Clark County: Landscape, Birdwatching, and Culture

Clark County brings together thousands of potholes and sloughs, birdwatching at Dry Lake #2, and historical and festive events in Clark. This brings different travel interests together: nature watching, local history, and a festival whose origins are tied to the region’s potato farming. When looking for a vacation rental, you can first decide whether to focus on the landscape or the attractions in Clark.

Landscape and Birdwatching

The county’s landscape features thousands of potholes and sloughs. Dry Lake #2 offers a specific connection to local birdlife: an older birdwatching guide describes 3,750 acres of flooded lake habitat there and lists Western Grebe, Snowy Egret, Blue-winged Teal, and Ruddy Duck as species that can be observed. Water levels and access may vary, and sightings are seasonal; check current conditions before your visit. Dry Lake #2 is also among the waters that have been reopened for recreational use. Since rules for access to public waters can change, check current notices from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks before your visit.

Boating on Reid Lake is prohibited from October 20 through December 31. If boating is part of your plans, check the current boating handbook before your trip. This will allow you to factor the specific time restriction into your plans without confusing it with the seasonal birdwatching opportunities at Dry Lake #2.

History and Parks in Clark

The Classic Wheels Museum in Clark displays restored classic cars, motorcycles, tractors, and aircraft, as well as historical scale models of the Clark community. The Beauvais Heritage Center complex in Clark includes a claim cabin from the settler era, the Clark railroad depot, and a former school. Several distinct aspects of local history come together here: settler life, railroads, and the history of education.

The grave of Little Fellow is six miles east of Clark. A 2006 account reports that the annual tribute at the grave has been held since 1890 and sponsored by the Clark Rotary Club. Flat Iron Park in Clark offers a scenic stop along Highway 212 and honors war veterans. There are several specific places to visit in Clark, as well as the grave east of town, for a look at local history and remembrance.

Potato Days: Festival History and Program

Potato Days is a town-wide festival in Clark, held every year on the first weekend in August. Check the specific event dates before your trip. The festival began in Clark in 1992 to celebrate the region’s identity as a potato-growing area. Mashed potato wrestling began at Potato Days in Clark in 1995. The Arts in the Park program features arts and crafts, candles, taxidermy, and wood decorations, as well as jams and jellies, produce, and baked goods; items offered may vary from year to year. The two dates mark the festival’s development over time: 1992 marks the festival’s start, and 1995 the start of mashed potato wrestling at Potato Days.

Choose a Vacation Rental Based on Your Priorities

If you want to focus on the museum, heritage center, parks, and Potato Days, Clark is a natural place to look for a vacation rental.

Explore More Places

Carpenter is another place in Clark County that you can make a focus of your trip planning: Discover Carpenter.

Discover more destinations: Edmunds, Lyman County, Jerauld County, Brown, Walworth County, Butte, Davison County.

Return to the main travel overview: South Dakota.