Page 16 - VisitorGuide2019

Hiking and Biking
Whether you enjoy a challenging hike across rugged
terrain or a leisurely stroll through a city park, you’ll find the
perfect path in Pierre.
Hiking through the Fort Pierre National Grassland
is like stepping back in time. The grassland is 116,000
acres of rugged, unspoiled terrain, offering seasoned
hikers and cyclists a look at the South Dakota prairie as
it was hundreds of years ago. There are no developed
campgrounds, but camping is permitted throughout the
area; the reservoirs and ponds dotting the prairie are
popular spots. More information about designated trails,
but boundaries are marked — and ORVs are only allowed
within these areas of Oahe Downstream. Vehicles don’t
have to be licensed or have a park entrance license within
the ORV area.
In all other state parks, licensed ATVs and ORVs may be
used on designated, marked roads and trails; a valid park
entrance license is required to use such vehicles on park
grounds. For more information, visit www.gfp.sd.gov or call
(605) 223-7722.

Island south of town to Oahe Downstream Recreation Area.
The parks and woods around Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe At 26 miles, it’s an easy to moderate bike trip, with interesting
feature both easy and challenging paths with excellent birding sites and stops along its route. Find information on the
and nature-watching opportunities. Oahe Downstream’s Lewis and Clark Trail in brochures distributed by the Pierre
Cottonwood Path, a National Recreation Trail, is popular Convention and Visitors Bureau. For a map of the trail in the
with hikers, cyclists and birders. One may see the majestic local area, visit the Chamber’s Web site, www.pierre.org.
bald eagle as they typically perch in the tall cottonwood The USFWS South Dakota Field Office and the South Dakota
trees. Open year-round, the seven miles of hiking, biking and Game Fish and Parks Departments created a Prairie Butterfly
walking trails at LaFramboise Island wind through woods and Garden at the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area. Over
meadows inhabited by diverse wildlife. Farm Island Recreation 3,000 perennial plants and numerous annual plants will be
Area features a three-mile Island Nature Trail. Information established in an area approximately 90’X50’. Everyone is
about all three state parks is at www.gfp.sd.gov. welcome and encouraged to visit the garden to see native
The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Trail runs from Farm
prairie plants, try to identify some of the common butterflies

16 | PIERRE VISITOR GUIDE