·        New Palisades Lodge Taking Reservations

·        Visitors Welcome at Cleghorn State Fish Hatchery

New Palisades Lodge Taking Reservations

PIERRE -- New doors are about to open for people looking for a comfortable place to gather. Staff members at Palisades State Park have been renovating a house on property newly acquired by the park system. Marty DeWitt, District Park Supervisor says, "It is our hope that the lodge attracts a wide variety of activities, including but not limited to weddings, family and class reunions, corporate staff retreats, church retreats and spiritual pilgrimages, training sessions, art and music retreats and workshops. Since Palisades has long been a popular spot for weddings, the availability of a lodge should add a new dimension to the experiences offered."

The lodge will have four bedrooms with beds or bunks with mattresses, two bathrooms complete with showers, two sitting areas and a fully equipped kitchen and dining area. The main floor level of the house has a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room and deck which are all wheelchair accessible. Guests will need to bring only their toiletries, bedding and food.

A sure favorite amenity at the lodge will be the view of Split Rock Creek from the new multi-level accessible deck and patio behind the house. There will also be access to the park's hiking trail system.

The lodge also offers complete privacy, being a separate area served by a separate entrance from the park. Plans are to also convert the two car garage into a picnic shelter and meeting room, providing additional space for dining or training sessions. If needed, the park also has tents and a sound system available for rent. Special programs may be arranged by coordinating with staff. 

The lodge will be ready for occupancy beginning May 19. February 1, is the first day to make a reservation for that date. To make a reservation, go online to www.CampSD.com or by calling (800) 710-CAMP (2267). The rental fee is $200 per night.

The park will host a public open house, ribbon cutting and tours from 2-5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday of Open House Weekend, May 16-18. 

"If you have an idea for a unique group event, give the park a call," said DeWitt, "and we'll see what we can do to make it happen!"

The lodge is located approximately one-half mile north of the Palisades State Park entrance on the west side of the highway. A park entrance license is required for guests at the lodge.

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Visitors Welcome at Cleghorn State Fish Hatchery

RAPID CITY, S.D.—With the completion of its $6.5 million renovation project, the Cleghorn State Fish Hatchery is now open for visitors.

Hatchery manager Will Sayler reports that rainbow trout and Chinook salmon are being raised in the hatchery building. The hatchery is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with parking available near the visitors’ center.

“The public is welcome to come down to the hatchery grounds and look over the new facility,” Sayler said. “We should have fish in the outside rearing pavilion in late January.”

Tours can be arranged ahead of time by calling (605) 394-4100.

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