Governor Noem is scaling back expansion plans for Custer State Park, and the particulars are now out about what the new proposal entails, as they look for worthwhile projects.
According to an infographic released today, Game Fish & Parks is planning to add 66 campsites for tents with electrical hookups to restore capacity that has been lost and had previously been scaled back since 1970 as interest in the outdoors waned over the years.
As I’m told, these are basic gravel camping pads and electrical pedestals, and will be in the area of existing campsites.
With South Dakota drawing tourists from other states, it makes sense for Custer to restore the capacity that it once did when many of us were kids. And even better, these aren’t full service pads with sewer, water and other amenities that compete with private campgrounds that have all that, as well as water areas, etc., but basics for people who are more interested in roughing it.
If we’re going to have the resource of Custer State Park, it makes sense to meet the demand.
Now, if we could get the Legislature to pass this and the Gun Range Legislation which seems to have stalled, we’d be in great shape for years to come. (I have people HOWLING to me that they killed this.)
Quite entertaining to watch most of her agenda go down in flames this session. She’s learning some tough lessons on leadership and relationships.
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There is a balance between public lands being accessible and not crowding the private sector. 175 was by far too much and may have made it difficult for private campgrounds to compete with the prices but 66 seems like the sweeet spot.
Real sweet. That’s all fine and dandy, except for destroying a scenic meadow area with a blacktop (saturated petroleum/tar) drive through, gravel pads, fire rings, electric hookups, shower houses/ bathrooms with sewer containment issues, garbage cans everywhere and excessive artificial lights along with more run off pollution into the water shed. It will take more maintenance and staff to police the area. Oh, I guess the State needs more money to bring in more people after they recuperate the $5 million that is.
(I have people HOWLING to me that they killed this. [Gun range.]) Let them HOWL. Listen to the HOWLING of the neighbors and the coyotes.
We don’t need a RV Park on the Wild Life Loop, there are plenty of RV Parks outside the Park. The spot picked is a major Elk pathway, keep it that way.