· Celebrate Independence Day with S.D. State Park Events
· Fort Sisseton State Park Hosts “Historical Happenings” Event
· Shadehill Recreation Area Hosts Family Fun Day
· West Pollock State Recreation Area Open
PIERRE, S.D. – Many opportunities still exist for those looking to camp the week of the Fourth of July, said Game, Fish and Parks officials. A large number of campsites are available for reservation for the weekends before and after July 4, as well as for the holiday in state park campgrounds across South Dakota.
“With the Fourth of July just around the corner, many campers have already made their reservations," said Doug Hofer, state parks director. "However, there are still many parks with campsites available, in addition to a number of first-come, first-serve campsites."
As of June 20, parks with 10 or more campsites available for a weekend stay beginning Friday, June 29, were the following:
As of June 20, parks with 10 or more campsites available for a weekend stay beginning Friday, July 6, were the following:
A current site availability listing is available online at www.CampSD.com. Reservations for the weekend can be made until 12 noon on Thursday June 28 and July 5, through www.CampSD.com or by calling 1-800-710-CAMP (2267). All sites not reserved on Thursday, June 28 and July 5 become available on a first-come, first-served basis for a Friday arrival.
In addition, a number of campgrounds offer all sites as first-come, first-served. These include:
The following parks have a portion of sites available on a first-come basis:
For more information on the South Dakota state park system, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.
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PIERRE, S.D. – According to S.D. Game, Fish and Parks officials, boaters will find a good number of Lake Oahe boat ramp sites accessible during the Fourth of July week.
Based on the latest reservoir pool projections, the following boat ramps are currently open and should remain open for use during the Fourth of July holiday week:
· Bob’s Landing, 16 miles west of Gettysburg
· Bush’s Landing, 32 miles northwest of Pierre
· Chantier Creek, 15 miles northwest of Oahe Dam on SD 1806
· Cow Creek, 15 miles northwest of Pierre off Hwy 1804
· East Shore, 7 miles north of Pierre off Hwy 1804
· East Whitlock, 15 miles northwest of Gettysburg off Hwy 1804
· Indian Creek East, 2 miles southeast of Mobridge off Hwy 12
· Indian Creek West, 2 miles southeast of Mobridge off Hwy 12
· Indian Memorial, 2 miles northwest of Mobridge off Hwy 12
· Lighthouse Point, 15 miles northwest of Pierre off Hwy 1804
· Little Bend, 53 miles northwest of Pierre off Hwy 1804
· Minneconjou, 45 miles northwest of Pierre off Hwy 1806
· Pike Haven, 25 miles west of Onida
· Shaw Creek, 7 miles south of Pollock, off Hwy 1804
· Spring Creek, 15 miles south of Pierre off Hwy 1804
· Sutton Bay, 50 miles northwest of Pierre off Hwy 1804
· Swan Creek, 9 miles west of Akaska off Hwy 83
· Walth Bay, 15 miles southwest of Selby off Hwy 1084
· West Pollock, 2 miles west of Pollock off Hwy 1804
· West Shore, 9 miles northwest of Pierre off Hwy 1806
· West Whitlock, 18 miles northwest of Gettysburg off Hwy 1804
According to Doug Hofer, state parks director, boaters can easily access most stretches of Lake Oahe in South Dakota from one of these ramps. Hofer also stresses the need for courtesy and common sense at the ramp, especially during the busy holiday weekend. “Obeying signage and not parking on turnaround areas will allow for smooth traffic flow and a better experience for all,” said Hofer.
The Department of Game, Fish and Parks is working to keep as many Lake Oahe boat ramps as possible open throughout the summer. Temporary closures may occur periodically while these ramps are being cleaned of sediment or otherwise maintained.
A daily report on the conditions of Lake Oahe boat ramps is available online at www.SDparks.info by clicking on “Lake Oahe Boat Ramp Report” along the left side. Visitors to the website can also view a map that shows the location of the ramps. Boaters are encouraged to use the website to help find nearby alternatives to closed ramps.
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PIERRE, S.D. – The upcoming Fourth of July holiday is always a busy time in South Dakota's state parks and recreation areas. As you celebrate, Game, Fish and Parks officials ask you to please leave your fireworks at home.
According to Doug Hofer, state parks director, campgrounds are traditionally very busy during the Fourth of July holiday, with both campers and those enjoying the park for the day.
“Combining fireworks and large numbers of people creates a dangerous situation,” said Hofer. “Fireworks may also cause a serious fire hazard in parks that have an abundance of dry vegetation. Let's keep the parks safe and fun this Fourth of July.”
Discharging fireworks is prohibited on all lands owned or leased by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. The ban includes state parks, recreation areas, lakeside use areas, game production areas and nature areas. Discharging fireworks is also illegal within the exterior boundaries of the Black Hills forest fire protection district, national forests and national parks within South Dakota.
For more information on the South Dakota State Parks, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.
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Celebrate Independence Day with S.D. State Park Events
PIERRE, S.D. - The Fourth of July lands on a Wednesday this year, so parks across the state are expecting 10 busy days. If you are planning to be at a state park during this time, make plans to attend one of the following events.
· Kids’ Bicycle Parade, Snake Creek Recreation Area near Platte. Tuesday, July 3 at 7 p.m. Kids are invited to come decorate their bikes and show it off as the parade goes around the campground. Decorating materials are provided, or bring your own for a unique look. Info: (605) 337-2587
· Historical Happenings, Fort Sisseton State Park near Lake City. Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8. Explore and learn about Fort Sisseton through various activities including Dutch oven cooking, wagon rides and old-fashioned children’s games. Info: (605) 448-5474
· Sand Sculpture Championship, Lake Poinsett Recreation Area near Arlington. Saturday, July 7 at 10 a.m. This annual beach sand sculpture contest brings sun, sand and sculptors together for a day of fun. Attend as a family and build your best sand sculpture. Info: (605) 627-5441.
· Insect Scavenger Hunt Walk in the Park, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton. Saturday, July 7 at 9:30 a.m. On this walk participants will learn all about insects as they hunt for different bugs around the park. Info: (605) 668-2985
· Exploring the Outdoors Walk in the Park, West Whitlock Recreation Area near Gettysburg. Saturday, July 7 at 7 p.m. The great outdoors offer tons to explore with every step, from plants to insects and maybe even wildlife, see what you can spot on this walk in the park. Info: (605) 765-9410
· Scavenger Hunt Walk in the Park, Indian Creek Recreation Area near Mobridge. Saturday, July 7 at 10 a.m. Join park staff on a scavenger hunt. Explore the park and see what you can find. Info: (605) 845-7112
· Coffee Club Heart Walk Walk in the Park, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Fort Pierre. Saturday, July 7, 8:30 a.m. This two-mile walk is a great opportunity to get some fresh air, socialize and take part in some heart-healthy exercise. Coffee will be available following the walk courtesy of the Oahe Downstream Marina and Resort. Participants should meet at the marina parking lot. Info: (605) 223-7722.
There is no cost to participate in any of the events, although a park entrance license is required. Visitors are encouraged to dress according to the weather and to wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes.
The Walk in the Park program is part of a series of educational, guided hikes held throughout the year in South Dakota state parks, recreation areas and nature preserves. Park staff and volunteers lead the programs, which are co-sponsored by the S.D. Departments of Health.
For more information on activities in the S.D. state parks, visit www.SDparks.info, contact the individual park office, or call (605) 773-3391.
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Fort Sisseton State Park Hosts “Historical Happenings” Event
PIERRE, S.D. - Fort Sisseton Sate Park near Lake City will host two days of “Historical Happenings” on July 7 and 8. Activities run from 1 to 4 p.m. both days, and will showcase the sights, smells and sounds common during the time of the 19th century fort. In addition, a Lantern Tour of Fort Buildings and a Northern Fort Playhouse performance are planned for the evening of July 7.
The fort, active from 1865 to 1889, aided in settling, protecting and scouting the rugged Dakota Territory. Throughout both afternoons, visitors can learn more about the fort’s era through demonstrations and displays, such as Dutch oven cooking, blacksmithing, carpentry and duties of a Fort Sisseton soldier. Wagon rides and old-fashioned children’s games will be available for some first-hand fun. Staff and volunteers will also be on-hand to provide background and interpretive information to visitors.
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, visitors can experience the life of a fort inhabitant on the “Following in Fisk’s Footsteps” Walk in the Park. On the hike, participants will be led through the fort’s restored buildings on a first-person tour. At 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, visitors are invited to explore and learn about Fort Sisseton in the dark of night by lantern light.
The night of Saturday, July 7 will also feature a special performance, as the Northern Fort Playhouse presents the play “How the Other Half Loves.” Individual admission is $11 and dinner theater tickets are $26 each. All seats reserved. Curtain time is at 8 p.m., and the dinner theater is at 6 p.m. The deadline for dinner theater tickets is 11 days prior to the scheduled performance. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Fort Sisseton office.
There is no cost to participate in any of the afternoon activities or the Lantern Tour, though a park entrance license is required.
The hike is part of the Walk in the Park program, a series of guided, educational walks held throughout the year in South Dakota state parks, recreation areas and nature preserves. Park staff and volunteers lead the programs, which are co-sponsored by the S.D. Department of Health.
Fort Sisseton State Park is located 10 miles southwest of Lake City off SD Hwy 10. For additional information about the historical fort or the day's events, contact the park office at (605) 448-5474. For additional information on South Dakota State Parks, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.
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Shadehill Recreation Area Hosts Family Fun Day
PIERRE, S.D. – Shadehill Recreation Area’s second annual Family Fun Day will be held this Saturday, June 23 at 3 p.m. in the picnic shelter on Ketterlings Point.
This year’s event will feature a presentation by Game, Fish and Parks naturalist Melody Jacobsen. The presentation is hands-on and will be entertaining and educational for kids and adults. Jacobsen will talk about wildlife in South Dakota including what different animals eat and where they live. She will have furs, skulls and rubber tracks with her. Following the presentation, food will be served. The food is sponsored by the Grand River Sportsmen’s Club.
Shadehill Recreation Area is located 14 miles south of Lemmon off SD Highway 73.
Each year thousands of people camp, boat, fish and swim at Shadehill Recreation Area. Nestled in the northwest corner of the state, Shadehill is a destination for locals and tourists alike. The 52 electric campsites, 2 camping cabins and game lodge make Shadehill a great location for those looking for a weekend or week long escape.
To learn more about the day’s events contact the park office at (605) 371-5114. For additional information on South Dakota State Parks, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.
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West Pollock State Recreation Area Open
PIERRE, S.D.--The water level is up and so is the number of campers at the West Pollock State Recreation Area near Pollock. The park is located adjacent to the Missouri River near Pollock, just a few miles south of the North Dakota border.
Park manager Jim Straight reports that the park has plenty of water on the boat ramp, and the comfort station and fish cleaning stations are up and running. “The campground is first-come, first-served,” said Straight, “making it a great destination site for those who want to plan an outing at the last minute.”
The park has all the amenities one might want, including electrical campsites, flush toilets, showers, playground, shade trees and a dump station. “For those who want to camp with conveniences, this is a great place to come,” said Straight.
Park visitors may want to try fishing as the reports for that area are good. The walleyes are biting and life is good at West Pollock Recreation Area.
A park entrance license is required. Both daily and annual passes are available for purchase at the park. For more information about the park, call (605) 845-7112.
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