Sandy Surprises: Five of South Dakota's Best Beaches

When you think of our beautiful state you might not necessarily think of lovely stretches of beach area. But believe it or not, South Dakota has more shoreline than the state of Florida.

Of course, we're talking beach areas around lakes, reservoirs, and along rivers. There are plenty of these places for us to enjoy but we'll check out some of the best.

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Sylvan Lake

Location, location, location! That is so true when it comes to this beautiful lake in Custer State Park. Not only is the lake itself a huge draw for swimming, kayaking, lounging on the beach, fishing, paddle boating, and more, but it is close to everything Black Hills.

So you can add camping and hiking to your Sylvan Lake adventure. Also, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and even Badlands National Park are all about an hour away.

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Lewis & Clark Recreation Area

Yankton was recently named the "most charming small city in South Dakota". Of course, a lot of that designation was based on all of the outdoor activities there are in and around Lewis & Clark Lake and the Missouri River.

There are a ton of sandy beaches perfect for sitting and relaxing, or you could head to the marina, rent a boat, and spend a day afloat. Lewis & Clark Rec Area also has plenty of picnicking, hiking, and camping areas.

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Lake Lakota/Newton Hills State Park

Located about an hour from Sioux Falls, this beautiful park has so many activities if that's what you're into, or you could just relax. Lake Lakota has a swimming beach and the whole lake is no wake zone, so swimmers love it. You can also canoe, kayak, or paddle boat.

Additionally, if you have a South Dakota fishing license you can fish Lake Lakota for bass, catfish, and perch.

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Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

Clear water for swimming and sandy beaches for relaxing aren't the only draw to this big reservoir. There are also three campgrounds, and fishing of course, and you can rent kayaks, paddle boats, and canoes.

Located about 30 miles from Sioux Falls and an hour from Newton Hills State Park, you can even expand your entertainment choices by taking a couple of road trips.

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Angostura State Recreation Beach

Close to Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse Memorial and about an hour from Badlands National Park is where you will find this beautiful lake with 36 miles of shoreline.

Its crystal clear water is perfect for swimming and is also a fishing paradise with walleye, smallmouth bass, perch, and more for catching.

When it comes to just the beach, Angostura's are considered to be some of the finest in the state. So there's plenty of beachcombing to be done here.

What Was It like to Vacation in South Dakota’s Black Hills 60 Years Ago?

This time of year our thoughts often turn to planning that perfect getaway to enjoy the warmer weather and extended daylight.

For a lot of us in South Dakota, that means a trek to the Black Hills and all of the things they have to offer.

But vacationing in western South Dakota is hardly a new concept. People from all over the globe have been coming to the area for decades.

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Seven Mind-Blowing Wonders' of South Dakota

I think most of us have at least heard of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World." We might not be able to rattle them off as easily as McDonald's value menu items, but chances are you've heard of at least some of them, right?

There's the Great Wall of China. Chichén Itzá, a Mayan City on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The ancient city of Petra, in Jordan. Machu Picchu in Peru. Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro. The Colosseum in Rome, and finally, the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.

Every state in the nation is known for having a series of natural wonders and signature landmarks. So, I thought I would come up with my own list of the "Seven Wonders of South Dakota."

The following is what I consider to be the signature landmarks, monuments, and natural wonders that are synonymous with the great state of South Dakota. I tried to give both sides of the state a little love while comprising this list.

You might have a few additions...

Let's get started. The Seven Wonders of South Dakota: