Lake Vermillion 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
- 130 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- gfp.sd.gov(605) 773-5877
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area is a 213-acre recreation area in McCook County, about 21 miles northwest of Tea.
Popular activities here are horseback riding, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and swimming. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: 130 campsites, including 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.
| 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 29, 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 |
| Campsites - electrical | $30 · night |
| Campsites - non-electrical | $16 · 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 Campsites - non-electrical: $16 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
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 4 campgrounds with 130 campsites and 9 camping cabins | 130 | ElectricShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
4 campgrounds with 130 campsites and 9 camping cabins
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingHikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingFishingGeocachingHorseback ridingPicnickingWinter sportsSwimmingCamping
Trails
Biking (on trails), Hiking, Biking Trail(s), Hiking Trail(s)
Swimming
Swimming, Swim Beach(es)
Boating and paddling
Boating, Canoe Rental, Canoeing, Kayak Rental, Kayaking, Paddleboard Rental, Paddleboarding, Boat Ramp(s)
Fishing
Fishing, Fishing Pole Checkout, Fish Cleaning Station(s), Fishing Pier(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
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
- Fishing pier
- Fish cleaning station
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ 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)
- Fish Cleaning Station(s)
- Fishing Pier(s)
- Flush Toilets
- Group Picnic Shelter(s)
- Picnic Tables
- Showers
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 26140 451st Ave
Canistota, SD 57012 - Nearest town
- Tea — about 21 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 43.5948, -97.1852
- Phone
- (605) 773-5877
- LakeVermillion@state.sd.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
5 miles south of I-90, Exit 374
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
- 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