Newton Hills State Park

Newton Hills State Park's unique dark forest, amidst a vast open prairie, has prompted many legends, including buried gold, robbers' hideouts and horse thieves. But visitors today recognize it as a great place to camp, swim, hike and fish. The park also plays host to folk music concerts and the popular FestiFall in October. The Newton Hills Lodge, built in 1915, served as the historic caretaker's home in Canton, SD, and played an important role in serving the healthcare needs of a variety of patients before being opened to guests. It can sleep up to 12 people and has four bedrooms and two baths. Like the lodge, camping cabins are open year-round. Each cabin accommodates 4 people with a set of bunk beds and a double bed. Both RV and tent sites are available, as well as horse camp sites. A boat ramp, beach and fishing dock let you enjoy water activities at Newton Hills State Park. More than 200 species of birds visit the area each year, and white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, marmots, rabbits, red and gray fox and squirrels are also found within the park. Newton Hills hosts numerous folk music concerts in conjunction with the Friends of Traditional Music. One of the most popular concerts, the Sioux River Folk Festival, is a 3-day event held annually on the first full weekend in August. The popular FestiFall event is held each year on the first Saturday in October. It features many family activities including arts and crafts, kids' games, hay rides and bluegrass music. The pumpkin takes center stage with pumpkin catapulting, pumpkin carving demonstrations and decorated pumpkin contests. Following the FestiFall event, the Candlelight Walk will lead visitors along 2.2 miles of candle-lit trail through the deep woods of Newton Hills. The trail will be solely lit by candles and carved pumpkins.