The
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sove ...
of
South Dakota
South Dakota (; Sioux: , ) is a U.S. state in the North Central region of the United States. It is also part of the Great Plains. South Dakota is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native American tribes, who comprise a large porti ...
operates 13
state parks, 43
recreation area
A recreation area is a type of protected area designated in some jurisdictions.
By country Canada
In the province of British Columbia, recreation areas are lands set aside for recreational use. These lands are also being evaluated to determine ...
s, 6 nature areas, and 1
trail
A trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small road usually passing through a natural area. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. ...
, totaling approximately 96,000 acres. These sites are administered by the
South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks.
These areas preserve natural geologic features, historic and sacred
Plains Indian
Plains Indians or Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies are the Native American tribes and First Nation band governments who have historically lived on the Interior Plains (the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies) of ...
sites, and historic pioneer settlements and forts. They also provide recreational facilities and access to waterbodies, including the
Missouri River, on which there are 25 recreation areas.
South Dakota State Parks and recreation areas range in size from the 19-acre
Sandy Shore Recreation Area to the 71,000-acre
Custer State Park
Custer State Park is a South Dakota State Park and wildlife reserve in the Black Hills, United States. The park is South Dakota's largest and first state park, named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer. The park covers an area of over of v ...
. It was the first park established in the system, in 1919.
Good Earth State Park at Blood Run is the most recent park, added in 2013. System-wide visitation in 2016 was 7,500,000.
List of state parks and recreation areas
Proposed expansion
The state is currently exploring establishing a new state park in
Spearfish Canyon. The proposed Spearfish Canyon State Park would encompass 1,600-acres including Spearfish Falls, Roughlock Falls, and portions of Little Spearfish Canyon. The land is currently owned by the state of South Dakota and the federal government.
See also
*
List of U.S. national parks
References
External links
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
{{South Dakota
State parks
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural ...
South Dakota state parks