Dragonflies in South Dakota: identification guide and best places to start

Your best odds occur near standing water: farm ponds, cattle tanks, and natural wetlands. The Missouri River reservoirs, such as Lewis and Clark Lake or Lake Oahe, draw large numbers during summer. Prairie potholes in the eastern part of the state also host many species. Even a backyard water feature can attract them.

In South Dakota, dragonflies sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where people are most likely to notice them. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

Dragonflies emerge in late May and stay active through September. Peak activity happens on warm, sunny days with light wind. After a rain, they often forage near drying puddles. Early morning and late afternoon are good for seeing them perched, while midday heat drives them to hunt on the wing.

Look at wing position: dragonflies hold wings flat and perpendicular to the body when perched, while damselflies fold theirs along the back. Body shape also helps. Common Green Darners have a green thorax and blue abdomen. Twelve-spotted Skimmers show three white spots on each wing. Check our guide at /animals/dragonfly for more details.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

You will likely see Common Green Darners, Twelve-spotted Skimmers, Widow Skimmers, and Eastern Pondhawks. The striking Black Saddlebags, with dark wing patches, roams widely. Prairie areas host the Variegated Meadowhawk. For a full species list and images, visit the dragonfly hub.

The LaCreek National Wildlife Refuge in Bennett County has marshes teeming with dragonflies. Sand Lake Wetland Management District near Columbia is another hotspot. Eastern sloughs along the James River valley hold good numbers. Check South Dakota wildlife areas for more locations.