Exploring Oakwood Lakes State Park In South Dakota Is The Definition Of An Underrated Adventure
By Tori Jane|Published January 08, 2024
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Hidden away in South Dakota’s beautiful countryside about 20 miles north of the town of Brookings is a stunning, underrated destination that’s beloved by locals but less-known by the everyone else. Of all the best parks in South Dakota, this one is particularly wondrous, with plenty of things to do, see, and experience while you’re here. With all sorts of outdoor activities to take part in, it’s no wonder that this gorgeous place is perfect for adventure no matter the time of year.
South Dakota is home to just 13 (call it our Lucky 13!) state parks, but each of them is worth a gander - so why not start with this one?
You might notice a lot of water in this article. There's a great reason for this: Oakwood Lakes State Park consists of space nestled amidst eight gorgeous, crystal-clear glacial lakes.
The landscape is breathtakingly beautiful, and you'll regret not bringing a camera along even if you're not a photographer.
Altogether, there are 3,000 acres of water, and this place is a must for anglers, boaters, and even swimmers (as there's a swimming beach you're sure to love).
Eventually, the region would be "discovered" by a man named Samuel Mortimer, who built a gorgeous old log cabin that, you'll soon find, is still standing at the park.
It's really cool to glance back in history with something like the old cabin, and with such a beautiful backdrop, too.
Truly, it's tough to oversell the wonders of this underrated little park in South Dakota. Here, you'll find places to play sports like basketball, disc golf, horseshoes, and so much more. There are also several wonderful trails to hike while you're at it - all of which offer unique perspectives of the park.
Plus, sunset (and sunrise) over the water is always a plus.
You never know just what's in store in South Dakota's great outdoors, but Oakwood Lakes State Park offers a window into that amazing world - a window you'll want to crawl through immediately.
For more information about the park and camping here, be sure to visit the official South Dakota Game and Fish website. If you’re not up for camping and feel another place to stay is what’s right for you, our friends at Booking.com undoubtedly have some excellent options.
What are your favorite, lesser-known spots in South Dakota for some peace and quiet? Let me know!
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