A month after my first to Spirit Mound Historic Prairie, I'm still in awe of the peacefulness and…read morenatural beauty. Visiting the second week of August was perfect-the yellow daisies were in full bloom. What made the experience even more special was that we had the place to ourselves around 4:00 p.m., making it feel incredibly serene. We had so much fun taking photos of the vibrant flowers, including close-ups of a bee and a butterfly, adding to the magic of the moment. I got so caught up in the beauty of the prairie that I did not read the interpretive signage to learn more about the history. Next time!

What a nice little stop on our road trip! There's a great amount of history here, make sure to read…read morethe informational plaques. If you happen to go on a nice sunny day the views are spectacular! You pass a stream on your way up to the mound. Once you get to the mound you can see views far and wide, no wonder it was a great spot chosen by the expedition party. We brought our dogs with us so they could enjoy the walk as well, there were others with their dogs too so I would say this place is dog friendly. No bathrooms per se, only a port-a-potty that badly needed cleaning. There was plenty of parking. We went later in the day but this place still seemed a little busy.

Spent three days with extended family spread over two cabins. Very minimalist but comfortable. One…read moreroom had two bunk beds, best described as similar to naval beds with odd dimensions. Mattresses were covered in plastic and measured approximately 30" wide by 72" long by 4" deep. Linens were provided. Second room had a full (NOT queen) bed lifted pretty high. Elderly or disabled persons may need different accommodations to stay in this room because the top of the mattress was at least 36" above the floor. Linens were also provided. The cabin was furnished with all basic kitchen utensils, pots, pans, and dishes for four people. Dish soap was also available. A four burner range with oven, microwave, toaster, and basic fridge/freezer. The air conditioner cooled the main livingroom/kitchen space, but not the bedrooms. There was a wall-mounted flat screen TV that we did not use, so I cannot review it. Bathroom had towels and wash cloths for at least four people. Water pressure was great and the water got plenty hot. The back of the cabin had a sizeable screened porch with a table and four chairs. The porch exited to a small picnic table with a very basic park-style square grill where charcoal or wood could be used to cook. No firepit or fire ring was located near the cabin. Amenities included a nearby pool and horseback riding on select days. Hiking was minimal and limited mostly to mowed paths. Perfect for casual walkers or families with small children.

We enjoyed our stay. The lodge offered a great gathering place for our family reunion. It had an…read moreamazing view of the currently-flooded Missouri River. Our cabin had a wonderful view as well. The cabins have 2-3 bedrooms, A/C, a kitchen, a living area, and a screened-in porch. Other parts of the park teach about the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and overlook the confluence of the Niobrara River with the Missouri. There are hiking paths and fishing ponds. The rolling hills and wooded areas make a beautiful setting. Pets are allowed.

An older park with good hook-ups. Good for an overnight, a week, month or long term. Nice people…read moremanaging the park. Near the Missouri River.

Matt is easy to work with and puts great effort into this rv park. We have enjoyed renting the…read moreevent center for kids birthday parties.

This dog park is wonderful! They have agility equipment in the small dog side, that all the dogs…read morecan use it as long as there's not smaller dogs in the small dog side and a very large all dog area that has a nice walking path. We recently moved here and don't have a fenced in yard so having the dog park for my dog to let out some energy has been a great thing. There aren't as many dogs when I go in the morning during the week but that's ok, I haven't checked yet if it's busier during the weekend yet.

Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton honestly surprised me with just how breathtakingly…read morebeautiful it was. The scenery here has this wide-open, tranquil, almost cinematic quality to it -- rolling greenery, shimmering water, peaceful shorelines, endless skies, and the quiet movement of the Missouri River weaving its way through the landscape like a living ribbon cutting through the heart of America. There is something deeply calming about this place. For visitors unfamiliar with the area, the recreation area sits along Lewis and Clark Lake, which was created by the Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River. The region is named after the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition, which traveled through this part of the country in the early 1800s while exploring the vast Louisiana Purchase territory. Standing near the water, it is honestly not difficult to imagine how enormous and untamed this landscape must have felt to early explorers centuries ago. My husband especially wanted to stop here because one of his hobbies is flying drones, and he absolutely loves capturing aerial footage of the Missouri River as it winds across different states. At this point, I think the Missouri River and my husband are in a long-term relationship and I am simply there as emotional support and snack distribution. And honestly, I understand why he loves it so much. The Missouri has such a distinct personality depending on where you encounter it. My husband and I have followed portions of the river through several states over the years including South Dakota, Missouri, Montana, and North Dakota, and we have even taken river excursions on it in other regions. Each stretch somehow feels slightly different while still carrying that same immense presence and quiet historical weight. But this particular area near Yankton felt especially serene. The water was beautiful, the surrounding scenery was lush and vibrant, and the peacefulness of the area made it very easy to lose track of time simply standing there taking it all in while my husband happily maneuvered his drone around like a man conducting an aerial symphony. It truly was one of those unexpectedly lovely stops that quietly stays with you afterward.

This is my happy place! It's a sprawling state park with endless areas to explore. Set with the…read moreNebraska cliff side in your view, along with the lake, it's the most serene park. There are plenty of camping an RV areas to set up camp. There are also a lot of parks, and bathrooms. There are trails that outline the lake, as well as trailed set closer to the highway. There are multiple entry points, but well paved roads, and signage to guide you. All the park officials we've ever ran into are friendly and helpful. I highly recommend stopping here to stay, or on your travels.

VERY pretty park right in the heart of Sioux Falls. It was quite busy on a Saturday morning- a lot…read moreof runners too, but many families enjoying the park. They appear to let you climb amongst the rocks but it has rained recently and I figured that was a dumb idea for me personally. There is alot of wide open grass for a picnic as well as they have a cafe here with a view of the falls. If you come on a Saturday, they do have a farmers market That's pretty close so make sure to check that out too.

I was so excited to see this place, my first time in Sioux Falls. The park itself is nice as is the…read moreobservation deck. But It's hard to articulate my disappointment about the state the water is in. The river is so contaminated it runs a brownish yellow. The park smells of sewage mixed with a slaughterhouse. I was worried about breathing in the mist coming off the falls if we got too close. Plastic bottles and garbage pile up at the edges of the rocks with little waves of brown foam. Stuff like this makes me hate human beings and the way we disregard and disrespect our own beautiful natural places.

Ashfall State Historical Park is part of the Nebraska Game and Parks system so a current park…read moresticker is a requirement for admittance. With that detail covered, the views alone are worthy of the trip and admission. Add in the historical value of a million year old fossil bed and you have a great family stopping point on your trek across Nebraska. Pack a lunch and take in the views from one of the pavilions then journey back in time at the fossil bed barn to view the excavated bones of birds, three toed horses, rhinos and more. Paleontologists are working on-site and share their latest finds. Pictures and an audio tour are available by scanning a QR code on your phone or tablet. This stop appeals to kids and adults and is very educational. I have to admit that I was less interested in making this stop than my husband but I am glad I deferred. We both enjoyed the stop and will make the trip again when our grandson is old enough to enjoy the trip.

Long ride from Sioux City but worth it! Very well laid out, knowledgeable/friendly people, nice…read moreinexpensive gift shop, and plenty of rolling hill views. Best of all is the number of revelations regarding life at a watering hole for numerous creatures and how a volcanic eruption over a thousand miles away had a cataclysmic effect on just a small area of the world. Wasn't sure about the long ride but honestly, not so bad. Added bonus...pay homage to a couple of B-17 crews by visiting their memorial as you pass through Laurel, NE on your way to Royal from Sioux City.

They've different fun things to different ages of kids, and very nice rest area, my baby boy had…read morelots fun !

I absolutely love love love this park. When you have multiple children of different ages it's a…read morechallenge entertaining all of them. Here, you have many choices and by agree range.

This park holds a ton of memories for me. My family would venture here often when I was a child. I…read moreremember having larger family gatherings here from time to time. It's very well maintained and has a few 'indoor' restroom options. There's a very long main loop around the lake that is about 3mi and VERY hilly. I know there's hiking path and such as well. A few small paths exist. It's a lot of fun on bikes and quite kid friendly. Two large playground areas and a couple fishing docks. Also plenty of parking. The dog park is newer and very nice. Can be very busy, tho. It's so clean. I'm proud of SIoux City and surrounding citizens for keeping this place so nice. Totally free; no entrance fee. Can kayak on the lake, but it's too small for boats. Maybe a paddle boat. I'm sure the shelters can be reserved but I don't have information on that. A couple water fountains are available. Don't forget sun screen!!

This nearly 3 mile walk around the lake is really beautiful. Moderate hills and dog friendly with…read moreadjacent dog park. Highly recommended.

On my cross-country drive, this was a good area to stop in and I stumbled across Stone State Park…read moreand its adorable camping cabins. The cabins have to be booked for 2 nights so I had to book it the day-of. I barely made it in time to check in but I did - many thanks to the ranger for being patient! I recommend bringing cash if you try to same-day stay. The place was really adorable and cozy! There's an AC unit, a dehumidifier, a microwave, and a decent sized minifridge, along with a small table, bunk beds, and a futon. I was happy to be on a bed and just used my sleeping bag for sheets. As for the park, it has beautiful hills and sweeping views. I didn't take a longer hike but would absolutely not hesitate to stop by, for camping or hiking.

Beautiful state park. Lots of places to hike but also a lovely drive. Great views where you can see…read moreNebraska and South Dakota. There's a beautiful old building you can rent for events. Plenty of picnic tables for a day visit. There are campsites in the park too. Its a gem in northwest Iowa.