Dalton Lake

Historic Area

Dalton Lake is approximately a 2.8 acre lake on Little Elk Creek. The upstream watershed drains about 2,000 acres. The lake is about 15 feet deep. The Forest Service and South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks drained and dredged the lake in 2011 - 2012. Dalton Lake has populations of rainbow and brook trout. The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks manages the fishing here so prior to fishing consult the state fishing regulations. Shoreline access is good, as is access via a pier. Meade County residents co-sponsored construction of nine dams, including the Dalton Lake dam, to make the County an outstanding recreation area. The dam’s construction began in 1934 and was complete by 1937. Civilian Conservation Corps Company's 787 and 2759V based from Camp Estes near Nemo, SD, built the campground by 1935, and built a “ski slide” on the south side of the creek downstream from the dam. The ski slide fell into disuse. The sheltered picnic area in the campground remains in use. There were a few small dams or check dams downstream (east) of the Dalton Lake dam. The Forest Service allows non-motorized boating on Dalton Lake.

See the Dalton Lake Campground webpage for camping information.