Lake Carthage Lakeside Use Area
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- See fee details
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- 16 campsites
- Official site
- gfp.sd.gov(605) 256-5003
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Lake Carthage Lakeside Use Area is a park unit in Miner County, about 28 miles southeast of Huron.
Popular activities here are stargazing, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, and boating. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier. Camping is available: 16 campsites, including RV sites with electric hookups.
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, water hydrants 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, water hydrants may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Campsites - electrical | $23 · night |
| Campsites - non-electrical | $16 · night |
Official wording
Campsites - electrical: $23 per night 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 16 campsites, Tent Area | 16 | Electric | — |
Camping details from the park
16 campsites, Tent Area
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 kayakingFishingHuntingPicnickingWinter sportsStargazingSwimmingCamping
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
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Fishing pier
Camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
✓ 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
- Fishing Pier(s)
- 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
- Nearest town
- Huron — about 28 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 44.1729, -97.7080
- Phone
- (605) 256-5003
- LakeHerman@state.sd.us
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Directions from the park
8 miles west of SD Hwy 25 on 222nd St then North on 425Th Ave.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- South Dakota State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Aug 24, 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