State Parks

Photo © SDTourism

Lake Herman State Park

/userdocs/Lake Herman State Park

Melting glacial ice formed this 1,350-acre lake thousands of years ago. Lake Herman State Park is located on a peninsula and offers visitors spectacular views of Lake Herman. Camping, boating, fishing, and cross country skiing are favorite activities at the park. Observe wildlife in the native oak woodlands and prairie grasses that inhabitat a variety of birds and animals.

Lake Herman has been a popular campsite for hundreds of years. Before white settlers entered the region, it was popular among Native Americans traveling to nearby Pipestone quarries.

The first settlers at Lake Herman were Herman Luce and his son, William. They settled the timberland on the east side of the lake and assumed squatters' rights on June 17, 1870. The log cabin in the park was built for Herman Luce in the summer of 1871. The cabin is made of sturdy oak logs hand hewn to fit snugly and chinked to keep out the cold.

Luce's cabin briefly served as a U. S. Land Office, with Herman Luce in charge. In 1977, the Herman Luce Cabin was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Activities

  • Biking (on park roads)
  • Biking (on trails)
  • Birdwatching
  • Boating
  • Canoe Rental
  • Canoeing
  • Cross-country Skiing
  • Disc Golf
  • Disc Golf Checkout
  • Fishing
  • Fishing Pole Checkout
  • Hiking
  • Historical Interest
  • Horseshoe Checkout
  • Horseshoes
  • Interpretive Signs
  • Kayak Rental
  • Kayaking
  • Lawn Game Checkout
  • Life Jacket Checkout
  • Paddleboard Rental
  • Paddleboarding
  • Picnicking
  • Sailing
  • Snowshoe Checkout
  • Snowshoeing
  • Stargazing
  • Swimming
  • Walking (on park roads)
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Wind and Kite Surfing
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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
  • Campsites - non-electrical: Tent-only $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: 72 campsites and 2 camping cabins

Directions: 2 miles west of Madison off SD Hwy 34

Nearest Town: Madison

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Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.

Contact Info

Lake Herman State Park
23409 State Park Drive
Madison, SD 57042
605.256.5003
Email: LakeHerman@state.sd.us
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Amenities

  • ADA/Accessible Features
  • Biking Trail(s)
  • Boat Ramp(s)
  • Campground(s)
  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Cross-country Ski Trail(s)
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Electrical Campsite(s)
  • Fishing Pier(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Hiking Trail(s)
  • Historical Site(s)
  • Picnic Tables
  • Playground(s)
  • Pollinator Plot(s)
  • Self-serve Entrance Kiosk(s)
  • Shore Fishing Access
  • Showers
  • Ski Beach(es)
  • Swim Beach(es)
  • Tent-only Campsite(s)
  • TRACK Trail(s)
  • Vault Toilets (open year-round)
  • Visitor Center(s)
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ADA / Accessible

  • Boat Ramp Access
  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Campsite(s)
  • Fishing Access
  • Fishing Pier(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Picnic Tables
  • Showers
  • Swim Beach Access
  • Vault Toilets (open year-round)
  • Visitor Center(s)
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GPS Coordinates

Latitude: 43.99288
Longitude: -97.16042
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