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Located on a peninsula, Lake Herman State Park offers visitors spectacular views of Lake Herman. Melting glacial ice formed this 1,350-acre lake thousands of years ago.

Now, camping, boating, fishing, and cross country skiing are favorite activities at the park. Wildlife observation is aided by the native oak woodlands and prairie grasses that blend to create a lush savanna in the natural areas of the park. Most of the trees are native, while others were planted to provide convenient camping and hiking areas, as well as provide habitat for the variety of birds and animals that live in the park.

• Located two miles west of Madison off SD Highway 34 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: $12/non-electrical, $16/electrical site. 72 sites (70 electrical). One wheelchair accessible site. Two tent-only sites. Showers. Water. Dump station.

• Camping Cabins: Two cabins. Each sleeps four people. $35/night.

• Reservations: (800) 710-2267 or www.CampSD.com. Up to 90 days prior to arrival. Campsites May to Sept. Cabins year-round.

• Recreation:  Camping. Cabins. Boating. Canoe and kayak rentals available. Cross-country skiing. Nine-hole disc golf course. Fishing. Game/equipment checkout. Hiking trails through grass prairie, wetlands and historic sites. Historical sites/interest: 1871 cabin and cemetery. Horseshoes. Two accessible picnic shelters. Playground. Ski beach. Swimming.

• Swimming/Beaches: Ski beach, swimming beach. No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk.

• Fishing/Boating: Boat ramp. Accessible fishing dock. Bullhead, crappie, perch, walleye. Fishing license required.

• Park maps: PDF files. Require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  - Campground map
     (3 pages, 141KB)
  - Disc golf course
     (1 page, 56KB)
  - Trail map and guide
     (10 pages, 308KB)
  - Walking map
     (1 page, 296KB)

Lake Herman State Park
23409 State Park Drive
Madison SD 57042
(605) 256-5003
Email: LakeHerman@state.sd.us  

Lake Herman was the site of the 2006 Becoming an Outdoor Family weekend. Click here to learn more and view photos.
 

Lake Herman has been a popular campsite for hundreds of years. Before white settlers entered the region, it was popular among Indians traveling to nearby Pipestone quarries. Please remember that it against the law to remove any natural or cultural features from state parks. Penalties are stiff.

The first settlers at Lake Herman were Herman Luce and his son, William. They settled the timberland on the east side of the lake and assumed squatters' rights on June 17, 1870. The log cabin in the park was built for Herman Luce in the summer of 1871. The cabin is made of sturdy oak logs hand hewn to fit snugly and chinked to keep out the cold. When first constructed, it was in the midst of a stand of oak, ash, hackberry, walnut and native fruit trees.

Luce's cabin briefly served as a U. S. Land Office, with Herman Luce in charge. In 1977, the Herman Luce Cabin was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 

• Walker's Point Recreation Area

• Prairie Village near Madison

  In Madison:

• The Smith-Zimmerman State Museum

• The Depot and Railroad Museum

• Karl Mundt Library at Dakota State University

• More attractions and events can be found at www.TravelSD.com