- 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
Pelican Lake Recreation Area
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.
Activities
Upcoming Events
- October 3, 2023
Operation Adventure: Archery & Deer Hunting 101 - October 5, 2023
Date Night - Fall Hike & Campfire Cooking - October 17, 2023
Operation Adventure: Migration & Waterfowl Hunting 101 - October 19, 2023
Date Night- Archery
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
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
Make Reservations
Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.
Contact Info
17450 450th Avenue
Watertown, SD 57201
605.882.5200
Email: PelicanLake@state.sd.us
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)
Archery Range
NFAA approved 14-station with practice facility. Stations range in distance from 20 feet to 80 yards
ADA / Accessible
- Campsite(s)
- Fishing Pier(s)
- Flush Toilets
- Group Picnic Shelter(s)
- Showers
GPS Coordinates
Longitude: -97.20845