State Parks

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Pelican Lake Recreation Area

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Naturalists enjoy the migrating birds and vast numbers of prairie grasses and wildflowers at Pelican Lake Recreation Area. Winter enthusiasts appreciate the park's cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing and ice fishing.

Pelican Lake is a popular stopping point for migrating waterfowl. Each fall, geese and ducks use the lake's open waters as a resting area. A variety of shore birds spend their entire summer in or near the park.

Most noticeable are the large white pelicans that frequent the lake. Pelicans were so numerous when the region was first settled that the lake was named in their honor. An observation tower on one of the hiking trails gives visitors a bird's-eye view of the area.

NFAA approved 14-station course plus practice facility. Stations range in distance from 20 feet to 80 yards.

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Activities

  • Archery
  • Basketball
  • Basketball Checkout
  • Biking (on park roads)
  • Biking (on trails)
  • Birdwatching
  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Cross-country Ski Rental
  • Cross-country Skiing
  • Fishing
  • Geocaching
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Horseshoe Checkout
  • Horseshoes
  • Hunting
  • Kayak Rental
  • Kayaking
  • Lawn Game Checkout
  • Life Jacket Checkout
  • Paddleboarding
  • Picnicking
  • Snowmobiling
  • Snowshoe Checkout
  • Snowshoeing
  • Swimming
  • Walking (on park roads)
  • Wildlife Watching
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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
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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: 76 campsites, 2 camping cabins, and 6 horse camp sites

Directions: 9 miles SW of Watertown off US Hwy 212

Nearest Town: Watertown

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Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.

Contact Info

Pelican Lake Recreation Area
17450 450th Avenue
Watertown, SD 57201
605.882.5200
Email: PelicanLake@state.sd.us
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Amenities

  • ADA/Accessible Features
  • Archery Range
  • Archery Trail(s)
  • Basketball Hoop(s)
  • 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)
  • Horse Campsite(s)
  • Horse Trail(s)
  • Picnic Tables
  • Playground(s)
  • Pollinator Plot(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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Archery Range

NFAA approved 14-station with practice facility. Stations range in distance from 20 feet to 80 yards

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ADA / Accessible

  • Campsite(s)
  • Fishing Pier(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Showers
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GPS Coordinates

Latitude: 44.85222
Longitude: -97.20845
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