Palisades State Park

Palisades State Park encompasses 888 acres in the Coteau des Prairies region of eastern South Dakota near Garretson, approximately 15 miles north of Sioux Falls. The park preserves a dramatic section of Split Rock Creek canyon where the stream has cut through Sioux quartzite — the same 1.7-billion-year-old pink and red stone visible at Falls Park in Sioux Falls — creating vertical cliffs, spires, and boulders rising up to 50 feet above the creek. The quartzite formations at Palisades are among the most distinctive geological features in the eastern Great Plains and attract technical rock climbers from across the region. Designated climbing routes on the quartzite spires range from beginner top-rope pitches to intermediate and advanced multi-pitch trad climbs; the park is one of the primary climbing destinations in South Dakota for anyone seeking outdoor sport and traditional rock climbing. Seven miles of hiking trails wind through the canyon, including the Palisades Trail tracing the rim with views over the creek and formations below. Swimming is permitted in Split Rock Creek at the park's beach and picnic area adjacent to the campground. Bald eagles nest in the canyon area and are most reliably observed by birders in early spring before full leaf cover. The park contains a developed campground with electrical hookups and a primitive camping area. Sioux Falls, 15 miles south, provides full urban services for supplies and dining. Palisades and Falls Park together offer a complete picture of the Sioux quartzite formation to visitors traveling through eastern South Dakota.