The Small State Park Where You Can View The Best Fall Foliage In South Dakota
By Tori Jane|Published October 17, 2023
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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.
If you were to ask a group of people which season is their favorite, chances are a majority of the answers will either be “summer” or “winter.” But there’s another group of people – a third group – that are my people. Those are the folks who say fall is their favorite, and I might be biased, but they aren’t wrong. I don’t understand what’s not to love about the season – it’s not too hot and it isn’t too chilly. The leaves just about everywhere are ablaze with wild color. If you’re interested in checking out the fall foliage in South Dakota this year, consider doing it at Sica Hollow State Park.
Sica Hollow is one of those places in South Dakota that truly never has a bad season.
Be it spring, summer, fall, or winter, there's something for everyone all year, and it's absolutely gorgeous always.
But, personally, my favorite time of all is when the days are getting a little longer, the nights are getting cooler, and it's time to bust out the sweaters.
There are numerous wonderful places to enjoy the fall foliage South Dakota has to offer, but our state parks are by far the best possible spots for experiencing the season.
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Sica Hollow (pronounced SHEE-KAH, by the way) is a beautiful place in northwestern South Dakota shrouded in natural beauty... and eerie legend.
In fact, the term "Sica" is a Native one meaning "bad" or "evil." It's whispered that this is a place of many spirits, though, of course, this depends on just who you ask. Some will swear up and down it's all true, and others will wave it off. Interestingly, back in the day, when the first white settler arrived in the area, the local Natives were baffled, wondering why someone would ever want to make such an eerie, cursed place home.
Those interested in the scenery, however, will find that every trail in the park is pleasant and scenic - if not a little tiny bit spooky, thanks to the local legends.
Don't let the eerie legends deter you; in all seriousness, Sica Hollow State Park has a creepy name and history, but it is one of the best state parks in South Dakota - a true gem for leaf peepers everywhere.
Enjoy the park by camping, hiking, horseback riding, or just about anything else you can come up with to stroll through.
One thing's for sure: It's as beautiful as its legends are eerie, and I honestly think all of it just makes the whole thing even more intriguing.
The park is small, at about 900 acres, but don’t let that fool you – it’s packed with epic fun and amazing scenery, especially during the fall. Need a place to stay while you’re in nearby Sisseton? Check out the local stays offered by our friends at Booking.com.
What are your favorite places for viewing fall colors in South Dakota? Let me know.
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