Historic Prairie

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie

Clay County, South DakotaEstablished 2001
Status
Status not posted
Entrance fee
Statewide rule — see below
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Not stated — check with park
Camping
None listed
Official site
gfp.sd.gov(605) 987-2263

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

Overview

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is a park unit in Clay County, about 6 miles north of Vermillion.

Things to do include historic sites, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking.

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

Per vehicle park entrance license (daily or annual), resident/nonresident prices differ; Custer has its own 1-7 day license; Mickelson Trail per person.

Statewide fee rule from South Dakota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.

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.

Things to do

Wildlife viewing and birdingHikingHistoric sites and toursPicnicking

Trails

Hiking, Hiking Trail(s), TRACK Trail(s)

Amenities

Facilities

  • Restrooms
  • Vault or pit toilets
  • Picnic areas
  • Picnic shelters

✓ 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.

Getting there

Address
31148 SD Hwy 19
Vermillion, SD 57069
Nearest town
Vermillion — about 6 mi north (straight line)
Coordinates
42.8676, -96.9544
Phone
(605) 987-2263
Email
NewtonHills@state.sd.us

Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)

Directions from the park

5 miles north of Vermillion off SD Hwy 19

Nearby state parks

Union Grove State Park
9.3 mi northeast (straight line)
Ponca State Park
20.7 mi southeast (straight line) · Nebraska
Chief White Crane Recreation Area
25.6 mi west (straight line)
Pierson Ranch Recreation Area
26.7 mi west (straight line)
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
28.7 mi west (straight line)
Newton Hills State Park
31.1 mi northeast (straight line)
Lewis and Clark Lake State Recreation Area
31.4 mi west (straight line) · Nebraska
Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
31.4 mi southeast (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