Maps & Resources
The Big Sioux River is a great place to play! As you head out into the wild, remember the principles of minimum environmental impact:
Plan ahead and prepare. Know your route to reduce your environmental footprint. Also, know the resources you need to avoid excess.
Dispose of waste properly. Make sure you use proper waste receptacles for all trash, including cigarette butts and toilet paper.
Do not use soap in freshwater streams.
Leave what you find, including shells, rocks, and driftwood.
Respect wildlife. Don’t disturb nests or remove animals from their homes.
Camp 200 feet or more from the water.
Do not cut trees or pick plants.
Remember to abide by all fishing, hunting, and trapping regulations.
The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, & Parks website is a great resource for any questions you may have about your adventure plans. If you plan on fishing, make sure you check out Fish Consumption Advisories.
River Access Points
*Please note map locations are approximate
Parks
Baltic (Minnehaha)
– River Park: According to the City of Baltic, River Park offers 16 electrical campsites, as well as areas for tenting. This park offers stunning river vistas.
Brandon (Minnehaha)
– Big Sioux Recreation Area: According to South Dakota’s Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP), the Big Sioux Rec area appeals to campers, canoers, bicyclists, hikers, disk golfers, history buffs, and archers. The park is open year round and is home to 49 campsites. (Lat: 43.57305, Long: -96.594378)
Canton (Lincoln)
– Good Earth State Park: According to South Dakota‘s Department of GFP, Good Earth State Park offers both cultural and historical significance. The park “is one of the oldest sites of long-term human habitation in the United States. The river, abundant wildlife, fertile flood plains, availability of pipestone (catlinite) and protection from winds made the area an important gathering place for seasonal ceremonies and a significant trading center for many tribal peoples from 1300 – 1700 A.D. During this time, occupants were primarily Oneota Tradition Peoples, including Omaha, Ponca, Ioway and Otto, but many other tribes were attracted and participated in trading agricultural product as well as hides, pelts and pipestone (catlinite). This is the largest Oneota cultural site discovered to date in the upper Midwest.” The park is approximately 588 acres and is open year-round. (Lat: 43.475595, Long: -96.5942)
Flandreau (Moody)
– Flandreau Park: According to the City of Flandreau, Flandreau Park is a scenic spot on the river that provides: campsites, picnic shelters, a boat ramp, fire pits, ball diamonds, playground equipment, sand volleyball, horse shoes, and the Oxbow Wetlands Nature trail. Interested parties may also rent the Japanese Gardens Dance Pavilion. (Lat: 44.0558043, Long: -96.5650453)
Sioux Falls (Minnehaha)
– Beadle Greenway Park: Beadle offers playground equipment, basketball courts, and a bike trail access point, all against the backdrop of the Big Sioux.
– Cherry Rock Park: Cherry Rock Park is home to restrooms, electrical picnic shelters, playgrounds, ball fields, sand volleyball courts, and a bike trail access point.
– Country Club of Sioux Falls: Enjoy 18-holes of golf, eat, play tennis, or hold a meeting alongside the Big Sioux River.
– Elmen Park Trailhead: In addition to restrooms, electrical shelters, and a bike trail access point, Elmen Park is home to a unique display of Native plants. See the flora that called South Dakota home long before we did.
– Elmwood Park: Bordering the Big Sioux and the Elmwood Golf Course, Elmwood Park houses restrooms, electrical picnic shelters, playgrounds, baseball fields, and sand volleyball courts.
– Falls Park: Located on the beautiful falls of the Big Sioux, Falls Park provides restrooms, electrical picnic shelters, shelter, bike trail access, historic displays, a visitor center, a restaurant, an observation tower, and sculptures. In the winter, the park boasts a stunning holiday light display. The park is open from 5AM to midnight. No alcohol can be consumed within the park.
– Farm Field Park: A rusty bridge stretches over the Big Sioux at Farm Field Park. Though not listed on the Sioux Falls Department of Parks and Rec website, you can see what Farm Field is all about on their Facebook page.
– Fawick Park: This park offers a bike trail access point, formal gardens, sculptures, and an amphitheater. No one may consume alcohol within this park.
– Kiwanis Park: Kiwanis Park is a stretch of untouched, undeveloped land and is the perfect place to experience the river without artificial surroundings.
– Lien Park: Open from 5AM to 10PM, Lien Park offers a bike trail access point and is a dog park.
– Norlin Greenway Park: Also known as Rotary-Norlin Park, this area has playground equipment and a bike trail access point.
– Oxbow Park: Start your bike ride at Oxbow Park!
– Pasley Park: Visitors to Pasley Park can enjoy restrooms, electrical picnic shelters, playground equipment, baseball fields, and the bike trail access point. No alcohol may be consumed in this park.
– River Boulevard Greenway: In addition to being a bike trail access point, the River Boulevard Greenway is also a canoe and kayak access point.
– Riverdale Park: Designed for the sports enthusiast, Riverdale Park is home to restrooms, electrical picnic shelters, playground equipment, basketball courts, tennis courts, football fields, a bike trail access point, and sand volleyball courts.
– Rotary Park: In addition to a breathtaking views of our rocky river, Rotary Park boasts restrooms, electrical picnic shelters, playgrounds, a bike trail access point, fishing, and canoe and kayak access.
– Sertoma Park: Sertoma Park is the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks’ Outdoor Campus and is adjacent to the Sertoma Butterfly House. In addition, visitors to Sertoma will find restrooms, electrical picnic shelters, a pavilion, playground equipment, a bike trail access point, walking trails, and Nordic ski trails.
– Sherman Park: At Sherman Park, you will find restrooms, electrical picnic shelters, playground equipment, softball fields, formal gardens, and a bike trail access point. Unique to this location is the hard surface hockey rink. A skating rink and warming house are also offered by this park. This park may be reserved for weddings.
– Spencer Park: Bring your dogs to Sioux Falls’ off-leash dog park! Spencer Park provides restrooms, electrical picnic shelter, playground equipment, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, a bike trail access point, and Nordic ski trails—all while providing Fido with a place to stretch his legs!
– Tomar Park: Along the Big Sioux River, Tomar Park provides restrooms, electrical picnic shelters, playground equipment, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, a bike trail access point, and basketball courts.
– Tuthill Park: One of the more developed parks in the Sioux Falls area, Tuthill visitors will find restrooms, electrical picnic shelters, playground equipment, disc golf, and formal gardens. With the lovely scenery, accentuated by the Big Sioux, Tuthill accepts reservations for weddings. In the winter, there is a skating rink and warming house. No alcohol may be consumed within this park.
– Yankton Trail Park: A beautifully basic spot, Yankton Trail offers restrooms, soccer fields, and a bike trail access point.
Watertown (Codington)
– Bramble Park: Located on the Big Sioux River, Bramble Park is a 15 acre zoo with 500 animals of 130 different species. (Lat: 44.9086, Lat: -97.1266)
– Riverside Park: Riverside Park is your beautiful, hometown park. The park has playground equipment for the kids and is adjacent to the Bramble Park Zoo. Beautiful photos and happy stories can be found on Riverside Park’s Facebook page.