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    Lake Herman State Park

    5.0 (2 reviews)

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    6 years ago

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    Big Sioux Recreation Area - River

    Big Sioux Recreation Area

    3.2(6 reviews)
    39.9 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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    Big Sioux Recreation Area - Camp site 33e

    Camp site 33e

    Big Sioux Recreation Area - Playground

    Playground

    Big Sioux Recreation Area - Shelter

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    Shelter

    Dakota Nature Park - Rental info

    Dakota Nature Park

    4.3(3 reviews)
    27.5 mi

    Dakota Nature Park is impressive in size as well as its history. Before this was a park, it was a…read morelandfill! I came this past weekend and the weather was just right, light sunshine with a light breeze. I can't speak for how this park is in the winter, but based on some of the billboards around the park, snow shoeing is a possibility! Lots of nice, paved trails throughout the premise. Unique animals can be seen in the water as well as on land. I didn't see any creatures this time around, but I don't doubt that they're there. Many families were on a scavenger hunts, great idea for an activity! I believe that during the summer, boats are available for rent to ride around the lakes. Lots of poop stations available for your pup's doo doo. Overall, I had a great time at this nature park. Ample parking available in the lots at the various entrances.

    New to the Midwest from the northwest & was excited to lean that this place existed. It was damn…read morenear impossible to find any information about the park rules & rentals (other than location) so we figured we just had to go see for ourselves. Parking areas are nicely located with maps for you to see the trails. After getting on the trails we finally saw a sign that said unleashed dogs were not allowed, good to know for next time. Views we're great, paths free of debris & well maintained, lots of people fishing, walking & a few on canoes. This would be the perfect place to go for a walk except the amount of mosquitos is insane... & We Wore TONS of Bug Spray!! It got so bad we decided to go back to the car & walk around town.

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    Dakota Nature Park - Rental info

    Rental info

    Dakota Nature Park - Larson nature center hours (equipment rentals)

    Larson nature center hours (equipment rentals)

    Dakota Nature Park

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    Lake Herman State Park - campgrounds - Updated May 2026

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