Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003
For more information:  Emilie Miller, 773-4235

LABOR DAY CAMPING RESERVATIONS STILL AVAILABLE

PIERRE – Game, Fish and Parks officials are reminding campers planning an outdoor holiday for the Labor Day Weekend that there is still time to make reservations.

"With Labor Day Weekend just around the corner, many campers have already made their reservations, but there are still some parks with campsites available," said Doug Hofer, state parks director.

Those state parks and recreation areas with campsites available as of Thursday, Aug. 14, are the following: Angostura near Hot Springs, Big Sioux near Brandon, Buryanek near Burke, Custer State Park, Farm Island and Oahe Downstream near Pierre, Hartford Beach near Milbank, Indian Creek near Mobridge, Lewis and Clark near Yankton, Newton Hills near Canton, Platte Creek near Platte, Sandy Shore near Watertown, Swan Creek near Akaska, West Whitlock near Gettysburg and West Bend Recreation Area outside of Pierre.

To make reservations, call 1-800-710-2267 or go online to www.campSD.com.

Campers without reservations for Labor Day weekend can consider visiting one of the 13 state parks and recreation areas that are all first-come, first-served parks. The first-come, first-served state parks and recreation areas include Bear Butte, Fisher Grove and Union Grove state parks, Burke Lake, Cow Creek, Lake Hiddenwood, Llewellyn John's, North Wheeler, Okobojo Point, Pease Creek, Springfield, and West Pollock recreation areas. Custer State Park, Shadehill, Lewis and Clark and Pierson Ranch recreation areas also have a limited number of first-come, first-served campsites.

For a listing of campsites available each weekend check the department's website at www.state.sd.us/gfp/sdparks/ and click on the "weekend campsite availability" link. This webpage is updated every Thursday. A weekend campsite report appears in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader outdoor section every Tuesday and is broadcast on the KELO News Thursdays at 6 p.m.

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