Pickerel 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
- 65 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- gfp.sd.gov(605) 910-4515
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 391 acres, Pickerel Lake Recreation Area lies in Day County, about 16 miles southwest of Sisseton.
Popular activities here are stargazing, horseback riding, 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: 65 campsites, including RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, and showers. There are also cabins for rent.
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 |
| Camping cabins | $60 · night |
| Modern cabins | $150 · 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 Modern cabins: $150 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 2 campgrounds with 65 campsites, 7 camping cabins, and 1 modern cabin | 65 | ElectricShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
2 campgrounds with 65 campsites, 7 camping cabins, and 1 modern cabin
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 kayakingFishingGeocachingHikingHorseback ridingPicnickingStargazingSwimmingCamping
Trails
Hiking, Hiking Trail(s), TRACK 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)
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
- Boat Ramp Access
- Camping Cabin(s)
- Campsite(s)
- Fish Cleaning Station(s)
- Fishing Access
- Fishing Pier(s)
- Flush Toilets
- Group Picnic Shelter(s)
- Modern Cabin(s)
- Picnic Tables
- Playground(s)
- Showers
- Swim Beach Access
- Vault Toilets (open year-round)
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 12980 446th Avenue
Grenville, SD 57239 - Nearest town
- Sisseton — about 16 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 45.4856, -97.2481
- Phone
- (605) 910-4515
- PickerelLake@state.sd.us
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Directions from the park
Located 10 miles north of Waubay off US Hwy 12
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