South Dakota's Shady State Park Near Sioux Falls Is Perfect For Camping, Hiking, And Biking

Around Beresford, the landscape is pretty typical of South Dakota's greater East River region. Tucked away in the southeast corner of the state, the little community is surrounded by wide-open prairie and farmland about as far as the eye can see. But if you head about 11 miles south of town to Union Grove State Park, things start to get a bit bumpy. Forested rolling hills and ravines blanket this patch of wilds, standing out from the flat prairie land beyond. The hilly terrain is a natural wonder, formed by glaciers ages ago. The tree-topped mounds are intersected by a winding creek, so you'll find plenty of scenic, shady spots to take in the beautiful scenery on a sunny day.

Union Grove State Park – not to be confused with the park of the same name in Iowa — was established as a county park back in the 1930s. The recreation area is a straight shot south of Sioux Falls via Interstate 29, about an hour away by car. The woodsy retreat makes for one heck of a relaxing camping adventure. Just ask any past camper. "Peaceful is the word that kept coming to mind during our stay here," one person shared in a Google review. "We plan to make many more visits back here!" Spanning about 500 acres, the state park has plenty of grounds to explore if you're just coming in for a quick day trip, too. From hiking and biking to picnicking and wildlife watching, it's perfect for a romp through the woods.

Union Grove State Park's woods include bur oak, eastern red cedar, and introduced pine, along with an old arboretum filled with ornamental trees and shrubs. Traipse through the lush woodland via the recreation area's two main trails. The Brule Bottom Hiking Trail loops through the park for about 1.2 miles, taking you through the native hardwood forest that stretches along Brule Creek. If you don't mind a bit of elevation, make the trek up to the scenic overlook at Parkview Hill. Standing more than 1,300 feet above sea level, it's one of the highest points in all of eastern South Dakota. "Had to detour to get here, but it was well worth it for the beautiful views creek side," one visitor shared on AllTrails. "Many song birds and canopy shade trees along the trails." 

The Mosey Meadow Multi-Use Trail is also open to bicyclists and horseback riders. Just note, the moderately challenging 4.3-mile dirt-and-grass path can get hilly in certain areas. "The trails there are great for mountain biking," one biker wrote on AllTrails, adding that there's "lots of climbing but that's part of the mountain biking experience!" The hill-studded terrain also lends itself to snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the winter months. If you want to map out your route ahead of your trip, you can find a trail guide online. Union Grove does allow hunting, so keep that in mind during the active season, which usually runs from October 1 through April 30. You may also want to freshen up on some park ranger tips for staying safe while hiking through the trees. Try to spot some native wildlife as you forge along, including deer, wild turkeys, beavers, opossums, and chipmunks. 

For an overnight stay, having the right camping gear for a comfortable night outdoors can help. Union Grove State Park has a cozy little campground tucked away in the woods. The camping area has 25 sites total, including four that can accommodate horses, with both electrical and tent-only options. Like some of the hiking trails, the heavy forest canopy provides a refreshing escape from the sun. "Good amount of shade and green space around site," one camper shared in a Google review, adding that it was a "nice place to relax for a couple days." The campground has restroom and shower facilities on-site, along with a playground area.

The park is open year-round. However, the flush toilets, showers, and drinking water may be unavailable from October 1 through April 30. Campsites are pretty affordable, ranging from $16 per night for tent spots to $30 per night for RV-friendly spaces with electricity as of this writing. A park entrance license is required in addition to the camping fees. If you'd prefer more luxurious lodging, several hotels and inns can be found in South Dakota's under-the-radar college city of Vermillion, which is only about a 20-minute drive away from the state park.