Custer State Park
The 71,000-acre Custer State Park, in the picturesque Black Hills, is one of the most popular parks in South Dakota. There's a slew of outdoor activities, including jeep rides to see buffalo and pronghorn antelope herds, hiking and biking on mountain trails, scenic drives, guided nature walks, evening campouts and bonfires, and ranger-led programs and demonstrations. The park has 50 one-bedroom cabins for rent (the most in the state park system), with outdoor grills and picnic areas. Each cabin sleeps up to four and costs $45 a night (2009 rates).
Custer State Park
13329 US Highway 16A
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 255-4515
sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/Custer/index.htm
Chief White Crane Recreation Area
There are 10 cabins for rent at the Chief White Crane Sate Recreation Area, located on Lake Yankton. The four-person cabins are open year round. Book one in the winter, and you may be able to see bald eagles perched in the trees along the lake shore, hunting for fish. In warmer months, you can hike park trails, fish for bass, pike and walleye and canoe the lake. The camping cabins have two bunk beds, an outside grill, fire pits and a picnic area. They rent for $40 a night (2009 rates).
Chief White Crane Recreation Area
43349 SD Highway 52
Yankton, SD 5707
(605) 668-2985
sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/LewisClark/ChiefWhiteCrane.htm
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
This popular resort-style park is considered one of the jewels of the South Dakota state park system. There are 15 four-person camping cabins to rent, near the beach ($40 a night, 2009 rates), along with 17 more modern two- and three-bedroom cabins at the Lewis and Clark Resort. The modern cabins, run by an independent concessionaire, have kitchens with refrigerators, microwave, pots, pans, dishes, and utensils, linens and towels, and cable TV. The park has a marina, swimming beach, full-service motel, a nine-hole disc golf course, boat rentals, archery course, and hiking and riding trails.
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
43349 SD Highway 52
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 668-2985
sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/LewisClark/LewisClark.htm
Fort Sisseton Historic State Park
There are only three rustic cabins to rent at this National Historic Monument, but it's a unique setup. Each cabin sleeps six, but there's a fourth cabin nearby that is set up as a communal kitchen area, with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and sink. The cabins rent for $40 a night (2009 rates). The park has hiking trails, fishing, boating, and guided tours of the historic western frontier 1804 fort.
Fort Sisseton Historic State Park
11907 434th Avenue
Lake City, SD 57247
(605) 448-5474
sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/GlacialLakes/FortSisseton.htm
About The Author
Pamela Wright is a freelance writer, author of more than two dozen guidebooks, and hundreds of articles. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including "National Geographic Traveler," "Family Circle," "Family Fun," "Backpacker," "Hemispheres," "Cooking Light," "Yankee" and more. An active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, she holds a Bachelor's from Michigan State University
