Park

Pickerel Lake State Park park

South-Dakota, USA James watershed 45.497°, -97.274°
Today high
--
Tonight low
--
Nearby campgrounds
3
Nearby POIs
--
Loading current conditions…
Loading next 24 hours…
Loading 7-day outlook…
Pickerel Lake State Park -- South-Dakota park
Pickerel Lake State Park South-Dakota · James watershed
About this park

Pickerel Lake State Park

Pickerel Lake State Park is a beautiful park located in the northeastern region of South Dakota. The park is surrounded by a pristine forest and features a stunning lake that is perfect for fishing and boating. One of the main attractions of the park is its unique geology. The park is home to a rare natural phenomenon known as "Pickerel Lake Blue Clay," which is believed to have formed over 1.5 billion years ago. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of recreational activities like hiking, camping, picnicking, and swimming. There are several trails throughout the park that offer scenic views of the lake and surrounding forest. The park also has a historic log cabin that was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The best time to visit Pickerel Lake State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. Visitors can enjoy all the park's amenities and take advantage of the beautiful lake. However, the fall months are also a great time to visit as the leaves change colors, making for a beautiful and picturesque landscape. Overall, Pickerel Lake State Park is a must-visit destination in South Dakota for anyone who loves nature, outdoor activities, and exploring unique geological features.
StateSouth-Dakota
WatershedJames
Latitude45.4972°
Longitude-97.2738°
Land designation

Park & land designation reference

A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Detailed forecast

Plan your visit down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

Loading hourly forecast…
Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
Loading detailed forecast…
Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

Loading 15-day outlook…
Stay nearby

Area campgrounds

Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Pickerel Lake State Park, with reservations status.

Campground Reservations Toilets View
Waubay City Campground
Chamber Of Commerce Campground - Webster
Webster City Park
Around the spot

Plan a longer trip

The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.

Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace

Know before you go
Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
Stay on trail
Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
Respect wildlife
Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
Pack it in, pack it out
Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
Leave what you find
Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Pickerel Lake State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.

FAQ

About Pickerel Lake State Park

What can I do at Pickerel Lake State Park?

Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).

How fresh is the weather data?

The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.

When is the best time to visit?

Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.

How do I get to Pickerel Lake State Park?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.

Can I get alerts when conditions change?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

More parks

Other parks near here

Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Pickerel Lake State Park.

Premium feature

Favorites and custom alerts are part of Snoflo Premium. Save parks, set thresholds, and get push notifications when conditions change.

Upgrade to Premium Not now
🔔

Manage alerts in the Snoflo app

Custom push alerts are configured in the iOS app -- favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation, fire restrictions), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

Open App Store