WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in South Dakota

By species reported, the top birding spots in South Dakota are Farm Island, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area, and Dakota Nature Park. Farm Island has the longest list (211 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Farm IslandHughes County21182556164108150
Oahe Downstream Recreation AreaStanley County188509581529477
Dakota Nature ParkBrookings County1831,0793116895103
Blood Run National Historic Landmark Area Tcf TractLincoln County17364625149104110
Adams Nature AreaUnion County165327231487678
SertomaMinnehaha County164764241496681
Oaha Recreation AreaStanley County164247501475652
Lake Andes National Wildlife RefugeCharles Mix County158237301219984
Yankton UnitYankton County149760231387960
Wall LakeMinnehaha County14645081077594
Lacreek National Wildlife RefugeBennett County143255510310547
Bramble ParkCodington County140280131265961
Oakwood Game Production AreaBrookings County134174131135269
Corsica LakeDouglas County13114271116363
Cow Creek Recreation AreaSully County13114014914368
Bear Butte LakeMeade County12825201017266
Hillebrands LakeDay County1281283908625
Newton Hills (Sargeant Creek)Lincoln County127173221116817
Laframboise Island Nature AreaHughes County12711931945336
ElmwoodMinnehaha County124291151096177
MinaEdmunds County12315629922741
Lake LouiseHand County1236441162214
Union GroveUnion County122168141135637
PerryMinnehaha County119215141065836
Silver LakeHutchinson County1191000886644
Moccasin Creek ComplexBrown County11820991103552
East HeclaBrown County11711001018015
Newton HillsLincoln County116181161065718
Rocky Point Recreation AreaButte County1161673686354
Canyon Lake ParkPennington County1152,65950867276

By county