State Parks

Photo © Allie Ellingson

West Bend Recreation Area

Excellent walleye and small mouth bass fishing is supported by a relatively stable lake level and cool water temperatures. With most fishing done from boats, the protected marina offers convenient boat launching, regardless of the wind direction. In the autumn, hunters use this as a base camp to hunt pheasants and Canada geese.

West Bend Recreation Area is one of the South Dakota state parks along the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Activities

Bicycle Rental
Biking (on park roads)
Biking (on trails)
Birdwatching
Boating
Canoeing
Fishing
Fishing Pole Checkout
Hiking
Hunting
Kayaking
Lawn Game Checkout
Paddleboarding
Picnicking
Stargazing
Swimming
Walking (on park roads)

Upcoming Events

June 15, 2024
Wessington Fishing Derby

Fees

Daily: $8 per vehicle
Annual: $36 first vehicle | $18 second vehicle (with coupon) | $80 transferable license
Purchase Online
Campsites - electrical: $23 per night
Campsites - non-electrical: $15 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: 120 campsites and 4 camping cabins

Directions: 35 miles southeast of Pierre off SD Highway 34

Nearest Town: Harrold

Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.

Maps

Contact Info

West Bend Recreation Area
22154 West Bend Road
Harrold, SD 57536
605.773.2885
Email: WestBend@state.sd.us

Amenities

ADA/Accessible Features
Biking Trail(s)
Boat Ramp(s)
Campground(s)
Camping Cabin(s)
Drinking Water
Dump Station
Electrical Campsite(s)
Fish Cleaning Station(s)
Flush Toilets
Group Picnic Shelter(s)
Hiking Trail(s)
Picnic Tables
Playground(s)
Self-serve Entrance Kiosk(s)
Shore Fishing Access
Showers
Swim Beach(es)
Tent-only Campsite(s)
Vault Toilets (open year-round)

Boat and Camper Storage

Boat and camper storage is available at West Bend Recreation Area between April 30 and September 30. For storage information, call the Farm Island office at 605.773.2885.

Lake Camera

The camera lets you monitor recent conditions from several viewpoints:

ADA / Accessible

Boat Ramp Access
Camping Cabin(s)
Fish Cleaning Station(s)
Flush Toilets
Group Picnic Shelter(s)
Picnic Tables
Showers
Vault Toilets (open year-round)

GPS Coordinates

Latitude: 44.17075
Longitude: -99.72102