2023-12-29 17:35:00
TAKE THE BACK ROADS TO YOUR NEXT GREAT VACATION History resonates across the gentle hills of northeastern South Dakota. Get to know our story at places like Nicollet Tower & Interpretive Center, west of Sisseton, Laura Ingalls Wilder in De Smet, the Mellette House in Watertown, or the Pickler Mansion in Faulkton. Pursue your favorite outdoor pastime on our many glacial lakes, or on a pheasant hunting trip of a lifetime. Travel with family to Splash Central Waterpark in Huron, Storybook Land in Aberdeen, the Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown, or the Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings. Family fun awaits you at one of our many great events including Cookin‘ on Kampeska in Watertown, the Storybook Land Festival in Aberdeen, or the South Dakota State Fair in Huron. Check our website for our 2024 event calendar and request our 2024 Glacial Lakes Travel Guide today. GLACIAL LAKES & PRAIRIES TOURISM ASSOCIATION PO Box 244, Watertown SD 57201 | 800-244-8860 SDGlacialLakes.com | #SDGlacialLakes TAKE THE BACK ROADS GLACIAL LAKES & PRAIRIES REGION OF NORTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA TOP ADVENTURES LIST Take your family to the BRAMBLE PARK ZOO in Watertown. View over 600 animals from around the world and those native to SD. Visit SOUTH DAKOTA’S ONLY 110 FT. ELEVATOR MURAL in Faulkton by Internationally-known artist Guido van Helten. Experience LAURA INGALLS WILDER in De Smet with your Grandkids. Take an AG TOUR or visit a HUTTERITE COLONY. Learn more about the Native American Culture by attending a WACIPI (POWWOW). Learn what it was like to be a Soldier at FORT SISSETON HISTORIC STATE PARK over 150 years ago. Learn why Rodeo is South Dakota’s State Sport by attending the CRYSTAL SPRINGS RODEO in Clear Lake or the ESTELLINE RODEO DAYS. Enjoy a visit to a winery or brewery. Stop by WITH THE WIND VINEYARD & WINERY near Rosholt, or savor a beer and lunch at WATERTOWN BREWING CO., or DEMPSEY’S BREWERY, RESTAURANT & PUB in Watertown. Visit the REDLIN ART CENTER in Watertown where over 160 original oil paintings of world famous artist Terry Redlin are on display. Take your kids for a walk along the yellow brick road at STORYBOOK LAND and the LAND OF OZ in Aberdeen. WALLEYE is our State Fish and the RINGNECK PHEASANT is our State Bird. NORTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA is a SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE for both. TOP 10 EVENTS 2024 GLACIAL LAKES & PRAIRIES EVENTS, FAIRS AND FESTIVALS 1 MAY 31-JUNE 2 FORT SISSETON HISTORICAL FESTIVAL Fort Sisseton Historic State Park Lake City 2 JUNE 6-9 WHEEL JAM SD State Fairgrounds Huron 3 JUNE 26-29 CRYSTAL SPRINGS RODEO Rodeo Grounds Clear Lake 4 JULY 4-7 159TH SISSETON WAHPETON ANNUAL WACIPI (POWWOW} Ceremonial Grounds Agency Village, Sisseton 5 JULY 5-7 JULY 12-14 JULY 19-21 LAURA INGALLS WILDER PAGEANT Pageant Grounds De Smet 6 JULY 13-14 BROOKINGS SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL Pioneer Park Brookings 7 JULY 19-20 FARLEY FEST Lake Farley Park Milbank 8 AUGUST 10-11 TWIN BROOKS THRESHING SHOW Twin Brooks 9 AUGUST 12-18 BROWN COUNTY FAIR Brown County Fairgrounds Aberdeen 10 SEPTEMBER 7 45TH ANNUAL VINTIQUES CAR SHOW Uptown Watertown Great Events for Everyone Plan a trip around these fun-filled events and more! Follow us on Facebook and check out our website for event posters and schedules. SDGlacialLakes.com GLACIAL LAKES WALLEYE Home to some of the best fishing in the Upper Midwest By Jason Mitchell Northeastern South Dakota features a vast rolling prairie terrain referred to as the Prairie Coteau. Formed by glaciers, the landscape is hallmarked with staggering numbers of wetlands, marshes and lakes. Some lakes in particular like Bitter Lake and Waubay Lake are fairly large bodies of water each encompassing more than thirty thousand acres. There are many lakes in the region, however that are small, less than five thousand acres. Beginning in the mid-nineties, we experienced the start of a wet cycle that filled up many of these lakes and in some cases formed new lakes. The high-water phenomena created some of the most incredible fishing in the United States. This new water not only provides more room for fish to swim. The productivity, growth rates and young of the year fish recruitment raised eyebrows. From a biological perspective, nothing is more fertile, more productive than a new lake. While many of these lakes were indeed new and unknown, we didn’t have to wait very long so many of these obscure lakes to make this region famous. What I love about this area in particular is the variety. There are large renown fisheries like Bitter Lake and Waubay Lake that have been on the radar of walleye anglers and ice anglers for several decades. Every time I visit this part of the world, however, there is a new hot lake it seems. The region boasts some tremendous walleye fishing and is also really renowned for ice fishing jumbo perch but there is more. The quality of panfish like crappie and bluegill in some lakes would shock many anglers. The smallmouth bass fishing is also top tier. I have friends that drive all the way to Watertown or Webster, South Dakota every year from places like Arkansas and Missouri just to target smallmouth bass. They can’t believe how great the bass fishing is. Really a special area where you attempt to get lost on purpose with all the great fishing available. This region has some of the best walleye fishing. Casting a crankbait into three feet of water or pulling a bottom bouncer and spinner at two miles per hour isn’t really what you would call finesse fishing. These fish can often be extremely aggressive and that is probably the final factor that makes this region so special for walleye anglers. Walleye, perch, bass, and crappies will make us your favorite fishing spot. Be sure to check our website for weekly fishing reports, fishing videos, and more! SDGlacialLakes.com RECONNECTING With Incredible Experiences in Northeast South Dakota By Sara Broers, Travel Writer/Blogger at Travel With Sara Northeast South Dakota is filled with numerous adventures. This past year, I found myself exploring more of the area. It has quickly become an area of the Midwest that I continue to brag about to others. You may be asking, “Why?” I enjoyed the people and unique experiences you can only find in Northeast South Dakota. It continues to surprise me. No matter where or how far you travel, there are magical experiences all around you. Joy Ranch, Storybook Land, McCrory Gardens, and The Abbey of the Hills offer a magical time for you and your family. Spend an hour, a half day, or a full day at any of these places, and you will be excited to share your experiences with others. Family Attractions Take the back roads for an affordable family road trip. Experience great events, museums, fun attractions, and so much more! SDGlacialLakes.com RETREATS, LODGES, CAMPGROUNDS & MUSEUMS GLACIAL LAKES & PRAIRIES REGION SERVICE DIRECTORY Find detailed information on accommodations, attractions, restaurants, traveler services, gaming facilities and shopping in the Glacial Lakes & Prairies region. ACCOMMODATIONS Choose from plenty of options for a memorable getaway on any budget. ATTRACTIONS Make memories that will far outlast your stay. CAMPING Find the perfect place to park your camper or pitch a tent. DINING Indulge in local flavor, from home-style meals to elevated dining experiences. GAMING Try your luck at casinos with tons of gaming action. SEE & DO Plan your made-in-South Dakota moments. SERVICES Essential services for travelers. SHOPPING Discover eclectic goods around every corner. WINE, BEER & SPIRITS Taste locally made wine, beer and spirits. Community and business listings that include the SD GREAT PLACE icon have completed the criteria required in customer service training by the South Dakota Department of Tourism. This symbol is not a rating or endorsement of a business or of their services but is an award to recognize those who are committed to providing quality customer service. SOUTH DAKOTA HIDDEN GEMS Discover the hidden gems of South Dakota by finding the listings with the SD GREAT FIND icon. From the one-of-a-kind overnight experiences to mom-and-pop restaurants, these are the places locals swear by — and the hidden gems visitors love to find. Discoveries are unlimited. Our online passes help you find the best of culture, local favorites and history. Engage your artistic spirit with the South Dakota State of Create Passport. Trek to national and state parks with the South Dakota Peaks to Plains Passport, and explore the vibrant, living Indigenous culture with the Tribal Nations: Oceti Sakowin Passport. Learn more about our current passes at TravelSouthDakota.com/Passports.
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