Lake Vermillion Recreation Area
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Glacial Prairie Lake — 280-acre glacial lake in eastern South Dakota — popular fishing and camping destination with a 1930s CCC-built shelter
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area centers on a 280-acre glacial lake in McCook County — one of eastern South Dakota’s most popular recreation areas. The park features a beautiful stone shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s — one of many CCC structures across South Dakota that transformed federal work relief into lasting recreational infrastructure. Lake Vermillion offers excellent walleye, northern pike, and bass fishing in clear glacial water.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | McCook County, SD |
| Entry Fee | SD Park Entrance License required |
| Lake | 280 acres glacial! |
| History | 1930s CCC shelter! |
About Lake Vermillion
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area near Canistota provides recreation on a 1,160-acre lake — one of the largest natural lakes in eastern South Dakota. The lake sits in the glacially-carved landscape of the Prairie Coteau — a rolling highland of lakes and wetlands created by retreating glaciers. The lake is a major regional recreation destination.
Things to Do
Fishing for walleye, bass, and northern pike, boating, camping (100+ sites), swimming at the beach, and enjoying one of eastern South Dakota’s premier natural lakes.
About Lake Vermillion
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area in McCook County provides recreation on a 1,000-acre lake in the Vermillion River basin of southeastern South Dakota. The lake is a popular fishery for walleye, northern pike, and bass. The Vermillion River valley was the route of the Dakota Territory’s first railroad (1872), which opened the southeastern corner of the state to rapid settlement.
Things to Do
Fishing for walleye, northern pike, and bass, camping (120 sites), swimming, boating, and enjoying one of southeastern South Dakota’s most popular recreation lakes.
🎣 Visit Lake Vermillion Recreation Area
280-acre glacial lake — CCC heritage, walleye and pike!
Park Location
Top Tours & Activities Near Sioux Falls
from $110
from $10
from $12