State Parks

Photo © SD Tourism

Pickerel Lake Recreation Area

/userdocs/Pickerel Lake Recreation Area

Noted for its cool, spring-fed waters, Pickerel Lake is one of the deepest natural lakes in the state. The 955-acre lake bears an American Indian name meaning "where you spear long fish." Excursion boats were common until the early 1900s. A fish hatchery was built in 1929 and abandoned in 1979, when a new facility was built at Blue Dog Lake.

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Activities

  • Basketball
  • Basketball Checkout
  • Biking (on park roads)
  • Birdwatching
  • Boating
  • Canoe Rental
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Fishing Pole Checkout
  • Geocaching
  • Hiking
  • Horseshoes
  • Kayak Rental
  • Kayaking
  • Lawn Game Checkout
  • Life Jacket Checkout
  • Paddleboard Rental
  • Paddleboarding
  • Picnicking
  • Sailing
  • Stargazing
  • Swimming
  • Volleyball
  • Volleyball Checkout
  • 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: 2 campgrounds with 69 campsites and 7 camping cabins

Directions: Located 10 miles north of Waubay off US Hwy 12

Nearest Town: Grenville

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Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.

Contact Info

Pickerel Lake Recreation Area
12980 446th Avenue
Grenville, SD 57239
605.486.4753
Email: PickerelLake@state.sd.us
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Amenities

  • ADA/Accessible Features
  • Basketball Hoop(s)
  • Boat Ramp(s)
  • Campground(s)
  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Electrical Campsite(s)
  • Fish Cleaning Station(s)
  • Fishing Pier(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Hiking Trail(s)
  • Picnic Tables
  • Playground(s)
  • Self-serve Entrance Kiosk(s)
  • Showers
  • Swim Beach(es)
  • TRACK Trail(s)
  • Vault Toilets (open year-round)
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Alternate Route to Park

The bridge portion on Day County 1 (446th Ave) has now been CLOSED by the Day County Highway Department. This bridge will be impassable at this time for the safety of all motorists. We will do our best to keep everyone updated as we get more information.

Please use an alternate route.

Alternate Routes are as follows:

  • East of Ortley on Hwy 12 to Roberts County 28 (453rd Ave Lohre Rd)
  • Turn North on Roberts County 28 (453rd Ave Lohre Rd) and continue traveling North to BIA 500 (135th St)
  • Turn West on BIA 500 (135th St) and continue westbound until 446th Ave
  • At 446th Ave: turn North to get to Enemy Swim, Pickerel Lake, and any residential housing in between, or at 446th Ave turn South for any residential housing prior to 140th St


From WEBSTER:

  • North on Hwy 25 to Day County 6 (133rd St)
  • East on Day County 6 (133rd St) to 446th Ave
  • At 446th Ave: Turn North or Continue East to Pickerel Lake and any residential housing or turn South for Enemy Swim or any residential housing.
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ADA / Accessible

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

Latitude: 45.48555
Longitude: -97.24813
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