddlers to navigate water trails along the Big Sioux River. A map indicating launch sites and campgrounds as well as general information about each site can be found at gfp.sd.gov/canoe/.

James River

The James River is a prairie stream that meanders and curves, revealing new pastoral scenes around each bend. It has been noted as one of the longest unnavigable river in the world. Fortunately, this distinction doesn’t apply to paddlers who travel the river in spring and early summer. There are a number of access points near US and SD Highways.

Split Rock Creek

Split Rock Creek winds a scenic route through northeastern Minnehaha County before meeting the Big Sioux River east of Sioux Falls. During high water flow in spring and after heavy summer rain, it is one of South Dakota’s best streams for whitewater paddlers. The stream drops 130 feet in eight miles between the SD Hwy 11 access west of Garretson, through Palisades State Park, to the SD Hwy 11 access north of Corson. There are stretches that can be hazardous for the inexperienced white-water paddler. Access can be found at Palisades State Park, right-of-ways that cross the river, as well as McHardy Park in Brandon. The sheer walls of red quartzite that line portions of the creek provide a scenic trip for paddlers.

Vermillion River

Generally, this scenic river can be paddled from spring to fall from Centerville south to the Missouri River. Launching access may be found at rights-of-way that cross the river. Late summer and fall canoeing is best from the road crossing east of Wakonda to the Missouri River. Access may be found at the right-of-way that crosses the river. Colorful fall foliage is especially showy from Vermillion southward.

Missouri River

Exploring the Missouri River by canoe or kayak is an unforgettable experience. This river experience is not for the novice paddler. The Missouri is a big river that on windy days appears more like a large reservoir with white-capped waves that can easily swamp a canoe. There are no rapids, but sunken sandbars, snags and other obstacles abound. The Missouri is 20 feet or more deep in places. Two segments are administered by the National Park Service as the Missouri National Recreational River. For more details, see page 18.

Lakes

Many South Dakota state parks have lakes with easy access and are fun to paddle. Several lakes have a no-wake rule which makes them perfect for paddling, including Lake Yankton, near Chief White Crane Rec Area and Lake Alvin, near Harrisburg. Other popular lakes include Lake Herman, near Madison; Lake Vermillion, near Montrose, Lake Lakota, near Canton; Wall Lake, west of Sioux Falls; and Lake Mitchell. McCook Lake, near North Sioux City, has a kayak launch. Marindahl Lake, northeast of Yankton, is a quiet lake with an undeveloped shoreline where you can immerse yourself in the natural surroundings. For more info on lakes at state parks visit www.southeastsouthdakota.com/outdoor-adventure/ state-parks/.