Trail or Park of the Week: Sertoma Park

This week's pick is Sertoma Park, a big southern Sioux Falls park tucked into an old oxbow of the Big Sioux River. It is one of the best easy walks in the city, and in early October the cottonwoods and maples around the oxbow lake turn gold and amber. I'm Jennifer Krosch, a Realtor with eXp Realty, and every week I profile a park, trail, or green space within about 30 minutes of Sioux Falls, with the details that actually matter when you are planning an afternoon out.

Why Sertoma for a fall walk?

Sertoma Park sits at 4300 S. Oxbow Ave., in an old bend of the Big Sioux River that left an oxbow lake on site. That setting is what makes it shine in the fall: the water holds the color of the trees around it, and the flat, shaded paths keep the walk easy even on a crisp October day. It is also one of the most family-friendly parks in the metro, which is why it works for a relaxed weekend stroll rather than a workout.

The park is part of the City of Sioux Falls system, which is worth knowing if you are new to the area: Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation is nationally accredited by CAPRA, the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, through the National Recreation and Park Association, and earned a perfect score in its 2025 reaccreditation. That accreditation is a real signal about how well the parks are maintained and staffed.

The trails: length and difficulty

Sertoma offers a few connected walking options, and all of them are easy. The Riparian Trail is a roughly 0.72-mile loop through riparian habitat along the river, and it is also a Kids in Parks TRACK Trail, a self-guided activity trail designed for families. The on-site Outdoor Campus, a 100-acre nature park run by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, adds about 2 miles of wide, flat walking trails that connect over to Yankton Trail Park and the city bike trail. Sertoma is also a Recreation Trail access point for the Sioux Falls bike trail and, in winter, the Nordic ski trails.

For difficulty, think easy. The terrain is flat and the main paths are paved or wide and well-maintained, so it works for strollers, younger kids, and anyone who wants a gentle walk rather than a climb. If you want to add distance, the connection to the city bike trail lets you extend the walk as far as you like.

Amenities worth knowing

Sertoma is well equipped for a half-day. There are restrooms, an accessible playground, and several play areas, plus a 17,000-square-foot picnic shelter with electricity, one of the state's largest pavilions, which makes it a dependable spot for a group gathering. Along the river there is a fishing dock and an observation dock over the oxbow lake, and the park includes restored prairie and riparian habitat. The Butterfly House and Aquarium is located within the park, and the Outdoor Campus nature center has exhibits and programming, so there is plenty to do even if the weather turns.

Parking and getting there

Parking is on site. From I-229, take exit 5 onto 49th Street and head to S. Oxbow Ave., where the park entrance and lots are. Because the park is large, it is worth parking near the feature you want, whether that is the playground, the Outdoor Campus, or the river trails. The park is a short drive from most of southern Sioux Falls, so it is an easy last-minute destination.

Best time to go

Right now, in early to mid-October, is one of the best windows of the year. The fall color peaks around the oxbow lake, the temperatures are comfortable for walking, and the summer crowds have thinned out. Mornings are quiet and the light on the water is lovely; late afternoons are busier with families. In winter the park shifts to groomed Nordic ski trails, and in summer the shade and the water keep it pleasant, though busier. If you want the classic postcard version, go on a clear October morning.

Plan your visit

The park address is 4300 S. Oxbow Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57106, and the City of Sioux Falls parks directory has the official details. For directions, here is the Google Maps link to Sertoma Park. If you are weighing which neighborhoods sit close to the parks you love, my parks near Sioux Falls guide covers the whole metro, and the neighborhood guides break down daily life in each community.

The realtor's take

Parks are a big part of how I help clients choose a neighborhood, and Sertoma is a good example of why. It is the kind of amenity that makes a home feel settled: easy trails, real green space, and a nature center that families actually use. If you are looking in southern Sioux Falls and want to know which homes sit closest to the parks and trails you will actually visit, I would be glad to walk it through with you.

FAQ: Sertoma Park