Summary
The recreational area offers a variety of activities for visitors, including fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.
Some good reasons to visit Richmond Lake State Recreation Area include its beautiful natural setting, the abundance of outdoor activities available, and its convenient location. Visitors can enjoy fishing for walleye, perch, and northern pike in the lake, and there are several boat ramps and fish cleaning stations available. The recreation area also offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a playground for children.
One of the main points of interest at Richmond Lake State Recreation Area is the lake itself, which covers approximately 1,000 acres and is surrounded by wooded hills. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and waterfowl.
Interesting facts about the area include that the lake was created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is fed by the Elm River. In addition, the recreation area is part of the Glacial Lakes and Prairies region of South Dakota, which is known for its unique landscape and diverse wildlife.
The best time of year to visit Richmond Lake State Recreation Area depends on the activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are popular times for fishing and boating, while fall is a good time for wildlife watching and hiking. The area is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the off-season.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
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 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.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Group Area
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Richmond Lake State Rec Area
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Group Area Camping
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Wylie Park City Campground
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Mina State Rec Area
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Melgaard Park
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