Newton Hills State Park
Newton Hills State Park encompasses a total area of 1,063 acres in Lincoln County, South Dakota. The park is named after an early settler in the area back in the 1850’s called William Newton. Newton’s wife was famous for being the only European-American mid-wife north of Vermillion who could deliver babies and heal the sick. Today, Newton Hills State Park can easily be accessed by either from I-29; Exit 56; 12-miles east on County Road 140, ¼-mile north; or 6 miles south of Canton off County Road 135.
The area where the park sits resulted from glacial activity and includes several unique geological features including the Coteau des Prairie that rises past 2,000 feet above sea level and extends along the eastern border of South Dakota. The topography around the park also consists of rolling hills, forests, and prairie grassland. Also unique to the area where the land sits are Native American artifacts that date as far back as 300 B.C.
Newton Hills State Park also hosts over 200 species of birds that visit the park every year. Other wildlife in the park include marmots, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, rabbits, red and gray foxes, and squirrels. Within the park is Lake Lakota that visitors can access for swimming, boating, and fishing. Other activities that you can enjoy at the park include picnicking, camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Amenities at the park include 126 campsites, 9 cabins (each of which 4 people can sleep), 10 horse campsites, campground, picnic shelter, lodge, playground, warming shelter, fishing dock, boat ramp, bicycle rentals, paddleboard rentals, kayak rentals, vault toilets, event tent rentals, floating water mat rental, fishing pole checkout, game check out, snowshoe checkout, flush toilets/showers, and a lot more.
Dog owners can bring their pooches, big or small, at no extra cost. The dogs can be brought to tent and camp areas. That said, you should remember to adhere to South Dakota state park rules that include the following. First, your dog must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet long. Also, you must always maintain immediate control of your dog and your dog must never wander to designated swimming areas, within park buildings, or closer than 200-feet from other park guests. You must also clean up after your dog and it is, therefore, more convenient for you to carry poop bags to clean up.
