​Palisades State Park
Garretson, SD

Website: https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/palisades-state-park/
Uses: Hiking, Walking, Rock Climbing, Fishing, Camping
Know Before You Go: On rainy days, the trails can be very muddy. Be sure to keep an eye on kids and dogs as rocks can be slick when wet, and there are no safety railings between you and the creek.  
Length:  2.5 paved trails, 1.9 miles of unpaved trails.
Time: 1 to 2 hours.  
Difficulty level: Moderate.  
Terrain: Grass, dirt, rock.
Dog-friendly: Yes.
Kid-friendly: Yes 

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Split Rock Creek and Sioux quartzite pack a punch in this state park near Garretson, South Dakota. The creek cut beautiful formations into the rock over thousands of years, creating scenic overlooks and fun places to climb.

Hiking
The park is home to four hiking trails totaling around 2 miles. The trails wind over the rock, along the river, and across the top of beautiful quartzite cliffs which date back 1.2 billion years.

You can also walk along the approximately 2.5 miles of paved trail and road running through the park for more scenic vistas.

History
Palisades is rich with history. Although the town of Palisades no longer exists, you can imagine a busy berg developed around a large flour mill once powered by Split Rock Creek. Silver was once discovered near the park as well, but found to be poor quality so interest fizzled.

Other Activities
Climbers love the 50-foot cliffs, and hikers get a lot of bang for their buck at this pretty park. It’s also a great place to fish and to put in your canoe or kayak for a float downstream. 
 

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