Edmunds County Tribune -

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) recently announced the reopening of Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area near Selby. The park had previously been closed after a flood washed out the dam and park entrance road in May of 2018.

Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area offers both day use opportunities and camping. Currently, most hiking trails and walking bridges are open, along with a picnic shelter and playground. Work is still ongoing to restore the Hidden Beauty walking bridge, as well as, the 50 amp electrical service to the campsites. The dam and lake have not been restored from the 2018 flood.

Primitive camping is currently available at the park. Reservations for these sites can be made through the Go Outdoors South Dakota reservation system.

“The building of the new entrance road would not have been possible without the contributions of the contractor Oban Construction and many individuals, landowners, and businesses that donated money, equipment and/or volunteered at the park,” said Dan Richards, District Park Supervisor. “The community organized a 501c “Friends of Lake Hiddenwood” to fundraise about $115,000 towards repairing the $233,000 road to the park.”

“We would like to extend a special thank you to the members of “Friends of Lake Hiddenwood” who have been advocates for the reopening of the park,” concluded Richards. “Their assistance includes helping to create temporarily access into the park, spending countless hours fundraising, and organizing the many volunteers who assisted in keeping the park maintained.”

GFP encourages visitors to visit Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area and hike the beautiful trails, experience the quiet solitude, and natural serenity that is in abundance here in this jewel of the prairie.