My Favorite Park in South Dakota Is a Little-Known Paradise for Wildlife Viewing and Birdwatching

Fun Fact: In recent years, over 95 million people in the country participated in birdwatching. Can you believe that? It means about one out of three adults were out visiting our state parks and outdoor spaces. Were you one of them? 

Most of us who enjoy birding tend to skip the larger parks for a more peaceful retreat, where it’s just us, nature, and the local wildlife. If you can relate to this, then I’ve got a spot for you. Good Earth State Park might be located in the most populated part of the state, but this little-known South Dakota state park feels like you’re a million miles away. It’s an excellent destination for birdwatching and nature photography. Wildlife viewing is so popular here that you can even check out binoculars at the visitor center.   

You might be familiar with Good Earth State Park for its historical significance as one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the Americas. It was an important site for Native peoples for approximately 8,500 years and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1970. Or perhaps you know it as the newest state park in South Dakota. If you don’t know about this outdoor playground, have no worries, you’re not alone. In fact, it has made our list of the most underrated state parks in South Dakota. 

Located just southeast of Sioux Falls near the border of Iowa on the banks of the Big Sioux River, this 650-acre state park is tiny in comparison to the 70,000-acre Custer State Park. What it lacks in size, though, it makes up for in natural beauty, historical impact, and its abundance of wildlife. Personally, I love that the park feels secluded, the trails are not crowded, and it’s a peaceful sanctuary to enjoy wildlife viewing. 

Moreover, the park has an 11,000-square-foot state-of-the-art visitors center. Featuring interactive exhibits documenting the history of the Oneota people (the Native Americans who settled the area), it’s one of the highlights of the park, so don’t miss seeing it. You’ll also find miles of hiking trails, picnic shelters, scenic overlooks, and, of course, access to the river for fishing. The highlight? Its location along the Big Sioux River makes this hidden gem park a birdwatching and wildlife-viewing hotspot. The quiet wilderness is home to over 190 species of birds, including warblers, sparrows, woodpeckers, and several species of raptors.

I’d suggest finding an elevated area along the river or an observation deck, and with some patience and a good pair of binoculars, you could spot a bald eagle flying by. Don’t have binoculars? No big deal! Stop by the visitor center and borrow a pair for the day. Birding is great year-round, but spring is the peak season for the warblers and songbirds. The park is quieter during the winter, but you might spot woodpeckers and an occasional barred owl. If you love sparrows, don’t miss the fall migration. Expect to see a burst of wildflowers in the summer as well as indigo bunting, hummingbirds, and orioles.

Other wildlife in the area includes white-tailed deer, rabbits, chipmunks, and you might spot coyotes, too. Needless to say, you want to be on the lookout for all the animals that call this sanctuary home. Plus, it’s one of the best places to capture some really cool pics. So, have your camera in hand and snap away to add to your wildlife photography collection. 

This little-known South Dakota state park is truly a hidden gem, and you’ll want to visit again and again. It’s a great destination for families, nature lovers, or folks just seeking a quiet sanctuary to commune with nature. 

Learn more about Good Earth State Park on the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks website.