Nature Area

Big Stone Island Nature Area

Roberts County, South DakotaAbout 105 acres
Status
Status not posted
Entrance fee
Statewide rule — see below
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Not stated — check with park
Camping
None listed
Official site
gfp.sd.gov(605) 432-6374

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Overview

Big Stone Island Nature Area is a 105-acre natural area in Roberts County, about 4 miles northwest of Ortonville.

Things to do include historic sites, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, wildlife watching, and fishing.

Hours

Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.

FacilityDaysHoursSeason
The park’s wording doesn’t give clock times — see the official wording below.
Official wording

Open year-round. Accessible only by boat/canoe. No maintained trails or facilities.

Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).

Fees and passes

Per vehicle park entrance license (daily or annual), resident/nonresident prices differ; Custer has its own 1-7 day license; Mickelson Trail per person.

Statewide fee rule from South Dakota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.

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

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Things to do

Wildlife viewing and birdingCanoeing and kayakingFishingHikingHistoric sites and toursWinter sports

Trails

Hiking

Boating and paddling

Canoeing, Kayaking

Fishing

Fishing, Shore Fishing Access

A state fishing license is usually required.

Getting there

Nearest town
Ortonville — about 4 mi northwest (straight line)
Coordinates
45.3472, -96.4879
Phone
(605) 432-6374
Email
Hartford@state.sd.us

Entrances

  • GPS Coordinates

Google Maps directionsApple Maps

Directions from the park

4 miles north of Big Stone City on SD Highway 109 to rearing Ponds Access Area

Nearby state parks

Big Stone Lake State Park
3.7 mi northwest (straight line) · Minnesota
Hartford Beach State Park
9.8 mi northwest (straight line)
Sam Brown Memorial State Wayside
24.2 mi northwest (straight line) · Minnesota
Lac qui Parle State Park
36.7 mi southeast (straight line) · Minnesota
Pickerel Lake Recreation Area
38.1 mi west (straight line)
Lake Cochrane Recreation Area
43.7 mi south (straight line)
Sica Hollow State Park
45.6 mi northwest (straight line)
Glacial Lakes State Park
48.2 mi east (straight line) · Minnesota

Sources and freshness

“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

Report a correction for this park