Lake Herman State Park

Fees

Daily: $8 per vehicle
Annual: $36 first vehicle | $18 for second vehicle | $80 transferable license
Campsites: - electrical: $26 per night
Campsites: - non-electrical: $22 per night
Cabins:: $55 per night

Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.
Amenities
  • Beach
  • Boat Ramp
  • Campground
  • Camping cabins
  • Canoe/kayak rentals
  • Drinking water
  • Dump station
  • Electric campsites
  • Fishing dock
  • Fishing pole checkout
  • Flush toilets/showers
  • Game checkout
  • Life Jacket Checkout
  • Paddleboard rentals
  • Picnic Shelter
  • Playground
  • Ski beach
  • Snowshoe checkout
  • Vault toilets

ADA/Accessible

Camping Cabins
  • Camping Site
  • Picnic Shelter
  • Activities
    • Birdwatching
    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Canoeing/Kayaking
    • Cross country skiing
    • Disc Golf
    • Fishing
    • Hiking
    • Historical interest
    • Horseshoes
    • Snowshoeing
    • Swimming

    Address

    Lake Herman State Park
    23409 State Park Drive
    Madison, SD 57042
    605.256.5003
    Email: LakeHerman@state.sd.us
    Home » Lake Herman State Park

    Melting glacial ice formed this 1,350-acre lake thousands of years ago. Lake Herman State Park is located on a peninsula and offers visitors spectacular views of Lake Herman. Camping, boating, fishing, and cross country skiing are favorite activities at the park. Observe wildlife in the native oak woodlands and prairie grasses that inhabitat a variety of birds and animals.

    Lake Herman has been a popular campsite for hundreds of years. Before white settlers entered the region, it was popular among Native Americans traveling to nearby Pipestone quarries.

    The first settlers at Lake Herman were Herman Luce and his son, William. They settled the timberland on the east side of the lake and assumed squatters’ rights on June 17, 1870. The log cabin in the park was built for Herman Luce in the summer of 1871. The cabin is made of sturdy oak logs hand hewn to fit snugly and chinked to keep out the cold.

    Luce’s cabin briefly served as a U. S. Land Office, with Herman Luce in charge. In 1977, the Herman Luce Cabin was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

    Park Specs

    Open: Year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open.

    Park Size: 72 campsites and 2 cabins (each sleeps 4 people)

    Directions:

    2 miles west of Madison off SD Hwy 34

    Nearest Town: Madison

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