·         Lake Louise on the Rise

·         Reservations Open Soon for Newton Hills Annual FestiFALL Event

·         Celebrate National Recreation and Parks Month this July

 

Lake Louise on the Rise

 

PIERRE, S.D. – Thanks to a five foot rise in the water level, Lake Louise Recreation Area near Miller is seeing an increase in users this summer. The lake is still about eight feet low, but continues to gain water.

 

“The lake looks very nice,” said Dale Simpson park manager. “There were even a couple of boats pulling tubers this weekend. I haven’t seen that for about three years. It is very exciting to see the lake and recreation area being used.”

 

Lake Louise Recreation Area features 39 campsites and 2 camping cabins. The park has games and equipment available for checkout, a hiking trail, a horseshoe pit, picnic areas, a playground, a sand volleyball court and a swimming beach. There is also a boat ramp, fish cleaning station and wheelchair accessible fishing dock.

 

Lake Louise Recreation Area is located 14 miles northwest of Miller of US Hwy 14. For additional information, contact the park at (605) 853-2533. To make reservations at the park, call 1-800-710-2267 or visit www.CampSD.com. For additional information on South Dakota State Parks, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.

 

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Reservations Open Soon for Newton Hills Annual FestiFALL Event

 

CANTON, S.D. – Campers planning to attend Newton Hills State Park’s FestiFALL and Candlelight Walk on Oct. 6 can soon make reservations for the annual event. Reservations open on Saturday, July 7 for a Friday, Oct. 5 arrival, and can be made online at www.CampSD.com or by calling (800) 710-CAMP (2267).

 

The popular FestiFALL event features many family activities, from crafts to bluegrass music, beginning at 1 p.m. on Oct. 6. Autumn's harvest crop, the pumpkin, will take the spotlight during the FestiFALL festivities, with decorated pumpkin contests and demonstrations on pumpkin carving. Also featured is pumpkin catapulting - a favorite for many visitors.

 

Following the afternoon FestiFALL celebration, the Candlelight Walk will lead visitors along 2.2 miles of candle-lit trail through the deep woods of Newton Hills. People may begin this self-guided walk anywhere between 7:15 p.m. and 9 p.m.  Walkers will encounter many surprises along the trail, including musicians and colorful characters from the past.

 

There is no cost to participate in any of the FestiFALL events, although a park entrance license is required.

 

Camping reservations will be taken at Newton Hills for the fall season, through Oct. 8. For reservations, go online to www.CampSD.com or call 1-800-710-CAMP (2267). Camping fees are $14 for an electrical site and $10 for a tent site. Seven camping cabins, which sleep four each, are available for $32 per night. There is a $5 per site non-refundable reservation fee, which is not applicable to South Dakota residents. Camping fees are in addition to entrance fees.

 

For additional information, contact Newton Hills State Park at (605) 987-2263 or visit South Dakota state parks online at www.SDparks.info.

 

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Celebrate National Recreation and Parks Month this July

 

PIERRE, S.D. – If you’ve never played disc golf, paddled a canoe or tossed a horseshoe, now is the time. This July, to celebrate National Recreation and Parks month, South Dakota state parks are encouraging park visitors to try out a new outdoor recreational activity, as well as participate in some time-honored favorites.

 

“State parks across South Dakota offer hiking, biking and swimming opportunities,” said Elizabeth Ruen, information specialist. “This July, we’re encouraging people to try out some of the great activities that the parks have to offer, from volleyball to horseshoes to canoeing.”

 

According to Ruen, some lesser-known recreational facilities in the state parks include outdoor basketball and sand volleyball courts, soccer and softball fields, horseshoe pits, trap shooting/rifle ranges, archery ranges, birding trails and off-road vehicle areas. These facilities vary by area and add a unique aspect to each park.

 

A sport gaining popularity in the state is disc golf, in which players compete to land a flying disc into a basket or hole. Eleven South Dakota state parks feature disc golf courses. On July 14, the Yankton Trilogy Disc Golf Tournament will take place at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area.

 

To help visitors experience the outdoors, many parks have equipment available for free checkout on a first-come, first-served basis, including disc golf discs, volleyballs, basketballs, horseshoes, croquet, ring toss, bocce ball, lawn toss, badminton or even fishing gear and tackle. Canoes, kayaks, GPS units and bicycles are available to rent a few parks for a small fee. Contact your local park to see what’s available.

 

For more information on the recreational activities in South Dakota state parks, visit www.SDparks.info, call (605) 773-3391 or consult a copy of the Park Times. Online, you can also download or request a number of recreational publications, on activities such as disc golf, biking, canoeing, birding and more.

 

Many of the recreational opportunities, including several disc golf courses and the free equipment checkout, have been provided in collaboration with the S.D. Department of Health as they work to enhance health through physical activities.

 

The National Recreation and Park Association first designated July as Recreation and Parks month in 1985. For over 20 years, the national non-profit organization and its partners have used the month to promote healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives and the conservation of natural and cultural resources. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org.

 

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