Pelican Lake Recreation Area

For those who enjoy a wide variety of activities, Pelican Lake is the place to come. Nestled among a grove of conifer trees, campers can enjoy the shade while still being close to the sandy beach, prairie trails and the boat dock. Naturalists enjoy the migrating birds and vast numbers of prairie grasses and wildflowers. Winter enthusiasts appreciate the park’s cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing and ice fishing.

Camping/Recreation

Located 9 miles SW of Watertown off US Hwy. 212 Location map (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.) DOT Road Report
Open year-round
Park entrance license required: $5/day/vehicle or $23 for an annual pass
Camping & Fees: $16/site. 46 campsites (all electrical). One accessible campsite. Showers. Water. Dump station.
Horse Camp: $16/site. Six electrical sites.
Camping Cabins: Two cabins, one wheelchair accessible. Each sleep four people. $35/night.
Reservations: (800) 710-2267 or www.CampSD.com. Up to 90 days prior to arrival. Campsites and horse camp May to Sept. Cabins year-round.
Recreation: Camping. Cabins. Archery. Biking. Boating. Cross-country skiing. Fishing. Game/equipment checkout. Hiking. Horse trail and camp. Accessible picnic shelter near shore. Warming shelter. Playground. Swimming.
Swimming/Beaches: Sandy beach. No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk.
Fishing/Boating: Walleye, Northern pike, perch and bullheads. Boat ramp. License required.
Park maps: PDF files. Require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Campground map.
   (2 pages, 99KB)
- Trail map and guide.
   (5 pages, 179KB)
- Walking map
   (1 page, 208KB)

Pelican Lake
Recreation Area
400 West Kemp
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-5200
Email: PelicanLake@state.sd.us

Pelican Lake offers a good number of campsites on the waterfront as well as two cabins with lake views. A comfort station is located in the primary campground and a playground is near the swimming beach.

The park is also located in prime pheasant hunting area, making it a popular camping and use area each fall among sportsmen.

Wildlife Viewing

Pelican Lake is a popular stopping point for migrating waterfowl. Each fall, geese and ducks use the lake's open waters as a resting area. A variety of shore birds spend their entire summer in or near the park.

Most noticeable are the large white pelicans that frequent the lake. Pelicans were so numerous when the region was first settled that the lake was named in their honor. An observation tower on one of the hiking trails gives visitors somewhat of a bird's-eye view of the area.

Trails

Horseback riders, mountain bikers, hikers and cross-country skiers will find approximately 5.2 miles of marked trails, winding through prairie areas and lakeshore shelterbelts.

A horse camp and parking area are available to individuals and groups at the trail head. Facilities include camping, nearby vault toilets, water, fire grates and hitching posts. Horseback riders traveling west to the Black Hills find the horse camp at Pelican Lake an excellent stopover point to exercise their horses. Learn more about horse camps and trails in South Dakota state parks.

Nearby Attractions

Sandy Shore Recreation Area

In Watertown:

Terry Redlin Art Center
Mellette House
Bramble Park Zoo and Discovery Center
Codington County Historical Museum
More attractions and events can be found at www.TravelSD.com