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The use of Global Positioning Systems units (more commonly known as GPS units) has exploded in recent years. This technology opens up many outdoor recreational opportunities in the South Dakota state parks and beyond. Use the information below to help you get started on your GPS adventure.

• Where To Go

• How to Get a GPS Unit

• School Groups

• Using a GPS Unit

Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon
Big Sioux features a GPS Adventure Trail, where trail users use a Global Positioning System unit to find designated coordinate locations. Coordinates are changed periodically and can be found on Big Sioux's webpage or by contacting the park office.

Indian Creek Recreation Area near Mobridge
Indian Creek offers a challenging take on a traditional recreation trail. Three land navigation courses - Plainview, Prairie, and Woodland courses - lead visitors to several stations located throughout the park using a compass or GPS unit. Visit Indian Creek's webpage for more information, or contact the park.

SD State Park Programs
Many South Dakota state parks conduct GPS classes or hikes as part of their special events held throughout the year. Check the online calendar or contact your local park to see if a class is scheduled.

Geocaching in SD State Parks
Geocache sites are found all over the United States, and several listed below are located in SD state parks. Or, you can start your own geocache. Learn more about geocaching.

The Outdoor Campus, Sioux Falls
The Outdoor Campus offers three permanent caches, including Whooo Lives in a Woodland (GCY6A6), Hi Ho Silver, (GCWPXT), and Park Tour #2 (GCPTD7).  These geocaches take visitors through a prairie and riparian woodland.  Learn more.  The Outdoor Campus has a set of 10 Garmin etrex GPS units available for checkout by schools. Contact The Outdoor Campus by email at TOC@state.sd.us or call (605) 362-2777 for more information.

Just About Anywhere
Once you know how to work your GPS unit, you can create your own GPS activities just about anywhere. Check the Using a GPS Unit section below for some ideas of activities you can try with your friends and family.

New: GPS units are commonly sold anyplace you can buy sporting goods, hunting or fishing equipment. Check your local sporting goods store.

Used:
 - Check second-hand stores near you.
 - Sometimes a GPS comes up in the newspaper classifieds.
 - If online buying is your thing, for sure check out internet auction sites
   or the "for sale" section on a geocaching forum
   (like http://forums.groundspeak.com).
 - Many of us have friends who have GPS units they do not use.
   Ask around and you might find a friend who would sell you a unit they
   don’t use because they don’t understand it.
 

Borrow a GPS Unit

As in the above, check with friends. There is a good chance someone has a GPS they don’t understand or use. They might let you borrow it in exchange for future "lessons."

Many schools in South Dakota now have sets of GPS units. These are for student use and generally not available for use outside of school. However, you might find a group of students in your local school who have experience with GPS and would be willing to work with you on a GPS project.

Several organizations in South Dakota have GPS units they make available for groups to check out for projects, FREE!

• The South Dakota State Parks has distributed GPS units to education outreach staff in most state parks.

• The Outdoor Campus has a set of 10 Garmin etrex GPS units available for checkout by schools. Contact The Outdoor Campus by email at TOC@state.sd.us or call (605) 362-2777 for more information.

• The South Dakota Department of Education, Technology and Assessment has information on GPS and tells how teachers and groups can borrow sets of 12 GPS units from the State of South Dakota for several weeks. Contact them at (605) 773-3134.

• The South Dakota Education Public Access Resource Center (EdPARC) has two sets of 10 GPS units. EdPARC will check out and ship GPS units to you for specific dates. Contact the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Office of Remote Sensing or call them at (605) 688-4184.

In addition to these, a number of private and public institutions and programs across the state have sets of GPS units for use by participants in their programs.

More and more schools in South Dakota now have GPS units. However, if your school doesn't have GPS units yet, below are some options for your class.

• The South Dakota State Parks have distributed GPS units to education outreach staff in most state parks.

• The Outdoor Campus has a set of 10 Garmin etrex GPS units available for checkout by schools. Contact The Outdoor Campus by email at TOC@state.sd.us or call (605) 362-2777 for more information.

• The South Dakota Department of Education, Technology and Assessment has information on GPS and tells how teachers and groups can borrow sets of 12 GPS units from the State of South Dakota for several weeks. Or contact them at (605) 773-3134.

And, not only is using a GPS interesting and fun for a class, it can meet educational standards in several subjects. See the Using a GPS Unit section below to get started.
 

To help you get started on your GPS adventure, we've provided some basic information below. Click on the links below to download this printable information.

PDF files. Require Adobe Acrobat Reader. (Information is based mainly on a Garmin etrex, the model series used in many schools and the one available for checkout through the SD state parks. Information on the Magellan GPS unit series is also included. Most GPS units will be very similar.)

• Where Can You Get a GPS Unit?  (Also above)  (2 pages, 65KB)

• Quick Introduction to Two Popular GPS Units  (4 pages, 239KB)

• History, Hints and How-to  (6 pages, 81KB)

• Downloading GPS Coordinates  (3 pages, 61KB)

• GPS Glossary   (4 pages, 88KB)

• GPS Activities   (7 pages, 117KB)

• Guide to GPS Websites  (4 pages, 86KB)

• Educational Standards for Teaching with a GPS   (19 pages, 133KB)