Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in South Dakota

In southeast South Dakota, not far from the Nebraska border, visitors come to this Midwest site for its variety of recreational opportunities. The lake, formed behind the Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River, covers 100,000 square acres (40,000 hectares). Dive shops use the lake for open-water training, and an annual spearfishing tournament is held there as well. Many divers prefer the east side of the lake where boat ramps are plentiful and the bottom is more rocky and less muddy than on the west side. The lake is named after Francis H. Case, a Republican Congressman from South Dakota, whose main goals were to expand America’s road and waterway infrastructure.

Ft. Randall Reservoir, Kearney is a 5.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Nebraska, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

Pactola Lake, Rapid City is a 4.5-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in South Dakota, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 2 ratings.

Old Pontiac station wagon sits in 95' of water in Pactola Reservoir. You will need a flashlight and visibility is usually less than 20 feet. Access can be by boat or shore. There is a white arrow pointing down and attached to a tree on the north bank just left of a large rock formation in the water know locally as Alcatraz. No local dive shop currently so will have to bring filled tanks with you.

Upper Missouri River, Sioux Falls is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in South Dakota, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Lake Oahe, Pierre is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in South Dakota, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Handsome fast current dive. Water is about 55 to 60 degrees in summer. Many fish. Talk with local dive shop they can hook you up. If travelling past Pierre, SD I would highly recommend this dive. Once in a lifetime. From Boat is recomended. Local dive shop is great.