| Newton Hills State Park | |
|---|---|
  Location of Newton Hills State Park in South Dakota | |
| Location | Lincoln,South Dakota,United States |
| Coordinates | 43°13′28″N96°34′38″W / 43.22444°N 96.57722°W /43.22444; -96.57722 |
| Area | 1,063 acres (4.30 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,309 ft (399 m)[1] |
| Named for | early settler William Newton |
| Governing body | South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks |
| Website | Newton Hills State Park |
Newton Hills State Park is aSouth Dakota state park inLincoln County,South Dakota in the United States. The park is 1,063 acres (430 ha) and sits at an elevation of 1,309 feet (399 m).[1] The park is open for year-round recreation including camping, swimming, fishing, hiking and boating. It is 12 miles (19 km) east ofInterstate 29 and south ofCanton.[2]
Newton Hills State Park is named for William Newton who was one of the first European American settlers to make a home in the area.[2] Newton made hishomestead in Lincoln County in the 1850s. His wife was amid-wife and until the 1870s she was the only white person in the area who had the skills to deliver a baby or provide health care for the sick.[2]
Some of the first people to live in the area were Native Americans from theWoodland Indian Culture. Archaeologists have discoveredburial mounds and artifacts that have been dated back to 300 BC to 900 AD.[2] The park is surrounded by a vast openprairie. But it is heavily forested making it a unique setting. The dark forests of the park have prompted manylegends. Tales of buriedgold and hideaways forhorse thieves androbbers have been passed on through the years.[2] A small unit of theUnited States Cavalry was chased into the forest by a group ofLakota warriors. Legend holds that the soldiers had a supply of gold which they buried in the park before they were killed by the Native Americans.[3] Several searches have been made to locate the site of the battle and the gold, but so far nothing has been found.[3]Frank andJesse James used the forests of what is now the park as a temporary hideout after their famous robbery of a bank inNorthfield,Minnesota[4] The robbery in Northfield was not successful and after this robbery and a manhunt, only Frank and Jesse James were left alive and uncaptured.[5]
Newton Hills State Park is open for year-round recreation. Cabins and the group lodge are available to rent all year. The campground is open on a limited basis but the shower facilities are closed during the late fall, through winter and into early spring.[2] The 108 of the 118 campsites have electric hook-ups.[3] Restrooms facilities including showers are provided in a central location. The cabins areADA accessible and are equipped with heating, air conditioning and furnishings.[6] Several miles of trails are found in Newton Hills State Park, including horse and mountain bike trails. The trails are open during the winter months forcross-country skiing andsnowshoeing.[3]
Lake Lakota is open to fishing, swimming and boating. The common game fish areperch,bass,catfish and a variety ofpanfish. Newton Hills State Park is open tohunting.White-tailed deer andwild turkey may be taken with abow and arrow.[2] Other animals seen in the park includemarmots,rabbits,squirrels andfoxes. These animals are protected within the park.[2]
Newton Hills State Park has become a prime location for variousfestivals. The Sioux River Folk Festival is held annually at the park.[3] The festival is hosted by the Friends of Traditional Music.[2] "FestiFall" is held in the autumn of the year to celebrate the arrival of the fall season. Events includepumpkin chunking, pumpkin carving competitions and other fall activities. Banana bikes are also available.[2]