Falls Park

4.5 (174 reviews)

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Falls Park - Falls in July - Parks Near Me - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Falls Park - Parks Near Me - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Falls Park - Observation Tower and Gift Shop - Parks Near Me - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Dale S.

As many many, many, many, many, many many other reviewers here have commented, the smell is horrendous. When we pulled into the parking lot for the falls, my husband was certain that our dog had had an accident in the car but I knew that couldn't be.We searched for what the smell could be and then I opened my door to get out and see if it was something outside. The smell punched me in the face like Mike Tyson. We tried to get our bearings and understand what was going on. Everyone else was walking around like nothing was happening. My husband googled it and we read that due to the proximity of the Falls to the wastewater treatment and pork slaughtering plants, there is always a terrible odor here. We decided to try to walk to the falls since we were already there, but we honestly barely made it. Near The Falls there were children playing and running and people walking and chatting like nothing was going on. I had my shirt up over my nose and mouth and at one point started to throw up. I only noticed two or three other people who were holding their noses and having difficulty with the smell. My husband did go up in the tower at the visitor center quickly and I remained outside because they do not allow pets. He said the smell was much improved from up at the top but you still get whiffs of it. We couldn't stay in the park for more than 5 or 10 minutes. It's really a shame because this park has a lot of potential. I don't think we are particularly sensitive to smells, but sewage mixed with death should be a difficult one for most people. The fact that these large families were picnicking and frolicking as if nothing was happening makes me wonder what their homes smell like or how they could possibly get used to or carry on with this stench. This was a terrible experience for us overall and we would never return and never recommend a stop here to anyone.

Wen C.

This is a great part of nature right in the city! It's awesome that the city made the falls accessible to all, including a viewing tower with elevator access. There are parking lots with free parking on both sides of the falls. There are many viewpoints for photo ops and even a small bridge so you can grab the ultimate shot. The park also has historical displays/signs about the history of the area, although I couldn't read some of them because I have a sensitive nose and the water was a bit stinky. The other people in the park seemed unaffected though! There's a small gift shop on the grounds if you want to buy some swag before you leave.

Holly W.

Get up close and personal with the Falls! I didn't quite realize that you can hop on rocks to get a closer view and I guess even if you wanted to touch the water. I can share my daughter was disgusted by the smell of the water on a hot summers day. There was no touching! Overall it's pretty cool to see how the earth has settled and this is where the falls are at this time. There are plenty of vantage points. We went twice and had two different points to see. Day 1 the kids and I were at the bottom of the falls where we climbed out on the rocks to get closer. I held my 3 year olds hand and kept reminding him to go slow and we were more than fine. The next morning we took the guys to show them and we stuck to a side view with an observation deck. I would say if in Sioux Falls, why not?!

Paul V.

I only stopped by Falls Park for a bit while passing through Sioux Falls (why not hit up the namesake!), but it was an area I'd surely spend some time at if I lived nearby. The falls had enough water flowing to get a good feel for the water movement and to be able to see the various levels of the falls, which is really cool for an environment inside a city. Normally you think about having to drive somewhere and possibly hike to find a cool feature like this. The park contains not only the falls, but also a cafe, an overlook tower, signage around the history of the area, and some old buildings/ruins from a mill that ran on the site in the late 1800s which was interesting to read about.

Tom G.

The falls are nice but there isn't a lot to see. We did it in an hour and then checked out the town.

Al P.

Amazing place to visit, the falls are spectacular and the park is clean. Highly recommend

Marc M.

Would loved to have spent more time to read the history on all of the interpretive signs. Do yourself a favor and block out more time than just 30 min to visit. I'm sure these are spectacular in the spring!

James F.

Worth a visit. The falls and the river that runs from it are a pretty sight. Pretty walk, and a few old ruins around for the history buffs. Deducting a star for two reasons: the view/skyline have just been polluted by office buildings all around it (pretty disappointing), and strange homeless people wander the whole grounds. One was staring at my girlfriend, frozen in place like zombie making everyone uncomfortable. Another was butt-naked in the men's room digging around in the toilet. Doesn't feel very safe around there if you're alone. Maybe I should've deducted more but I'm trying to be fair. The water also has a strong, foul odor which seems to come and go. Also wishing the cafe that overlooks the falls had more reasonable hours.

Marc E.

We stopped here while staying in Sioux Falls SD. We were happy to see the falls were flowing and there was plenty of water. The last time we visited there was a trickle of water. It is a very nice park. Lots of room for walking and viewing the falls. Would be a nice place for a picnic. I would highly recommend stopping by if your in the area.

Nancy E.

While traveling thru Sioux Falls SD we stopped at this lovely park. We've been here once in the past but then there wasn't much water flowing. Today it was lovely outside and quite a bit of water flowing. It's a very well kept park. Nice for hikes, picnics, and just watching the water. We had a nice time.

Charles L.

Fun open space. Can walk around the grassy area or navigate the ricks. Great photo ops. Nicely maintained space with lots of parking

Mark E.

A nice free attraction that's worth the visit. Plenty of parking once you arrive. When we first got there, we went up a large overlook tower, which was awesome. There is an elevator, but we choose the stairs. Probably 8-10 flights, so not bad. You can walk around the whole upper deck on the tower. The best sights are out at the falls. After the tower, head down to the falls. There are probably 3-4 good carved out spots for pictures. Walking paths go around the whole park and you can probably spend a good hour here.

The beautiful Sioux Quartzite carved out by the mighty, Big Sioux River.

Timothy R.

I remember coming here when I was a kid visiting my Mom's hometown. And I recently visited the park again. Being from Oregon, I'm used to seeing some cool waterfalls, but I never get tired of them. The pink hues of the Sioux Quartzite were a wonderful contrast to the muddy water of the Big Sioux River when I was there. Those beautiful rock structures are so different from what I'm used to. Water has been, and always will be, a source of peace for me. And this park really highlights how rock and water are harmonious parts of this great earth. My cousin and I walked all around the park--down on the rocks near the waters edge to hear the roar of the falls, past the old mill, over the bridge, and finally up in the tower to see the panorama of it all. And it's free. If you're in Sioux Falls, you won't want to miss it.

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Erin F.

Elite 19

230

226

8 years ago

We visited recently and the littering is ridiculous! Our last trip there was 12 years ago and we did not see a bit of trash, but last month wow, garbage everywhere (even saw a tire floating in the water). Such a shame as it is a pretty waterfall, it's too bad there is such a problem with litter. read more

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Homer J. S.

7 years ago

Amazing place glad we made a pit stop by passing through from a road trip. Great place to stretch our legs with amazing views of nature.

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Christine B.

9 years ago

My family and I love visiting this park. This park is ever changing throughout the seasons and has beautiful light shows on the falls in the evenings. You must pay attention to your children here as there isn't much to stop them from tumbling into the raging falls. If you stop in Sioux Falls, make sure to take in this unique view. read more

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Mike H.

Elite 26 All-Star

117

895

3577

14 years ago

This was a great stop on a 4,200 mile road trip(over a 10 day period) with 2 kids. I almost give it 5 stars just because I needed to get out of the car and let the kids run free and this was a great place for it. Beautiful small waterfalls with rocks that the kids can climb on. Great picture oppurtunitues, plenty of parking and best of all it's free. read more

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Jean K.

7 years ago

Beautiful area - we've been there many times during warm weather, but never during Christmas. Wow - incredible lights and sights. Even though it was super cold, it was amazing viewing the lit up falls along the walking paths and from the viewing tower. We didn't purchase anything in the gift shop but it looked very reasonable. The woman working was very helpful in directing us to local Sioux Falls restaurants and made sure we had a free Welcome to Sioux Falls guide (which was great for finding shopping, antiques, food etc.). read more

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Arwyn V.

8 years ago

Beautiful park with spectacular views! Great place to go and just walk around or sit and relax. Had the pleasure to enjoy a F-16 fly over due to a final flight ceremony going on at the local base which made the experience there at the park even better! read more

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Samantha K.

609

1225

12 years ago

We enjoyed walking around and seeing the nice falls. We also took the elevator ride to see the falls from the tower. We parked in the lot nearby. read more

Falls Park - Pretty Flowers Falls Parks - Parks Near Me - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Michael M.

12 years ago

This is a gorgeous natural waterfall. The pink (quartz?) Rocks left behind from the current are beautiful. It was well worth the stop even though we walked through it in a rainstorm. read more

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Danielle M.

10 years ago

The falls are beautiful and the park itself is very well maintained. It's a great place to picnic with good photo ops all over. read more

Falls Park - Sioux Falls - Parks Near Me - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Joanna W.

8 years ago

I wish they'd clean up the edges of the river a little more. We parked at the parking lot up at the very top of the park. There's a short sidewalk to a lookout before the actual Falls. While walking to the railing, the stench was overpowering. As I got to the rail and looked over into the river, there were piles and piles of dead fish and it looked as though they'd been there for quite some time. The water is very brown. Thank God for Photoshop because it really did not make for a pretty picture. It's a neat Park and seems like a fun place to hang out. read more

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Amy C.

8 years ago

Love this park! Such great walking trails, and the Falls are beautiful. The only downside is the stinky smell I whiffed that wafted in from some nearby factory. Gross! But that's not the park's fault. ;) https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-carnrick-44662a142/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100016962030360&ref=bookmarks read more

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Tim W.

218

12 years ago

An absolute must see if you are in Sioux Falls. As you enter it doesn't lookin like there is much to it. Keep going to the end of the road. I almost turned around before I got there. The falls are lovely running over The red rocks. read more

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Sarah H.

10 years ago

Great area with unique geology. Nice paths for walking the dog for the afternoon. Quartzite formations were very beautiful and well worth a look. read more

Falls Park - The falls at Falls Park. - Parks Near Me - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Falls Park - The Big Sioux - Parks Near Me - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Falls Park - Sioux Falls Quartzite or Jasper - Parks Near Me - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Falls Park - Remnants at Falls Park. - Parks Near Me - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Sean P.

232

10 years ago

This park is one not to be missed. The observation tower is an awesome spot to see the falls. Pick up a guide from the visitor center, has great information about different parts of the park. Lots of places to walk, take a quick walk across the bridge to the Falls Overlook Café for another view of the falls. There's a 26-mile bike trail that begins here and loops around the city. The sculptures around the park are great to look at as well. If you're ever in Sioux Falls, even driving through take a quick stop here to see this beautiful park. read more

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Bradley C.

8 years ago

Cleanse your soul in the swelling mists that fall off of the rocks. This site is a must see downtown; it's a short walk, and it's the town's namesake. Around Christmas, all the trees get dressed up in lights, so you can drive your hoopdy down the meandering path marveling at the winter lights! :0 read more

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Adam S.

Elite 18

102

9 years ago

The only reason I'm knocking a star off of this is because of how dirty the river and water is. It's disgusting and smells terrible. That being said... the views and ability to climb around and enjoy it more than make up for it. Was a great area to explore, have a picnic, and distract toddlers for an hour. read more

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Dan J.

6 years ago

It's our namesake park! Watch out for the slippery rocks. The ambiance is fantastic and worth being a regular visit, doesn't matter if you're just passing through or if you call SF your forever home. Gotta see the falls. read more

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Shirley B.

6 years ago

Great place to visit. Who doesn't like the roar and power of a water fall? Sidewalks available on both sides of the falls with a bridge and even an observation tower. read more

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Crazy G.

8 years ago

Absaultly breath taking and love to close my eyes and be anywhere I want the relaxing sounds amazing! :)

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Sara S.

8 years ago

Gorgeous absolutely stunning area. Couldn't believe my eyes how Mother Nature could make something so grand and beautiful. Took pictures and was absolutely amazed by it all. Both young and old and whatever you're functional situations are you will not be disappointed. read more

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Steve S.

Elite 24

275

266

9 years ago

This was a wonderful find. Spent about an hour there. Lots of picture opportunities. Ladies in visitor center very helpful. There is a free tower you can go up and n and get a great view. read more

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Clifford S.

152

7 years ago

Walked from downtown up the train to the falls. Easy walk and beautiful. A few different lookouts for different views available. Some historical landmarks there. It was really nice. Only downside is that I wish the water was cleaner. read more

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Adam F.

256

9 years ago

Real nice area for a walk, siesta, picnic or a picture. Been to Sioux Falls many times and never took the time to enjoy this area, glad I did. Would visit again. read more

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Kristi C.

Elite 19

485

16 years ago

I don't consider myself a world traveler (yet), but this is so far one of my favorite places on earth. If photography is your hobby, it's a great place to take some beautiful photos. The photos however, don't do the falls justice. This is a "must see" if you're in the area, and better yet...it's free! read more

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Chris C.

15 years ago

This park is completely awesome. I felt like rainbows and unicorns were going to show up. I had no idea what to expect from this park but it blew me away. Why aren't more parks this awesome. Free parking too. read more

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Mila G.

Elite 15

252

492

10 years ago

What a great park! The city clearly cares about it's namesake, it's clean and well taken care of. Lots of places to sit with a picnic or wander around. We were surprised the falls didn't have railings, it's like they trust you to be responsible for yourself. Beautiful location and a great view of the city. read more

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Evan V.

7 years ago

dope bruh. str8 dope nature for sure brah. shrrreeeeed iiit. the falls all wooshy wooshy and what not dawg totally radical. read more

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Michael P.

13 years ago

There's not a lot of unique parks in SF. It's not that there are bad parks; in fact, SF has a variety of amazing parks for kids and adults alike (McKennan and Terrace Park come to mind). However, Falls Park is definitely worth the drive because of the wonderful red quartz rock and the general ambiance. When you visit, make sure you keep your little ones close because there are not significant safety guards preventing the young-in's from jumping into the water. In addition, make sure you visit the observation tower, as it is one of the higher points in that part of town. read more

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Amber H.

7 years ago

The park has a lot of walking trails and picture opportunities. Be careful around the water there have been several water rescues and deaths. read more

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Liz O.

17 years ago

Falls Park is just wonderful now that they've upgraded it. They have lovely paths everywhere, historical signs describing the area, and lots of rock walking. In the summer you can rent bikes, tandem bikes and other riding equipment from a company there. The tower is cool. The restaurant is a little high priced but has good food. The best part of Falls Park, aside from the water, is the Horse Barn Gallery. This is my favorite art gallery in SF. It is small but always has wonderful exhibits. Plus it's free! Visit Falls Park for all of its wonders except the light show. Skip the super corny lame light show at night during the summer. read more

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Tiffany M.

Elite 17

240

144

773

12 years ago

A must to visit when in town and it's free to enjoy the serenity, including opportunities for selfies or ussies. I'm glad we made the trip, even if it was brisk out last week. read more

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Andrew G.

9 years ago

When ever some one from out of town or out of state ask me about Sioux Falls. They ask where do I go what should i visit. The very first thing I say is Falls Park. Its what the city was named after. its free and clean. From any of the four season its awesome to visit. I great place to read a book or take a nice walk. Great views lots to look at awesome place to relax. If your ever in Sioux Falls dont forget to stop by Falls Park you wont regret it. read more

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Peg G.

Elite 21

392

138

12 years ago

Free, pretty, historic, safe. Definitely worth a visit. I wish cincinnati's riverfront was half as accessible, family friendly and scenic as this. Sioux Falls has done a great job of showcasing its namesake falls with lovely parks, trails, picnic areas, and viewing platforms. Really something to be proud of. read more

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Julian R.

10 years ago

Definitely worth a visit. I was also able to take a picture of a couple's marriage proposal. If anyone knows of a couple that got engaged early tonight please share this with them! read more

Falls Park - If anyone knows of a couple that got engaged at Falls Park in Sioux Falls early tonight please share this with them! - Parks Near Me - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Jeff D.

Elite 19

121

595

12 years ago

Looking for a photo op? Here is your chance. We stopped in to stretch our legs and see waterfalls. The falls are not as exotic as Hawaii but they will have to do when in the Midwest. I don't know if it was the steel mill or possibly a paper mill nearby but the smell was pretty strong. The park had a nice observation tower to get a great view and a gift shop at the bottom. The pedestrian bridge was nice too. It was a beautiful park to visit. read more

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Abigail P.

13 years ago

We have gone to the falls 4 times in the past 3 weeks since moving here. We have been in cold/rain and sunshine. Overall this park is a really nice place to come for a walk, picnic and to show off to our guests. I love the arrangement of the walkways with the natural stone - very well engineered to preserve the natural feel. We have also enjoyed the observation tower and bookstore - not unreasonable prices in there either. Haven't tried the cafe yet but will be sure to stop by for a coffee sometime. read more

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Kjirstyn W.

9 years ago

Worried about going to see the Falls park in winter, but it was absolutely stunning! So glad that we learned about this place online, wouldn't have known it was there otherwise! Very clean, gorgeous scenery. Recommend to everyone to climb the tower and see the view from the top! Friendly staff at the guest shop. read more

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Mike D.

Elite 16

155

336

121

12 years ago

Beautiful park. Not many cities can say they have something like this. Great to walk around, great viewing tower (It has an elevator if you're a sissy), and its own restaurant! It has some nice plaques representing the history if the park and waterfalls. Very nice for picture opportunities, although the water was a dark, muddy, brown when we went. It also smelled like dirty river water. A great place to stop though if you're passing through Sioux Falls. read more

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Chad A.

10 years ago

If your traveling near Sioux Falls, this is definitely worth checking out. Even on a Sunday afternoon, you should be able to find parking as most people come and go. You can come to take pictures or just stay and take in the relaxing waterfalls. Park was clean and inviting as well. read more

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Brianna S.

9 years ago

Beautiful park! Summer, fall, winter,spring, doesnt matter when you go you're sure to love it!

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Page 4 of 5

900 N Phillips Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Directions
(605) 367-7430
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.siouxfallsparks.org

Hours

What time does Falls Park open?

What time does Falls Park close?

Indoor Amenities

Does Falls Park allow dogs?

Yes, Falls Park allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Falls Park have bike parking?

Yes, Falls Park has bike parking.

Does Falls Park have parking?

Yes, Falls Park has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Ask the Community - Falls Park

Are the falls lit up after dark and is the observation tower open until midnight too?

The falls are lit up after dark and look amazing!!! They use multi colored lights. And it looks like the lights are behind the falls.

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Review Highlights - Falls Park

“The location is practically centralized in the city and a short drive from the Sioux Falls regional airport.”

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Explore benefits

Sertoma Park

4.7(7 reviews)

4.1 mi

They've different fun things to different ages of kids, and very nice rest area, my baby boy had…read morelots fun !

I absolutely love love love this park. When you have multiple children of different ages it's a…read morechallenge entertaining all of them. Here, you have many choices and by agree range.

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Another kids play area

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4th & 5th kids play areas

Terrace Park Japanese Gardens

3.7(7 reviews)

1.0 mi

I cannot for the life of me understand why they are calling this a Japanese garden. This is a small…read morestretch of grass and paving stones near some water. If this city wanted to call it a park, that would be passable, but it's actually insulting and frustrating that they are calling this a Japanese garden. I was able to find what I think is a Japanese maple and they had a bridge that looks like they tried to style it in a Japanese style over an empty bed of rocks that was possibly intended as a koi pond once upon a time, but as it stands, there is nothing Japanese about this location. It's really confusing. For anyone who's not clear, putting a stone lantern from Pier One next to a walkway does not make it a Japanese garden. To add insult to injury, they had the sprinklers going full blast at noon with only one pathway in and out. We got soaked, as did many other people who seemed like locals that were just trying to walk on their lunch break. I was hoping to stop here and feel a little more Zen but I left wet and annoyed.

Beautiful! You would never know you're in a big city. It was peaceful and a great spot to have a…read morepicnic and a walk.

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McKennan Park

4.7(3 reviews)

1.8 mi

This is a beautiful park nestled in a nice neighborhood of homes…read more The park has tons of walking space and is ideal for pets. It also has beautiful, well kept tennis courts and a basketball half-court which is also always clean. One of the highlights of my trips to Sioux Falls includes walking through McKennan park with my dog and playing tennis. The courts are impeccably clean and are never fully occupied. The basketball half-court is also nice, but if someone's using the court, waiting for your turn can be a frequent issue. On a beautiful day, spending time in McKennan park can't be beat.

Great park! Lots of space, covered picnic area, bathrooms, tennis courts, splash pad for kids…read more Covered picnic area is available to rent to guarantee space for parties/events.

Elmen Park Trailhead

5.0(1 review)

2.5 mi

This is an access point to the Sioux Falls Greenway and bike trail system. Here you can park your…read morecar and gain access to the loop. There is also bathrooms and covered picnic shelter. The trail is paved so you can ride bike, rollerblade or walk/run on the trail. This is on the Big Sioux River so the trail is scenic providing views of the river, grassland and trees as you enjoy the trail. You can follow the trail around the entire city including loops that go through downtown. Whether you walk a section or take the entire trail, I highly recommend checking this out!

Outdoor Campus Game Fish & Parks

5.0(2 reviews)

4.1 mi

The name of this facility is the Outdoor Campus and it's a joint project of the South Dakota Dept…read moreof Game Fish and Parks and the City of Sioux Falls Parks and Rec Dept. Not only can you get your hunting and fishing licenses here, but you can also learn more about hunting and fishing as well as animals, survival, and more. They have free classes, try it events, walking trails, an aquarium, geo-caching, and more. There's a fantastic playroom for the kids where they can learn while they're playing. After exploring the museum on our own we headed over to a table where Thea (she works there) met us and we made Sunshine in the Clouds. This is usually an activity she does with the kids, but I'm a big kid so it went over really well. We took peaches (sunshine), cool whip (the clouds) and cinnamon graham crackers. We added all the ingredients into a bag and crushed them. It was good, messy, fun! Then you just cut a whole in the bag and squeeze it into your mouth. It tasted like peach pie Outside they have a beautiful walking path. We visited in fall so a lot of the plants were withering. I bet it's gorgeous in the spring and summer! It was gorgeous and I really enjoyed walking around in the beautiful weather. There is so much to see and do here that a family could easily spend all day here. The best part is that it's free!

Free nature escape. The offerings of this facility are impression, and would be especially…read morewonderful if you have young kids (they do free archery training and stuff). Must see in Sioux Falls

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Good Earth State Park

5.0(1 review)

8.5 mi

Nice clean visitor center. Over 6 miles of scenic trails. Classrooms are available for rent. Neat…read morehistory of the Poncas.

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Beginning if trails

Beginning of trails

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Sherman Park

4.0(2 reviews)

2.4 mi

Nice park with plenty to do. The USS South Dakota is a good place to start with kids to check out…read morethe memorial. There are several fields for softball and baseball. Thats good and bad. If you come here just to play in the park it can be difficult to find a place to park!. Its a short walk to the Great Plains Zoo.

Righteous park. Upper section has spread-out meadow with playground equipment and tons of room for…read morepicnicking. Killer view of northern Sioux Falls from ridge/overlook. Native burial mounds dot the upper ridge section, making it clear that humankind has long enjoyed this spot. Lower section spills down toward the zoo, with more picnic spots. In between the two, the adventuresome kid will find some trails along a steep ridge.

Great Bear Ski Valley

3.7(9 reviews)

3.2 mi

When we have been in the past, lines have been short, and very beautiful view especially at sunset…read more But I would not recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time even at a discount, if you live out of town. Their hours are too inconsistent. Two days ago it said tubing open that day and the previous day (both weekdays, and no times listed) - weekend hours TBD, last chance to go tubing. Tonight (Friday) at 9:15 p.m. it said their last day was 2/13 4-9 p.m. and then closed for the season 2/14 (which would be the weekend). Similar inconsistencies with hours when trying to go previous seasons. Last weekend varies drastically. Weekend hours just not consistent enough for out-of-town people to plan around, even throughout the season.

Most people think of Great Bear for only skiing, but they are open in the summer too. They have a…read morenetwork of hiking trails. Some go right to the top of the ski hills which give great views of the city. You can see downtown. We live hiking here on the groomed trails. There are tons of trees so you can enjoy some shade as you hike. Try this place in the summer and you won't be sorry!

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Learn more about our ski & snowboard lessons!

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Spencer Park - Offleash Dog Park

4.2(10 reviews)

3.2 mi

7/15/24 - Currently still closed due to the flooding we had! See photos for other options (not sure…read moreof their availability right now though, with the exception of Kirby, downtown). I love this large dog park. One section for small dogs, one for large. Picnic benches a few shade trees and covered benches on large dog side... not so sure about the small side. Water fountains (spring, summer and fall) and dog poop bags provided. The large dog area is perfect for fetchers and you'll often find 'donated' balls on the ground. I've never had any problems with unruly dogs but I do often see people bringing littles into the big dog area. If your dog is reactive our hyper with other dogs there is a nice paved trail (ADA compliant for everyone) or a twisty curvy (up and down as well) dirt trail right along the river ... not it is heavily shaded and not ADA) to walk them on before coming in to off leash area.

Beautiful park. Lots of dominant dogs while we were there with owners who had no social skills or…read morecommon curtesy.

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Map of Sioux Falls and approximate areas of the other dog parks.

Getting acquainted

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4 off leash dog parks... Open dusk to dawn.

Big Sioux Recreation Area

3.2(6 reviews)

6.2 mi

Absolutely beautiful camp sites! Lots of trees, fairly level sites, beautiful river with paved…read morewalking trails and pit toilets. Attendants were very pleasant. About 20 minutes from downtown! The only warning I have... there's a racetrack nearby and we happen to be therein race night - very loud till 10:0-ish... after that... very quiet!

Stunning Park, Deeply Disappointing Experience and Park Practices:…read more A park this beautiful shouldn't leave visitors feeling deceived and angry -- but after my first visit, I'll never invest another penny to return. The grounds are pristine, the scenery breathtaking, and it's the kind of place you'd gladly support -- I would have happily donated to help preserve it. But being blindsided with a $128 citation for parking in the visitor's lot, at the ranger station, before even reaching the park itself, left a lasting mark that no view could erase. We were short on time, but since it was her favorite birthday tradition -- and her two friends (myself included) had never seen the park she loved so much -- my friend offered to give us a quick drive-through using her season pass. We parked just outside the small brown ranger station at the main entrance -- before entering the park itself -- and hopped into her vehicle, which had the pass. We stayed only long enough to share a small cupcake and take in her favorite view. When I returned to my car minutes later, I found a $128.xx citation on my windshield. I was stunned! My car had never entered the park -- it sat at the ranger station where visitors commonly stop for information. When we explained the misunderstanding, the ranger repeated a script he seemed to know too well: "You don't have to pay the citation if you buy a season pass." When it was clear that wasn't an option, he moved to, "We also have a monthly pass," and finally landed on "daily." Why not start there? It felt rehearsed -- as if this situation happens often, relying on loosely interpreted rules to justify charges. We had deliberately parked outside to ensure we were abiding by the park's rules -- a choice made out of respect, not avoidance. Ironically, we could have driven through without a care and paid the same or less. It made me wonder if this is how the park maintains such immaculate grounds -- by penalizing good-intentioned visitors for honest mistakes, time and time again, until the script is second nature. For those unaware: the moment your tires touch the gravel -- even before reaching any usable part of the park -- it's considered "entry." There was no signage clarifying this, no grace for an honest misunderstanding, and no willingness to resolve it fairly. What could have been a memory of shared beauty became a lasting disappointment. Instead of creating lifelong visitors, this experience ensured that none of us will return. It breaks my heart that a place so beautiful left such an ugly impression.

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Camp site 33e

Playground

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Shelter

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Ashley A.

Elite 23

141

2128

3 years ago

I recently visited Falls Park in Sioux Falls and I was absolutely blown away by the beauty and serenity of the place. The park is well-maintained, clean, and offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The main attraction, of course, is the stunning waterfalls. The powerful rush of water cascading over the rocks is a sight to behold, and the sound of the falls is incredibly soothing. There are several viewing platforms that allow you to get up close and personal with the falls, and I spent quite a bit of time just taking in the view and snapping photos. Aside from the falls, there are plenty of walking and biking trails throughout the park, making it a great place for some outdoor exercise. I also enjoyed exploring the historic ruins of the old Queen Bee Mill, which adds a touch of history to the park. The park also features a visitor center, where you can learn more about the history of the area and pick up a souvenir or two. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and they were more than happy to answer any questions I had. If you're visiting Sioux Falls, I highly recommend taking some time to explore Falls Park. It's a beautiful, peaceful place that's perfect for a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or just sitting and enjoying the view of the falls. It's become a regular destination for me and my husband to enjoy nature and each other. read more

Greg S.

12 years ago

Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Loved it. Relaxing place to spend a few hours and the view from the tower is great. As an added bonus, we came during the Festival of Cultures which meant parking a little further away, but the fanfare was fun. Definitely check it out. read more

Chelsea B.

147

8 years ago

Beautiful great way to spend the afternoon walking the park and letting the kids climb the rocks. Just be cautious of getting too close to the edges. Wish they would work on cleaning up the litter in the water better. read more