SD: Campsites, Facilities Open This Summer In Pierre-Area Parks Impacted By Flood
 |
| Image via Wikipedia |
PIERRE, S.D. – Despite last year’s Missouri River flood that closed campsites and damaged facilities, the camping season outlook is promising for two Pierre-area state parks.
State Park officials expect both Farm Island and Oahe Downstream Recreation Areas to have many campsites and the majority of facilities available for Open House and Memorial Day weekends in May. Most campsites and facilities should be open by mid-June, but total restoration from the flood will continue throughout the year.
“We’re making progress in terms of recovering from the flood,” said State Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer. “The mild winter has benefited us greatly, and crews are working hard to get the parks up and running as soon as possible. After last summer with little camping opportunities in the Pierre area, we know lots of folks are anxious to get out and enjoy the outdoors.”
Hofer released the timeline now for Farm Island and Oahe Downstream Recreation Areas because reservations open soon for those popular campgrounds. Reservations can be made 90 days before arrival, with reservations opening on Feb. 18 for the first official camping weekend of the summer, referred to as Open House Weekend, on May 18-20. Memorial Day reservations open Feb. 25 for arrival Friday, May 25.
Campers should keep in mind that full recovery will take quite a while, Hofer said. While most areas and facilities will be open, many will not be in the same condition as they were before the flood. Visitors will see the effects in eroded shorelines, accumulated sand dunes, patchy grass, damaged trails, and fewer trees.
“The aftermath of the flood will be felt in these parks for some time to come,” Hofer said. “We appreciate visitors’ understanding as we work to make things right again. There is much to do to restore the parks to their former condition, but we’re focusing first on the major projects to get them in useable condition for the summer.”
At Farm Island Recreation Area, 17 campsites, three camping cabins, and picnic shelter 4, all located in the east campground, will be reservable beginning with May 18 arrival. All 70 campsites in the main campground and picnic shelters 1, 2, and 3 are expected to open for June 15 arrivals, making March 17 the first day to reserve those sites.
Throughout the summer, park visitors will have use of the sanitary dump station, fish cleaning station, swimming beach change house, day-use area, disability fishing pier and one of the comfort stations in the main campground at Farm Island. New electrical hookups will also be in place, and grass is expected to begin growing this spring.
The causeway to Farm Island is open, and the island trails and the Lewis and Clark Trail are in usable condition. This spring, GFP staff will work to re-establish a trail base and lay materials to improve the trail surface.
The main boat ramp will be open to Hipple Lake, but access to the main river channel will not be possible due to the build up of silt at the end of the island. Boaters will be able to access the main river channel from the west boat ramp located near the polo field, which will be improved into a two-lane ramp with expanded parking later in the summer.
At Oahe Downstream Recreation Area, facilities reservable beginning with a May 18 arrival include 56 campsites, located in Campgrounds 1 and 3; four camping cabins located in Campground 3; and picnic shelters 1 and 3. Another 137 campsites (including all of Campground 2) and three more comfort stations are expected to open for June 15 arrivals. The first day to reserve those campsites is March 17.
This summer’s visitors should have use of the comfort stations in Campgrounds 1 and 3, the boat ramp at Oahe Marina, fish cleaning station, disability fishing pier, swimming beach, sanitary dump station and the Cottonwood Path hiking trail. New electrical hookups will also be in place, and grass is expected to begin growing this spring.
Not available this summer at the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area are several campsites and camping cabins in Campground 3. The force of the rushing water along the stilling basin caused a massive amount of shoreline erosion, obliterating 12 shoreline campsites and forcing removal of camping cabins along the water. Only four camping cabins will be available for summer reservations in Campground 3; they were relocated to existing campsites to the west of their original locations.
LaFramboise Island Nature Area, located in the city of Pierre, will be closed throughout the year. Floodwaters destroyed the causeway road leading to the island, and it is unknown at this time when all repairs can be finished.
Campgrounds and facilities at other parks in the area, including Cow Creek, Okobojo Point, Spring Creek and West Bend Recreation Areas, are operational and on schedule for summer reservations.
Hofer said sites and facilities will continually be evaluated and opened as soon as conditions allow. He encourages park users to check the parks’ individual webpages and sign up for email news releases at www.gfp.sd.gov to stay current on the latest information.
Comments
Post a Comment