Lake Cochrane Recreation Area

05/29/2026

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

05/27/2026

🎣☕ Explore another park with us this summer at Lures + Lattes on June 13 at Sandy Shore Recreation Area!
Enjoy coffee from The Coffee Lab and paint your own fishing lure to take home. Registration is $10 and limited to 20 participants. Check out the post below for details and registration info!

🎣☕ Join us for Lures + Lattes at Sandy Shore Recreation Area on Saturday, June 13 at 10 AM!
We’re partnering with The Coffee Lab for a relaxing morning at the lake featuring coffee, creativity, and time outdoors with friends old and new. Participants will get to paint their very own fishing lure to take home! 🎨🐟

Whether you’re crafty, an avid angler needing to update their tackle box, love being outside, or just want to try something new, this is a fun way to explore Sandy Shore Recreation Area while supporting a local business!

Registration is $10 and spots are limited to 20 participants, so be sure to sign up early using this registration link: http://license.gooutdoorssouthdakota.com/Event/ViewEvent.aspx?id=247276

For questions, email [email protected], or call 605.882.5088.

05/26/2026

We have campsites available this weekend at Lake Cochrane! The weather looks amazing- 80's and sunny😎🌤️ mean a perfect weekend for swimming🏊‍♀️, renting a kayak 🚣‍♂️, hiking at Lake Oliver, trying to catch tagged fish in Lake Cochrane🎣, and evening campfires 🔥!

Reservations can me made at GoOutdoorsSouthDakota.com. Don't miss out on this amazing weekend!!

05/22/2026

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/

05/09/2026

Looking for a fun reason to explore more local parks this summer? Our new State Parks Social Club series is designed to help you do exactly that! Each event takes place at a different state park or recreation area across the district and features unique outdoor experiences, community connections, and partnerships with local businesses.

We’re kicking things off Friday, May 15 at 7 PM with Blooms + Boardwalks at Hartford Beach State Park, and registration is now open! Registration link in the comments! 👇 We hope you’ll join us for the first event of the summer!

Lake Cochrane Recreation Area will host Paddle + Paint on July 19 at 2 PM for an afternoon focused on creativity, the outdoors, and enjoying time at the lake.

Full event lineup:
• May 15 — Blooms + Boardwalks at Hartford Beach State Park
• June 13 — Lures + Lattes at Sandy Shore Recreation Area
• July 19 — Paddle + Paint at Lake Cochrane Recreation Area
• August 15 — Docks + Donuts at Pelican Lake Recreation Area

05/06/2026

Have you seen the forecast lately? Mother’s Day weekend is shaping up to be a beautiful one across South Dakota! Trade the crowded restaurant this year for fresh air, sunshine, and meaningful time together. Book a campsite or come for the day. Either way, we'd love to see you at Lake Cochrane Recreation Area!

04/13/2026

Our sister park is hiring! ☀️🌿
Not based at Lake Cochrane, but still part of our team—apply below 👇

We’re gearing up for summer and looking for awesome people to join our team! 🌿☀️
Spend your days outdoors, meet great people, and be part of something fun.

Apply today: https://css-stateofsouthdako-prd.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/Jobs/form/JobPosting%5BJobPostingSet%5D%281,34186,1%29.JobPostingDisplay?navigation=JobPosting%5BJobPostingSet%5D%281,34186,1%29.JobPostingDisplayNav&csk.JobBoard=EXTERNAL&csk.HROrganization=1

02/12/2026

Don't miss out! Order your South Dakota State Park Entrance License online by March 15 and receive a free, limited-edition America 250 – Make Your History sticker.

The sticker will be included with every State Park Entrance License purchased online through Go Outdoors South Dakota by March 15, 2026. South Dakota residents—log in to your account to see resident pricing and license options!

02/04/2026

This is a great program in the area with lots of great partners! Be sure to check it out!

🎨🦆 It’s back! 🦆🎨
Our Junior Duck Stamp Contest Program is returning, and this year we’re partnering with the Redlin Art Center!

Students will explore the connection between art, waterfowl, and conservation in a setting that celebrates Terry Redlin’s deep love for wildlife and the outdoors. We can’t wait to inspire young artists once again!

Register Here: http://license.gooutdoorssouthdakota.com/Event/ViewEvent.aspx?id=235042

📍 Redlin Art Center
📅 Saturday, February 21

01/14/2026

Same mission, different park, lots of great moments!