Tucked into the wooded coulees of northeastern South Dakota’s Coteau des Prairies, Sica Hollow State Park is a place where the landscape feels alive in ways most of the Great Plains never does. The name comes from the Dakota word for “evil” — generations of Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota considered these ravines sacred and mysterious, and it’s easy to see why. Springs bubble up through iron-rich soil that runs red, fallen logs appear to bleed, and strange gases occasionally rise from the marshy ground. The science is straightforward (decomposing organic matter in a spring-fed watershed), but the atmosphere remains genuinely eerie and beautiful.

The park’s 900 acres protect one of South Dakota’s most unusual ecosystems: a dense hardwood forest more reminiscent of Minnesota or Wisconsin than the surrounding prairie. The Trail of the Spirits, a well-maintained interpretive path, winds through the hollow and explains both the Dakota legends and the geological forces at work. Hikers will also find roughly 15 miles of trails ranging from easy loops to more rugged routes through the ravines, all canopied by bur oak, basswood, and green ash.

Spring and early summer bring wildflower displays and the most active springs. Fall color here rivals anything in the region. Winter is quiet but snowshoeing is worthwhile.

Camping options are limited to horse camp sites, so most visitors base themselves in nearby Sisseton or at Roy Lake State Park, about 20 minutes west. Plan at least a half-day — this park rewards slow exploration.

Explore Nearby

• Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in South Dakota
• Fort Meade Recreation Area — Public Land in South Dakota