Adventure 250
Make Your History in South Dakota State Parks
America is turning 250—and there’s no better place to celebrate than in South Dakota’s great outdoors. This summer, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks invites you to be part of the celebration with Adventure 250: Make Your History in South Dakota State Parks.

ADVENTURE 250 PROGRAM RULES
Complete adventures at South Dakota state parks to earn points and be entered for chances to win prizes all summer long. Each adventure is worth 5–50 points depending on difficulty. Use the interactive map to locate unique adventures across South Dakota state parks. To track your progress, submit photos and brief adventure details through Survey123 after each visit.
For prize eligibility, submissions must include a selfie of your group in front of a sign displaying the park’s name. Weekly prize drawings are based on submission date and include all valid entries received Monday through Sunday each week, with one entry per household eligible per week. Submissions for both regional adventures and statewide adventures may be completed at South Dakota state parks from Monday, May 11 through Sunday, September 6. Participants who accumulate 250 total points during this same time period will be entered into the grand prize drawings.
Weekly prize winners must pick up prizes in person; prizes will not be mailed, though pickup locations can be coordinated. Visit often, try new activities, and enjoy exploring South Dakota’s great outdoors!
WEEKLY PRIZES
Adventure 250 features 17 weekly outdoor gear prizes to fuel your park adventures. Four winners are selected across the state each week—giving you plenty of chances to win all summer long.
REMINDER – prize eligibility is based on when you submit your adventures.
- Smokeless Fire Pit May 11 – May 17 (Open House Weekend)
- 6-Person Dome Tent May 18 – May 24 (Memorial Day Weekend)
- 52-qt Hard-sided Cooler May 25 – May 31(Memorial Day)
- Blackstone Grill June 1 – June 7
- Rod and Reel Combo June 8 – June 14
- Vortex Binoculars June 15 – June 21 (Juneteenth/Father’s Day Weekend)
- Pair of Free-style Rocker Chairs June 22 – June 28
- Utility Wagon June 29 – July 5 (4th of July Weekend)
- Castable Fish Finder July 6 – July 12
- Pair of Backpack Beach Chairs July 13 – July 19
- Stargazer Telescope July 20 – July 26
- 10x10 Outdoor Canopy July 27 – Aug 2
- GoPro Action Camera Aug 3 – Aug 9
- 20-qt Soft Cooler Aug 10 – Aug 16
- Inflatable SUP/Kayak Aug 17 – Aug 23
- Tackle Backpack Aug 24 – Aug 30
- Portable Power Station Aug 31 – Sept 6
ADVENTURE 250 CLUB
Participants who earn 250 or more points become members of the Adventure 250 Club and receive an exclusive prize bundle featuring Adventure 250 Club logo gear.
GRAND PRIZE DRAWINGS
Participants who earn 250 or more points are also entered into a drawing for one of three Grand Prize bundles:
- 1st place: Ultimate Camping Weekend Package — 52-quart cooler, two camp chairs, Blackstone griddle, regulation cornhole boards, and two free nights of modern lodging.
- 2nd place: Park Perfect Beach Set — Two beach chairs, soft cooler, lily pad, utility wagon, canopy tent, and two free nights of camping.
- 3rd place: Angler’s Elite Fishing Package — Fishing rod and reel combo, fish finder, tackle back¬pack, and a State Park Entrance License.
Weekly drawing and grand prizes sponsored by Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota
IIASD is a statewide professional organization made up of nearly 300 agencies and over 2,000 individuals.
Angostura/Sheps Canyon – Total 35 Pts
1. Overlook Explorer – Visit the overlook and read about the history of Angostura. (10 pts)
2. Float & Explore – Float the Cheyenne river from our canoe access point to the lake. (25 pts)
Bear Butte State Park – Total 55 Pts
3. Cultural Sign Reader - Read about the site’s cultural significance. (10 Pts)
4. Life Learner - Explore the Education Center. (15 Pts)
5. Sacred Summit Trek- Hike to the viewing platform. (30 Pts)
Custer State Park - Total 90-235 Pts
6. Needles Highway Navigator — Stop for a viewpoint on Needles Highway. (5 pts)
7. Wildlife Loop Wanderer — Drive and observe wildlife. (5 pts)
8. Custer Trail Master – Hike any one of the park’s most iconic trails: Little Devils Tower, Sunday Gulch, Cathedral Spires, Lover’s Leap, or Sylvan Lake. (10 pts each)
9. Norbeck Noticer—Visit the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center. (10 pts)
10. Badger Hole History — Visit poet Badger Clark’s cabin. (15 pts)
11. Fire Watcher – Visit the Mt. Coolidge Tower. (15 pts)
12. History Pioneer – Visit the Gordon Stockade Historic Site. (15 pts)
13. Trail Less Traveled – Hike one of Custer’s quieter favorites: Lost Trails, Barnes Canyon, Badger Clark, Grace Coolidge, Prairie, Stockade, Cairn, or Bison. (15 pts each)
George S. Mickelson Trail - Total 40 Pts
14. Trestle Tracker – visit a historic trestle along the trail. (10 pts)
15. Trail Trekker- travel between two trailheads and snap a photo at each. (30 pts)
Rocky Point – Total 25 Pts
16. Rocky Photographer — Photograph rocky shoreline formations. (10 pts)
17. Bowpath Wanderer – Walk the archery range trail. (15 pts)
Shadehill Area – Total 40 Pts
18. Shadehill Story Scout – Visit interpretive signs and uncover local history. (15 points)
19. Shoreline Soundcheck – Join the Live at the Lake music series. (25 points)
Spearfish Canyon – Total 45 Pts
20. Canyon Waterfall Trifecta - Visit Bridal Veil Falls, Roughlock Falls, OR Spearfish Falls (20 pts)
21. Canyon Moon Rising – Spot the moon rising early over the canyon. (25 pts)

