2023-01-23 03:45:45
SOUTH DAKOTA MISSOURI RIVER LAKES LAKE OAHE | POLLOCK TO PIERRE This vast expanse of water at 231 miles long is the largest reservoir in South Dakota, and the fourth largest man-made reservoir in the nation. With a shorelined of 2,250 miles, its beach acreage surpasses California’s coastline. Stretching from North Dakota to South Dakota’s capitol city of Pierre, its waters are pristinely clear on windless days. The reservoir is created by a nearly 2-mile long, rolled-earth Oahe Dam, just north of Pierre and Fort Pierre. TRAILS & PARKS *West Pollock RA: Pollock Shaw Creek LUA: Pollock *Indian Creek RA: Mobridge *Swan Creek: Akaska area Le Beau LUA: Akaska area Little Moreau RA: Timber Lake area Dodge Draw LUA: Gettysburg area *West Whitlock RA: Gettysburg *Little Bend RA: Onida area *Okobojo Point RA: Cow Creek area *Spring Creek RA: Cow Creek Chantier Creek LUA: north of Fort Pierre Peoria Flats LUA: north of Pierre *East Shore RA: north of Pierre *West Shore RA: north of Fort Pierre *Oahe West Shore Bike Trails: north of Fort Pierre LAKE SHARPE | PIERRE TO FORT THOMPSON Running through the heart of Lower Brule Reservation and Crow Creek Reservation, Lake Sharpe has the unique Big Bend river horseshoe, a 25-mile section of river that almost makes a loop. Big Bend Dam, the hydroelectric dam that creates the reservoir lake, is named after this natural formation. TRAILS & PARKS *Oahe Downstream RA: Fort Pierre La Framboise Island & Farm Island: Pierre Lewis & Clark Paved Trail: Pierre, Fort Pierre National Grasslands: Fort Pierre *Farm Island RA: Pierre Joe Creek LUA: Harrold North Bend RA: Harrold *West Bend RA: Harrold **Narrows RA: Lower Brule LAKE FRANCIS CASE FORT THOMPSON TO FORT RANDALL Nearly reaching the South Dakota border, Lake Francis Case is the second biggest reservoir in the state at just over 100 miles long. The Fort Randall Dam creates this reservoir, and just north of it is National Wildlife Refuge Lake Andes. TRAILS & PARKS *Lake Thompson RA: Fort Thompson *Snake Creek RA: Platte *Platte Creek RA: Platte *Pease Creek RA: Geddes Spring Creek RA: Geddes *Whetstone Bay RA: Bonesteel White Swan LUA: Lake Andes *North Point RA: Pickstown LEWIS & CLARK LAKE | FORT RANDALL TO YANKTON This 25-mile lake sits along the South Dakota - Nebraska border, known for its signature shoreline chalky bluffs near Gavins Point Dam in Yankton, and its colorful sailboats. At the northern end of the lake, the Missouri River becomes its old self, narrowing and winding like what Lewis and Clark would have seen in 1804. TRAILS & PARKS *Randall Creek RA: Pickstown Running Water RA: Springfield Emmanuel Creek RA: Springfield Sand Creek RA: Springfield Charley Creek LUA: Tabor Tabor LUA & RA: Tabor Chalk Bluffs Multi-use Trail: Yankton *Lewis & Clark RA: Yankton *entrance fee or SD state park license required **Native Recreation Access Permits required RA: Recreation Area LUA: Lakeside Use Area SCAN HERE FOR EXCITING TRAILS!
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