Palisades State Park, located in southeastern South Dakota in the town of Garretson, is the second smallest state park in South Dakota. At 157 acres in area, the park is quite small compared to the vastness of other state parks in South Dakota. Although compact in size, this park packs a powerful visual punch, and the history of the area—complete with larger-than-life legends and tales—more than compensates for its small size.
Palisades State Park is one of the few places in the nation that contains pipestone which is a mineral found in the matrix of quartzite and is used by Native Americans for making peace pipes. Several pipestone quarry sites can be found within the park. |
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The Sioux Quartzite rocks are 1.2 billion years old and up to 50 feet high. They are exposed on either side of Split Rock Creek. Below is a view of Chimney Rock from an overlook by Balancing Rock. |
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After passing Balancing Rock and going down a few stairs, the two RV Gypsies strolled alongside the Split Rock Creek. They were not too impressed with a picnic table directly underneath steep cliffs and falling rocks. |
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The two RV Gypsies explored the King and Queen Trail at Palisades State Park just as they did in 2012. |
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On the other side of Split Rock Creek, the two RV Gypsies took a short walk down the King and Queen Trail and reached the King and Queen formations, but could not really figure out which was the Queen and which was the King. |
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Lee Duquette walked further up the trail while Karen Duquette sat
and waited for his return. |
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Below:The lunch view of the two RV Gypsies in Palisades Park. |
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