Being lakeside is one of my favorite things, and there are plenty of beautiful lakes in South Dakota that are perfect for just that. Whether you enjoy a stroll on the sandy beaches or prefer to be in or on the water, these 10 best lakes in South Dakota are both scenic and fun. The best time to be at one of these lakes is at dusk after a full day of fun. They truly have a magical way about them then. Check out some of the most beautiful lakes in South Dakota.
- Legion Lake
Tonto7/Tripadvisor This scenic lake is tucked up in the Black Hills near Custer, South Dakota. The sheer cliffs around it give it a very private setting, perfect for a getaway at the lake. Legion Lake is one of the most picturesque South Dakota lakes. Go visit it today. Legion Lake, East Custer, SD 57730, USA
- Pactola Lake
Frank D/Tripadvisor Pactola Lake is a huge reservoir - the largest in the area - that is loved by many for its beauty and all of the fun things you can do there. Learn more about Pactola Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in South Dakota, then plan your next visit. Pactola Lake, West Pennington, SD 57702, USA
- Lake Mitchell
Chocopups/Flickr This serene lake near Mitchell is great for a lakeside stroll or a calm day out on the water for some good ol’ fishing. Lake Mitchell, Mitchell, SD 57301, USA
- Horse Thief Lake
Mark Goebel/Flickr The closest lake to Mount Rushmore is hidden among the ponderosa pines at this gorgeous spot. It’s one of the best lakes in South Dakota for swimming, so check it out on a hot day! Horse Thief Lake, Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57751, USA
- Lake Oahe
JinAbr/Tripadvisor This massive reservoir spans across 370,000 acres, starting just north of Pierre and extends all the way into North Dakota. It is the fourth largest reservoir in the entire country. Learn more about Lake Oahe, then plan your visit there. Lake Oahe, United States
- Sheridan Lake
Sheridan Lake Marina/Tripadvisor Sheridan Lake is located near Rapid City and is quite popular with fishers, campers, and more. Start planning your visit to Sheridan Lake. Sheridan Lake, Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57702, USA
- Angostura Reservoir
Kim Z/Tripadvisor A gorgeous lake like this is surrounded by campgrounds with perfect access and view of the lake, making it a pretty popular destination near Hot Springs. Learn more about one of the most crystal clear lakes in South Dakota, and then pencil in your next visit. Angostura Reservoir, Northeast Fall River, SD 57747, USA
- Sylvan Lake
D N/Tripadvisor This is sometimes referred to as the “crown jewel” in Custer State Park, and you can see why. The views here are fantastic and unique. Sylvan Lake even holds that title of most beautiful lake in South Dakota, so don’t forget your camera when you visit! Sylvan Lake, East Custer, SD 57730, USA
- Sand Lake
CSSnowshoer/Tripadvisor This lake is located in the upper northeast corner of South Dakota, not far north from Aberdeen. The Sand Lake Refuge is located there, which is abundant with waterfowl. Sand Lake Resevoir, South Dakota, USA
- Lake Vermillion
TheHappyCampers227/Tripadvisor Lake Vermillion has a popular recreation area that is frequented by many who enjoy the beautiful sights along side this peaceful lake, and for those who enjoy jumping in and enjoying the water. Go ahead and start planning a day trip to this picture perfect South Dakota lake. East Vermillion Lake, Greenland Township, SD, USA
Do you agree that these are some of the best lakes in South Dakota? Do you have any lake plans coming up? The great thing about South Dakota lakes is that there are many year-round activities!
Tonto7/Tripadvisor
This scenic lake is tucked up in the Black Hills near Custer, South Dakota. The sheer cliffs around it give it a very private setting, perfect for a getaway at the lake. Legion Lake is one of the most picturesque South Dakota lakes. Go visit it today.
Legion Lake, East Custer, SD 57730, USA
Frank D/Tripadvisor
Pactola Lake is a huge reservoir - the largest in the area - that is loved by many for its beauty and all of the fun things you can do there. Learn more about Pactola Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in South Dakota, then plan your next visit.
Pactola Lake, West Pennington, SD 57702, USA
Chocopups/Flickr
This serene lake near Mitchell is great for a lakeside stroll or a calm day out on the water for some good ol’ fishing.
Lake Mitchell, Mitchell, SD 57301, USA
Mark Goebel/Flickr
The closest lake to Mount Rushmore is hidden among the ponderosa pines at this gorgeous spot. It’s one of the best lakes in South Dakota for swimming, so check it out on a hot day!
Horse Thief Lake, Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57751, USA
JinAbr/Tripadvisor
This massive reservoir spans across 370,000 acres, starting just north of Pierre and extends all the way into North Dakota. It is the fourth largest reservoir in the entire country. Learn more about Lake Oahe, then plan your visit there.
Lake Oahe, United States
Sheridan Lake Marina/Tripadvisor
Sheridan Lake is located near Rapid City and is quite popular with fishers, campers, and more. Start planning your visit to Sheridan Lake.
Sheridan Lake, Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57702, USA
Kim Z/Tripadvisor
A gorgeous lake like this is surrounded by campgrounds with perfect access and view of the lake, making it a pretty popular destination near Hot Springs. Learn more about one of the most crystal clear lakes in South Dakota, and then pencil in your next visit.
Angostura Reservoir, Northeast Fall River, SD 57747, USA
D N/Tripadvisor
This is sometimes referred to as the “crown jewel” in Custer State Park, and you can see why. The views here are fantastic and unique. Sylvan Lake even holds that title of most beautiful lake in South Dakota, so don’t forget your camera when you visit!
Sylvan Lake, East Custer, SD 57730, USA
CSSnowshoer/Tripadvisor
This lake is located in the upper northeast corner of South Dakota, not far north from Aberdeen. The Sand Lake Refuge is located there, which is abundant with waterfowl.
Sand Lake Resevoir, South Dakota, USA
TheHappyCampers227/Tripadvisor
Lake Vermillion has a popular recreation area that is frequented by many who enjoy the beautiful sights along side this peaceful lake, and for those who enjoy jumping in and enjoying the water. Go ahead and start planning a day trip to this picture perfect South Dakota lake.
East Vermillion Lake, Greenland Township, SD, USA
South Dakota has many more beautiful places hidden in various locations across the state. Check out the most jaw-dropping places in South Dakota for some of the best of the best.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best lakes in South Dakota May 18, 2022 Jessica Bohl What are some of the best lakes in South Dakota for swimming? There are some great swimming holes in South Dakota that you will want to visit when it gets hot out. Legion Lake is one of the four lakes in Custer State Park and is perfect for swimming on a warm day. The Angostura Reservoir has nearly 40 miles of shoreline, which makes it great for swimming and for building sandcastles. So grab your swimsuit and checkout one of these great South Dakota lakes. What are some scenic lakes in South Dakota? There are some truly gorgeous lakes in South Dakota that are worthy of a day trip. Pickerel Lake in South Dakota is absolutely stunning and visitors have even captured photos of the Northern Lights there. So if you want some jaw-dropping scenery, head over to this beautiful lake. Lewis and Clark Lake is another stunner. Located on the edge of Yankton, this community comes alive in the summer. So be sure to put it on your lake bucket list!
The OIYS Visitor Center
best lakes in South Dakota
May 18, 2022
Jessica Bohl
What are some of the best lakes in South Dakota for swimming? There are some great swimming holes in South Dakota that you will want to visit when it gets hot out. Legion Lake is one of the four lakes in Custer State Park and is perfect for swimming on a warm day. The Angostura Reservoir has nearly 40 miles of shoreline, which makes it great for swimming and for building sandcastles. So grab your swimsuit and checkout one of these great South Dakota lakes. What are some scenic lakes in South Dakota? There are some truly gorgeous lakes in South Dakota that are worthy of a day trip. Pickerel Lake in South Dakota is absolutely stunning and visitors have even captured photos of the Northern Lights there. So if you want some jaw-dropping scenery, head over to this beautiful lake. Lewis and Clark Lake is another stunner. Located on the edge of Yankton, this community comes alive in the summer. So be sure to put it on your lake bucket list!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are some great swimming holes in South Dakota that you will want to visit when it gets hot out. Legion Lake is one of the four lakes in Custer State Park and is perfect for swimming on a warm day. The Angostura Reservoir has nearly 40 miles of shoreline, which makes it great for swimming and for building sandcastles. So grab your swimsuit and checkout one of these great South Dakota lakes.
What are some scenic lakes in South Dakota?
There are some truly gorgeous lakes in South Dakota that are worthy of a day trip. Pickerel Lake in South Dakota is absolutely stunning and visitors have even captured photos of the Northern Lights there. So if you want some jaw-dropping scenery, head over to this beautiful lake. Lewis and Clark Lake is another stunner. Located on the edge of Yankton, this community comes alive in the summer. So be sure to put it on your lake bucket list!
