Good Earth State Park

Good Earth State Park, located southeast of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a significant cultural and historical site that also serves as a unique nature retreat. Spanning 615 acres, the park is situated along the Big Sioux River and straddles the border of South Dakota and Iowa.

The area has a rich history as a former Native American trading and ceremonial center. From 1300 to 1700 AD, it was a crossroads of Indigenous civilization, primarily occupied by Oneota Indigenous Peoples, including the Omaha, Ioway, Oto, and Ponca tribes. The site is considered by archaeologists to be the most significant Oneota cultural site in the Midwest, earning it a National Historic Landmark designation in 1970.

Good Earth State Park features a diverse landscape including open prairie, light forest, hilly inclines, and gradual slopes. The park offers several miles of well-developed, accessible hiking trails that wind throughout the grounds, providing visitors with scenic overlooks and opportunities to observe local wildlife. Interpretive signs are placed along the trails to educate visitors about the area's history and natural features.

At the heart of the park is an 11,000 square foot visitor center. This facility houses exhibits and provides programming focused on the cultural and historical significance of the Blood Run site. The visitor center also serves as a hub for park information and activities.

Good Earth State Park is open year-round, with operating hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. However, between October 1 and April 30, some facilities such as showers, flush toilets, and other water systems may be closed due to seasonal conditions.