The 157-acre Palisades State Park near Garretson is the second smallest state park in South Dakota, but it offers stunning scenery. The highlight of the park is the Sioux quartzite rock formations along the Split Rock Creek. The Sioux quartzite rock formations include cliffs that tower as high as 50 feet above the creek. The Sioux quartzite rock is estimated to be 1.2 billion years old. There are scenic overlooks and hiking trails that allow visitors to get superb views of the quartzite palisades. Iron oxide in the Sioux quartzite rocks gives it a pinkish purple hue.
Rock climbing on the quartzite cliffs is a popular activity. Other activities enjoyed by visitors to Palisades State Park include hiking, swimming, photography, picnicking, and fishing. There are about four miles of hiking trails in the park.
For visitors wishing to spend more than a day at the park, camping, camper cabins, and a lodge that sleeps up to 12 people are available. The campground has 34 sites and 21 of the sites have electrical hookups. The park’s six camper cabins are located in the campground.
The park is open year-round, however between October 1 and April 30, the showers, flush toilets and other water systems are shut down. A fee is required for the park. A South Dakota state park day use or annual permit can be purchased at the entrance booth. Dogs are allowed in all areas of the park, except for in buildings and at beaches. Dogs must when kept on a leash 6 feet long or shorter.
A link to the South Dakota State Parks website for Palisades State Park can be found here.
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