Family-Outdoors

CUSTER STATE PARK – The first buffalo calf of the spring, a bull calf, in Custer State Park was spotted on Tuesday, April 8. It was found by park staff off of Fisherman Flats Road in the interior of the Park. The calf is approximately 5 – 6 days old. The park has about 860 head of bison going into the spring and is expecting around 400 calves. The herd size should be around 1,275 at the Annual Buffalo Roundup in September. “Spring is a great time to view wildlife in the park,” said Chad Kremer, buffalo herd manager. “Deer, antelope, turkey and buffalo can be seen throughout the park right now, and sharp-tailed grouse are strutting on their leks.” Visitors are advised to leave buffalo calves alone. It can be dangerous to approach baby animals, particularly buffalo calves. If a mother buffalo feels she or her calf is threatened, she may charge. “Occasionally, people will think a buffalo calf has been orphaned and try to rescue it,” said Kremer. “This is rarely true; buffalo may...

The S.D. Parks and Wildlife Foundation recently announced a $2 million gift from the Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation designated to “provide quality enhancements to create a world class visitor center and theater for Good Earth State Park.” “The Native American history was what initially grabbed our attention,” said Robert Elmen. “I researched what other sites with so many mounds and artifacts had done to interpret history for visitors. I found that a state-of-the-art visitor center that would do justice to Good Earth would cost more than the State of South Dakota anticipated. This gift to the Foundation will make it possible to properly interpret the centuries of culture reflected at Good Earth.” Because the gift will be completed over a period of 25 years, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks has introduced House Bill 1013 to authorize the South Dakota Building Authority to seek bond financing to utilize this gift for construction of a visitor center and associated interpre...

October 17 Proud Lake Recreation Area Fresh Air Fit: EcoTrek Fitness —Grand Haven State Park— 5:45am-7:00am October 18 Halloween Harvest Festival Weekend —Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area—All day Harvest Festival —Fort Custer Recreation Area—All day Fall Festival —Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park—All day Panic! At Proud Lake —Proud Lake Recreation Area— 8:00pm-11:00pm October 19 Mother Nature’s Halloween Trail —Bay City Recreation Area—All day Rec 101: Intro to Geocaching —Yankee Springs Recreation Area— 10:00am-11:30am Hollyween Harvest Festival —Holly Recreation Area— 7:00pm-10:00pm Panic! At Proud Lake —Proud Lake Recreation Area— 8:00pm-11:00pm October 20 Harvest Festival —Algonac State Park— 8:00am-6:30pm Harvest Festival —Sleeper State Park— 8:00am-7:00pm Harvest Festival —Port Crescent State Park— 9:00am-5:00pm October 25 Hayes Haunting —Hayes State Park—All day Panic! At Proud Lake —Proud Lake Recreation Area— 8:00...

PIERRE, S.D. – Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of the summer, and South Dakota State Parks invite you to come out and enjoy special weekend events. Fiesta Friday ,  Chief White Crane Recreation Area  near Yankton,  Aug. 30, 7 p.m. CDT . Help us kick-off Labor Day weekend with a party! Make a craft inspired by the Spanish culture and learn how to do the Mexican Hat Dance. All ages welcome! For more information, call  605-668-2985 . Labor Day Patriotic Campsite Decorating Display ,  Oakwood Lakes State Park  near Volga and  Lake Poinsett Recreation Area  near Arlington,  Aug. 30 – Sept. 2 . Campers, bring supplies to decorate your campsites! Judging takes place  on Saturday . Prizes for all! For more information, call  605-627-5441 . Southern Hills Triathlon ,  Angostura Recreation Area  near Hot Springs,  Aug. 31 , at  7 a.m. MDT . Athletes can participate in a kids’ triathlon, sprint triathlon,...

To kick off summer, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks is encouraging families to spend the weekend outside during the Parks' Open House Weekend and Free Fishing Weekend  May 17-19 . During the annual three-day event, anglers can fish without a license anywhere in the state, and entrance fees are waived for all visitors to South Dakota's state parks and recreation areas. Camping fees still apply. Fishing regulations and limits apply. Open House Weekend coincides with National Kids to Parks Day and special events are planned for parks across the state in an effort to get kids outside to discover the history, nature and adventure right around the corner or just across town. Use Your Senses Scavenger Hike ,  Oakwood Lakes State Park  near Bruce, 8 a.m. Friday, May  17 to 8 p.m.   Sunday, May 19 . Info:  605-627-5441 Night Sky ,  Newton Hills State Park  near Canton,  May 17, 10 p.m. CT . Info: 605-987-2263 Kids Butterfly ...

HOT SPRINGS, S.D. – State Park officials have announced that a new state park lodge near Angostura Reservoir will be open for Memorial Day weekend. The Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) purchased the Hill Ranch on the west side of Angostura Reservoir in 2010. The Hills retained their ranch residence until last fall and GFP staff converted the house into a rental lodge over the winter. The lodge includes four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and is located two miles from Angostura Reservoir and the Sheps Canyon boat ramp and campground. A log bunkhouse is located on the property and is available for rental in conjunction with the lodge. Like other state park camping cabins, the bunkhouse has lighting and heating but no plumbing. Angostura Recreation Area Park Supervisor, Willy Collignon, says the lodge has a beautiful view of Angostura Reservoir and will be a nice addition to the area. “With the great fishing and boating on Angostura, thousands of acres of public hunting land and the...

Locator Map of South_Dakota, United States (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) PIERRE, S.D. – On Memorial Day weekend, visitors to South Dakota state parks can take part in special family activities. The programs are excellent opportunities to experience the outdoors with children. Friday – Monday, May 25-28 Memorial Day Patriotic Campsite Decorating Display, Oakwood Lakes State Park near Volga and Lake Poinsett Recreation Area near Arlington. Info: 605-627-5441 Crazy Mixed-up Holiday Weekend, Roy Lake State Park near Lake City. Info: 605-448-5701 Friday, May 25 If Only Seaman Could Talk, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton , 8 p.m. CT. Info: 605-668-2985 Saturday, May 26 Bird’s Paradise Walk in the Park , Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon. 10 a.m. CT. Info: 605-582-7243 Kids’ Fishing Derby , Lake Poinsett Recreation Area near Arlington, 10 a.m. CT. Info: 605-983-5085 History Hike, Newton Hills State Park near Canton, 10 a.m. CT. Info: 605-...

Map of Wind Cave National Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, S.D. – The superintendents of Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park announced today that the two parks will cooperate in management of elk that use the parks. The parks share a common fence that restricts movement of elk between the two areas. Under a recently developed Memorandum of Understanding, the parks will install drop-down gates along the fence to allow elk to travel between the two parks. The agreement will benefit both parks by allowing managers the tools needed to adaptively manage elk populations. "It’s much more economical to reduce our elk herd by allowing them to move into Custer State Park, where they are legally hunted," said Wind Cave Superintendent Vidal Davila. "This plan protects natural and cultural resources in the national park from over-grazing while improving wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities in Custer State Park." ...