Union Grove State Park

South Dakota (Union County)

About This Park

Overview Union Grove Park is located on the southwestern shore of Stillhouse Hollow Lake in central Texas. The lake offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities, including water sports, hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, large group pavilions, hunting, fishing and simply enjoying the scenery. This facility has RV and tent camping sites with water and electric hookups available, as well as three screen shelters available for guests without camping equipment. Th

Tucked into the southeastern corner of South Dakota, Union Grove State Park offers 282 acres of rolling hardwood hills and quiet prairie along the banks of Brule Creek in Union County. It’s one of the state’s smaller parks, but that’s part of its charm — this is a place built for slowing down rather than checking off a bucket list.

The park’s dense groves of bur oak, basswood, and elm make it a standout for fall color in a state better known for wide-open grassland. Hikers will find trails winding through wooded ravines that feel more like the upper Midwest than the Great Plains, while the open meadows between tree lines are ideal for birding and wildlife watching. Deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional fox are regular sightings.

Fishing in Brule Creek draws anglers looking for a low-key outing, and the park’s picnic shelters and playground areas make it a solid choice for family day trips from nearby Sioux City or Vermillion. Disc golf enthusiasts will find a course winding through the wooded terrain.

The best time to visit is late spring through early fall, when the canopy fills in and the trails are at their most inviting. September and October bring spectacular foliage with far fewer crowds than you’d find at Custer or Palisades.

If you’re passing through the I-29 corridor or exploring South Dakota beyond the Black Hills, Union Grove is a welcome, unhurried stop worth pulling off the highway for.