Oakwood Lakes State Park, State park with eight glacial lakes in Brookings County, United States.
Oakwood Lakes State Park is a South Dakota state park in Brookings County, open year-round. Johnson Lake and Lake Tetonkaha lie within it, and the park sits beside Lake Oakwood and Mortimer Slough. Visitors come for camping, swimming, fishing, hiking and boating, with canoe and kayak rentals, horse camps and cross-country skiing.
The area was settled in the 1800s when early Europeans like Samuel Mortimer first arrived and built homes near the lakes. Mortimer's original log cabin from that era still stands in the park today, showing how early settlers lived in the region.
The park's name comes from the oak woods along the shore of Lake Oakwood, one of the lakes it borders. It was among the first three parks added when the South Dakota Legislature created the state park system in 1945, alongside Hartford Beach and Lake Herman state parks.
The park offers 139 tent sites, seven cabins, and accommodations for horses spread across the grounds. A daily vehicle fee is charged for entry, and arriving early helps secure good parking and camping spots in the more popular areas.
The park stays active during winter months with designated cross-country skiing trails and areas for ice fishing on the frozen lakes. These seasonal activities make it a year-round destination for visitors who want to stay outdoors even during cold weather.
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