🌤 Weather at Lake Poinsett State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21–69 °F | 57–83 °F | 23–73 °F | 5–29 °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 Arlington 1 W, 13 mi away, elevation 1,824 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Lake Poinsett State Park is a public state park in South Dakota near Arlington in Brookings County. Spanning 132 acres and established in 1963, this park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | South Dakota |
| Nearest City | Arlington |
| County | Brookings |
| Park Size | 132 acres |
| Established | 1963 |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.4/5 (350 reviews) |
Location & Getting There
Lake Poinsett State Park is located near Arlington, South Dakota. The park’s coordinates are 35.5325, -90.6872.
Things to Do
South Dakota state parks feature dramatic Black Hills landscapes, vast prairie grasslands, and Missouri River reservoirs. Activities include hiking through ponderosa pine forests and past exposed rock formations, fishing for walleye and bass in the great Missouri River reservoirs, swimming at lake beaches, camping under wide prairie skies, mountain biking in the Black Hills, horseback riding, rock climbing at Custer State Park, and wildlife viewing for bison, pronghorn, and wild burros. Custer State Park is home to one of the largest free-roaming bison herds in the world.
Best Time to Visit
Summer (June–August) is prime season, with warm days and cool Black Hills evenings. The Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup in late September is a world-famous event. Fall brings golden aspens to the Black Hills. Winter is cold but offers peaceful snow-dusted photography and snowmobiling. Spring (May) is pleasant but roads at higher elevations can still be closed from snow.
Visitor Tips
South Dakota state parks require a park entrance license ($8/day or $36/annual). Custer State Park has a separate, higher entrance fee ($20/vehicle). Camping reservations through campsd.com. The Black Hills parks are extremely popular — reserve campsites months in advance for summer. Keep a safe distance from bison (at least 100 yards) — they are surprisingly fast and unpredictable.
Explore More South Dakota State Parks
Lake Poinsett 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.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Oakwood Lakes State Park (a short drive away) or Lake Thompson Recreation Area (within about an hour’s drive).
⛺ Camping at Lake Poinsett State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 112 sites — 2 campgrounds with a combined 112 campsites, including electrical campsites ($30/night) and tent-only campsites. Amphitheater, archery range, basketball, boat ramp, boat wash, disc golf, dump station, fish cleaning station, horseshoes, restrooms/showers, swim beach, volleyball. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 4 camping cabins at $60/night, including ADA-accessible cabin(s). |
| 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 | Extensive recreation amenities (disc golf, archery range, amphitheater). Dump station on-site. |
| Season notes | Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets, and other water systems may be closed; vault toilets remain open year-round. |
Camping questions about Lake Poinsett State Park
Can you camp at Lake Poinsett State Park?
Yes. Lake Poinsett State Park has 112 campsites. 2 campgrounds with a combined 112 campsites, including electrical campsites ($30/night) and tent-only campsites. Amphitheater, archery range, basketball, boat ramp, boat wash, disc golf, dump station, fish cleaning station, horseshoes, restrooms/showers, swim beach, volleyball.
How do you reserve a campsite at Lake Poinsett 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 there cabins at Lake Poinsett State Park?
4 camping cabins at $60/night, including ADA-accessible cabin(s).
Are pets allowed at the Lake Poinsett 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 Lake Poinsett 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 Lake Poinsett 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
Park Location
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