By Jordan Smith

With the weather warming up, getting outside is on everyone’s mind. It can be hard to find a good place to exercise, but once you’ve found one, you’re halfway there. Good Earth State Park at Blood Run is South Dakota’s newest addition to the state park system, and uniquely, is one that guests can enjoy for free.

There are four miles of trail that border the Big Sioux River, traverse the open prairie, and wind through oak forest. Although the majority of the park’s trail users are hikers, groups like the Sioux Falls Area Running Club utilize the trail system as well. It is also a good place to get out and exercise with your pet, according to district park supervisor Eric VanderStouwe. However, he says, the park does not allow bike traffic.

When summer rolls around, park staff will put on a large array of programs that cover nature, astronomy, and historical topics. The best way to find more information is to go to the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks website and follow the links to Good Earth. There, guests can find trail maps and directions, as well as the master plan for the park. Program details can also be found on the Outdoor Campus website.

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VanderStouwe says health is the primary reason that people visit Good Earth State Park, and the fact that all summer activities are free is a big perk. Usually, access is covered by the fee of a summer parks pass, but as the park is not fully developed, a pass is not required.

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Read the full article in the May issue of 605 Magazine or here.

Related articles:

Hiking is for History Buffs, Too

No Excuses – There’s a Trail for Everyone 

 

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