Recreation Area

Lake Poinsett Recreation Area

Brookings County, South DakotaAbout 196 acres
Status
Status not posted
Entrance fee
$10 per dayAnnual pass available
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Not stated — check with park
Camping
112 campsitesAlso cabins
Official site
gfp.sd.gov(605) 983-5085

Official page last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we keep this current

Overview

In Brookings County, about 22 miles northwest of Brookings, Lake Poinsett Recreation Area covers about 196 acres.

The park supports cross-country skiing, golf, horseback riding, winter sports, and disc golf. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are 112 campsites (RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, and showers). If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.

Hours

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

FacilityDaysHoursSeason
ParkYear-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

ItemAmount
Daily (resident)$10 · day
$15 for nonresidents (nonresident)$15
Annual (resident)$40 · year
$60 for nonresidents (nonresident)$60
Campsites - electrical$30 · night
Camping cabins$60 · night
Official wording

Daily: $10 for residents $15 for nonresidents Annual: $40 for residents $60 for nonresidents Campsites - electrical: $30 per night Camping cabins: $60 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

Check availability and book

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

Camping

Campground or site typeSitesHookups / featuresPrice
Campsites
2 campgrounds with 112 campsites and 4 camping cabins
112ElectricShowers—
Camping details from the park

2 campgrounds with 112 campsites and 4 camping cabins

From the official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Things to do

BikingHikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingWinter sportsCross-country skiingGolfDisc golfFishingGeocachingHorseback ridingHistoric sites and toursPicnickingSwimmingCamping

Trails

Biking (on trails), Hiking, Hiking Trail(s), TRACK Trail(s)

Swimming

Swimming, Swim Beach(es)

Boating and paddling

Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boat Ramp(s)

Fishing

Fishing, Fishing Pole Checkout, Fish Cleaning Station(s), Shore Fishing Access

A state fishing license is usually required.

Amenities

Facilities

  • Restrooms
  • Flush toilets
  • Vault or pit toilets
  • Showers
  • Drinking water
  • Picnic areas
  • Picnic shelters
  • Playground
  • Visitor center
  • Nature center or museum

Water

  • Swimming beach
  • Boat ramp
  • Fish cleaning station

Camping

  • RV dump station
  • Tent camping
  • RV camping
  • Electric hookups

Lodging

  • Cabins

Recreation

  • Golf course
  • Disc golf

✓ 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

  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Campsite(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Picnic Tables
  • Playground(s)
  • Showers
  • Visitor Center(s)

Official accessibility information

Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.

Getting there

Address
45617 S.Poinsett Dr.
Arlington, SD 57212
Nearest town
Brookings — about 22 mi northwest (straight line)
Coordinates
44.5342, -97.0840
Phone
(605) 983-5085
Email
LakePoinsett@state.sd.us

Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)

Directions from the park

14 miles northeast of Arlington off US Hwy 81

Nearby state parks

Oakwood Lakes State Park
7.7 mi southeast (straight line)
Lake Thompson Recreation Area
22.6 mi southwest (straight line)
Pelican Lake Recreation Area
22.8 mi north (straight line)
Sandy Shore Recreation Area
26 mi north (straight line)
Lake Cochrane Recreation Area
32.2 mi northeast (straight line)
Lake Herman State Park
37.6 mi south (straight line)
Lake Carthage Lakeside Use Area
39.7 mi southwest (straight line)
Walker's Point Recreation Area
40 mi south (straight line)

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