Newton Hills named among nation’s best ‘hidden gem’ beaches

It’s not quite oceanfront real estate, but Newton Hills State Park still ranks among the best “hidden gem” beaches in the U.S.

The park south of Canton emerged at No. 62 in a survey of more than 3,000 people by Frugal Flyer, which set out to find the nation’s best under-the-radar beach escapes.

“With international travel more expensive than ever, Americans are rediscovering the magic of their own backyard — and they’re skipping the packed coastlines for beaches that feel like well-kept secrets,” according to the survey.

“According to recent trends, travelers are heading to under-the-radar coastal escapes where parking is easy, cell service is optional, and the views are postcard-perfect.”

While not a coastal beach, Newton Hills “offers a surprising stretch of sandy shoreline along Lake Lakota,” the report said.

“Surrounded by wooded hills and prairie grass, this beach is a local favorite for swimming, kayaking and spotting wildlife like foxes and warblers. The park’s rolling terrain was shaped by glaciers and offers scenic trails that start just a few steps from the sand.”

Unfortunately, while that was the scene a year ago when heavy rains filled Lake Lakota after being dry for several years, it’s not a hidden gem right now, said Jason Baumann, district park supervisor for South Dakota State Parks.

“There hasn’t been a lot of rain since then, and the lake has been dropping pretty steadily,” he said. “There’s no useable lake now, so we haven’t been promoting it.”

As for the beach, “we till it now and again,” Baumann said, trying to keep the grass from reclaiming it.

Beaches in Hawaii claimed the top three spots in the Frugal Flyer survey.

Visit here for a link to the full list.