South Dakota Vacation Guide - South Dakota Vacation Guide South Dakota Vacation Guide 2020
Perfect for Paddling
2019-12-20 06:45:16
Our lakes and rivers are Perfect for Paddling
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 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.
A list follows of some of the most popular waters for canoe and kayak excursions:
1 BIG SIOUX RIVER With good water levels in the spring and early summer, it is possible to paddle from US 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. Spring and summer are the best times to paddle this stretch of river. Points of interest along the way include the Big Sioux Recreation Area, Gitchie Manitou Park, the old Klondike Mills site and Newton Hills State Park. Both Big Sioux and Newton Hills have canoe launch sites and camping facilities where a park entrance license is required. Note, there are several low head dams where your watercraft must be portaged to the other side.
2 SPLIT ROCK CREEK If you are a white-water paddler, the high water flow in spring and the summer rains make the Split Rock Creek just the place for you. Winding through scenic northeastern Minnehaha County you'll eventually meet up with the Big Sioux River east of Sioux Falls. With an elevation drop of 130 feet in eight miles from the SD 11 access west of Garretson, through Palisades State Park, to the SD 11 access, north of Corson, there are stretches that can be hazardous for the inexperienced white-water paddler. Find access at Palisades State Park, right-of-ways that cross the river, as well as at McHardy Park in Brandon. The sheer walls of red quartzite that line portions of the creek provide a scenic trip for paddlers.
3 VERMILLION RIVER From spring to fall the scenic Vermillion River can generally be paddled from Centerville south to the Missouri River. Access may be found at rights-of-way that cross the river. Colorful fall foliage is especially showy south of Vermillion.
4 MISSOURI RIVER Exploring the Missouri River by canoe or kayak is something you'll never forget. This river experience is not for the novice paddler. The Missouri is a big river that on windy days looks 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. Know your paddling ability and don't exceed it. Two segments are administered by the National Park Service as the Missouri National Recreational River. For more information, visit www.southeastsouthdakota.com/what-to-do/attractions/yankton/mnrr/ .
5 JAMES RIVER The James River is a prairie stream that meanders and curves. It has been called the longest unnavigable river in the world. Fortunately, this distinction doesn’t apply to paddlers who travel the river in spring and early summer. You will find picturesque pastoral scenes as you follow this winding river. There are several access points near US and SD Highways.
6 LAKES TO PADDLE Many South Dakota state parks have lakes that have easy access and are fun to paddle. These parks include Chief White Crane and Lewis and Clark Recreation Areas near Yankton, Lake Alvin near Harrisburg, Lake Herman State Park and Walkers Point Recreation Area near Madison, Lake Vermillion near Montrose and Newton Hills State Park near Canton. For more info on these state parks visit www.southeastsouthdakota.com/outdooradventure/state-parks/
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