Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area

Melting glaciers carved the valley of Hiddenwood Creek. Traditionally, this area was home for several American Indian tribes. Early explorers crossed this area on their way between Big Stone Lake and the Rocky Mountains. The first European settlers named the area because no trees were visible on the vast prairie until they reached the crest of the hills overlooking the valley. In 1927, the Department of Game and Fish used a new technique called an earthen dam to make Lake Hiddenwood, one of the first artificial lakes in South Dakota. Unfortunately in 2018 a flood event caused the dam to collapse and drained most of the lake. The park was closed for 4 years and reopened in 2022 when a new access road was built into the park. All 13 campsites have available electrical hookups and the park offers 3 wooded hiking trails totaling 5 miles that surround the lake bed that take you thru a forest of undergrowth with several scenic overlooks.