GFP News - February 14, 2013
- State Park Memorial Day Weekend Camping Reservations Open Feb. 23
- Bald Eagle Awareness Week Feb. 18-23
State Park Memorial Day Weekend Camping Reservations Open Feb. 23
PIERRE, S.D. -- People wanting to camp in South Dakota state parks on Memorial Day weekend may begin making reservations for that holiday period at 7 a.m. CST on Feb. 23, for Friday, May 24 arrivals.
"Memorial Day weekend is very busy in all the parks," said state Division of Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer. "Campers should plan ahead to reserve their favorite camping spots."
Hofer reminds campers who are reserving more than one campsite to call 1-800-710-2267. "For now, reservations for multiple campsites must be done over the phone, but online reservations for more than one site will be possible within the next month."
A three-night stay is required during holiday weekends at all parks except Custer State Park. Reservations for campsites in Custer State Park and for lodges in all state parks and recreation areas can be made one year in advance.
Reservations can be made 24 hours a day both online at www.campsd.com or by calling 1-800-710-2267. Campsites become available at 7 a.m. Central Time on the first day of the 90-day window. There is a $7.70 per site non-refundable reservation fee, which does not apply to South Dakota residents.
People may sign up to receive text message reminders about reservation openings for holiday weekends. Text "SDGFP ROD" to 368638. Message and data rates may apply.
The full 90-day window calendar can be found online at www.gfp.sd.gov.
-GFP-
Bald Eagle Awareness Week Feb. 18-23
PIERRE, S.D. -- Bald Eagle Awareness Days celebrates its 21st year of entertainment and education by emphasizing the need for conservation and appreciation of bald eagles and other birds of prey.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed February 18-23, 2013, as Bald Eagle Awareness Week in South Dakota. Interested persons will have three free events to choose from to learn more about birds of prey.
On Thursday, Feb. 21, The Outdoor Campus-East in Sioux Falls will have an open house at 6 p.m. CST, followed by a 7 p.m. program featuring live birds of prey presented by educators from The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota.
The Outdoor Campus-West in Rapid City is hosting a "drop-in" day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. MST on Saturday, Feb. 23. All ages can participate in hands-on stations featuring all things birds-of-prey. Black Hills Raptor Center will participate in the drop-in day and conduct a public presentation with live birds of prey at 1 p.m. MST.
Also on Saturday, Feb. 23, educators from The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota will present programs featuring live birds of prey at the Pierre Ramkota in Theatre II, in conjunction with the KCCR Farm, Home and Sports Show. Pierre Ramkota programs begin at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. CST. Those programs will feature raptor arts-and-crafts for younger children.
Bald Eagle Awareness Days activities will also feature presentations on Friday, Feb. 22 for students in Madison. Winners of the Bald Eagle Awareness Days Bookmark Art Contest will be announced and winning entries displayed at the Ramkota Inn on Feb. 23.
The annual event is a joint effort sponsored by conservation and outdoor recreation organizations, and merchants and conservation agencies to increase public involvement and awareness about bald eagles and other birds of prey. All ages are encouraged to attend.
For more information about Bald Eagle Awareness Days, visit online: http://gfp.sd.gov/outdoor-learning/bald-eagle-awareness-days/default.aspx or contact Eileen Dowd Stukel with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks at 605-773-4229.