Most People Don't Know This Swimming Hole In South Dakota Even Exists
By Megan Shute|Published June 18, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
From the Black Hills National Forest to the Badlands National Park, South Dakota is home to some stunning natural oases that have been recognized by the entire country for their beauty, but luckily our state is also home to some gems that only locals know about. Nestled near the southwestern corner of the state is the 4,407-acre Angostura Reservoir, which is home to some of the state’s best swimming destinations.
With a surface elevation of 3,127 feet and a maximum depth of 75 feet (the average depth is just 29 feet), the Angostura Reservoir was created in 1949 after the construction of the Angostura Dam for irrigation by the United States Bureau of Reclamation.
This beautiful reservoir is not only one of the only large bodies of water in the area, but it is also an important location for migratory birds and supports populations of walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and sunfish.
It’s a popular destination for boating, camping, hiking, and fishing, but by far, our favorite activity here is swimming. Boasting 36 miles of shoreline and some of the best sandy beaches in the entire state, the Angostura Recreation Area is easily one of our favorite swimming destinations.
While many people flock to the reservoir’s most popular beaches — including Breakers Beach — we love heading off the beaten path to discover the small, sandy beaches you’ll likely have all to yourself.
You’ll discover a variety of picturesque sandy beaches along the shore of Angostura Reservoir, and there’s truly no better way to spend a warm, sunny South Dakota afternoon.
Why not make a weekend of it? The Angostura Recreation Area is home to 169 campsites that cost just $15 per night for non-electrical sites, and $19 for electrical sites. You can also enjoy paved trails, excellent fishing opportunities, and even rent a kayak.
If you're looking to get away from it all if only for the afternoon, head on over to the Angostura Reservoir, where you're sure to find the perfect place to build a sandcastle and splash around in the crystal clear, cool waters.
Have you ever been to the beautiful, off the beaten path Angostura Reservoir before? Where is your favorite place to make a splash during South Dakota’s few warm months? Share your opinions and experiences with us in the comments below!
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