State parks prepare for big season of camping, outdoor recreation

If you want to go camping over the Fourth of July weekend at a South Dakota state park, mark your calendar for April 1.

That’s when reservations open for the holiday, starting with Friday, June 30.

Reservations open at 7 a.m. for all facilities on the 90-day reservation window, which includes campsites, camping cabins and picnic shelters. Lodging accommodations — modern cabins, cabin suites and group lodges — and all facilities at Custer State Park accept reservations one year before arrival, according to the state Game, Fish & Parks website.

Once you have that taken care of, you can look to some of the nearer-term events at state parks.

“Our state park system in South Dakota provides a wide variety of opportunities year-round for all individuals to enjoy time outside,” said Nick Harrington with Game, Fish & Parks. “An emphasis for this year is hiking opportunities, which are being showcased in our Trails Are Calling program.”

That program puts sasquatch signs on various hiking trails at recreation areas and state parks, including the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls.

When you find the sasquatch sign, take a photo and submit your sasquatch sighting to earn prizes.

The sasquatch signs are being posted now, with more added as weather conditions allow. You can check an interactive map for sign locations.

Night hike

Looking for a different kind of hiking adventure? There’s a night hike coming up April 14 at Good Earth State Park at Blood Run, just southeast of Sioux Falls.

“Nature has a night shift of animals with amazing adaptations,” the park site says. “On this 1-mile hike, we will have fun exploring those adaptations with interactive games.  Please be sure to dress for the weather.  Flashlights are not required.”

Donkey Dash 5K

Need something a little longer? There’s a Donkey Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk on May 20 at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve just west of North Sioux City. All proceeds will benefit Sonny’s Acres live animal working farm. The cost is $30 per participant or $50 per family. Same-day registration begins at 9 a.m., and the race is at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to dress like their favorite barnyard animal.

Gear Swap and Giveaway

The Outdoor Campus also is collecting gear for the Gear Swap and Giveaway, a program that started last year. The swap will be in the summer.

“The goal of this event was to take donated, used hunting and fishing gear, clean it up and get it out to the next generation of hunters and anglers,” according to the spring newsletter. “Given the interest in this event, we are going to host it again this year! We are also going to expand the event by taking donations for not only hunting and fishing gear, but also trapping and other outdoor recreation gear.”

Firearms or ammunition are not be accepted.

Harrington recommends looking on the state park event calendar for programs and classes. Last year, 7.8 million people visited South Dakota state parks, he said. New this year, visitors can check out park passes from many South Dakota libraries for up to three days once a month.

“Our mission is to connect people and families to the outdoors, and our state park system provides a top-notch experience for all individuals however they wish to enjoy the outdoors,” Harrington said.

Want a state park pass? You can check one out at the library