Summary
The Mount Rushmore State, South Dakota, is a remarkably diverse destination that encompasses three distinct regions: western South Dakota, eastern South Dakota, and the Black Hills. The Missouri River bifurcates the state into two geographical sections, dividing it into eastern and western territories. The eastern section is the most densely populated, characterized by its flat terrain, while the western half features hilly and mountainous landscapes.
The eastern portion of the state houses an abundance of lakes, many of which were formed during the last ice age. These lakes vary in size, with some covering over 120,000 hectares, presenting a diversity in shapes and depths. They range from those nestled in mountains to others situated at sea level, all offering stunning scenery. Herein are the 15 most remarkable lakes in South Dakota.
1. Lake Oahe; Hughes, Stanley, Sully, Dewey, Potter, Walworth, Corson & Campbell counties
As the largest lake in South Dakota, Lake Oahe encompasses a surface area of 150,000 hectares and has a depth of 62 meters. It ranks as the fourth largest lake in the United States and features a formidable shoreline of 3,620 kilometers, inclusive of nine distinct recreational areas.
More than 1.5 million visitors explore this remarkable lake annually to partake in a variety of recreational pursuits, such as boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. The Oahe Downstream Recreation Area, Cow Creek Recreation Area, and Revheim Bay Recreation Area offer dedicated spaces for swimming.
Lake Oahe extends into North Dakota, with both US Route 212 and 12 traversing above it. The majority of the lake’s western boundary is occupied by the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Indian Reservations, while recreational areas are situated along the eastern shoreline.
2. Lake Poinsett; Hamlin & Brookings counties
Lake Poinsett ranks as one of the largest and most frequented lakes in the state, primarily due to its exceptional recreation area located at the lake’s southeast corner. Additionally, the lake features Arlington Beach.
The lake received its name from Joel Poinsett, a former US Secretary of War, who played a significant role in promoting the exploration of the area. In 1838, explorers camped along its shores, and camping remains a popular activity in the area today.
Lake Poinsett Recreation Area encompasses two camping zones with a total of 112 campsites. Visitors seeking additional comfort can opt to stay in one of the lakefront cabins at Arlington Beach Resort.
3. Lake Thompson; Kingsbury & Miner counties
Lake Thompson, one of the largest natural lakes in the state, extends over 16,000 hectares in surface area. The lake features a shoreline exceeding 70 kilometers, making it a renowned destination for recreational activities.
Anglers frequent Lake Thompson for the opportunity to fish for walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, and sunfish. Outdoor enthusiasts are also attracted to its camping facilities and hiking trails.
The Lake Thompson Recreation Area, situated along the northeast shoreline, serves as the primary attraction for many visitors. It operates throughout the year, offering 103 campsites, five cabins, a playground, and a beach designated for water skiing.
4. Sylvan Lake; Custer County
Sylvan Lake is a breathtaking body of water located within the Black Hills at an elevation of 1,873 meters. Encircled by a rock wall, it provides an excellent venue for rock climbing, while also being an appealing location for picnics.
This lake serves as the initiation point for two hiking trails: the Sunday Gulch Trailhead and the Black Elk Peak Hiking Trail. The former leads hikers to the stunning Needles, whereas the latter guides them to Black Elk Peak, which is the highest point in South Dakota.
Sylvan Lake lies within Custer State Park and is accessible via State Route 87. The road is closed during the winter months, making it accessible only by skiing or snowshoeing.
5. Big Stone Lake; Roberts & Grant counties
Big Stone Lake is a slender freshwater lake located along the border between South Dakota and Minnesota. The lake extends for 42 kilometers, measuring only 1.6 kilometers in width, and at 294 meters, it represents the lowest point within the state.
There are three beaches along the shoreline on the South Dakota side of the lake; one of these is integrated into Hartford Beach State Park. This park remains open year-round, attracting visitors who wish to unwind along the lake’s edge.
One of Big Stone Lake’s major attractions is its exceptional fishing experience, featuring 12 designated public access areas. Boasting over 30 fish species, the lake is replenished every two years with 7,000,000 walleye.
6. Lake Sharpe; Buffalo, Lyman, Hyde, Hughes & Stanley
Spanning five counties, Lake Sharpe is recognized as one of the state’s largest reservoirs, with a surface area measuring 23,020 hectares. This lake is named after former state Governor Merrill Q. Sharpe, who grew up in a nearby town.
Including 17 recreational areas along its 320-kilometer shoreline, Lake Sharpe provides myriad activities to engage in. Numerous boat launches are available for anglers looking to catch walleye, smallmouth bass, sauger, white bass, and channel catfish.
Besides fishing, Lake Sharpe also features swimming locations, waterfront trails, picnic areas, and camping facilities. Notably, the western shoreline is located within the Lower Brule Indian Reservation, while the eastern side falls within the Crow Creek Indian Reservation.
7. Pactola Lake; Pennington County
Pactola Lake, with a surface area of 500 hectares, ranks as the largest lake in the Black Hills and is part of the Black Hills National Forest’s recreational offerings. Fishing and boating are particularly favored here, complemented by a picnic area, camping facilities, and a swimming beach.
Characterized by scenic beauty, the lake is situated at 1,419 meters above sea level and is encircled by both mountains and forests. Access is available via US Highway 385, which runs along the eastern edge of the lake.
A major attraction at Pactola Lake is the surrounding cliffs, providing adventure enthusiasts the opportunity to engage in cliff diving. The area also hosts 10 diving spots that range from 4.5 to 27 meters deep.
8. Enemy Swim Lake; Waubay Township, Day & Roberts counties
Enemy Swim Lake is situated on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation in the northeastern region of South Dakota. The lake derives its name from a Sioux term that refers to an episode in which natives had to swim across to evade enemies.
Fishing is the primary attraction at the lake, where anglers can find an abundance of black crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and walleye. Two boat ramps are available on the southwestern shoreline, allowing anglers easy access.
The southwestern corner features a swimming beach and camping facilities. Development is minimal in the northeastern portion of the lake, with access points and towns primarily located on the western side of this 870-hectare lake.
9. Lake Alvin; Lincoln County
Lake Alvin is situated in the southeastern corner of South Dakota, near the city of Harrisburg. This 42-hectare lake is enveloped by a 24-hectare recreation area, rendering it a favored destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Exceptional fishing opportunities exist on the lake, particularly for walleye, crappie, northern pike, perch, and sunfish. As a no-wake lake, many individuals prefer to fish from canoes, rowboats, or the fishing pier.
A superb swimming beach is located along the north shoreline; however, it is important to note that no lifeguard is on duty. There are also noteworthy hiking trails within the Lake Alvin Recreation Area.
10. Lake Vermillion; McCook County
This artificial lake was established in 1958 through the damming of the East Fork of the Vermillion River. Since then, Lake Vermillion has evolved into a favored recreational hub.
The entire southern end of the 207-hectare lake is surrounded by the Lake Vermillion Recreation Area. Outdoor enthusiasts frequent this area for activities such as hiking, bird watching, biking, and camping.
Water sports abound at Lake Vermillion, with swimming, boating, and fishing being the most prevalent activities. The lake also features a designated fishing cleaning station, a swimming beach, and a designated area for water skiing.
11. Angostura Reservoir; Fall River County
Originally constructed for irrigation purposes, Angostura Reservoir has transformed into a prominent recreational area. Its picturesque surroundings are complemented by the towering Black Hills.
The lake features a 68-kilometer shoreline, housing some of the state’s finest beaches. The Angostura Recreation Area parallels the entire eastern shoreline, while the Bailey Recreation Area occupies the southern end.
On the west side lies the Sheps Canyon Recreation Area, which extends into the Black Hills. Collectively, these recreation areas offer a wide variety of activities, including hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, canoeing, and camping.
12. Sheridan Lake; Pennington County
Sheridan Lake is one of the recreational areas in the Black Hills National Forest. Spanning 152 hectares, the lake offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and forests.
Outdoor and adventure enthusiasts flock to the lake for its wide array of activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and birdwatching. It is also a favored hiking area, with the Dakota Point Trailhead—leading to the well-known Centennial Trail—situated on the lake’s northeastern side.
Camping facilities are available on both the northern and southern shores, providing both hookup and primitive sites. Additionally, a swimming beach is located on the southern shoreline, along with a marina on the northern shoreline.
13. Pickerel Lake; Day County
Pickerel Lake is a spring-fed body of water situated in the northeastern corner of South Dakota. The area surrounding the lake was shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago, resulting in Pickerel Lake being one of the deepest natural lakes within the state.
The lake provides ample opportunity for water-based activities including swimming, paddleboarding, boating, and fishing. The Pickerel Lake Recreation Area is an excellent site for camping, featuring two distinct campgrounds with a total of 69 campsites.
Covering 386 hectares, the lake derives its name from an American Indian term meaning ‘where you spear long fish,’ possibly contributing to its reputation as a popular fishing locale.
14. Horse Thief Lake; Pennington County
Situated at an elevation of 1,495 meters, Horse Thief Lake is the closest lake to Mount Rushmore, the most iconic site in the Black Hills. Its name is derived from a historical gang of horse thieves that once operated in the area.
This picturesque mountain lake offers a tranquil setting and is an ideal spot for relaxation, camping, horseback riding, fishing, and hiking, with the George S. Mickelson Trail located nearby.
Adventure seekers can take on the Wrinkled Rock Climbers Trailhead and explore climbing opportunities around Mount Rushmore, although climbing on the sculpture itself is prohibited. This trail also leads hikers directly to the famous landmark.
15. Lewis and Clark Lake; Bon Homme & Yankton counties
This expansive reservoir is created by the Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River. Spanning 13,000 hectares, the lake features more than 140 kilometers of shoreline, with its surrounding area boasting a history dating back to approximately 3,000 to 5,000 B.C.
Lewis and Clark Lake is positioned between South Dakota and Nebraska, with the South Dakota side featuring five recreational areas, making it a highly sought-after destination that offers various water sports, hiking trails, bird watching, fishing, and biking opportunities.
Annually, around one million visitors are drawn to the lake to engage in its numerous offerings. For those wishing to extend their stay, there are several camping sites, cabins, and accommodations available along the lakeshore.
