State Parks

Photo © Allie Ellingson

West Bend Recreation Area

/userdocs/West Bend Recreation Area

Excellent walleye and small mouth bass fishing is supported by a relatively stable lake level and cool water temperatures. With most fishing done from boats, the protected marina offers convenient boat launching, regardless of the wind direction. In the autumn, hunters use this as a base camp to hunt pheasants and Canada geese.

West Bend Recreation Area is one of the South Dakota state parks along the Lewis and Clark Trail.

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Activities

  • Bicycle Rental
  • Biking (on park roads)
  • Biking (on trails)
  • Birdwatching
  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Fishing Pole Checkout
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking
  • Lawn Game Checkout
  • Paddleboarding
  • Picnicking
  • Stargazing
  • Swimming
  • 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: $23 per night
  • Campsites - non-electrical: $15 per night
  • Camping Cabins: $55 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: 120 campsites and 4 camping cabins

Directions: 35 miles southeast of Pierre off SD Highway 34

Nearest Town: Harrold

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Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.

Contact Info

West Bend Recreation Area
22154 West Bend Road
Harrold, SD 57536
605.773.2885
Email: WestBend@state.sd.us
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Amenities

  • ADA/Accessible Features
  • Biking Trail(s)
  • Boat Ramp(s)
  • Campground(s)
  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Electrical Campsite(s)
  • Fish Cleaning Station(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Hiking Trail(s)
  • Picnic Tables
  • Playground(s)
  • Self-serve Entrance Kiosk(s)
  • Shore Fishing Access
  • Showers
  • Swim Beach(es)
  • Tent-only Campsite(s)
  • Vault Toilets (open year-round)
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Boat and Camper Storage

Boat and camper storage is available at West Bend Recreation Area between April 30 and September 30. For storage information, call the Farm Island office at 605.773.2885.
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Lake Camera

The camera  lets you monitor recent conditions from several viewpoints: 

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ADA / Accessible

  • Boat Ramp Access
  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Fish Cleaning Station(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Picnic Tables
  • Showers
  • Vault Toilets (open year-round)
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GPS Coordinates

Latitude: 44.17075
Longitude: -99.72102
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