Outdoor Activities in the Southeast

With winding rivers, dramatic palisades and peaceful prairies, southeastern South Dakota is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. In Sioux Falls, stroll through scenic Falls Park, where the Big Sioux River cascades over pink quartzite, or explore the region’s Indigenous heritage at Good Earth State Park at Blood Run. Palisades State Park impresses with towering cliffs, drawing climbers, hikers and kayakers alike.

The region offers exceptional fishing, boating and swimming across 175 lakes and rivers — including the vast Lewis and Clark Lake in Yankton. Book a guided fishing or hunting trip with Riibe Outdoors, or head to Great Bear Recreation Park, a 200-acre playground that transforms into a winter wonderland for skiing, snowboarding and tubing.