Sioux Falls Bike Trail
The Sioux Falls Recreation Trail has over 36 total miles of paved trail. Paved trails can be used during all four seasons for year-round enjoyment.
The Greenway Recreation Main Trail Loop is 19.13 miles and follows along the Big Sioux River. It is scenic with diverse views of the city, parks, like Falls Park, open fields, and forested areas. Use one of the 11 main Park Access Points to access the trail.
Open daily 5 a.m.-10 p.m., except for Falls Park and the Downtown River Greenway, which closes at midnight. Get closure updates below and SFPR social media.
https://www.siouxfalls.gov/activities-recreation/parks-trails/trails/recreation-trail
Sertoma Park/Outdoor Campus
Small but great beginner trail running with wide flat gravel looping through open and wooded areas. Also, just off the bike trail. This is part of the SD Game and Fish Outdoor Campus. The purpose of The Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls is to provide hands-on experiences in hunting, fishing, outdoor skills, and conservation science. Free educational classes for youth, adults and families are held throughout the year. Visitors can explore indoor exhibits, a butterfly garden, and an outdoor playscape, as well as enjoy over 2 miles of trails for walking and cross-country skiing.
Map and Information - https://www.runsiouxfalls.org/sertoma-trail-park-map
4500 S Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Falls Area Single Track Trails (F.A.S.T.)
These are all mountain bike trails but are open to hikers/runners as well. There is plenty of traffic by all users and we have trail races at Tuthill Park annually. These are all just off the bike trail except for Leaders Park, so you can easily jump on/off of them when running the bike trail. If you're running them, just make sure you can hear. You don't want to be running down the trail and have a biker yelling at you that they are coming and you can't hear them (runners/walkers do have the right of way).
https://www.fallsareasingletrack.org/ (on the top left of their website, hover over the 'Trails' link and pick which park you'd like to view.
Great Bear Ski Valley
The dramatic hills at Great Bear, comprised of sand and gravel and held in place by a thin layer of topsoil, feature picturesque nature walks and backcountry hiking experiences.
This 220-acre park is the largest in the Sioux Falls Park and Recreation Department and is a wonderful example of the glacial deposit areas common to this region.
The Ralph and Doris Wallin Nature Trail winds through the hills and valleys of the park, offering hikers spectacular views of Sioux Falls as well as secluded Burr Oak canopied creek bottoms. This 4-mile (6-kilometer) trail system has 3 distinct loops ranging from an ADA-rated hard-surfaced trail for those seeking a leisurely stroll through the park to the more demanding primitive deer trails for those wishing for a more backcountry experience.
There are no fees associated with hiking at Great Bear!
Remember, Great Bear Ski Valley has a fragile ecological system. Please, take only pictures and leave only footprints! Pets are welcome but must be on a leash at all times
5901 E Rice Street | Sioux Falls, SD 57110
Good Earth State Park
We have a weekly run here on Thursday nights at 6:00pm.
Good Earth State Park southeast of Sioux Falls is an important cultural and historical site as well as a unique nature retreat adjacent to the most developed and populated part of our state. The site itself is one of the oldest sites of long-term human habitation in the United States. The river, abundant wildlife, fertile flood plains, availability of pipestone (catlinite), and protection from winds made the area an important gathering place for seasonal ceremonies and a significant trading center for many tribal peoples from 1300-1700 A.D.
A State Park Pass is needed for entry.
Download the map - https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/good-earth-state-park/
26924 480th Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57108
Big Sioux Recreation Area
Big Sioux Recreation Area lies on the banks of South Dakota's Big Sioux River. Close to the cities of Brandon and Sioux Falls, Big Sioux is popular among campers, canoers, bicyclists, hikers, disc golfers, history buffs and archers. When the snow flies, groups of snowmobilers gather at the enclosed warming house.
Great place to run and has a paved trail that runs the length of the park, as well as the Valley of the Giants dirt trail.
A State Park Pass is needed for entry.
Map and information - https://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/bigsioux_overviewtrails.pdf
410 W Park St, Brandon, SD 57005
Newton Hills State Park
Glaciers created this narrow strip of rolling hills and forest that is part of the geological formation called the Coteau des Prairie, which extends along the eastern boundary of South Dakota. At its highest point, the Coteau rises to more than 2,000 feet above sea level. Artifacts and burial mounds found near the park indicate that a Woodland Indian Culture inhabited this region between 300 B.C. and 900 A.D. The area's unique dark forest, amidst a vast open prairie, has prompted many recent legends, including buried gold, robbers' hideouts and horse thieves.
Over 200 species of birds visit the area each year. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, marmots, rabbits, red and gray fox and squirrels are also found within the park. Between October 1 and April 30 each year, bow hunting is allowed in the park. Hunters will not be using the high traffic areas located near the hiking trails. Uncased bows and firearms are not allowed within the campground and picnic areas.
A State Park Pass is needed for entry
Map - https://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/newtonhills_overview.pdf
28767 482nd Ave, Canton, SD 57013
Union Grove State Park
Rich glacial soils support a lush growth of native woods in this hidden treasure. Horseback riders, hikers, bikers and cross-country skiers enjoy several miles of trail through the forest along Brule Creek. The trees and plants attract a variety of birds sure to keep botanists and birdwatchers entertained for hours. Campers enjoy the quiet well-shaded campsites, and the horse camp is the perfect base for a weekend of riding.
Deer, wild turkeys, beaver and many small animals abound in the park as well as a variety of trees and plant life. Birdwatchers will enjoy the opportunities to see many species of birds including cardinals, orioles, grosbeak, warblers, red-winged blackbirds, blue jays, pheasants and wild turkeys.
A State Park Pass is needed for entry.
Map and information - https://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/union-grove-trails.pdf
308th St, Beresford, SD 57004
Oak Grove Park (Iowa)
Oak Grove Park/Big Sioux Park is a combination of both state and county land. The Oak Grove Park is state property totaling up to 101 acres of the 573 combined acres of park. Big Sioux Park is the county land that is adjacent to the park. Care of Oak Grove was taken on in 1962, with the first addition of the park added in 1967. This area offers a variety of habitats to explore including: forest, prairie, and riparian. Oak Grove offers several scenic observation points. For geological interest there are two large outcropping of Sioux Quartzite and a mound of slag which is the remains of a 100 year old coal bed. This park also has the main administration office for the Sioux County Conservation Board.
Map - https://siouxcountyparks.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/11/FullMapFINAL.3-scaled.jpg
4051 Cherry Ave Hawarden, IA 51023
Oakwood Lakes State Park
Nestled among eight connecting glacial lakes, this park provides a never-ending variety of activities throughout the year, from hiking and swimming, to ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Shaded campgrounds and picnic areas complement the park's excellent swimming and boating facilities.
The park was once used as a summer camp and an annual gathering spot for American Indians. Later, Samuel Mortimer arrived in 1869 and built the log cabin that still stands at the park.
A State Park Pass is needed for entry.
Map and information - https://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/oakwoodlakes_trailsguide.pdf
20247 S Oakwood Shoreline Dr, Bruce, SD 57220
Blue Mounds State Park (MN)
Blue Mounds State Park is full of natural surprises. Start with the Sioux Quartzite cliff, rising 100 feet from the plains. A bison herd grazes on the prairie. Prickly pear cactus blooms in June and July. A sea of prairie grasses and flowers sway in the wind. The park is also a favorite for birdwatchers who want to see nesting blue grosbeaks and other birds. Enjoy camping and hiking.
Blue Mounds State Park contains a small remaining fragment of the once vast tallgrass prairie which covered much of North America. The abundant rock outcrops and shallow soil prevented much of the land within the park from being plowed. However, heavy grazing by domestic livestock has diminished the native grasses and wildflowers and introduced foreign and exotic, weedy plants. Special management programs are now underway to restore the native grasses and wildflowers. Late summer offers visitors a panorama of prairie colors when hundreds of different wildflowers bloom and grasses grow. For example, the big bluestem grasses grow to seven feet tall, at a rate of almost an inch a day. In addition, Blue Mounds is one of several places in Minnesota where cactus grows. Patches of prickly pear cactus can be found growing in shallow soils atop the quartzite outcrops. In late June and early July, the yellow flower of the cactus blooms.
A MN State Park Pass is needed for entry - https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/permit.html
Map - https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00121.pdf
1410 161st St, Luverne, MN 56156
Camden State Park (MN)
Camden State Park offers much for visitors to enjoy. Fish for brown trout in the Redwood River or bass and bluegill in Brawner Lake. Hike the trails or cool off in the spring-fed pool. Walk along the wooded river valley, climb the Dakota Valley Trail to the lookout for great fall colors, or go canoeing on Brawner Lake. Woodlands, maples, basswoods, oaks, and cottonwoods, dominate this park. Sun-drenched prairies, grasslands, and marshes offer added diversity. The park provides picnic areas, campgrounds (drive-in, horseback, and group), swimming, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Camden's cool wooded valley cuts through the open prairie and offers visitors the opportunity to observe plants and animals of woodlands and prairies. Springtime flowers, white trillium, trout lilies, bloodroot and violets, color Camden's woodlands. The prairie comes alive in spring with pasque flowers and prairie smoke. In summer, purple coneflowers and blazing stars add color to the prairie. In the fall, goldenrods, asters and gentians bloom on the prairie. Reds, yellows and golds from maples, basswoods, ash, cottonwoods and hackberry make the fall colors great at Camden State Park.
A MN State Park Pass is needed for entry - https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/permit.html
Map and information - https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00127.pdf
1897 Camden Pk Rd, Lynd, MN 56157
