State Parks

Photo © SD Tourism

Mina Lake Recreation Area

/userdocs/Mina Lake Recreation Area

Nestled along the wooded shores of Mina Lake, Mina Recreation Area is a water-lover's haven with plenty of room for boating, fishing and swimming. When you leave the water, a spacious campground, hiking trail, and several picnic areas provide hours of family fun.

Mina was one of the first man-made lakes in northeast South Dakota. Its beginning dates back to the 1930s, when area residents sought relief from years of drought.

In 1934, the Mina Dam was completed and the lake was named Shake Maza, a Lakota word for "shaped like a horseshoe." The name never quite caught-on, however, and it was later renamed in honor of a railroad president's daughter.

Mina Lake Spillway Public Meeting

In, 2019, a localized large rain even caused severe damage to the spillway and temporary repairs were made in 2020.  It was recommended by our consultant engineering firm the spillway be replaced as soon as possible as a long-term solution.  Mina Lake Dam is considered a high hazard dam based on the damage it could cause if a breach were to occur.  Spillway design is nearing completion and the department would like to provide information to the public about the logistics and how it may affect outdoor recreation and the property owners along the lake.  A temporary draw down will be necessary for a contractor to perform the work that includes a diversion channel and complete spillway replacement.  Lake elevations, spillway design, wildlife and fisheries management, lake access, construction timelines, road closures, and several other impacts will be addressed in the department’s presentation. 

Map Detailing Exposed Shoreline at Different Drawdown Depths

The purpose of the Mina Lake Drawdown map is to display changes in shoreline at Mina Lake during the future drawdown. 

The map extent shows imagery of Mina Lake and surrounding land. The map begins with two elements opened. They are the Legend and the Layer List. The Legend List shows the layers of the map and their identifying color. The Layer List allows you to turn on and off different layers by checking or unchecking the box next to the layer name. For example, to display only the Exposed Shoreline at 3ft Drawdown layer simply uncheck all other layers. The map will now only show exposed shoreline after 3ft of drawdown. To turn make all layers visible again, check each box next to the layer name. Next to the layer list is the measurement tool. It is represented by a ruler icon. Selecting it will open a third element that allows for measuring distance and area as well as generating location coordinates. 

Read More About This Park

Activities

  • Biking (on park roads)
  • Birdwatching
  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Fishing Pole Checkout
  • Floating Water Mat Rental
  • Hiking
  • Kayak Rental
  • Kayaking
  • Lawn Game Checkout
  • Paddleboard Rental
  • Paddleboarding
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming
  • Volleyball
  • Volleyball Checkout
  • Walking (on park roads)
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Fees

  • Daily: $8 per vehicle
  • Annual: $36 first vehicle | $18 second vehicle (with coupon) | $80 transferable license

    Purchase Online

  • Campsites - electrical: $26 per night
  • Camping Cabins: $55 per night
  • Modern Cabins: $150 per night
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Park Specs

Open: Year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open.

Park Size: 38 campsites, 1 camping cabin and 1 modern cabin

Directions: 12 miles west of Aberdeen off US Hwy 12

Nearest Town: Mina

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Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.

Contact Info

Mina Lake Recreation Area
402 Park Avenue
Mina, SD 57451
605.626.3488
Email: MinaLake@state.sd.us
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Amenities

  • ADA/Accessible Features
  • Boat Ramp(s)
  • Campground(s)
  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Electrical Campsite(s)
  • Fishing Pier(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Hiking Trail(s)
  • Modern Lodging
  • Paved Trail(s)
  • Playground(s)
  • Self-serve Entrance Kiosk(s)
  • Shore Fishing Access
  • Showers
  • Swim Beach(es)
  • TRACK Trail(s)
  • Vault Toilets (open year-round)
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Modern Lodging

The modern cabin at Mina Lake offers increased comforts in an outdoor setting any time of the year.
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ADA / Accessible

  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Campsite(s)
  • Fishing Pier(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Modern Cabin(s)
  • Paved Trail(s)
  • Showers
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GPS Coordinates

Park Entrance and Campground
Latitude: 45.4467
Longitude: -98.74082


Modern Cabin Entrance
Latitude: 45.44746
Longitude: -98.743
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Additional Info

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