GFP News - February 9, 2012

Summer Camping Reservations Open Feb. 18 for SD State Parks

PIERRE, S.D. - Visitors planning camping trips to South Dakota state parks and recreation areas will soon be able to make reservations for the summer camping season.

"Camper numbers at state parks have increased in the past several years," said Doug Hofer, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. "The growing number of people camping in South Dakota state parks makes reservations even more important."

Reservations for camping in most state parks can be made within 90 days of arrival. The first day to make reservations is Feb. 18 for a May 18 arrival. May 18-20 is Open House Weekend in South Dakota state parks. During Open House Weekend, no entrance fees are charged, but camping fees still apply.

Camping reservations are available for dates between May 18 and Sept. 3 in most parks. A limited number of parks also accept autumn reservations through Oct. 8.

Reservations for Memorial Day weekend can be made beginning Feb. 25 for a May 25 arrival. Reservations are currently being accepted for the entire camping season for campsites at Custer State Park and for lodges in all state parks and recreation areas.

Reservations can be made online at www.campsd.com or by calling 1-800-710-2267. The telephone reservation center is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time daily. Online reservations may be made 24 hours a day, though campsites do not become available until 7 a.m. on the first day of the 90-day window, both online and at the call center. 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 opening dates 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-

Campsites, Facilities Open This Summer In Pierre-Area Parks Impacted By Flood

PIERRE, S.D. - Despite last year's Missouri River flood that closed campsites and damaged facilities, the camping season outlook is promising for two Pierre-area state parks.

State Park officials expect both Farm Island and Oahe Downstream Recreation Areas to have many campsites and the majority of facilities available for Open House and Memorial Day weekends in May. Most campsites and facilities should be open by mid-June, but total restoration from the flood will continue throughout the year.

"We're making progress in terms of recovering from the flood," said State Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer. "The mild winter has benefited us greatly, and crews are working hard to get the parks up and running as soon as possible. After last summer with little camping opportunities in the Pierre area, we know lots of folks are anxious to get out and enjoy the outdoors."

Hofer released the timeline now for Farm Island and Oahe Downstream Recreation Areas because reservations open soon for those popular campgrounds. Reservations can be made 90 days before arrival, with reservations opening on Feb. 18 for the first official camping weekend of the summer, referred to as Open House Weekend, on May 18-20. Memorial Day reservations open Feb. 25 for arrival Friday, May 25.

Campers should keep in mind that full recovery will take quite a while, Hofer said. While most areas and facilities will be open, many will not be in the same condition as they were before the flood. Visitors will see the effects in eroded shorelines, accumulated sand dunes, patchy grass, damaged trails, and fewer trees.

"The aftermath of the flood will be felt in these parks for some time to come," Hofer said. "We appreciate visitors' understanding as we work to make things right again. There is much to do to restore the parks to their former condition, but we're focusing first on the major projects to get them in useable condition for the summer."

At Farm Island Recreation Area, 17 campsites, three camping cabins, and picnic shelter 4, all located in the east campground, will be reservable beginning with May 18 arrival. All 70 campsites in the main campground and picnic shelters 1, 2, and 3 are expected to open for June 15 arrivals, making March 17 the first day to reserve those sites.

Throughout the summer, park visitors will have use of the sanitary dump station, fish cleaning station, swimming beach change house, day-use area, disability fishing pier and one of the comfort stations in the main campground at Farm Island. New electrical hookups will also be in place, and grass is expected to begin growing this spring.

The causeway to Farm Island is open, and the island trails and the Lewis and Clark Trail are in usable condition. This spring, GFP staff will work to re-establish a trail base and lay materials to improve the trail surface.

The main boat ramp will be open to Hipple Lake, but access to the main river channel will not be possible due to the build up of silt at the end of the island. Boaters will be able to access the main river channel from the west boat ramp located near the polo field, which will be improved into a two-lane ramp with expanded parking later in the summer.

At Oahe Downstream Recreation Area, facilities reservable beginning with a May 18 arrival include 56 campsites, located in Campgrounds 1 and 3; four camping cabins located in Campground 3; and picnic shelters 1 and 3. Another 137 campsites (including all of Campground 2) and three more comfort stations are expected to open for June 15 arrivals. The first day to reserve those campsites is March 17.

This summer's visitors should have use of the comfort stations in Campgrounds 1 and 3, the boat ramp at Oahe Marina, fish cleaning station, disability fishing pier, swimming beach, sanitary dump station and the Cottonwood Path hiking trail. New electrical hookups will also be in place, and grass is expected to begin growing this spring.

Not available this summer at the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area are several campsites and camping cabins in Campground 3. The force of the rushing water along the stilling basin caused a massive amount of shoreline erosion, obliterating 12 shoreline campsites and forcing removal of camping cabins along the water. Only four camping cabins will be available for summer reservations in Campground 3; they were relocated to existing campsites to the west of their original locations.

LaFramboise Island Nature Area, located in the city of Pierre, will be closed throughout the year. Floodwaters destroyed the causeway road leading to the island, and it is unknown at this time when all repairs can be finished.

Campgrounds and facilities at other parks in the area, including Cow Creek, Okobojo Point, Spring Creek and West Bend Recreation Areas, are operational and on schedule for summer reservations.

Hofer said sites and facilities will continually be evaluated and opened as soon as conditions allow. He encourages park users to check the parks' individual webpages and sign up for email news releases at www.gfp.sd.gov to stay current on the latest information.

- GFP -

North Point Campground, Facilities To Reopen This Summer Following Flood

PICKSTOWN, S.D. – State Park officials say last year's Missouri River flood in South Dakota will have little impact on campers to North Point Recreation Area near Pickstown this summer.

"North Point was lucky in that it escaped some of the major damage we saw upstream," said State Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer. "While the park staff will continue to work on repair projects throughout the summer, campsites and major facilities should be back on line in time for summer recreation."

Hofer expects all North Point campsites and comfort stations to be operational for the first official weekend of the summer camping season, referred to as Open House Weekend, May 18-20.

However, campers should keep in mind that full recovery will take quite a while, he said. While North Point Recreation Area and most of its facilities will be open this spring, some facilities will not be in the same condition as they were before the flood. Visitors will see the effects in eroded shorelines, patchy grass, damaged trails, and fewer trees.

"Total restoration from the flood will continue at North Point throughout the year," said Hofer. "We appreciate visitors' understanding as we work to make things right again. We're hopeful and confident we can meet our goals to get the park in good condition for the summer."

Throughout the summer, park visitors will have use of the sanitary dump station, fish cleaning station, swim beach change house, day use area, boat ramps, and playground. New electrical pedestals will also be in place, and grass is expected to begin growing this spring.

The park lost several trees to the flooding, and picnic shelter No. 1 will not be available for use at all this summer. Visitors are also advised that the Spillway Lakeside Use Area below Fort Randall Dam sustained shoreline erosion and damage to roads that are scheduled for repairs by midsummer.

Hofer released the timeline now for park repairs because reservations open soon for the popular North Point campground. Reservations can be made 90 days before arrival, with reservations opening for Open House Weekend on Feb. 18. Memorial Day weekend reservations open Feb. 25 for a Friday, May 25, arrival.

Sites and facilities will continually be evaluated and opened as soon as conditions allow, Hofer said. He encourages park users to check the park's webpage and sign up for email news releases at www.gfp.sd.gov to stay current on the latest information.

- GFP -