Description
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands recently published a book entitled "Plants of the Grand River and Cedar River National Grasslands: 2008" that is available free to the public. It was written by Kurt Hansen and is a good resource for plant enthusiasts wanting to know more about the mixed grass prairie. The District has a variety of habitats: mixed grass prairie, river bottom, green ash draws, sand dunes along the South Fork of the Grand River, badlands, sandstone outcrops and buttes, and claypan areas with a few small playas in Corson County. Approximately 20,000 acres (8,100 ha) of the District is old cropland that was reseeded to crested wheatgrass. There have been 476 species from 78 families have been discovered so far. Inquiries can be at the offices in Lemmon, SD, or Bismarck, ND. The publication is also available on the DPG's website. For birding enthusiasts, there is also a comprehensive birding checklist of the District.
The District has a 7-mile (11 km) hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trail south of Lemmon about 12 miles (19 km) called the Blacktail Trail. It is a loop trail. The trail head is located adjacent to State Highway 73. The trail takes you through mixed grass prairie and badlands and passes near one of only two aspen stands on the District. A picnic area and fishing area is also located at the trailhead. A good gravel road connects the trial head to the highway.
The District also shares part of the shoreline of Shadehill reservoir. This area is accessible from State Highway 79, west of the highway. This part of the lakeshore is adjacent to the South Cabin sites. Camping is free. A good gravel shoreline is available for fishing. As you travel on most of the grasslands, it is all open to livestock grazing, so you will have to share it with cattle. This includes the roadways.
Recent projects on the District include planting cottonwoods along the South Fork of the Grand River and revamping crested wheatgrass stands with native seedings.
Read more about this topic: Grand River National Grassland
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