5 places to enjoy a winter wonderland just outside Sioux Falls

This paid piece is sponsored by Travel South Dakota.

From cozy cabins to cross-country skiing and ice fishing, you’ll find it all within an hour’s drive of Sioux Falls – if you know where to look.

So make the most of a winter weekend – or treat yourself to a day off and an escape into nature with these five destinations.

While you’re at it, you can sign the pledge to be “Forever 605,” promising to “be both a brave wanderer and passionate steward of the 605 state.” Plus you get a free sticker!

And, don’t forget about Travel South Dakota’s Peaks to Plains Passport  collaboration with South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, which highlights state parks and outdoor attractions across the state. It’s a mobile-exclusive pass created to help both locals and visitors explore unique destinations statewide – while earning prizes.

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve

272 Westshore Drive, McCook Lake

If you’ve always wanted to try cross-country skiing, Adams Homestead is a great place to start. You’ll find 6 miles of mostly flat, groomed trail, and you can rent equipment right at the park.

Jody Moats, park manager, said it’s one of her favorite ways to enjoy the park, which is 1,500 acres along the Missouri River, just west of North Sioux City.

“The sound of my skis gliding across the snow and the sight of a colorful sunset can make a chilly night better,” Moats said. “Owls calling to each other in the trees and moonlight reflecting off the snow makes exercising and recreating in the winter so much fun.”

Trails are groomed after every good snowfall and maintained once or twice a week, depending on snowfall and temperature. Visitors also can hike, snowshoe or ride a fat tire bike, though users are asked not to disturb the ski tracks. Dogs should be leashed.

If you need to rent equipment, Moats recommends calling ahead.

“We have daily rentals and weekend rentals,” she said. “Weekend rentals need to be picked up on Friday before 4:30 p.m. and returned on Monday morning.”

“We want to make sure everyone enjoys their time at our park and on our trail system,” she said. “There are many activities you can do at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve.”

Newton Hills State Park

28767 482nd Ave., Canton

If you head to Newton Hills State Park this winter, you can do more than just enjoy miles of snowy trail. You also can rent one of the modern cabins, put a fire in the fireplace and enjoy a cozy weekend getaway.

“The 1,000-acre forest makes it a winter wonderland,” said Jason Baumann, district park supervisor.

Guests can borrow snowshoes at the park and warm up at the wood-fired warming shelter. And, of course, rent one of the two lodges or modern cabins and camping cabins. It just depends on what kind of winter experience you’re looking for.

The park has groomed cross-country ski trails and areas to snowshoe.

“Snowshoe anywhere you’d like, but please refrain from walking on the groomed ski trail,” Baumann said.

You can find out trail conditions by calling 605-987-2267.

“The modern cabin and both of our lodges are available all year,” he said. “You can make reservations a year in advance at our modern facilities by going to CampSD.com. ”

Baumann said it’s an ideal winter getaway.

“My favorite thing to do is rent our newest lodge, the Scout Lodge, which has a working fireplace. Put on a set of snowshoes with my family and friends and go for a walk though this beautiful park,” he said. “When we are done, it feels so good to walk into a warm lodge and sit next to fireplace to warm my hands and enjoy the weekend with family and friends. It truly is a memory maker we will never forget.”

Dakota Nature Park

1705 32nd St. S., Brookings

If your idea of winter fun leans more toward ice fishing, check out Dakota Nature Park in Brookings.

The 135-acre park offers ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and bird-watching.

“It’s a peaceful place to enjoy the outdoors,” said Kristin Zimmerman, director of parks, recreation and forestry. “You can also rent the Nature Center for meetings and events.”

Guests can rent snowshoes, and the Wellness Center rents skis. Trails are groomed about twice a week, if there’s the right amount of snow.

The trails wind around the ponds at the park and through the restored prairie area. There also are dedicated walking trails.

Fort Sisseton Historic State Park

11907 434th Ave., Lake City

This one is a little farther from Sioux Falls, but it offers scenic beauty and history together.

Fort Sisseton is an historic state park that was a former Army outpost.

According to the site, “This 1864 fort, atop the Coteau des Prairies (French for ‘hills of the prairies’), was originally a frontier army outpost called Fort Wadsworth. The site was chosen because it provided a strong natural defense, an ample supply of lime and clay for making bricks, an abundance of lake water for drinking and a thick stand of trees for timber and fuel.”

Guided tours are available in season, but there’s plenty to do at the park in the winter too. Guests can check out snowshoes and enjoy the trails. Download a trail map from the website, and take your own guided tour through the area to see some of the 15 buildings such as officers’ quarters and the commissary.

The park has a master plan for improvements, including site work, interpretive opportunities and more.

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

26140 451st Ave., Canistota

Lake Vermillion is a 512-acre reservoir west of Sioux Falls. In the winter, visitors can snowshoe through the park, take a winter hike, do some ice fishing and enjoy the views and wildlife.

Extend your stay by reserving one of the park’s heated cabins year-round.