Lake Poinsett Recreation Area

Lake Poinsett Recreation Area Lake Poinsett Recreation Area is located 15 miles north of Arlington, SD. Secretary of War. The party camped on the north side of Lake Poinsett.
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One of the largest lakes in the state, Lake Poinsett was named after Joel Poinsett who served as U.S. He was instrumental in promoting the expedition of Joseph Nicollet and John Fremont who first explored the region in 1838. Today, the lakeshore still provides excellent camping opportunities, as well as many other recreational activities.

Congrats to Lester for being our week #2 mid week camping champ! 🏆 Lester has been visiting us for many years and we ap...
06/02/2026

Congrats to Lester for being our week #2 mid week camping champ! 🏆 Lester has been visiting us for many years and we appreciate him choosing us for his vacations! If you want a chance to win a prize package make your reservation by visiting campsd.com or call 1-800-710-2267.

Thank you to our sponsors for this weeks prize package:

Back Alley Meats
Interstate Battery in Arlington

You're looking at our week 1 champs for the mid-week camping champion campaign! Thank you to Laura and Wayne for choosin...
05/29/2026

You're looking at our week 1 champs for the mid-week camping champion campaign! Thank you to Laura and Wayne for choosing us! This year, we will be selecting a lucky camper that camps at Lake Poinsett Recreation Area between Sunday night-Wednesday night and will be handing out prizes. We have partnered up with other local businesses to make this happen. There is no catch, other than we would love to provide an amazing camping experience!

Thank you to this weeks sponsors include: Citizen State Bank and Gilby’s Marine!

Stop in the office to get an Adventure 250 handout and learn more!
05/29/2026

Stop in the office to get an Adventure 250 handout and learn more!

Adventure 250 participants are proving there’s no better way to celebrate than by hitting the road and exploring South Dakota state parks! From island trails near Pierre to the hills of Custer State Park, Week 2 adventurers checked in across the state for a chance to win a 6-person tent!

Congratulations to our week 2 winners:

• Ashley B. | Pierre – LaFramboise Island Nature Area
• Sara W. | Watertown – Lake Thompson Recreation Area
• Brad S. | Sioux Falls – Big Sioux Recreation Area
• Jeffrey V. | Canton – Custer State Park

A big thank you to the Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota for sponsoring our weekly Adventure 250 prizes and helping encourage families to get outdoors and explore South Dakota.

Week 3 prize: 52-qt Hard-sided Cooler

Haven’t joined Adventure 250 yet? There’s still time! Every park visit gets you closer to more adventures, more memories, and more chances to win all summer long.

Learn more: gfp.sd.gov/history2026

Come join us this weekend!
05/28/2026

Come join us this weekend!

You can’t catch a fish if you don’t try! 🎣 we have available campsites this weekend, so come on out, stay the night, and...
05/27/2026

You can’t catch a fish if you don’t try! 🎣 we have available campsites this weekend, so come on out, stay the night, and see what you can wrangle up out of Lake Poinsett!

Book a campsite by visiting campsd.com or by calling 1-800-710-2267!

This could be you!
05/23/2026

This could be you!

Adventure 250 is off to an amazing start!
During Week 1 (May 11–17), adventurers explored South Dakota state parks and entered for a chance to win a Solo Stove!

Congratulations to our Week 1 winners:
Jamey T. | Lead – Farm Island & West Bend Recreation Areas
Eric R. | Vermillion – Spirit Mound
Kelly S. | Box Elder – Game, Fish & Parks Outdoor Campus-Rapid City
Holly D. | Sioux Falls – Lake Poinsett Recreation Area

A big thank you to our prize sponsor, Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota, for helping make these weekly giveaways possible!

Up next: a 6-person tent giveaway for Week 2!

There’s still plenty of time to join the adventure. Visit parks, collect adventures, and explore more of South Dakota all summer long for your chance to win weekly prizes!
https://gfp.sd.gov/history2026/

05/21/2026
Come join us! Book your campsite by visiting campsd.com or by calling 1-800-710-2267.
05/14/2026

Come join us! Book your campsite by visiting campsd.com or by calling 1-800-710-2267.

Join us this weekend, May 15-17, to celebrate the start of summer! It's our annual Open House and Free Fishing Weekend, which means South Dakota State Park entry is free and no fishing license is required. Regulations and limits still apply.

It’s the perfect time to get outside, cast a line, and make new memories!

05/14/2026

Celebrate America’s birthday with us by taking the Adventure 250 challenge! Now through September 6, complete adventures at any South Dakota state park to earn points and qualify for weekly prize drawings.

Brochures can be picked up at the Visitor Center/Museum here at Lake Poinsett Recreation Area!

Stop by our Visitor Center/Museum and grab the list of adventures or head to gfp.sd.gov/history2026 to get started. Then look for Lake Poinsett Recreation Area and complete our specific adventures to start earning points!

It gets even better! Become an official Adventure 250 Club member when you earn 250+ points. You’ll receive an exclusive prize bundle and entry into the end-of-summer grand prize drawings.

Make your history in South Dakota state parks this summer!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Spring Walleye Derby! The wind didn't stop all the fun that was had! Special tha...
05/11/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Spring Walleye Derby! The wind didn't stop all the fun that was had!

Special thanks to our sponsors: Gilby's Marine, Scheels of Sioux Falls, and Valley Mart of Volga for the great prizes.

Address

45617 S Poinsett Drive
Arlington, SD
57212

Website

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