🌤 Weather at Fisher Grove State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–69 °F | 56–84 °F | 21–74 °F | 3–28 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Redfield, 8 mi away, elevation 1,309 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Scenic woodlands, mixed-grass prairie, and wetlands surround the James River inside Fisher Grove State Park. This picturesque area lies 8 miles east of Redfield in northeastern South Dakota. This area was once home to Belchers Ford, a stopover for the Watertown-to-Pierre stage line. Today the park is named for the area’s first permanent European settler, Frank I. Fisher. Visitors to this serene South Dakota state park enjoy kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, golfing, fishing, camping, bird watching, and picnicking. The park is managed and maintained by the adjacent Fisher Grove Country Club.
Activities
Fisher Grove State Park offers guests a rustic get away year round. The park features river activities, a campground, historic 10-hole golf course, a nature trail, and picnic areas with warming shelters, tables, playgrounds, and restrooms. You’ll enjoy your visit to this peaceful park whether you come for a day or spend a few nights. Considering a visit during the winter? The park offers winter activities too, such as snowmobiling. Here are some of the activities that you can do during your visit to Fisher Grove State Park:
Golfing at Fisher Grove State Park
Fisher Grove Country Club lies adjacent to Fisher Grove State Park. This semi-private Country Club features a 10 hole golf course with tree lined fairways and greens alongside the James River. The Country club has been here since 1950.
Boating at Fisher Grove State Park
Enjoy a scenic paddle along the James River during your visit. A tributary of the Missouri River, the James River flows for about 710 miles between South Dakota and North Dakota. Bring your own kayak, canoe, or paddle board or rent one nearby before heading in.
Hiking at Fisher Grove State Park
Take a walk along the nature trail inside Fisher Grove State Park. This easy flat path guides you along the James River and through the woodlands and tall-grass prairie. Interpretive signs line the trail highlighting the flora, fauna, history, and geology of the area. Guests may also hike or bicycle on the park roads.
Fishing at Fisher Grove State Park
Spend a quiet morning fishing along the James River during your visit to Fisher Grove State Park. Here you may catch catfish, northern pike, rock bass, gar, bullhead, carp, and freshwater drum along the river’s shoreline. Just remember to pack your angling gear and pick up a South Dakota fishing license ahead of time.
Birding at Fisher Grove State Park
Fisher Grove State Park lies within the Glacial Lakes and Prairies region of South Dakota. This area consists of the Central and Mississippi migratory flyways that millions of birds cross each spring and fall. And the park is one of 38 prime birding sites on the Glacial Lakes & Prairies Birding Trail. Along this extensive trail many songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl may be easily observed. During your visit here take a walk along the birding trail that follows the James River for a chance to see American Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, Mourning Doves, Black-capped Chickadees, Western Meadowlarks, American Goldfinches, Indigo Buntings, Grasshopper Sparrows, Prairie Falcons, and Red-headed Woodpeckers.
Nature and Wildlife at Fisher Grove State Park
Discover the beauty of northeastern South Dakota with a visit to Fisher Grove State Park. The area around the park is a mixture of woodlands, rivers, streams, marsh and prairie. Here you may see prairie dogs, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, deer, mule, rabbits, and opossum.
Pets
Pets are allowed at Fisher Grove State Park as long as they are supervised and leashed. Pets are not permitted inside park buildings or in the swimming area.
Camping
Fisher Grove State Park features 22 campsites available year round. The campsites are a mix of electric and non-electric. Campers have convenient access to flush toilets, showers, and drinking water May 1 through September 30. Water may be turned off in the park between Oct 1 and April 30, vault toilets are open during that time.
Park Location
Fisher Grove State Park 17290 Fishers Ln Frankfort, SD 57440 Phone: 605.626.3488 Park Website Reservations
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Fisher Grove State Park:
Explore More South Dakota State Parks
Fisher Grove State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in South Dakota. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in South Dakota guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
More parks nearby: Mina Lake Recreation Area is within about an hour’s drive, while Richmond Lake Recreation Area lies elsewhere in the state.
⛺ Camping at Fisher Grove State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 22 sites — 22 electrical campsites, $30/night. Dump station, flush toilets, showers, drinking water, ADA-accessible campsites, vault toilets (year-round). |
|---|---|
| Pets | Statewide SD GFP leash rule applies (leash required April 1–Sept. 30, immediate control year-round; pets excluded from buildings and designated swim areas). |
| Reservations | Reserve online or call 1.800.710.2267. Statewide 90-day advance reservation window. South Dakota park entrance license required per vehicle: daily $10 resident/$15 nonresident, annual $40 resident/$60 nonresident. |
| Special sites | James River access for canoeing/kayaking. No non-electric or tent-only sites documented on the official park page; no camping cabins. |
| Season notes | Open year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets, and other water systems may be closed. |
Camping questions about Fisher Grove State Park
Can you camp at Fisher Grove State Park?
Yes. Fisher Grove State Park has 22 campsites. 22 electrical campsites, $30/night. Dump station, flush toilets, showers, drinking water, ADA-accessible campsites, vault toilets (year-round).
How do you reserve a campsite at Fisher Grove State Park?
Reserve online or call 1.800.710.2267. Statewide 90-day advance reservation window. South Dakota park entrance license required per vehicle: daily $10 resident/$15 nonresident, annual $40 resident/$60 nonresident.
Are pets allowed at the Fisher Grove State Park campground?
Statewide SD GFP leash rule applies (leash required April 1–Sept. 30, immediate control year-round; pets excluded from buildings and designated swim areas).
Source: gfp.sd.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Fisher Grove State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in South Dakota state parks and recreation areas, including campgrounds and most trails, but not in park buildings or on designated swim beaches.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- April 1 - September 30: leash no longer than 10 ft required at all times; October 1 - March 31: leash optional but pets must be under immediate control
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets (except service animals) are not allowed on designated swimming beaches
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Dogs and cats allowed in pet-designated lodges, cabins and suites (roughly 40 parks/recreation areas have designated pet-friendly cabins) with payment of a pet accommodation fee
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use or camping pet fee; a pet accommodation fee is charged for pet-designated lodging
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets prohibited in all park buildings and on the Summit Trail at Bear Butte State Park
Are dogs allowed at Fisher Grove State Park?
Pets are allowed in South Dakota state parks and recreation areas, including campgrounds and most trails, but not in park buildings or on designated swim beaches. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via gfp.sd.gov. More: South Dakota state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
🐻 Wildlife at Fisher Grove State Park: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For
Worth watching for: South Dakota GFP's interpretive guide to the one-mile Dakota Trail, which starts at the east side of the campground and follows the James River through ash, American elm and hackberry bottomland, lists white-tailed deer, raccoon, coyote, cottontail rabbit, beaver, muskrat, mink, fox squirrel, red and gray fox, badger and thirteen-lined ground squirrel as animals of this river valley. The park's official bird list runs to more than 60 species, among them great blue heron, black-crowned night heron, wood duck, belted kingfisher, screech and great horned owl, red-headed woodpecker, Baltimore and orchard oriole, indigo bunting and rose-breasted grosbeak. Heavy underbrush near the river at trail station 14 is called out as especially good animal habitat, and GFP recommends walking slowly and watching the trail through different seasons.
Wildlife information verified July 2026 via gfp.sd.gov.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Fisher Grove State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
