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Newton Hills
Overview
Newton Hills State Park offers a unique landscape in South Dakota, characterized by its deep valleys and lush forests. Unlike the flat prairie often associated with the region, this park is part of the Coteau des Prairies, a plateau formed by glaciers. RV travelers will find a tranquil environment where the sounds of the wind through the trees replace the noise of the highway. It is a premier destination for those seeking a natural retreat within a well-maintained state park system.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just south of Canton, South Dakota, the park sits atop a high ridge that provides stunning views of the surrounding farmland. The area is defined by the Big Sioux River, which winds nearby and influences the local ecosystem. Visitors will notice a dramatic shift in scenery as they enter the park, moving from open fields into dense stands of oak, basswood, and walnut trees that provide ample shade and privacy for campsites.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground at Newton Hills is well-equipped for modern travelers. It features numerous sites with electric hookups, including 50-amp service for larger rigs. Each site typically includes a paved pad, a fire ring, and a picnic table. On-site facilities are clean and accessible, offering modern restrooms, showers, and a convenient dump station. Families often appreciate the well-maintained playground areas and the park’s commitment to providing a safe, quiet atmosphere for overnight stays.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do without ever leaving the park boundaries. The Woodland Trail offers a moderate hike through the forest, while Lake Lakota provides opportunities for fishing and kayaking just a short distance away. Birdwatchers frequently visit to spot rare species attracted to the unique forest habitat. For those looking to explore further, the city of Sioux Falls is a short drive north, offering metropolitan amenities, shopping, and the famous waterfalls.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal match for nature-loving families and couples who prefer a rustic, quiet atmosphere over a busy resort. It is a fantastic choice for birdwatchers and hikers who want immediate access to trails from their doorstep. Because of its spacious sites and natural beauty, it is also perfect for photographers or travelers seeking a peaceful stopover while traversing the Midwest. It caters specifically to those who value the serenity of a forested landscape.
Amenities
- Tenting
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Rentals
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Dar Barto
Great place to camp. Camping spots are spacious and not right on top of each other. The camp host is very sweet and friendly as well as the other employees at this park. Very quiet. Has several full service bathrooms and showers as well as vault toilets around the park. Numerous walking trails with signs.
Dawn J
Newton Hills is a very family-friendly state park and campground located not too far off I-29 in the southeast corner of the state. The park is very family friendly with 4 playgrounds and family activities, including kids' movies on the Friday night that we were there. The park office rents bikes for use in the park and also sells firewood. The park emailed event information and confirmations in advance of our visit. They also attached a welcome packet with event information and maps on the post at our campsite. We stayed for one night in the Nuthatch Loop, near the showerhouse. We were able to level out our trailer at site 23E by parking near the edge of the site instead of the center. The park has about 120 sites as well as small cabins for rent. It was at about 80% occupancy on a Friday night in August. The park has a few small hiking trails (easy hikes) and one longer multi-use trail. Trailheads are very well marked. Cell reception in the campground was weak, but we were able to get a decent cell signal and even wi-fi at the park office at the entrance to the park.
Marcella Prokop
Home to the Sioux River folk festival, put on by the Friends of Traditional Music, Newton Hills is always magical, but especially so during the festival in early August. The mature trees provide ample shade, the facilities are great, and it's easy to get around this sprawling, wondrous place. If you do want to attend the festival and camp at that time, make sure to book your reservations 90 days in advance because sites fill the day they open.
Liz Jones
It was absolutely lovely. We enjoyed every part of it! The trails were stunning. We were in a tent and got a tent camping site. It was so clean and very nice. The showers where grate as well. The only downside to our trip was we couldn't find a place to swim. :(
robert barse
The park itself was nice. was hassled by a park employee while setting up camp regarding the trailer I was hauling my side by side on. what I don't understand about these workers is you can see that I'm actively trying to set up vamp. why not circle back after you see that camp is setup to tell us where to park our vehicles? something to work on there. also the firewood situation with the state parks is getting out of control. something seriously needs to be done about this. make firewood affordable again or let us bring our own. it's taking all the fun out of camping at state parks.