Lewis and Clark Recreation Area

Map of TRACK Trail at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area

Winding through native woods, across meadows and past scenic overlooks, the 1.2 mile Gavins Point Nature Trail will add interest and enjoyment to your Lewis and Clark Lake visit. An overlook shelter at the top of the trail offers a beautiful view of scenic Lewis and Clark Lake and the chalkrock bluffs in the distance. A sharp-eyed viewer may spy hawks circling in updrafts, and cliff swallows making high-rise homes in the rocky cliffs.

This trail will acquaint you with some plants, wildlife and other natural features of the area. Deer, turkey, rabbits and squirrels are just some of the animals that can be seen along the trail, along with several species of birds. Be sure to pick up our “Bird Checklist” at the Welcome Center. 

Track an adventure here
Collectible sticker for Lewis and Clark Recreation Area

Location Details

Recreational Features: Disc Golf, Camping, Playground
Amenities: Restrooms
ADA Compliant: No
Seasonality: Open all year
Bumblebee on flower
Gazebo beside lake
Bench overlooking the lake
Overlook view of lake and bluffs
Mulched path up hill
Mulched path through field
Squirrel in tree
Kids in Parks trailhead sign and brochures
Forest canopy
Lake on an overcast day
Wooden steps up a small hill
Wildflowers along the trail

Adventures for Lewis and Clark Recreation Area

Hiking

Animal Athletes

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Trail length:
1.20
The Animal Athletes adventure challenges kids to exercise with the animals. This brochure gives kids eight different animal exercises they can do along the trail. From hummingbird hand-swings to frog hops, kids are sure to have fun getting in shape with the animals during their outdoor adventures.
Birds of South Dakota brochure
Hiking

Birds of South Dakota

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Trail length:
1.20
The Birds of the South Dakota brochure shows kids where to look for different birds along the trail. The brochure contains illustrations of some of the more common woodland birds and information on how to identify them through various clues.
Hiking

Nature's Hide & Seek

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Trail length:
1.20
The Nature's Hide & Seek brochure is designed so that kids of all ages can walk along the trail and discover common things that are often overlooked in nature. Some of them are hard to find, others are easy. Best of all, the adventure never ends because every time you walk the trail you will discover new things hiding in nature.
Need for Trees brochure
Hiking

Lewis & Clark: Need For Trees

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Trail length:
1.20
By following the picture and textual clues found in "The Need for Trees" brochure, kids will discover six of the more common trees found along the trail. During their adventure, kids will learn about the need that people and other animals have for trees and about the roles trees play in the forest.

Directions

43349 SD Hwy 52
Yankton, SD 57078
Latitude: 42.867731000000
Longitude: -97.521722500000

To get to the TRACK Trail (located at the west end of Lewis & Clark Recreation Area) you need to take the Lewis & Clark Recreation Area Gavins Point Trails entrance to the park. Please see the South Dakota State Parks Department map for details. http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/lewis-and-clark/docs/lewis-and-clark.pdf

Partners

The TRACK Trail program is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

The Lewis and Clark Recreation Area TRACK Trail was made possible through partnerships formed between the Kids in Parks program and the South Dakota State Parks Department, with funds provided by South Dakota Department of Health, Healthy South Dakota Program.