Since we’ve been blessed with this wonderfully warm, spring-like weather (I’m crossing my fingers right now to prevent the irony of an unexpected blizzard rolling in within the next 24 hours), I’ve found myself daydreaming quite a bit about going out and enjoying the lake. Whether you like swimming, fishing, kayaking or just simply having a picnic on the shores, the Black Hills has plenty of opportunities for you.

Today, I’ve made a brief description of just a few of the nearby lakes and reservoirs great for outdoor recreation.

Sylvan Lake: Located at Custer State Park, this lake is surrounded by huge rock formations similar to those of the Needles Highway. The lake sits at the base of Harney Peak and not only provides the opportunity for water-based recreation, but there are also many hiking trails available. You might recognize the lake from National Treasure II.

Rocky Point Recreation Area (Orman Dam): This area was created in 1911, when Orman Dam was built near Belle Fourche to store water for agricultural use. The result was an 8,000 acre reservoir which became a state park in 2006. The reservoir is great for fishing for walleye and Nature Day Camps are available to youth.

Shadehill Recreation Area: This area consists of 5,000 surface acres of water. The Bureau of Reclamation created this reservoir in 1951 near Lemmon, SD. A number of historic figures have passed through the area, including Hugh Glass.

In the event that this wonderful weather continues in the Black Hills, I recommend you pack your bathing suit, fishing rod and lunch and plan a day or weekend at the lake. Want to find an area closer to you? Take a look through the Black Hills Badlands and Lakes Assocation Website for other destinations like Lake Pactola and Agnostura State Recreation Area.