8 Best Lakeside Towns In South Dakota

While South Dakota may not be known as a lake state, the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks estimates there to be around 800 publicly owned lakes! Travelers eager to explore these lakes are in luck. Several towns across the state serve as perfect bases for discovering some of the most beautiful lakes, home to national wildlife refuges, state parks, and scenic campgrounds. After learning about these eight towns, you very well may want to plan your own lake vacation road trip across Mount Rushmore State.

Watertown

Lying between Lake Kampeska and Pelican Lake, Watertown is one of the most popular destinations in South Dakota for a lake vacation. Travelers can start off their adventure at Codington Memorial Park, which sits along Lake Kampeska and offers a swimming beach, boat launch, and hiking hill. There are also 97 campsites on the premises. After exploring Lake Kampeska, visitors can head over to Pelican Lake Recreation Area, which offers 83 campsites and places to fish, swim, or enjoy a campfire on the shores of the lake. Watertown’s historic district is worth visiting as well, home to 60 buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and historic landmarks like the 1929 Codington County Courthouse and the historic M.L. St. Railroad Depot.

Madison

Madison sits between Lake Herman and Lake Madison and is just a 50-minute drive from Sioux Falls, making it a great spot for a weekend trip. At Lake Herman State Park, visitors can camp, fish, boat, or cross-country ski while exploring the prairie grasses and oak woodlands that surround the lake. Walker’s Point Recreation Area, meanwhile, is the perfect gateway to exploring Lake Madison, the impressive 2,800-acre lake that lies to the southeast of town. After a day of exploring the lakes, hungry travelers have plenty of local restaurants to choose from for dinner. Prime Time Tavern, a highly rated steakhouse, for example, is known for its mouthwatering prime rib—a perfect way to end the day!

Waubay

Birdwatchers will love visiting Waubay, known for its excellent waterfowl viewing opportunities. Travelers hoping to spot some birds can head over to Waubay National Wildlife Refuge, which lies along Waubay Lake and covers roughly 4,650 acres of grasslands, marshes, lakes, and woodlands. Some of the species that travelers could spot, depending on the time of year, include white-fronted geese, Canada geese, snow geese, sandhill cranes, avocets, and willets, among many other species. Travelers who want to camp can also head south to Bitter Lake Lodge, which lies on the northeastern shores of Bitter Lake and has several campsites available. During a hot summer day, visitors can cool off at The Purple Cow Ice Cream, a family-friendly ice cream parlor in the heart of town.

Lake Preston

The town of Lake Preston is a popular vacation spot due to its proximity to the Lake Thompson Recreation Area. This area, just a 10-minute drive from town, offers campgrounds, cabins, boat ramps, basketball courts, and many other amenities for a fun day on the water. The town is also famous for its large outdoor swimming pool, which was constructed in 1926, attracting local residents and visitors in the summer months to cool off. For a homestyle meal after a day at the pool or lake, consider grabbing a bite at The Lake Preston Cafe, which offers classic dishes like hot beef, roast beef, and pan pizza.

Arlington

Arlington lies just north of the Twin Lakes and Brush Lake, both significant habitats for the area’s waterfowl. The Ratfield Waterfowl Production Area, for example, lies about a 10-minute drive from downtown Arlington and is home to species like ducks, grassland birds, shorebirds, wetland birds, and raptors. Those looking for another way to cool off can plan an afternoon at the Arlington City Swimming Pool, which is open from early June through mid-August each year. At the end of your stay in Arlington, consider grabbing a souvenir at Bits of Yesterday Antique Market, which features antiques from 38 vendors throughout the store.

Lake Andes

The town of Lake Andes is the perfect base for those wanting to explore the gorgeous Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge, which lies along the eastern shores of the lake, spans 5,639 acres and is home to riverside forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Travelers can visit the refuge from sunrise to sunset each day and enjoy birdwatching as thousands of waterfowl migrate through the region each spring and fall. Travelers looking for a place to camp, picnic, and barbecue can spend the night at the Lake Andes Inn, which offers RV campsites and cozy inn rooms for those who prefer a bit more comfort. To unwind after a day outdoors, consider grabbing dinner at What the Duck, a local restaurant that specializes in burgers and barbecues.

Big Stone City

Big Stone City sits on the southern shore of Big Stone Lake, a 26-mile-long lake that stretches along the South Dakota-Minnesota border. Travelers who want to have a picnic or appreciate views of this massive lake can start their trip at Douthitt Park, a centrally located city park. It is also home to the lowest point in South Dakota, making it a great spot for a photo to record the moment! About a 10-minute drive from town, in Big Stone City’s sister city of Ortonville, visitors will find Headwaters Trail, a 1.24-mile trail that is popular for walking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Antique hunters, meanwhile, can shop for their next treasure at The Treasure Pit, an antique glassware, jewelry, pottery, and collectibles store.

Yankton

Yankton is both a lake and riverside town, sitting along the Missouri River and just east of Lewis and Clark Lake. The Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, one of the most popular resort parks in the state, is a great place to relax along the lake’s shores. The recreation area offers four campgrounds, camping cabins, sandy beaches, and a marina for boaters. Those wanting to stay closer to the downtown area can enjoy a sunny afternoon at Riverside Park, a centrally located park along the banks of the Missouri River. To learn a bit about the region’s history, make sure to stop by the Mead Museum, a historic center housed in a brick building from 1909 that exhibits the town and region’s history.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a lake vacation this year, there is no reason to leave South Dakota. Several towns throughout the state offer gorgeous lake getaways, complete with sandy beaches, refuges for birdwatching, and RV campgrounds. Because the majority of these towns are often lesser known, they also offer travelers the chance to enjoy nature with fewer crowds than more well-known lake resorts. So think outside the box this year and get ready to fall in love with these eight lakeside towns!