SD Parks & Wildlife Foundation

06/09/2026

BIG NEWS! The South Dakota Parks & Wildlife Foundation's raffle is bigger and better than ever!

Because of the incredible popularity of our Buffalo Roundup Rendezvous Raffle, the 2026 Outdoor Adventure Raffle now features FIVE unforgettable prize packages and FIVE winners! 🎉

🏕️ Buffalo Round-Up Adventure in Custer State Park
🎣 Guided fishing getaway on legendary Lake Oahe
🚴 Black Hills Mickelson Trail biking adventure
🌲 Plus two more incredible South Dakota outdoor experiences!

That's five chances to win an amazing adventure while supporting South Dakota's parks, wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations.

Learn more and get your tickets at our raffle page www.parkwildlifefoundation.org/raffle

Which adventure would you choose? Tell us in the comments! 👇

06/05/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Youth Visions & Voices of the Outdoors Essay and Art Contest Overall winners!

Overall Essay Winner: Grace C. of Spearfish Middle School for her essay "Timeless Ground"

Overall Art Winner: Isabella M. of Freedom Ranch Academy in Colton for her painting "A Day of Fun All but Done"

We were honored to celebrate these talented students and all 20 finalists at the Youth Visions & Voices of the Outdoors Showcase held in partnership with the Black Hills Area Community Foundation and Journey Museum Love the Outdoors Series.

Thank you to all of the students, families, teachers, and supporters who helped make this year's program a success. Your creativity, passion for the outdoors, and love for South Dakota's great places inspire us all.

🔗 View the full story, meet all of this year's finalists, and explore the winning essay and artwork on our website: https://www.parkswildlifefoundation.org/news/youth-visions-voices-contest-winners-announced

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Black Hills Area Community Foundation The Journey Museum

photo credit: Keith Anderson

SDPWF is proud to announce the student winners for the first-of-its-kind Youth Visions & Voices of the Outdoors Essay and Art Contests.

06/01/2026

Check out what's happening at Game, Fish & Parks Outdoor Campus-Rapid City this week.

There's always something to learn at both Game, Fish & Parks Outdoor Campus-Rapid City and Game, Fish & Parks Outdoor Campus - Sioux Falls - better yet, most opportunities are FREE!

Kick June off by trying something new at the Outdoor Campus West! For more information ➡️ license.gooutdoorssouthdakota.com/

06/01/2026

Another fun Birthday Bash celebration, this time at Palisades State Park! Thanks for celebrating the SD Parks & Wildlife Foundation's 40th Anniversary - let's keep the celebration going:

Find a Birthday Bash celebration near you at https://www.parkswildlifefoundation.org/anniversary-events
Next up is Hartford Beach State Park – June 5, 2026

05/29/2026

BIG NEWS from the South Dakota Parks & Wildlife Foundation!

Because of the incredible popularity of past Buffalo Roundup Rendezvous Raffles, the 2026 Raffle is getting even BIGGER with…

✅ FIVE winners
✅ FIVE unforgettable South Dakota adventures
✅ FIVE chances to make lifelong memories

The 2026 Outdoor Adventure Raffle Prizes Include:
🏞️ Adventure of a Lifetime – Buffalo Round-Up getaway in South Dakota’s iconic Custer State Park
🎣 Fishing Adventure – Guided walleye fishing experience on legendary Lake Oahe
🚴 Biking Adventure – Mickelson Trail Trek getaway through the beautiful Black Hills
🥾 Family Hiking Adventure – Family escape and guided hike at Newton Hills State Park
🏕️ Camping Adventure – Lakeside cabin stay and historic fort experience at Roy Lake and Fort Sisseton State Parks

Donate to Enter Today and find out more at: www.parkswildlifefoundation.org/raffle

Every raffle ticket helps enhance outdoor recreation and protect the parks, trails, wildlife areas, and wild places that make South Dakota extraordinary.

Great Places Don’t Just Happen — and your ticket helps make them possible for future generations.

Thanks to our generous sponsors: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and Ramkota Companies!

05/27/2026

June 6 is American Hiking Society ! Get involved:
📣Tell us - what is your favorite South Dakota trail?
OR
🎁Consider at gift to South Dakota's very own George S. Mickelson Trail at https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E352511&id=17

Or activate your local community and join the nationwide movement to give back to trails! Whether you’re cleaning up public lands, volunteering for trail maintenance, or simply enjoying the great outdoors, your efforts make a lasting impact.

National Trails Day® is a time to connect with people near you who share your love of being outside!

Find a local event and take the National Trails Day® pledge. bit.ly/trails-day

05/26/2026

Birthday Bash #1 was a WILD success!

Huge shoutout to the crew at Lewis & Clark Recreation Area for kicking off the South Dakota Parks & Wildlife Foundation’s 40th Anniversary celebration in style, you didn’t just raise the bar… you launched it over the campfire.

And to everyone who came out: thanks for bringing the party spirit, the smiles, and enough fun to make the fish jealous.

Missed this one? Don’t worry, the Birthday Bash tour is just getting warmed up. More celebrations are headed your way!

Join the Birthday Bash fun this weekend at:
Palisades State Park – May 29, 2026
Custer State Park – May 30, 2026
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area – May 30, 2026

Check out the full Birthday Bash schedule at https://www.parkswildlifefoundation.org/anniversary-events

05/21/2026

Big Announcement! Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve's Accessible Playground is $10,000 closer to becoming a reality!

A big thank you to all involved in making this grant from Missouri River Historical Development, Inc - MRHD possible and for and joining us in Making Great Places Happen.

Learn more about the Adams Homestead Accessible Playground project and join us in making this great place happen at https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E352511&id=15

05/20/2026

🎉 The South Dakota Parks & Wildlife Foundation is celebrating 40 years of making Great Places Happen!

To celebrate, South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks locations across the state are hosting Birthday Bash events — and the fun starts this weekend at Lewis & Clark Recreation Area!

🎂 Come celebrate with us, make some memories, and save the dates for upcoming Birthday Bash events across South Dakota! Be sure to follow each park location for event details and updates as their party date gets closer.

• Lewis & Clark Recreation Area – May 23, 2026
• Palisades State Park – May 29, 2026
• Custer State Park – May 30, 2026
• Lake Vermillion Recreation Area – May 30, 2026
• Hartford Beach State Park – June 5, 2026
• Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve – June 25, 2026
• Big Sioux Recreation Area – June 27, 2026
• Lake Poinsett Recreation Area - July 11, 2026
• Oakwood Lakes State Park – August 1, 2026

More BDAY Bash events to be announced soon!

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area with a fun-filled lineup of activities for the whole family! Join us for exciting pet-themed activities, including crafts and treats for your furry friends, then help us celebrate SD Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s 40th Birthday Bash with games, food, and fun. Wrap up the weekend with a delicious Memorial Day brunch while enjoying the beauty of the campground and time with family and friends. Kick off your summer season with us and make unforgettable memories at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area!

05/18/2026

Adventure 250 - Make Your History in South Dakota State Parks!

America is turning 250, and there’s no better place to celebrate than in South Dakota’s great outdoors.

This summer, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks invites you to be part of the celebration with Adventure 250: Make Your History in South Dakota State Parks.

Complete adventures at South Dakota state parks to earn points and be entered for chances to win prizes all summer long. Each adventure is worth 5–50 points depending on difficulty. Use the interactive map to locate unique adventures across South Dakota state parks.

Find out more at the official Adventure 250 website: https://gfp.sd.gov/history2026/?fbclid=iwy2xjawr4tm5lehrua2flbqixmabicmlketfrovhsvkvlovi1c25smupqc3j0ywzhchbfawqqmjiymdm5mtc4odiwmdg5mgabhtwdkbnnmhljo9ktkx2zldjb4mchkfxbqpg-0ibkxep2sjojyjzaimnbrmgm_aem_onojpsds_-hvcoepicoqlq