Eastern South Dakota doesn’t get all the hub that the Western part of the state gets. No stunning National Parks (Badlands and Wind Cave, no native tribal lands with white faces of ex-Presidents chiseled on them (Rushmore), no state parks with herds of roaming buffalo or meditation mountain hikes (Custer and Bear Butte), and definitely no free ice water or coffee for a nickel (Wall Drug reference :)! But epic Eastern South Dakota State Park hikes do exist, with more elevation and landscape diversity than you might realize. Plus a noticeable involvement and honoring at some to the Native American Groups that still reside in and around the state park lands. I have been exploring several of these parks and in this article I share some of my favorite Eastern South Dakota State Parks that have hiking in them!
Using NW Iowa as my base camp has allowed me to make day trips to all of the Eastern South Dakota State Parks I have listed. From escape routes for Western Outlaw Jesse James (Palisades) to Trail Running Grinders (Newton Hills) to peaceful nature walks (Good Earth) there is something for everyone here. I hope you get to visit and learn more about some of the Eastern South Dakota State Parks!
Dogs were welcome at the parks, the campgrounds, and almost all of the trails I went on. Nothing jumped out to me as not being dog friendly at these parks outside of events and visitor centers but always check before you go!
It’s a privilege to go hiking on public lands. Especially while you are taking a trip, on vacation, or on a holiday somewhere you don’t live. Giving love and respect to the culture is vital and while we are at it…Leave No Trace and Pack Your 10 Essentials :)!
Eastern South Dakota State Parks:
1. Good Earth State Park
2. Palisades State Park
3. Newton Hills State Park
4. Union Grove State Park
5. Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve (Listed as a State Park)
Good Earth State Park South Dakota
South Dakota’s first state park in over 40 years has a plethora of special events, nature walks, and hiking trails. There’s one entrance, one parking lot, and one restroom and all trails leave from here. Easy peazy!
Make your hike as long or as short as you desire by following the connector points. Heading to the river was a fun piece of this park for me.
Palisades State Park South Dakota
Vertical cliffs, great rock climbing, stories of Jesse James famous escape, cabin/campground options, and a few miles of hiking trails make this a great state park to visit in Eastern South Dakota.
Tack this with a long weekend exploring the fun town of Sioux Falls and you got yourself a nice adventure!
Newton Hills State Park South Dakota
Lovely elevation shifts perfect for more challenging sections of hiking, trail running, or mountain biking. There are also equestrian friendly trails, a large campground with playgrounds/basketball courts/paved bike trails, and a lake available for swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing with beach lounging areas!
Plus on the way in you might get to visit South Dakota’s Easternmost Town, Hudson has a sign to prove it :).
Union Grove State Park and Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
Smaller areas parks with minimal amounts of trails, yet land set aside for the public. The ability to still get into nature for a walk, do some birding, and breathe the fresh air exists. That’s enough sometimes and these places accomplish that well!
The Nature Preserve unlike most of these other state parks doesn’t have an entrance fee. These parks trails also often double as cross country skiing trails in the winter as it does get a decent amount of powder in Eastern South Dakota.
Eastern South Dakota lacks the big names and tourists from all over the world that the Western half receives. What it does still contain is a lovely variety of public lands that allow you to get out and experience the healing power, pure adventure, and lovely tranquil peace nature can offer you.
Thanks for reading and supporting Happy People Hike, comment below with any questions. If you are planning a hiking or road trip to Eastern South Dakota we are happy to help out!
Happy Hiking,
Mike R
