Shadehill Recreation Area - Beach

Located in northwestern South Dakota near Perkins County, the Shadehill Recreation Area Beach provides convenient boat ramp access to Shadehill Reservoir on the South Fork Grand River. The reservoir spans approximately 4,800 water surface acres with 65 miles of shoreline, offering ample space for kayaking, canoeing, and motorboating. This is a well-developed facility managed by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, featuring multiple boat launch ramps along the shoreline to accommodate various watercraft.

The recreation area is a full-service destination with camping, picnic areas, and amenities including electricity at campsites, showers, flush toilets, and a trailer dump station. Beyond paddling, the reservoir supports strong fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappie, and channel catfish. The calm reservoir waters are also popular for swimming and water sports like wakeboarding and water skiing, so paddlers should be prepared for potential motorboat traffic, particularly during peak seasons.

A picnic area near the Blacktail Trailhead features a rainbow trout fishing area.