A lake of more than 1,000 acres is part of the Richmond Lake Recreation Area; its Forest Drive Unit adds an extensive trail network and disc golf. Brown also offers culture, fairground events, and seasonal attractions. You’ll find a variety of ways to enjoy the area, from time outdoors to culture and entertainment.

Lakes and Trails Around Aberdeen

Both distances are measured from Aberdeen: the Richmond Lake Recreation Area is 11 miles northwest of the city on U.S. Highway 281. The Mina Lake Recreation Area is 12 miles west of Aberdeen on U.S. Highway 12. The directions help distinguish the two destinations.

At the Richmond Lake Recreation Area, the lake, which covers more than 1,000 acres, provides access to the water. The Forest Drive Unit complements this with an extensive trail network for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. This gives you several ways to enjoy the outdoors. The unit also offers disc golf, with an 18-hole course and nine practice holes.

The Mina Lake Recreation Area offers different activities, including fishing, boating, and swimming at a sandy beach. It also has accessible hiking trails and opportunities for wildlife viewing. If you’re mainly looking for water activities, these offerings set Mina Lake apart from the trails and disc golf at the Forest Drive Unit.

Aberdeen itself also has outdoor trails: more than 30 miles are designated for cyclists, walkers, and joggers. These urban trails offer a different scale of experience from the Forest Drive Unit’s trail network. Which option best suits your plans depends on whether you want to focus on Aberdeen’s trails or the range of activities at the recreation areas.

Water and Seasonal Experiences

Wylie Lake, also known as Lake Minne-eho, is a fishing spot for families and young people. The lake also has a beach with an unsupervised swimming area. Canoes and pedal boats are available for seasonal rental; check availability before your visit.

Storybook Land and The Land of Oz feature train rides, carousels, roller coasters, and balloon rides. Storybook Land uses life-size figures and interactive scenes inspired by nursery rhymes and The Wizard of Oz. Admission to Storybook Land is free. Storybook Land and The Land of Oz also have two seasonal petting zoos; the animals available vary from year to year. Since operations are seasonal, check current operating information before your trip.

Culture, Fair, and Special Events

The Dacotah Prairie Museum in Brown County features Indigenous culture and artifacts. Centennial Village recreates the atmosphere of a pioneer town. Together, the two sites offer distinct cultural experiences: a presentation of Indigenous culture and artifacts, and the atmosphere of a pioneer town.

The Brown County Fair offers seven evenings of entertainment on the Grandstand stage and free live music day and night. The Grandstand program includes a rodeo, a free antique tractor pull, and music on four evenings. Carousel and other fair rides, competitions, and a rabbit barn round out the program.

Other events and activities offer different highlights. Pari-mutuel horse races take place on three weekends in May; check the current dates when planning your trip. Brown County Speedway is located at the Brown County Fairgrounds, north of Aberdeen. The Aberdeen Aqua Addicts put on an annual water ski show featuring barefoot skiing, jumps, pyramids, and ballet.

Group Accommodations

Richmond Lake Youth Camp offers private cabin accommodations for family reunions, church groups, and other groups. The camp also has three dormitories, each of which can accommodate 36 people. These details give groups a concrete option when looking for a place to stay for a gathering.

Discover More Destinations

Aberdeen, Minnehaha, Clay, Brookings, Charles Mix County, Union, Dewey County, Beadle County

For the overview of the wider region: South Dakota.