Pelican Lake Recreation Area Campground
Open year-round. Between October 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets, and other water systems may be closed; vault toilets remain available. Reservations available online at reservations.gooutdoorssouthdakota.com or by phone.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 2 at 6:22PM CDT until July 2 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Aberdeen SD
At 622 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from 7 miles north of Castlewood to near Estelline, moving east at 45 mph. HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Trained spotters reported. At 605 PM, a 59 mph wind gust was reported 3 miles to the northwest of Bryant. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. This severe thunderstorm will be near... Poinsett Colony, Estelline, Claremont Colony, Castlewood and Dempster around 625 PM CDT. Bemis around 630 PM CDT. Clear Lake, Goodwin and Toronto around 635 PM CDT. Altamont, Brandt and Astoria around 640 PM CDT. Tunerville and Moritz around 645 PM CDT. Lake Cochrane Rec Area and Gary around 650 PM CDT.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 2 at 6:20PM CDT until July 2 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Aberdeen SD
At 620 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from over Henry to over Castlewood, or along a line from 11 miles west of Goose Lake to over Castlewood, moving northeast at 40 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. This severe thunderstorm will be near... Watertown, Watertown City Park, Memorial Park Camping Site, Sandy Shore Rec Area, Henry, Tinkertown and Garden City around 625 PM CDT. Rauville around 630 PM CDT. Dakota Sioux Casino and Medicine Lake around 635 PM CDT.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 2 at 2:03PM CDT until July 2 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Aberdeen SD
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 439 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN SOUTH DAKOTA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 16 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA BUFFALO HAND HUGHES HYDE JONES LYMAN STANLEY SULLY IN NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA FAULK POTTER IN NORTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA CLARK CODINGTON DEUEL GRANT HAMLIN SPINK THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF CLARK, CLEAR LAKE, FAULKTON, FORT PIERRE, FORT THOMPSON, GETTYSBURG, HAYTI, HIGHMORE, KENNEBEC, MILBANK, MILLER, MURDO, ONIDA, PIERRE, REDFIELD, AND WATERTOWN.
About
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. The park also has an archery range and course including practice target ranging 10 to 70 yards with an elevated shooting platform. The course is an NFAA approved 14-station course winding through native prairie.
Directions
9 miles southwest of Watertown off US Highway 212
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $20 - $60 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 95ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 95ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| PelicanLake@state.sd.us | |
| Phone | +1 (605) 882-5392 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Useful Links
| SD GFP Pelican Lake Recreation Area |
Availability
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