Sioux Falls, South Dakota (KELO) — This week will be warmer than last week, so if the kids are home from school, the adults are off work, or relatives are in town, it’s time to get outside.
The Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department has many options for outdoor activities.
The Great Bear Ski Valley in Sioux Falls opened today (December 26) at 9am. Downhill skiing, tubing and terrain parks are now open. A cross-country trail was developed. The park is also great for hiking.
Hours of operation are generally 8am to 9pm, but the tubing area may close at 8:30pm.
Sioux Falls has several Nordic ski runs.
There are two trails at the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum and the East Sioux Falls Historic Site at 1900 S. Perry Place.
There are trails at Sertoma Park at West 49th Street and Oxbow Avenue.
There are two trails in Spencer Park, located southwest of Interstate 229 and South Cliff Avenue.
If you are interested in ice skating, Sioux Falls has six outdoor rinks. Campus Park, 1700 S. Summit Ave., Frank Olson Park, 4001 E. 16th, McKennan Park, 400 E. 26th St, Memorial Park, 7500 W. 26th St, Sherman Park, 2705 W. 12th St., and Tuthill Park, 3500 S. Cliff Ave.
During the winter holidays, the rink is open from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm from December 26th to 31st. The rink will be closed on his January 1st, but will reopen on January 2nd. The city also rents skates, with prices depending on age.
Game Fish and Parks and the City of Sioux Falls have snowshoe trails on their outdoor campuses. The campus is located at 4500 S. Oxbow Ave. and is part of Sertoma Park.
sled hunting in Sioux Falls? There are no official sledding guides on the city’s website, but an internet search will turn up these sledding sites.
Tuthill Park has a sledding hill. Located at the top of the park at 3500 S. Cliff Ave.
There is also a sledding hill at Spellerberg Park at 2201-2299 W 22nd St. near the Midco Aquatics Center.
Lions Park has a sledding hill at 2701 E. Merson Drive.
Leaders Park is located at 500 N. Leadale Ave. At least one of his reviews says this hill has bumps and thrills.
outside sioux falls
Outdoor activities don’t stop at Sioux Falls.
Outdoor opportunities abound in the state’s extensive state park system. There are ski trails, hiking trails and more. The Game Fish and Parks Department has a list of state parks with cross-country ski trails.
For example, in eastern South Dakota, cross-country skiing is available at Beaver Creek Nature Area at 48351 264th St. near Valley Springs SD 57068.
Go ice fishing at Oakwood Lakes State Park near Bruce.
Snowshoe checks are available at Newton Hills State Park at 28767 482nd Avenue.
Canton, SD 57013.
GFP also has a list of parks where you can snowshoe. There is a list of parks offering snowshoeing in the link.
Trails and parks are open during winter. GFP’s list of state parks can be found at this link.
If you plan to visit more relatives this week, Travel South Dakota has a list of outdoor activities in the state.
Wessington Springs has a ski area. The city states on its website that this is a historic park. The city also has an ice skating rink.
City of Westington Springs website.
Many cities in the state have trails, ice rinks, or winter venues of some sort. Check out cities and towns to find their winter activities. Brookings’ Dakota Nature Center Park is one such example.
If ice fishing is a family sport, your state’s GFP has a list of all public-access water bodies. GFP also has recommendations on the level of ice thickness required for fishing.
Snowmobiles can find public trails in the state park system. State information includes available snowmobile routes, interactive maps, and other details.
Walkers Point Recreation Area is one of the state snowmobiling areas.
South Dakota also has national parks and national public areas. They may also be open for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and other winter activities.
Travel South Dakota has a list of snowmobile trail systems in the state.