Best Beaches in South Dakota

The best beaches in South Dakota are not limited to one region. There are many spots on the banks of lakes and rivers with sandy beaches and clear water perfect for swimming or just relaxing on the sand. Most of these inland lakes are nearby cities, so you won’t have to travel too far from home.

Best Beaches in South Dakota

Lake Francis Case

If you are just looking for a day on the water to enjoy some sun, Lake Francis Case is one of the top spots. The lake is home to recreation areas that have access to fishing, boating, swimming, and camping. Lake Francis Case is a reservoir that was created as a result of damming Blacktail Creek. The lake has been managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers since 1976.

Lake Thompson

Lake Thompson has a recreation on the northern end of the lake, which has a swim beach and a nearby camping site. A narrow strip of land separates Lake Henry from Lake Thompson, so visitors can spend time along either shoreline. The lake is home to a wide range of bird species and trails surround the lake, providing many opportunities to take nature walks through the South Dakota landscape.

Lake Oahe Beaches

Lake Oahe in South Dakota is situated on the Missouri River and is an excellent destination for fishing, swimming, and camping. The lake mostly has stone shores, but there are various recreation areas that form along the eastern shore of the lake – oddly there are none that can be found on the western shoreline. Most of these quiet recreation areas have swim beaches and ample room to relax in the South Dakota sunshine!