Blacktail Picnic Area
The Blacktail Picnic Area in the Grand River National Grassland features three picnic tables with covered shelters, fire rings, a vault toilet, interpretive panels, and a stocked fishing pond with a dock. The site also provides a parking area with access to the 7-mile, gravel surfaced, non-motorized Blacktail Trail loop. This recreational experience focusing on outdoor activities including a designated fishing area with rainbow trout, making it a popular spot for recreation and nature enthusiasts.
Blacktail Picnic Area
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Active Alerts
General Information
- Pack-in, Pack-out rules apply. If you bring it in with you, please take it out. Please do not put any trash in the vault toilets.
- No electrical hook-ups are available.
- Convenient access to Blacktail Trail.
- Picnic area rules and information are posted on the kiosk.
Contact the Grand River Ranger District Office for specific questions or details.
Year-round
Day use only.
- Fire Restrictions may be in effect. Visitors are responsible for monitoring current conditions on the Alerts and Fire Danger Status page and NDResponse.gov
- The Blacktail Trail is intended for non-motorized travel only. Therefore, all motorized vehicles, including E-bikes, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), and snowmobiles are prohibited.
No fees are required for this site
No fees at this site.
Contact Name: Grand River Ranger District
Contact Phone: 605-374-3592
Address: 1005 5th Ave W. Lemmon, SD 57638
Phone: 605-374-3592
Hours: Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Mountain Time (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 45.71888889
Longitude: -102.1597222
Directions
Located 16 miles South of Lemmon, SD on SD-73, turn East on Forest Road 5626 for a half mile, then turn North on Forest Road 5740 for one mile into the trailhead parking area.
Parking
Ample parking available for various vehicles, including cars, trucks, and trailers.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
No water on site. Please come prepared.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Three sheltered picnic sites.
Nearby Trails
Recreation Opportunities
Picnicking - Groups
Picnicking - Single
Fishing - Lake & Pond Info
Located in northwestern South Dakota, the Blacktail Picnic Area and the Blacktail Trailhead, features a small fishing dock and lake stocked with rainbow trout and bass.
Fishing dam locations in the area are listed in the South Dakota National Grassland Fishing Booklet.
Fishing - Ice Info
Located in northwestern South Dakota, the Blacktail Picnic Area and the Blacktail Trailhead, features a small fishing dock and lake stocked with rainbow trout and bass.
Fishing dam locations in the area are listed in the South Dakota National Grassland Fishing Booklet.
Viewing Scenery Info
Plant enthusiasts and sightseers alike will marvel at the wide diversity found in the area.
Before you go, visit the Animals and Plants page to download the Plant and Wildlife Checklist and keep track of the flora and fauna you may spot in the grasslands. And don't forget to check out the Plants of the Grand River and Cedar River National Grasslands publication available on that page.
Viewing Wildlife Info
Before you go, visit the Animals and Plants page to download the Plant and Wildlife Checklist and keep track of the flora and fauna you may spot in the grasslands. Birders may find the Bird Status and Distribution on the Cedar River and Grand River National Grasslands 2011 helpful in their explorations.
Important note: Prairie rattlesnakes are common throughout the grasslands. If you are bitten, remain calm and call 911 immediately.