Kayking on Split Rock Creek Palisades State Park Big Sioux River Sioux Falls 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. 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 mean-ders 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 pictur-esque pastoral scenes as you follow this winding river. There are several access points near US and SD Highways. 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. 6 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 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/outdoor-adventure/state-parks/ SoutheastSouthDakota.com // 241 SOUTHEAST REGION
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