Skip to main content

Outreach & Service to the Community

Oak Lake Field Station is available for use by educational groups, civic organizations, government agencies, private families and religious organizations. Limited facilities are available for camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing and picnic activities. Individuals must contact the Department of Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University to check availability on the proposed usage dates before making online reservations. Off-road driving, unauthorized collecting of plants and animals, excavation, alcoholic beverages and pets are prohibited on field station property. Muzzleloader hunting is allowed from December 1st through January 1st. Please contact Jiyoung Kim via email.

Nebraska Hastings College

 

 

Students from Nebraska's Hastings College visit Oak Lake Field Station in June as part of a class studying prairie habitats. Field Station staff provide a guided tour of Oak Lake on the station's research boat.

SDSU Honors College

 

 

The SDState Honors College conducts its annual fall picnic and welcome at Oak Lake Field Station. Participating students were taken on a guided tour of station habitats.

Project WILD

 

 

Budding science teachers receive instruction with Project WILD curriculum materials at Oak Lake Field Station during fall semester. The field station has a long history of environmental education instruction for public school teachers and students.

Beetle workshop

 

 

 

Carabid beetle workshop offered by USDA staff has been offered every other year at Oak Lake.

Volleyball

 

 

The SDState volleyball team utilizes Oak Lake Field Station for a team building retreat prior to the beginning of the season.

The field station is open throughout the year to the general public. Most activities are limited to spring, summer, and fall months due to severe winter traveling conditions. Cross-country skiing and ice fishing are popular winter activities. During the warmer months, the station's activities include undergraduate and graduate research, environmental workshops, summer science camp for middle-schoolers, nature hikes (hardwood forest, upland prairies, wetlands and lake environments), canoeing, swimming and overnight camping.  Camping is restricted to tents and certain locations on the field station property.
 

Additional questions regarding the field station