Newton Hills State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Newton Hills State Park
Newton Hills State Park Location in South Dakota
Location	Lincoln, South Dakota, United States
Area	1,063 acres (4.30 km2)
Elevation	1,309 ft (399 m)
Named for	early settler William Newton
Governing body	South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Website	Newton Hills State Park

Newton Hills State Park is a fun place to visit in Lincoln County, South Dakota, in the United States. This park covers about 1,063 acres and is located at an elevation of about 1,309 feet. It's a great spot for outdoor activities all year round, like camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, and boating. You can find it about 12 miles east of Interstate 29 and south of Canton.

Park History and Legends

Newton Hills State Park is named after William Newton. He was one of the first European American settlers to build a home in this area. William Newton made his homestead, which is a family farm or house, in Lincoln County in the 1850s. His wife was a midwife, a person who helps deliver babies. Until the 1870s, she was the only white person in the area who could help with childbirth or provide health care.

Ancient Inhabitants

Some of the first people to live in this area were Native Americans from the Woodland Indian Culture. Scientists have found burial mounds and old tools here. These items show that people lived in the park area between 300 BC and 900 AD.

Forest Legends

The park is mostly surrounded by wide open prairie land. But the park itself has many trees, making it a special place. The dark forests of the park have led to many interesting legends. People have told stories for years about hidden gold and secret spots for horse thieves and robbers.

One legend says that a small group of United States Cavalry soldiers was chased into the forest by Lakota warriors. The story goes that the soldiers had gold with them. They supposedly buried the gold in the park before they were defeated by the Native Americans. People have searched many times for the battle site and the gold, but nothing has been found yet.

Another famous story involves Frank and Jesse James. These well-known outlaws supposedly used the forests of what is now the park as a temporary hiding spot. This was after they tried to rob a bank in Northfield, Minnesota. That robbery didn't go well for them. After a big search, only Frank and Jesse James were still free.

Fun Activities

Newton Hills State Park is open for fun activities all year long. You can rent cabins and a group lodge any time of year. The campground is open for part of the year, but the showers are closed from late fall through winter and early spring.

• Camping: Out of 118 campsites, 108 have electric hook-ups for your RV or tent. You'll find restrooms and showers in a central spot.
• Cabins: The cabins are designed to be ADA accessible, meaning they are easy for everyone to use. They have heating, air conditioning, and furniture.
• Trails: The park has several miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. In winter, these trails are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Water Activities

Lake Lakota is a great place for fishing, swimming, and boating. You can often catch fish like perch, bass, catfish, and different kinds of panfish.

Wildlife and Hunting

Newton Hills State Park also allows some hunting. You can hunt White-tailed deer and wild turkey using a bow and arrow. Other animals you might see in the park include marmots, rabbits, squirrels, and foxes. These animals are protected within the park boundaries.

Park Events

Newton Hills State Park is a popular spot for different festivals.

• Sioux River Folk Festival: This music festival happens every year at the park. The Friends of Traditional Music group hosts it.
• FestiFall: This event takes place in the autumn to celebrate the fall season. It includes fun activities like pumpkin chunking (launching pumpkins), pumpkin carving contests, and other fall-themed games. You can also try riding "banana bikes" at this event!