Pelican Lake 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
- 76 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- gfp.sd.gov(605) 882-5392
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Codington County, about 5 miles southwest of Watertown, Pelican Lake Recreation Area covers about 566 acres.
The park supports cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, winter sports, and archery. The official site lists about 5.5 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals. For overnight stays there are 76 campsites (RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, equestrian camping, 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 |
| Horse campsites | $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 Horse campsites: $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
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 76 campsites, 2 camping cabins, and 7 horse camp sites | 76 | ElectricShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
76 campsites, 2 camping cabins, and 7 horse camp sites
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
ArcheryBikingHikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingWinter sportsCross-country skiingFishingGeocachingHorseback ridingHuntingPicnickingSnowmobilingSwimmingCamping
Trails
Biking (on trails), Hiking, Archery Trail(s), Biking Trail(s), Cross-country Ski Trail(s), Hiking Trail(s), Horse Trail(s), TRACK Trail(s)
Swimming
Swimming, Swim Beach(es)
Boating and paddling
Boating, Canoeing, Kayak Rental, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boat Ramp(s)
Fishing
Fishing, 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
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Equestrian camping
Lodging
- Cabins
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ 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
- Campsite(s)
- Fishing Pier(s)
- Flush Toilets
- Group Picnic Shelter(s)
- Showers
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 17450 450th Avenue
Watertown, SD 57201 - Nearest town
- Watertown — about 5 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 44.8522, -97.2084
- Phone
- (605) 882-5392
- PelicanLake@state.sd.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
9 miles SW of Watertown off US Hwy 212
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- South Dakota State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 22, 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