Beaver Creek Nature Area Trails
Brandon, SD (Sioux Falls, SD Area Trails) 

Map:
Hiking: https://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/beaver-creek-trails.pdf

Uses: Hiking, Running, Walking, Mountain Biking, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing 

Know Before You Go: Watch for poison ivy along the way. In some areas it’s difficult to find the trail. 
Length: 1.6 miles. 
Time: 45 minutes to one hour.   
Difficulty level:  Moderate.    
Terrain: Grass, dirt.   
Dog-friendly: Yes.  
Kid-friendly: Yes. 

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Beaver Creek was named by pioneers because of the large number of beavers they encountered in the winding spring-fed creek. The park features the historic Samuelson cabin and a glimpse of pioneer life from over a century ago. The cabin was once inhabited by homesteaders John and Anna Samuelson, who walked to the location from Sioux City, Iowa shortly after they were wed. They raised 8 children before moving west.

The park offers a little more than 1.5 miles of year-round trails along a winding stream. Wildlife includes beavers, woodchucks, rabits, raccoons, and deer. There are also several varieties of birds, such as hawks, sparrows, owls, chickadees, and woodpeckers. The trail meanders into a tallgrass prairie meadow that blooms with wildflowers during certain times of year, including pasque, prairie roses, yarrow, sunflowers, meadow anemones and goldenrod. Trees in the nature area include basswood, bur oak, elm, ash and red cedar.

In the winter, the park offers a great place for cross country skiing. 

THE HIKING DOGGIE CROSSING THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE ON THE HOMESTEADER TRAIL AT BEAVER CREEK NATURE AREA

HOMESTEADER TRAIL AT BEAVER CREEK NATURE AREA

BEAVER CREEK

BEAVER CREEK