Pelican Lake Recreation Area

Fees

Daily: $8 per vehicle
Annual: $36 first vehicle | $18 for second vehicle | $80 transferable license
Campsites: - electrical: $26 per night
Cabins:: $55 per night

Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.
Amenities
  • Beach
  • Boat Ramp
  • Campground
  • Camping cabins
  • Canoe/kayak rentals
  • Drinking water
  • Dump station
  • Electric campsites
  • Fishing pole checkout
  • Flush toilets/showers
  • Game checkout
  • Horse camp
  • Picnic Shelter
  • Playground
  • Snowshoe checkout
  • Vault toilets

ADA/Accessible

Camping Cabins
  • Camping Site
  • Picnic Shelter
  • Activities
    • Archery range
    • Basketball
    • Biking
    • Birdwatching
    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Canoeing/Kayaking
    • Cross country skiing
    • Fishing
    • Hiking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Horseshoes
    • Snowshoeing
    • Soccer
    • Swimming

    Address

    Pelican Lake Recreation Area
    17450 450th Avenue
    Watertown, SD 57201
    605.882.5200
    Email: PelicanLake@state.sd.us
    Home » Pelican Lake Recreation Area

    Naturalists enjoy the migrating birds and vast numbers of prairie grasses and wildflowers at Pelican Lake Recreation Area. Winter enthusiasts appreciate the park’s cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing and ice fishing.

    Pelican Lake is a popular stopping point for migrating waterfowl. Each fall, geese and ducks use the lake’s open waters as a resting area. A variety of shore birds spend their entire summer in or near the park.

    Most noticeable are the large white pelicans that frequent the lake. Pelicans were so numerous when the region was first settled that the lake was named in their honor. An observation tower on one of the hiking trails gives visitors a bird’s-eye view of the area.

    NFAA approved 14-station course plus practice facility. Stations range in distance from 20 feet to 80 yards.

    Park Specs

    Open: 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.

    Park Size: 76 campsites, 2 cabins (each sleeps 4 people) and 6 horse camp sites

    Directions:

    9 miles SW of Watertown off US Hwy 212

    Nearest Town: Watertown

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