Richmond Lake Recreation Area

Quick Facts

South Dakota

(605) 626-3488

Map Directions

Things To Do

Overview

Three separate areas in this park cater to the needs of campers, swimmers, naturalists, boaters, and anglers. Campers stay in the South Unit, while the 200-acre Forest Drive Unit is a great place for wildlife viewing. The Boat Ramp Unit provides access to the 1,000-acre lake.

Richmond Lake Recreation Area's small campground offers a quiet camping experience. The park's extensive trail system features over 10 miles of trails, including both accessible and interpretive trails. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders can observe the abundance of prairie plants and wildlife of the area up-close. When the snow flies, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers can thaw out in the park's warming shelter.

Richmond Lake is one of scores of reservoirs created in South Dakota during the 1930s by the WPA. This 1,012-acre lake was one of the largest human-made impoundments created in South Dakota until the chain of dams on the Missouri River was completed.

Map of Richmond Lake Rec. Area (SD)

Latitude, Longitude: 45.538339, -98.618431

Boating
Boat ramps provide access to the lake.
Bicycling
There are two biking trails in the park: Forest Drive Trail and Quaking Aspen Trail. Forest Drive Trail is 4.3 miles long and is somewhat hilly. Quaking Aspen Trail is 0.25 miles long and also somewhat hilly. It passes 21 interpretive stations with information about the ecology and natural history of the area.
Camping
Richmond Lake Recreation Area's small campground offers a quiet camping experience. There are 24 campsites in all. The park also features an accessible camping cabin, which provides a comfortable camping facility for four people.
Fishing
With a license, visitors can catch walleye, northern pike, bass, perch, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and bullheads. There are accessible fishing docks on the lake.
Hiking
The park's extensive trail system features over 10 miles of trails, including both accessible and interpretive trails. Hikers can observe the abundance of prairie plants and wildlife of the area up-close. Hikers enjoy the Cross-country Ski Trail, the Forest Drive Trail, and the Quaking Aspen Trail. Forest Drive Trail is 4.3 miles long and is somewhat hilly. Quaking Aspen Trail is 0.25 miles long and also somewhat hilly. It passes 21 interpretive stations with information about the ecology and natural history of the area. The Cross-country Ski Trail is 3 miles long and mostly flat, except for the section that goes along Forest Drive Trail.
Horseback Riding
There is a 3-mile horseback riding trail, beginning at the Forest Drive warming shelter.
Picnicking
There is an accessible picnic shelter.
RVing
RVs are welcome in the campground.
Water Sports
There is a swimming beach but no lifeguard.
Winter Sports
When the snow flies, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers can use the Cross-country Ski Trail and thaw out in the park's warming shelter.