Lake Alvin Recreation Area
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- gfp.sd.gov(605) 987-2263
Official page last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Lake Alvin Recreation Area is a 56-acre recreation area in Lincoln County, about 5 miles east of Harrisburg.
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, wildlife watching, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open. | ||
Official wording
Year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily (resident) | $10 · day |
| $15 for nonresidents (nonresident) | $15 |
| Annual (resident) | $40 · year |
| $60 for nonresidents (nonresident) | $60 |
Official wording
Daily: $10 for residents $15 for nonresidents Annual: $40 for residents $60 for nonresidents
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.
Things to do
Wildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingFishingPicnickingSwimming
Swimming
Swimming, Swim Beach(es)
Boating and paddling
Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boat Ramp(s)
Fishing
Fishing, Fishing Pier(s), Shore Fishing Access
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Fishing pier
✓ 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
- Fishing Access
- Fishing Pier(s)
- Group Picnic Shelter(s)
- Picnic Tables
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 27225 480th Avenue
Harrisburg, SD 57032 - Nearest town
- Harrisburg — about 5 mi east (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 43.4393, -96.6190
- Phone
- (605) 987-2263
- NewtonHills@state.sd.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From Harrisburg, 4 miles east, 1 north off County Road 135
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- South Dakota State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 30, 2026; page says updated Feb 19, 2025
- GFP 'Find a State Park' map JSON
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“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