Amsden Lakeside Use Area
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- See fee details
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- 12 campsites
- Official site
- gfp.sd.gov(605) 626-3488
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Amsden Lakeside Use Area is a park unit in Day County, about 9 miles southeast of Groton.
Visitors come for stargazing, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and biking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: 12 campsites, including tent sites.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| The park’s wording doesn’t give clock times — see the official wording below. | |||
Official wording
Vault toilets usually remain open all year. No water at the park.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Campsites - non-electrical | $16 · night |
Official wording
Campsites - non-electrical: $16 per night
South Dakota park passes
- Annual park entrance license — $40 resident / $60 nonresident. Vehicle entrance to all state parks and recreation areas Details
- Daily park entrance license — $10 resident / $15 nonresident. Daily vehicle entrance Details
- Custer State Park temporary license — $25 per vehicle / $20 per motorcycle (1-7 days). Custer State Park Details
- George S. Mickelson Trail pass — $5 daily / $20 annual per person Details
From the South Dakota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Go Outdoors South Dakota (Brandt)
- Phone
- 1.800.710.2267
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites 12 campsites | 12 | — |
Camping details from the park
12 campsites
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingFishingPicnickingStargazingSwimmingCamping
Swimming
Swimming, Swim Beach(es)
Boating and paddling
Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boat Ramp(s)
Fishing
Fishing, Shore Fishing Access
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic areas
- Drinking water: not available (stated by the park)
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Boat Ramp Access
- Fishing Access
- Picnic Tables
- Vault Toilets (open year-round)
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- Amsden Lake Lakeside Use Area, 140th St.
Groton, SD 57442 - Nearest town
- Groton — about 9 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 45.3562, -97.9623
- Phone
- (605) 626-3488
- RichmondLake@state.sd.us
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Directions from the park
From Groton go 6 miles East on US-12, then South on 412th Ave for 5 miles. Turn East on 423rd for a mile and finally North on 413th Ave.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- South Dakota State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated May 19, 2026
- GFP 'Find a State Park' map JSON
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology