Iowa State Parks

Iowa. Known for corn and wide open spaces. But what are their state parks like? Here at the List Ninja we aim to find out.
Iowa boasts 65 state parks each with a wide variety of outdoor activities. You can camp, hike, hunt, fish, bicycle, bird watch, swim, boat…pretty much anything you can thing of doing outside that’s legal within the Iowa State Park System. I would like to take a moment to highlight a few of the List Ninja’s favorite Iowa State Parks before we send you on your way with the entire list of all 65 Iowa State Parks.

Backbone State Park – This unique park is great for the hiking enthusiast. The park has over 21 miles of winding, rocky hiking trails that lead along the Maquoketa River to one of the highest points in northeast Iowa. The trail has been dubbed  the “Devil’s Backbone” due to the unique limestone rock formations.

Wildcat Den State Park – This Iowa State Park has it all – Everything from beautiful campgrounds, great hiking trails along 75 foot cliffs lined with cedar trees or creek wading in Pine Creek. Hikers enjoy winding trails which lead to natural wonders such as the “Steamboat Rock,” “Devils Punch Bowl.” And the “Fat Man’s Squeeze”

Maquoketa Caves State Park – The caves in Maquoketa Caves State Park are currently closed due to a fatal disease that has been killing bats in the eastern half of the US. Unfortunately the disease may be transmitted by humans and in an effort to stop the disease, the caves have been closed. It is unknown when or if the caves will be reopened. However, there are many other wonderful things to see and do at this state park.

Ambrose A. Call State Park          Algona

Backbone State Park      Strawberry Pt.

Badger Creek State Recreation Area       Van Meter

Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park  Indianola

Beed’s Lake State Park  Hampton

Bellevue State Park         Bellevue

Big Creek State Park       Polk City

Black Hawk State Park    Lake View

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area        Lehigh

Cedar Rock         Quasqueton

Clear Lake State Park      Clear Lake

Dolliver Memorial State Park      Lehigh

Elinor Bedell State Park Spirit Lake

Elk Rock State Park          Knoxville

Emerson Bay State Recreation Area        Milford

Fairport State Recreation Area   Muscatine

Fort Atkinson State Preserve      Fort Atkinson

Fort Defiance State Park               Estherville

Geode State Park            Danville

George Wyth State Park               Waterloo

Green Valley State Park                Creston

Gull Point State Park       Milford

Honey Creek Resort       Moravia

Honey Creek State Park                Moravia

Lacey Keosauqua State Park       Keosauqua

Lake Ahquabi State Park               Indianola

Lake Anita State Park     Anita

Lake Darling State Park  Brighton

Lake Keomah State Park               Oskaloosa

Lake Macbride State Park             Solon

Lake Manawa State Park              Council Bluffs

Lake of Three Fires State Park    Bedford

Lake Wapello State Park               Drakesville

Ledges State Park            Boone

Lewis and Clark State Park           Onawa

Lower Gar State Recreation Area              Arnolds Park

Maquoketa Caves State Park      Maquoketa

Marble Beach State Recreation Area       Orleans

McIntosh Woods State Park        Ventura

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center             Dubuque

Mini-Wakan State Park  Spirit Lake

Nine Eagles State Park   Davis City

Okamanpedan State Park            Dolliver

Palisades-Kepler State Park         Mt. Vernon

Pikes Peak State Park     McGregor

Pikes Point State Park    Spirit Lake

Pilot Knob State Park      Forest City

Pine Lake State Park       Eldora

Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area    Palo

Prairie Rose State Park  Harlan

Preparation Canyon State Park  Moorhead

Red Haw State Park        Chariton

Rice Lake State Park        Lake Mills

Rock Creek State Park    Kellogg

Shimek State Forest       Farmington

Springbrook State Park  Guthrie Center

Stephens State Forest   Chariton

Stone State Park              Sioux City

Templar State Recreation Area  Spirit Lake

Trapper’s Bay State Park               Spirit Lake

Twin Lakes State Park    Rockwell City

Union Grove State Park                Gladbrook

Viking Lake State Park    Stanton

Volga River State Recreation Area            Fayette

Walnut Woods State Park            Des Moines

Wapsipinicon State Park               Anamosa

Waubonsie State Park   Sidney

Wildcat Den State Park  Muscatine

Wilson Island State Recreation Area        Loveland

Yellow River State Forest              Waukon Junction

Fish Mississippi

Mississippi state parks offer a number of great outdoor adventures. As you might expect, fishing is great in Mississippi and you won’t be disappointed. Their state fish wouldn’t be the large mouth bass if game fishing wasn’t great!

If you are looking for hunting opportunities Mississippi has great deer, quail, turkey and even black bear hunting.

With a number of great tent and RV campgrounds you should have no problem finding a great place to camp.

Mississippi also boasts 4 state golf course at 4 of their state park locations, LeFleur’s Bluff, Quail Hollow, Mallard Pointe and The Dogwoods gold courses. A wonderful addition to LeFleur’s Bluff, Percy Quin, John W. Kyle and Hugh White state parks. There are also a number of parks that offer disk golf.

• Buccaneer
• Clark Creek
• Clarkco
• Florewood
• George P. Cossar
• Golden Memorial
• Great River Road
• Holmes County
• Hugh White
• J.P. Coleman
• John W. Kyle
• Lake Lincoln
• Lake Lowndes
• Lefleur’s Bluff
• Legion
• Leroy Percy
• Natchez
• Paul B Johnson
• Percy Quin
• Roosevelt
• Shepard
• Tishomingo
• Tombigbee
• Trace
• Wall Doxey

80's Ninja Movies

Who doesn’t like 80′s movies? And couple that with a Ninja theme and you have one awesome movie! Honestly, some great Ninja movies came out of the 80′s, Shoguns Ninja
and the The Octagon
are two of my favorites and if you’re into Ninja movies definitely two from the 80′s to check out. You can own them on DVD pretty cheap as well…cheap Ninja movies

If you are looking for more Ninja movies, check out our entire list of Ninja movies.

Seven Deadly Sins

The Seven Deadly Sins and Dante’s Divine Comedy

What are the 7 deadly sins and what do they mean?

Perhaps you’ve heard of or see the 1995 film “Se7en” starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow. The basic plot for the film is the hunt for a serial killer who commits seven crimes based on the Seven Deadly Sins. If you’ve haven’t seen the film, no worries. We at the list ninja are here to educate you on each sin and what they mean.

The seven deadly sins are deeply rooted in Catholicism. The Catholic Church often refers to these sins as the Cardinal Sins or Capital Vices.
The 7 deadly sins are often thought of as pre-cursor sins, meaning committing one of these sins may breed or bring about other sins, which may then lead a person to break one of the 10 commandments.

We found some fun facts to go along with each sin. Not only will the list ninja explain each sin, but we will also let you know what punishment you will receive in hell if you are to commit each of these sins!  You have the good fortune of receiving two lists for one today. YES! The first list below details each sin and the associated colors and animals for each sin.
We aren’t sure how relevant or fact based the hell list is since we haven’t committed these sins, then gone to hell to find out.

Basic List of What Happens in Hell for committing one of the Seven Deadly Sins.

Dante’s Divine Comedy List of What Happens in Hell for Committing one of the Seven Deadly Sins

Perhaps you’ve literate enough to have read Dante’s Divine Comedy, the epic poem of Dante’s journey through the nine circles of hell.  In this poem, Dante travels thru each circle witnessing the souls who are punished for their sins as committed on earth. The List Ninja really likes the descriptive works of Dante and will rely on his journey into hell to help describe each of the seven deadly sins to you. Yes we know Dante threw an extra sin in there – so actually the list below has 8 sins. But an extra sin now and then won’t hurt right?

Detail of each Sin

Limbo – The First Circle of Hell

Limbo isn’t a sin, its jut a place you would go if you did not accept Jesus Christ our Savior Lord in Heaven Above as Your Father. IF you find yourself in Limbo, you won’t be physically punished, but you will have no hope of ever meeting Jesus Christ our Savior Lord in Heaven Above – so that is your punishment.

There is a guy named Minos who hangs out between Limbo and the Second Circle of Hell. He has a long tail, which he will wrap around his legs a certain number of times. The number of times he wraps his tail around himself will in turn determine which Circle of Hell you will be placed in.

Lust – The Second Circle of Hell

Lust, lust, lust…what does it mean to lust? Well the dictionary states: - noun: “to have intense sexual desire or appetite” Verb: “to have intense sexual desire.” Pretty much the same thing right?  In this circle of hell, Dante states one will be blown about in a giant storm forever and ever Amen. The giant storm is meant to symbolize how powerful lust can be

Gluttony – The Third Circle of Hell

This seems to be an exciting circle. Luckily for the patrons of the Third Circle of Hell, they are accompanied by a Cerberus. Cerberus is the three headed hound of hell. As guardian of the Third Circle of Hell, Cerberus claws at the souls, biting and ripping their flesh over and over again. While on Earth the souls were comforted by their delicious foodies and wine. In hell they are punished by being forced to lie in cold mud and become dinner for the dog.

Greed – The Fourth Circle of Hell

On earth those that hoarded their cash money, are forced to spend eternity lugging around massive bags of gold. Likewise those that spent their money foolishly (like on drugs, sex and rock and roll) will also be forced to drag around bags of gold.  These souls are watched over by Plutus, the God of Wealth

Wrath and Sullenness - The Fifth Circle of Hell

This Circle of Hell is located on the underground river Styx which surrounds the city of Dis.

Those who are guilty of Wrath will spend eternity fighting each other on the surface of the river. Those guilty of Sullenness will spend the rest of time underwater looking up. Another fun fact about this circle: When Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior on Earth as it is in Heaven was walking around for the month after his resurrection; he decided to take a three day trip to Hell. The purpose of this trip was to gather up a couple of his friends and bring them back to heaven with him. I guess his friends were either sullen or wrathful.

Heresy – The Sixth Circle of Hell

In Dante’s Inferno the sixth circle of hell is reserved for heretics, those who preach against the teachings of the church. I assume this means the Christian Church, since Dante talks a lot about Jesus as well. I am a bit confused by the mash up Dante has going on with the Greek Gods and the Christian Church, but that’s something I’m sure was discussed in the Spark Notes version.

Anyway, in this Circle of Hell, all heretics are trapped in flaming tombs so that they can burn forever.

Violence– The Seventh Circle of Hell

The Seventh Circle of Hell is for all of those who have been violent to themselves and others while on earth.  You know, beating each other up, killing people, hurting animals etc. These violent people are placed in a river of fire. Depending on how violent you were and how much damage you caused will depend on how deep into the flaming river you are placed.

It sounds like those who committed suicide (violent to self) are turned into plants. But others are forced to stand on the river bottom completely covered in flames.

Those violent to God and Nature are also here. They are forced to walk on flaming sand forever and ever.

Fraud – The Eighth Circle of Hell

The Eighth Circle of Hell is for those guilty of fraud. Examples include, shoplifting, theft, grand theft auto, cheating at the dog track, counterfeiting, fortune telling, being a hypocrite, and lying politicians.

The punishments served to these fraud-doers, is the exact opposite of the sin they committed on earth.

Example: While on earth fortune tellers tried to see the future, so now and forever more, they will be forced to walk with their heads on backwards.

The smooth talking politicians (flatterers) will be forced to lie around for all eternity in a pile of feces.

Treachery – The Ninth Circle of Hell

The Ninth Circle which houses those being punished for treachery is located in the bowels of hell. Those who have betrayed a special relationship, such as cheating on their wife, will stand frozen up to their necks in the lake’s ice. Remember, as you enter each of these circles of hell, they have been continuing in a downward spiral. As you walk further and further around each circle, you see the worst of the worst.

Once you reach the very center of the Ninth Circle of Hell, you will find Satan. He gets to sit here because he has committed the worst sin of all. While Satan sits here, he eats people. He wouldn’t want to eat you since you aren’t famous. He only wants to eat Hitler, Brutus, Cassius and the other prominent sinners.

Texas State Parks

If there is one state with an endless list of outdoor opportunities it’s the great state of Texas. With well over 150 state parks, Texas has an opportunity to do pretty much anything you want. So whether your looking for family camping or ATV/ 4 wheeler adventurers you can rest assured Texas has you covered. A number of the parks have ATV trails and you just have to purchase an OHV decal for $8 to ride any one of the numerous parks. Believe it or not even the “plugin” individual can now experience the call of wild while still maintaining contact with the World Wide Web! Texas has a long list of parks that include Wi-Fi connection in them which may seem ridiculous to some that want total escape but provide a wonderful opportunity to those who just can’t unplug.

Any sportsman also understands that Texas has one of the best offerings when it comes to fishing and hunting. With plenty of walk-in areas and public land the opportunity to bag that trophy exists for everyone.

Add rock climbing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, horse-back riding and even star gazing can put an exclamation point on any family camping trip.

Below is a list of the state park in Texas, give them a look and find your next family vacation adventure!

• Abilene S.P.
• Acton S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Admiral Nimitz S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Atlanta S.P.
• Balmorhea S.P.
• Barrington Living History Farm
• Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center
• Bastrop S.P.
• Battleship TEXAS S.H.S.
• Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley S.P. (part of the World Birding Center)
• Big Bend Ranch S.P.
• Big Spring S.P.
• Blanco S.P.
• Bonham S.P.
• Brazos Bend S.P.
• Bright Leaf Park (Operated by the Austin Community Foundation)
• Buescher S.P.
• Caddo Lake S.P.
• Caddoan Mounds S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Caprock Canyons S.P. & Trailway
• Casa Navarro S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Cedar Hill S.P.
• Choke Canyon S.P.
• Cleburne S.P.
• Colorado Bend S.P.
• Confederate Reunion Grounds S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Cooper Lake S.P.S.
• Copano Bay Fishing Pier (Operated by the Aransas County Navigation District)
• Copper Breaks S.P.
• Daingerfield S.P.
• Davis Mountains S.P.
• Devils River S.N.A.
• Devil’s Sinkhole S.N.A.
• Dinosaur Valley S.P.
• Eisenhower S.P.
• Eisenhower Birthplace S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Enchanted Rock S.N.A.
• Estero Llano Grande S.P. (part of the World Birding Center)
• Fairfield Lake S.P.
• Falcon S.P.
• Fannin Battleground S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Fanthorp Inn S.H.S.
• Fort Boggy S.P.
• Fort Griffin S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Fort Lancaster S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Fort Leaton S.H.S.
• Fort McKavett S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Fort Parker S.P.
• Fort Richardson S.P. & H.S./ Lost Creek Reservoir Trailway
• Franklin Mountains S.P.
• Fulton Mansion S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Galveston Island S.P.
• Garner S.P.
• Goliad S.P.
• Goose Island S.P.
• Government Canyon S.N.A.
• Governor Hogg Shrine (Operated by the City of Quitman)
• Guadalupe River S.P.
• Hill Country S.N.A.
• Honey Creek S.N.A.
• Hueco Tanks S.H.S.
• Huntsville S.P.
• Indian Lodge
• Inks Lake S.P.
• Jim Hogg (Operated by the City of Rusk)
• Kerrville-Schreiner (Operated by the City of Kerrville)
• Kickapoo Cavern S.P.
• Kreische Brewery S.H.S.
• Lake Arrowhead S.P.
• Lake Bob Sandlin S.P.
• Lake Brownwood S.P.
• Lake Casa Blanca International S.P.
• Lake Colorado City S.P.
• Lake Corpus Christi S.P.
• Lake Houston Park (Operated by the City of Houston)
• Lake Livingston S.P.
• Lake Mineral Wells S.P. & Trailway
• Lake Somerville S.P.s & Trailway
• Lake Tawakoni S.P.
• Lake Texana S.P.
• Lake Whitney S.P.
• Landmark Inn S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Lipantitlan S.H.S.
• Lockhart S.P.
• Longhorn Cavern S.P.
• Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
• Lost Maples S.N.A.
• Lyndon B. Johnson S.P. & H.S.
• Magoffin Home S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Martin Creek Lake S.P.
• Martin Dies, Jr. S.P.
• Matagorda Island W.M.A.
• McKinney Falls S.P.
• Meridian S.P.
• Mission Espiritu Santo S.H.S. Mission
• Rosario S.H.S.
• Mission Tejas S.P.
• Monahans Sandhills S.P.
• Monument Hill S.H.S.
• Mother Neff S.P.
• Mustang Island S.P.
• Old Fort Parker (Operated by the City of Groesbeck)
• Palmetto S.P.
• Palo Duro Canyon S.P.
• Pedernales S.P.
• Port Isabel Lighthouse S.H.S.
• Possum Kingdom S.P.
• Purtis Creek S.P.
• Ray Roberts Lake S.P.s
• Resaca de la Palma S.P. (Part of the World Birding Center)
• Rusk and Palestine Parks (Operated by American Heritage Railways)
• Sabine Pass Battleground S.P. & H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Sam Bell Maxey House S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• San Angelo S.P.
• San Felipe S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• San Jacinto Battleground/Monument S.H.S.
• Sauer-Beckmann Farm
• Sea Rim S.P.
• Sebastopol House S.H.S.
• Seminole Canyon S.P. & H.S.
• Sheldon Lake S.P.
• South Llano River S.P.
• Starr Family Home S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Stephen F. Austin S.P.
• Texas State Railroad (Operated by American Heritage Railways)
• Tyler S.P.
• Varner-Hogg Plantation S.H.S. (Operated by the Texas Historical Commission)
• Village Creek S.P.
• Walter Umphrey S.P.
• Washington-on-the-Brazos S.H.S.
• World Birding Center
• Wyler Aerial Tramway
• Zaragoza Birthplace S.H.S.

U.S. State Birds

Do you know what the most popular state bird is? It’s the Cardinal! The Cardinal has been claimed by seven states as their state bird. What makes the Cardinal so popular? Who knows! Maybe people just like the color red.

Other popular state birds are The Mockingbird, and the Meadowlark. Each bird has been claimed seven times by states in our glorious nation. Here I had always thought that each state had to have a different state bird. Guess I was wrong!

And what is our National Bird? I’ll give you a hint, it’s big, and it’s a SYMBOL of the USA. Yes, our Nations bird is the American Bald Eagle.

With so many beautiful birds to choose from, each state has their own ideas on which bird should be nominated for the prestigious State Bird award based on a number of factors. Beauty, economic value (Did the birds help by eating pesky insects?) or even historical relevance. For example Alabama chose the Northern Flicker as the birds coloring reminded people of the yellow trim on the Confederate Calvary’s uniform. Amazing!

Well, now that we’ve presented a few facts about State Birds, the List Ninja is proud to present you with the complete list!

Missouri State Parks - Camping

Another list of state parks?! What can I say, it’s spring as I write this and I am in the outdoors camping mood! Missouri offers 40 state parks that meet a range of interests.  Missouri state parks include walking rustic campsites to water and electric drive in sites. So, whether your a hardcore camper or just want to get out of the city for a while Missouri state parks offer it all.

I noticed they didn’t require a season pass like many state parks and camping was pretty reasonably priced from $13 to $26 and discounts for off season camping, seniors and peoples with disabilities.  One can also make camping reservations to secure a spot.

Missouri state parks are a great place to do the traditional hiking, fishing, swimming and boating but they also offer some great rock climbing areas and even have two parks that allow for ATV riding.

So get going! Here is a list of all the Missouri State Parks from A to Z. Check them out!

Arrow Rock State Historic Site
Babler State Park
Sam A. Baker State Park
Battle of Athens State Historic Site
Battle of Carthage State Historic Site
Battle of Lexington State Historic Site
Bennett Spring State Park
Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site
Big Lake State Park
Big Oak Tree State Park
Big Sugar Creek State Park
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site
Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site
Boone’s Lick State Historic Site
Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site
Castlewood State Park
Clark’s Hill/Norton State Historic Site
Confederate Memorial State Historic Site
Crowder State Park
Cuivre River State Park
Current River State Park
Deutschheim State Historic Site
Dillard Mill State Historic Site
Gov. Daniel Dunklin’s Grave State Historic Site
Elephant Rocks State Park
Felix Vallé House State Historic Site
Finger Lakes State Park
First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site
Fort Davidson State Historic Site
Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site
Graham Cave State Park
Grand Gulf State Park
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site
Harry S Truman State Park
Hawn State Park
Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site
Iliniwek Village State Historic Site
Jefferson Landing State Historic Site
Jewell Cemetery State Historic Site
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
Jones-Confluence Point State Park
Katy Trail State Park
Knob Noster State Park
Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Lake Wappapello State Park
Lewis and Clark State Park
Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
Long Branch State Park
Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site
Mark Twain State Park
Mastodon State Historic Site
Meramec State Park
Missouri Mines State Historic Site
Missouri State Capitol
Missouri State Museum
Montauk State Park
Morris State Park
Onondaga Cave State Park
Osage Village State Historic Site
Pershing State Park
Pomme de Terre State Park
Prairie State Park
Roaring River State Park
Robertsville State Park
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
Route 66 State Park
St. Francois State Park
St. Joe State Park
Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site
Scott Joplin House State Historic Site
Stockton State Park
Table Rock State Park
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Thousand Hills State Park
Towosahgy State Historic Site
Trail of Tears State Park
Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site
Van Meter State Park
Wakonda State Park
Wallace State Park
Washington State Park
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park
Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site
Weston Bend State Park

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Wisconsin State Park

Wisconsin has more to offer than just the Green Bay Packers and cheese! With the vast topography they have a scenic view for everyone. So whether you are looking to camp on the Great Lakes of Superior or Michigan or splash your way through the Wisconsin Dells there is a State Park to accommodate your camping needs.

Wisconsin State Parks, like many of our nations State Parks, requires a sticker/license path ($25 for state resident, $35 for out of state).  Wisconsin offers great scenic forest hiking trails and wonderful fishing as well as hunting opportunities for the outdoors man.

Here is a list of all the Wisconsin State Parks, A to Z, easy to print.

Amnicon Falls State Park
Aztalan State Park
Belmont Mound State Park
Big Bay State Park
Big Foot Beach State Park
Blue Mound State Park
Brunet Island State Park
Buckhorn State Park
Copper Culture State Park
Copper Falls State Park
Council Grounds State Park
Devil’s Lake State Park
Governor Dodge State Park
Governor Nelson State Park
Governor Thompson State Park
Harrington Beach State Park
Hartman Creek State Park
Heritage Hill State Park
High Cliff State Park
Interstate State Park
Kinnickinnic State Park
Kohler-Andrae State Park
Lake Kegonsa State Park
Lake Wissota State Park
Lakeshore State Park
Merrick State Park
Mill Bluff State Park
Mirror Lake State Park
Natural Bridge State Park
Nelson Dewey State Park
New Glarus Woods State Park
Newport State Park
Pattison State Park
Peninsula State Park
Perrot State Park
Potawatomi State Park
Rib Mountain State Park
Roche-A-Cri State Park
Rock Island State Park
Rocky Arbor State Park
Straight Lake State Park
Tower Hill State Park
Whitefish Dunes State Park
Wildcat Mountain State Park
Willow River State Park
Wyalusing State Park
Yellowstone Lake State Park

South Dakota State Parks

When people this of South Dakota they probably think Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills and Sturgis Bike Ralley but in fact they have a number of beautiful State Parks to visit. Most of South Dakota State Parks lie East of the Missouri River which does come as a surprise but does makes sense given the number of lakes East River versus West.

South Dakota State Parks offer a diverse range of activities depending on where in the state you are from skiing, to camping, to boating and swimming there is something for everyone. Most of the South Dakota State Park campgrounds and parks require you have a state park pass ($28).

Most of the state campgrounds include restrooms, hot showers, boat launches, planned activities, playgrounds, hiking trails, and ADA accessible campsites. Several of the campgrounds also offer RV sites with electrical hookups. Firewood is for sale at most areas and fish cleaning stations are also available.

Below is the complete printable A to Z list of South Dakota State Parks for your vacation planning information.

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
Angostura Recreation Area
Bear Butte State Park
Beaver Creek Nature Area
Big Sioux Recreation Area
Big Stone Island Nature Area
Burke Lake Recreation Area
Buryanek Recreation Area
Chief White Crane Recreation Area
Cow Creek Recreation Area
Custer State Park
Farm Island Recreation Area
Fisher Grove State Park
Fort Sisseton Historic State Park
Hartford Beach State Park
Indian Creek Recreation Area
LaFramboise Island Nature Area
Lake Alvin Recreation Area
Lake Cochrane Recreation Area
Lake Herman State Park
Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area
Lake Louise Recreation Area
Lake Poinsett Recreation Area
Lake Thompson Recreation Area
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
Little Moreau Recreation Area
Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area
George S. Mickelson Trail
Mina Lake Recreation Area
Newton Hills State Park
North Point Recreation Area
North Wheeler Recreation Area
Oahe Downstream Recreation Area
Oakwood Lakes State Park
Okobojo Point Recreation Area
Palisades State Park
Pease Creek Recreation Area
Pelican Lake Recreation Area
Pickerel Lake Recreation Area
Pierson Ranch Recreation Area
Platte Creek Recreation Area
Randall Creek Recreation Area
Revheim Bay Recreation Area
Richmond Lake Recreation Area
Rocky Point Recreation Area
Roughlock Falls Nature Area
Roy Lake State Park
Sandy Shore Recreation Area
Shadehill Recreation Area
Sica Hollow State Park
Snake Creek Recreation Area
Spirit Mound Historic Prairie
Spring Creek Recreation Area
Springfield Recreation Area
Swan Creek Recreation Area
Union Grove State Park
Walker’s Point Recreation Area
West Bend Recreation Area
West Pollock Recreation Area
West Whitlock Recreation Area