SOUTH DAKOTA GFP NEWS FOR 3-31-09

Black Hills Snowmobile Trails Close for the Season

PIERRE, S.D. – Today is the last day of the season for the groomed snowmobile trails in Black Hills. 

“The snowmobile grooming season will not be extended past the original season cutoff of March 31, for various reasons,” said Ryan Raynor, trails program specialist for the state division of parks and recreation. “The biggest being the term on our Land Use Agreements with private land owners expires on March 31st.”

We do not encourage anybody to ride after the season for the following reasons:

·         Trails will not be groomed and heavy traffic can make the trails unsafe.

·         A significant portion of the trail’s 350 miles run across private property. Snowmobilers who ride the trails after these agreements expire put the whole trail system in jeopardy for future use.

·         Warming shelters, vault toilets, and trail signs must be removed from the trail.

 “I realize that the Black Hills continues to get new snow,” added Raynor. “Unfortunately, we can’t stay open past the agreement date.”

For more information about the snowmobile trail system, contact the Division of Parks and Recreation at (605) 773-3391.

-GFP-