Palisades State Park

Map of TRACK Trail at Palisades State Park

The TRACK Trail follows the 1.5 mile Split Rock Creek Trail. Split Rock Creek, near Garretson has run for millions of years through Palisades State Park. Geologists say the Sioux quartzite spires are approximately 2.6 billion years old. The trail head for Split Rock Creek Trail is located just beyond the park entrance station, near the picnic shelter. This trail meanders through one of the many wooded areas that the park features.

Using stairs to navigate a steep section of the trail  you will find yourself hiking on the edge of the campground and further descending towards the south shore of Split Rock Creek, for which the trail is named. From this  point the trail levels out and provides quiet places to sit and reflect on the natural beauty of the park. Views from the trail include, scenic rock formations, woodland creatures, including raccoon, turkey, and whitetail deer, there also may be signs of beaver activity in the area. Song birds and seasonal wildflowers can be found in abundance on the meadows of Split Rock Creek Trail. As you approach the turn around loop at the end of the trail, you will be able to see Palisades State Park’s group lodge to the right of the trail.

Track an adventure here
Collectible sticker for Palisades State Park

Location Details

Recreational Features: Canoe / Kayak, Picnic Tables
Amenities: Restrooms, Visitor Center, Lodging Cabins
ADA Compliant: No
Seasonality: Open all year
Trail along the grassy banks of the creek
Wooden stairs down the trail
Small rapids in the creek
Trail winding under twisted tree branches
Wooden bridge next to creek
Kids in Parks trailhead sign with brochures
Trail winding through trees
Palisades along the creek

Adventures for Palisades State Park

Hiking

Animal Athletes

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.50
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:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.50
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:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.50
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.
Hiking

Hikin' to Find Lichen

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.50
This brochure-led adventure takes kids deep into the mysterious world of lichen. Kids will discover the three different forms lichen can take, and some of the features that make the lichen lifestyle unique. Kids will also read the Lichen story about Alice Algae and Freddy Fungi to help them remember how lichens work.
Need for Trees brochure
Hiking

Palisades: Need For Trees

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.50
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

25495 485th Avenue
Garretson, SD 57030
Latitude: 43.690001000000
Longitude: -96.513981000000

Palisades State Park is located Northeast of Sioux Falls, SD. For directions, please visit http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/palisades/docs/palisades.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 Palisades State Park 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.