Palisades State Park
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Entry fee: Park entrance license required: $10/day resident or $15/day nonresident vehicle (annual passes available). Palisades State Park is a river on Split Rock Creek in Minnehaha County, South Dakota.
Closures and warnings
Jumping or diving from cliffs, rock formations, or bridges into Split Rock Creek is prohibited within the park. As of September 30, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | River |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Jumping | Prohibited |
| Current | Mild |
| Water clarity | Swimming permitted only in designated creek areas when posted; quartzite shelves drop sharply to deeper water. |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | Palisades State Park near Garretson; Sioux quartzite cliffs line Split Rock Creek. |
| Parking | Main park entrance parking with self-serve park entrance license station. |
| Fee | Park entrance license required: $10/day resident or $15/day nonresident vehicle (annual passes available). |
| Hours | Day-use areas closed to public 11 p.m.-6 a.m.; quiet hours same window for overnight guests. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Showers and flush toilets may close October 1-April 30; vault toilets often remain open. |
| Managed by | South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (Palisades State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | Yes |
| Drinking water | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Five hiking trails, group picnic shelter, and designated swim areas on Split Rock Creek when posted open. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Palisades State Park open?
Jumping or diving from cliffs, rock formations, or bridges into Split Rock Creek is prohibited within the park. As of September 30, 2026. Seasonal closure: Showers and flush toilets may close October 1-April 30; vault toilets often remain open. Hours: Day-use areas closed to public 11 p.m.-6 a.m.; quiet hours same window for overnight guests.
Can you swim at Palisades State Park?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Palisades State Park. A mild current is reported here.
How do you get to Palisades State Park?
The road in is paved. Palisades State Park near Garretson; Sioux quartzite cliffs line Split Rock Creek. Parking: Main park entrance parking with self-serve park entrance license station.
Do you need a reservation for Palisades State Park?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Palisades State Park?
The fee is Park entrance license required: $10/day resident or $15/day nonresident vehicle (annual passes available).
What facilities are at Palisades State Park?
Restrooms, showers, drinking water, and picnic sites. Five hiking trails, group picnic shelter, and designated swim areas on Split Rock Creek when posted open.
What are the rules at Palisades State Park?
Dogs are allowed and camping is allowed.
Nearby
Nearby
Public land
Just outside: Palisades State Park (0.1 mi) .
Sources
3
- https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/palisades-state-park/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / access.fee / access.hours / access.seasonalClosure / amenities, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / waterClarityNote, rules.camping / access.parking)
- https://gfp.sd.gov/pel/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/palisades_info_-_rules.pdf (accessed September 30, 2026; backs hazardNote / rules.dogs / swimmerNotes.jumpingProhibited)