South Dakota
Nature|National & State Parks

Union Grove State Park Has The Best Trail For Bird Watching In All Of South Dakota

Union Grove State Park in South Dakota offers excellent birdwatching, hiking, and camping opportunities.

Published Oct 13, 2020

Written by 

Annie

Do you enjoy watching birds and other wildlife? If so, there is no better place to be than the Mount Rushmore State, which is home to both wildlife and scenic landscapes galore! If you have an affinity for birding, however, we highly recommend visiting the beautiful Union Grove State Park in South Dakota:

Located near Beresford, Union Grove State Park is a 499-acre oasis that is home to hiking, skiing, and - of course - birdwatching.

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Google/Ryan Tellberg

Thanks to its hundreds of acres of various trees and plants, both common and unique birds are easy to spot around Union Grove, including red-winged blackbirds, blue jays, grosbeak, warblers, and wild turkeys.

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Don't forget your binoculars and camera - you are going to need them!

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Google/Chad Birger

Open year-round, Union Grove State Park is also a destination for hiking and biking, thanks to its 4.3 miles of trails, one of which is for foot traffic only (and spans 1.2 miles).

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AllTrails/Tricia Besta

If you want to make an entire weekend out of your visit, you are also in luck, as Union Grove houses a campsite with spaces for tents, RVs, and campers, plus BBQ and horse facilities, a nearby golf course, playground, and an on-site river.

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Google/Leighton Mann

To reserve your campsite - or to learn more - please call (605) 987-2263.

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Admission to Union Grove State Park is $8 per day per vehicle, with non-electrical campsites costing $22 a night and electrical campsites costing $26.

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To learn more about Union Grove State Park, please visit the State of South Dakota's website.

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Do you have a favorite place that you would like to see featured on Only in South Dakota? Nominate it here! For even more places to find wildlife in South Dakota, check out The One-Of-A-Kind South Dakota Wildlife Park That Is Perfect For A Day Trip.

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Breathtaking Small Town State Park in South Dakota That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Sturgis is a small town in South Dakota famous for its motorcycle rally, but perhaps it should be famous for its natural wonders like this one.

Published Sep 19, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Crazy-but-true fun fact: South Dakota is home to 63 state and National Park sites. Seriously! That might sound like quite a lot, but given how amazing our state truly is, perhaps it's not all that enormous a revelation. Nevertheless, several of these South Dakota state parks are out-of-the-way and exist only near small towns - like, for instance, Bear Butte State Park.

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The main draw to Bear Butte State Park is, of course, Bear Butte itself, a 4,436-foot-tall summit from which you can see four different states. In Lakota, the mountain's name is Mato Paha, or "Bear Mountain." It is truly an incredible sight to behold.

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Hikers will be thrilled to learn that there are nine amazing miles of trails weaving all over the park, and exploring it on foot is easily one of the best ways to take it all in.

Bear Butte is gorgeous, but the surrounding landscape is utterly awe-inspiring, and together they form an entire work of art on one beautiful canvas. Bear Butte Lake is picturesque at worst, offering crystal-clear, cool water that often reflects the sky above, be it crystalline blue or overcast and grey.

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Traveling skier/TripAdvisor 

This place has enormous cultural significance to this day, and every so often you might find prayer bundles along the trails. Please do not disturb these - they are not litter!

Should you be the camping type, you're in luck (woohoo!) - there are two gorgeous campgrounds near the lake just waiting to be booked. Need more to do once you're checked in? Wander around nearby Sturgis for a little while. Sturgis is famous for its enormous annual motorcycle rally, but I promise the town is wonderful year-round as well.

While you're at it, check out all the fun things to do in Sturgis from our friends at Viator. If you find you can't get enough South Dakota at any given time, check out all the best places to visit in South Dakota next time you have a moment to be fully immersed in all things Mt. Rushmore State.

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Notch Trail Is A Hidden Adventure In South Dakota Worthy Of A Day Hike

Published Jul 8, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Sometimes, all we want to do is get out and enjoy the world - and all the amazing things within it. Lucky for us, South Dakota just so happens to be a wonderland filled to the brim with awe-inspiring views, geological wonders, and more - all of which are worthy of a day trip (or longer). Hidden away in Badlands National Park is one of the best hikes in the entire state. Known as the Notch Trail, this awesome journey is idyllic and magical without being too lengthy. Of all the amazing hikes in South Dakota, this one is among the best!

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Badlands National Park is like something out of a dream - surreal, beautiful, and nearly alien.

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Annmarie Croswell/AllTrails

With 17 incredible trails to choose from, it might be kinda tough to decide which one to play with, so let me help you choose: Do the Notch Trail. I promise it's an incredible adventure.

In the spring and summer, wildflowers abound.

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The trail is open year-round, though the warmer months are by far the best times to show up. Just bring plenty of water! You'll have to leave your pup at home, though, as unfortunately, no dogs are permitted here.

Along the way, you'll spot various wonderful geological features sure to fascinate and intrigue.

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First, you'll meander through a jaw-dropping canyon formed over millions of years of erosion via wind and water. Marvel at the history of this incredible planet on plain display at Badlands National Park - on this incredible loop trail especially.

Drop-offs are common, so watch your footing - don't fall!

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Wear sturdy, good. hiking shoes and keep your eyes peeled - the views along this whole hike are truly incredible. There are some spots with decent shade, but not many, so plan accordingly, and arrive early in the day for the best results.

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If you've got a fear of heights, well, perhaps this one isn't for you.

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But if you ARE up for heights, amazing views, and more... boy oh boy, is this hike for you. Folks can't get enough of this amazing adventure.

Of all the scenic hiking trails in South Dakota, this one is among the best of the best.

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For more information about this incredible hiking trail in South Dakota, check out the official Notch Trail AllTrails listing. Thinking about cranking your hiking game up to 11? Check out all the cool perks that come with an AllTrails Plus subscription!

Do you know of any amazing hikes in South Dakota? Tell me about 'em in the comments!

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