Paddle at Keyhole State Park

Located on the western edge of the Black Hills, between Sundance and Moorcroft, Keyhole State Park is the perfect spot for camping, swimming, hiking, boating, water skiing, bird-watching and fishing. After spending a night in a treehouse, the park serves as the launching point for an epic day of stand up paddle boarding a section of the Keyhole Reservoir, aka Keyhole Lake.

The lake has over 50 miles of shoreline and consists of a massive 9300 acres. Staying close to the coast is the best bet on a SUP (stand-up paddle board) both for seeing beautiful views and opportunities to grab a spot to take a break from paddling.

The inlet on the eastern edge of the lake offers great solitude and cover from the elements on a windy day. Bring along a hammock to string between two trees for a midday nap or reading sesh.

The water can be quite shallow in some sections, and it’s common to see large fish kicking up the muddy shorelines as they thrash about underwater. Fish species include bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, bluegill, perch, sunfish and northern pike.

The Keyhole Marina offers boat and SUP rentals. Fuel/propane, water toys, apparel, snacks, pop, ice, and beer/spirits can be found at the general store onsight.