Farm Island State Park Pierre, South Dakota


Use this guide to get an overview of what to do in the area if you’re spending a few days camping at Farm Island State Park.

  1. CAMPING Info

    1. Farm Island Recreation Area | South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks

    2. $30/night for campsites and $60/night for camping cabins with access to flush toilets and showers.

    3. ***This campground has been recommended multiple by times by friends as a very relaxing and family friendly place to spend a weekend.

    4. Island nature area, beaches on Lake Sharpe, fishing, biking on park roads, and 8 miles of hiking trails

  2. ACTIVITIES in Pierre

    1. Hiking/Biking:

      1.  Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe feature both easy and challenging paths with excellent birding and nature-watching opportunities.

      2. Cottonwood Path is popular with hikers, cyclists and birders.

      3. LaFramboise offers seven miles of hiking, biking and walking trails.

      4. Farm Island offers a three-mile Island Nature trail. 

      5. Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Trails is an easy to moderate bike trip.

      6. The Native Plant Arboretum can provide excellent views of deer, wild turkey, mourning doves, bald eagles, songbirds and pheasants.

      7. The Riverwalk/Bicycle Path runs for 14 miles along the Missouri River shoreline.

      8. The Capitol Creek Walk connects the Capitol grounds to the Riverwalk.

      9. The Governor’s Walk winds through Hilger’s Gulch Park.

    2. Disc Golf courses are available at Griffin Park, Steamboat Park, and Oahe Downstream Recreation Area (need a State Park pass).

    3. Public Pools - available in both Pierre and Fort Pierre.

    4. Water Sports

      1. Kayaking and canoeing trips are available. The Dam run, which starts at the Oahe Dam and ends at the La Framboise Causeway, is a popular activity among residents.

      2. Boat Rentals

        1. Downs Marina

        2. Fun Time Rentals

    5. Museums & Activities

      1. Tour the State Capitol

      2. Museum of the South Dakota Historical Society. 

      3. Lewis and Clark Family Center on Farm Island.

      4. South Dakota National Guard Museum.

      5. South Dakota Discovery Center

      6. Oahe Dam Visitors Center with tours.

      7. Oahe Chapel

      8. Verendrye Museum in Fort Pierre.  It houses pioneer relics and a reproduction of the lead tablet that was buried in a bluff above the Missouri River, claiming the territory for France that eventually became the Louisiana Purchase.  

      9. Pierre Players Community Theater

      10. Outdoor Band Concerts on Wednesday evenings in the summer

      11. 1806 Wheels and Sticks Family Fun Park in Fort Pierre has mini golf, go-karts, arcade and more.

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