South Dakota

South Dakota’s Palisades State Park has dramatic spires and 1800s lore

Published

3 weeks ago

April 17, 2026

South Dakota’s Palisades State Park has dramatic spires and 1800s lore

It’s an ominous, enchanting scene right in the middle of farmland: 50-foot, gothic rock formations with a clear-water creek running through it.

Maybe it’s just another campground in South Dakota, but if you kayak in the canyon, scale the spires or cross the legendary bridges of Palisades State Park, you’ve made it to another era indeed.

As part of a USA Today Network project exploring places across America with historical and cultural significance, and a celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, here’s a look at an ideal outdoor destination for a family day trip.

Location

48422 256th Street in Garretson, South Dakota.

Why it matters

It’s been celebrated as a state park for over 50 years now, but old Indian legends here date back centuries, and the quartzite rock chasms are over a billion years old.

History lessons really hold up at the Palisades, remembered for its 19th-century silver rush and that one time Minnesota bandit Jesse James allegedly jumped an 18-foot gap on horseback nearby the park after a botched bank robbery in 1876 – and made it, managing as a fugitive for five more years before his assassination.

In 1924, then Garretson newspaper reporter W.W. Sanders wrote, “It was across the Devil’s Gulch, as pedigree legend has it, that Jesse James jumped.”

Devil’s Gulch, actually its own city-managed park a couple miles north of the Palisades, still maintains intrigue for the Palisades.

What to see today

Many come to see the migrant birds, who flock along the 1.5-mile-long creek, but the park is wooded enough to spot Great Horned Owls or even white-tailed deer.

Geologists come to marvel at the metamorphic processes of the park’s pink quartzite.

Ask a local

Ok, you didn’t hear it from us but spend a warm Sunday cliff jumping into Split Rock Creek. Some are over 50-foot drops, but what a thrill! Otherwise, you can more safely canoe, fish, hike or have a picnic. It’s a very clean park, with over 100 campsites and many picnic shelters.

Plan your visit

Best time: It feels like an Italian summer to swim in the canyons of Split Rock Creek, but, ohh, you should see those colors in the fall.
Hours/admission: Open year-round, with water systems closed from October-April. Camping fees range from $16-$60.
Getting there: Palisades is located 20 miles northeast of Sioux Falls. Take exit 406 along Interstate 90. The park is 9 miles north, toward Garretson.
Learn more: Palisades State Park | South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks

Written by Angela George with the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. USA 250 Most Treasured Views is a USA TODAY Network project exploring places across America with historical and cultural significance, created in celebration of the USA 250 initiative marking the nation’s 250th birthday.

Source link

Click to comment

South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for May 8, 2026

Published

5 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing

37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing

14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

South Dakota

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive being held Saturday in South Dakota and across the nation

Published

17 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive being held Saturday in South Dakota and across the nation | DRGNews

google-site-verification: google9919194f75dd62c5.html

Source link

South Dakota

SD Lottery Millionaire for Life winning numbers for May 7, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 7 drawing

05-08-21-44-48, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link