Black Hills Lakes – Angostura Reservoir…Best Lake in the Hills?

I will admit it.  I’m a Minnesotan.  (Go Vikings.)

For 14 years I lived in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”.  There was a lake 6 miles from our hometown.  And we went there. ALOT.

Now we’re not talking fishing.  Dad had a boat he shared with another friend.  We had a spot on the lake we always went to close to every weekend.  We slept sometimes in a very scary single wide (that I don’t think I could sleep in today).  We had a beach and a dock.  It was the good old days…We skiied, tubed, shot off fireworks on the 4th of July and had a great time hanging on the lake.

So when we moved to the Black Hills, they had these things called “reservoirs“.  Although there is no contest of the beautiful scenery and crystal clear water (I remember Dad having green shorts from skiing in the “pea-soup” MN lake…), both the beaches and lake sizes were small.

And then we went to Angostura.

{Enter Hallelujah theme}

Angostura Reservoir is located just south of Hot Springs off Hwy 79.  Part of the SD State Park system, you do have to pay for a pass for entry.

With over 36 miles of shoreline, 4 campgrounds (with multiple camping cabins), multiple picnic areas, swim beach, fish cleaning stations, bike trails, and marina with boat slips – there is something here for everyone.

Now, it’s a bit different than your beautiful Pactola and Sheridan Lakes.  Although you can see the foothills, it is really more of a prairie lake.

But the water is warm!  And the beach is sandy and all over the place!  Take your boat and find your own beach.  Or hang out at the marina beach or swim beach so you have closer access to the bathroom facilities.

And it’s BIG!  You can actually ski and tube and fish without running into each other.

Therefore, considering my past and what I like to do at the lake….

My best of the Black Hills Lakes goes to Angostura.  🙂

Happy Lake-ing!
Tristan Emond