As South Dakotans, we are used to hearing rave reviews about our state, but still enjoy whenever we are acknowledged for having something that is one of the best. One of our more recent of accolades? Having one of our stunning lakes recognized as being one of the most beautiful in America! Can you guess which attraction is being called the most beautiful lake in South Dakota? Read on to see if you’re correct:
Tucked away in the Black Hills is gorgeous Custer State Park and its equally gorgeous Sylvan Lake - the result of a man-made dam that is now one of the most photographed places in the state.
Wikimedia Commons
Created in 1881 via a dam built across Sunday Gulch Creek, Sylvan Lake in South Dakota is quite possibly the most easy-to-recognize body of water, thanks to the dramatic rock walls that surround it every which way.
Wikimedia Commons Is it just me or does this picture look like it was taken in Acapulco and not in Custer County?
In addition to the beauty of the lake itself, Sylvan has become a popular place to visit during warmer months, thanks to its 17.3 acres of water sports opportunities…
Flickr/Filter Coffee
…the lake’s surrounding trails…
Flickr/Tim & Stacy Fisher
…and, of course, the iconic swim beach!
Wikimedia Commons
As per Architectural Digest, “Within Custer State Park, which is part of the Black Hills, the natural rock formations surrounding Sylvan Lake are mesmerizing.”
Flickr/Gouldy These beautiful blue waters make Sylvan the prettiest lake in South Dakota!
We couldn’t agree more, AD!
Flickr/bruce_fulton
Sylvan Lake - arguably the most photographed place in South Dakota - is open year-round and costs $20 per day for a short-term license.
Flickr/Ben Piven
Visit the lake at 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
Wikimedia Commons
Is it just me or does this picture look like it was taken in Acapulco and not in Custer County?
Flickr/Filter Coffee
Flickr/Tim & Stacy Fisher
Flickr/Gouldy
These beautiful blue waters make Sylvan the prettiest lake in South Dakota!
Flickr/bruce_fulton
Flickr/Ben Piven
Check out even more of our state’s gorgeous lakes by clicking 10 Beautiful South Dakota Lakes With A Magical Aura About Them.
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Address: Sylvan Lake, East Custer, SD 57730, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Beautiful Lake In South Dakota May 28, 2019 Annie What are the best lakes to visit in South Dakota? Obviously, we are pretty fond of Sylvan Lake, but there are a lot of other stellar lakes around South Dakota, too! If you want to visit a lake that is calm and quiet, we recommend Lake Kampeska near Watertown, which is the perfect place for both water sports and relaxing on the shore. While we already said that Sylvan is the prettiest lake in South Dakota, a close second would have to Pickerel; one of SoDak’s deepest natural lakes that is surrounded by beautiful trees and prairie. Finally, for one of the best lake beaches in South Dakota, visit the large and sandy Oahe Downstream Recreation Area in Fort Pierre! What are the best lake beaches in South Dakota? Obviously, there is the aforementioned Sylvan Lake, but there is also the one-of-a-kind Cascade Falls (an all-natural swimming hole located outside of Hot Springs), Newton Hills State Park, and the sandy shores of Angostura Reservoir. Where are the best natural places to go swimming in South Dakota? While South Dakota has several man-made lakes and reservoirs, we also have some natural places to swim as well. As we just mentioned, Cascade Falls is always a must, but there is also Lewis and Clark Recreation Area (an impoundment of the mighty Missouri), Lake Thompson (the largest natural lake in the state!), and (again) Pickerel Lake.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Beautiful Lake In South Dakota
May 28, 2019
Annie
What are the best lakes to visit in South Dakota? Obviously, we are pretty fond of Sylvan Lake, but there are a lot of other stellar lakes around South Dakota, too! If you want to visit a lake that is calm and quiet, we recommend Lake Kampeska near Watertown, which is the perfect place for both water sports and relaxing on the shore. While we already said that Sylvan is the prettiest lake in South Dakota, a close second would have to Pickerel; one of SoDak’s deepest natural lakes that is surrounded by beautiful trees and prairie. Finally, for one of the best lake beaches in South Dakota, visit the large and sandy Oahe Downstream Recreation Area in Fort Pierre! What are the best lake beaches in South Dakota? Obviously, there is the aforementioned Sylvan Lake, but there is also the one-of-a-kind Cascade Falls (an all-natural swimming hole located outside of Hot Springs), Newton Hills State Park, and the sandy shores of Angostura Reservoir. Where are the best natural places to go swimming in South Dakota? While South Dakota has several man-made lakes and reservoirs, we also have some natural places to swim as well. As we just mentioned, Cascade Falls is always a must, but there is also Lewis and Clark Recreation Area (an impoundment of the mighty Missouri), Lake Thompson (the largest natural lake in the state!), and (again) Pickerel Lake.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
What are the best lake beaches in South Dakota? Obviously, there is the aforementioned Sylvan Lake, but there is also the one-of-a-kind Cascade Falls (an all-natural swimming hole located outside of Hot Springs), Newton Hills State Park, and the sandy shores of Angostura Reservoir.
Where are the best natural places to go swimming in South Dakota? While South Dakota has several man-made lakes and reservoirs, we also have some natural places to swim as well. As we just mentioned, Cascade Falls is always a must, but there is also Lewis and Clark Recreation Area (an impoundment of the mighty Missouri), Lake Thompson (the largest natural lake in the state!), and (again) Pickerel Lake.
