Get out, explore, and catch a fish…on us! Next weekend is open house and free fishing weekend across South Dakota. All of the state parks and campgrounds will offer free admittance and require no fishing licenses May 18-20, 2012.

Fishing on South Dakota's Waters

This provides a great opportunity for visitors to explore the beauty and natural wonders of South Dakota’s fantastic state park system. It’s also a nice time for South Dakota’s own residents to explore what is in their own backyard, or perhaps take a quick trip to a neighboring park to explore a new adventure.

Palisades State Park

Several parks are holding special events in conjunction with the open house weekend. The Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton will be having Techno-Treasure Hunt (geocaching for beginners); Custer State Park will be hosting the annual Volksmarch Trail where visitors will walk their own 6.2 miles through various park habitats. Palisades State Park is holding a family fishing event where poles and bait are provided. Newton Hills State Park will be hosting Youth Activity Day where participants will be exposed to several activities presented by South Dakota Wildlife and Parks staff; visitors can try out archery, muzzleloader shooting, campfire cooking, and fishing! And finally, there will be a Creatures of the Night Hike at Chief White Crane Recreation area. For more information and details on all of these events, visit http://www.gfp.sd.gov/calendar.aspx.

So head out and find a cozy spot in one of our state parks. We hope you enjoy a fantastic weekend, and this time, it’s on us!

Hiking in the Black Hills

Note: Camping fees still apply

This post was written by a student from Wisconsin, Ben K., who wrote this piece about their family road trip to South Dakota for a reader/writer class. Thanks for sharing with us Ben! We added a few photos to help illustrate Ben’s trip.

RV’s are for Cowards

“We’re here!” Our road trip from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin to South Dakota was a blast. We drove a 30′ long RV into the wilderness crawling with bus-wide spiders. In spite of that, it’s probably the most amazing state out of the 50 of them. Parking the RV was no problem, but the cranky neighbors were. The driving days were long and dreary, but stopping at the expensive treasure shops along the side of the road made up for all the sleeping up in the 5″ long bed above the cockpit.

“Wall Drug” was one of the hundreds of stores we stopped at. Excitement burst in me when I ventured through the front door of that enormous, old, and decorated district. This was way better than the large RV we risked our lives in every second with the problems like gas leaks set us back. The walls of this amazing place were covered in toy guns and Indian/cowboy weapons from the 1800′s – everything a kid under 10 dreamed of. As I walked to the next room, I could see many animal decorations that you would put on your porch or hang outside. “Boring!!!” said my brother, Max. Obviously, Max and I each had to get a gun or else our trip would be ruined.

Wall Drug - SD Dept. Tourism

Later that day I shouted, “Hey Mom, were here,” as we pulled up to a short shack that a huge man with a beard, probably didn’t have anything else to do, was working. “Welcome to Custer’s Park Camping Grounds. Now give me my 50 bucks,” said the man. Soon I learned his name was Stevie Realens. That was my favorite part of the trip; just kidding. There were far more exciting parts to the trip.

As we were driving towards the main building at our campground, Max and I spotted a tiny room with original Atari games like “Pac-man” and “Asteroids”. Once our parents deposited all of the “unnecessary fluids and solids,” we rushed as fast as our 12 year-old legs would take us. We spent about a total of about 50 dollars on a game called “Stacker.” You had to stack one virtual block on top of each other while they moved faster and faster across the screen. I wish we could have this game in the RV, I thought. That would brighten up the long days. As a prize, I got a camera that had horrible pixilation when you took the picture. “Best prize ever,” I said sarcastically.

Bear Country U.S.A. was one of our many destinations. We left our heavy RV at our campground and took a rental car. You could drive through the small park with bears scratching themselves against the side of your car. The most amazing sight to see was the bear who was sitting on a log just like a human would. It was hilarious. Max and I would take our fake guns, that we had snuck in, and would pretend the bears where monstrous beasts that we had to kill. Then we took so many pictures. I thought my smile would stay forever.

Sylvan Lake - SD Dept. Tourism

Custer State Park was a goal we had planned to reach while soaring through South Dakota. At amazing heights, we could see everything. I felt as if I were closer to God or heaven. Puh Puh Puh. “You had to bring that gun, Max!!!” Puh Puh Puh. “You just ruined the most beautiful moment of my life,” I screamed. I could hear my echo go miles and miles farther away from me. It took it away my energy for the hike we would have to go through next. The mountains in the distance looked like small hills from where we were standing. After hiking down; tripping and falling, we took a dive in a crystal clear Lake Sylvan. There were rocks out in the middle of the lake which we could rest upon. Custer State Park was the journey of a lifetime.

While we were heading home, we saw a couple with an RV. It started to pour rain. A few minutes later, hail fell down from the sky and made dents in our car. We really wanted to help the poor people, but we had a schedule we were on. The whole rest of the night, we though and made up stories about how the couple we had met earlier were doing.

After our treacherous adventure up to the top of the mountain unknowingly driving in our RV, we have learned never to drive an RV up a narrow road to Custer State Park when it is muddy… or moist… or if you riding along with dangerous spiders.

Needles Highway - SD Dept. Tourism

 By Ben K., student from Wisconsin

One of South Dakota’s Great Places is the second largest state park in America, home to one of the world’s largest publicly-owned bison herds, and known for interesting landscapes. It is Custer State Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Stockade Lake, Custer State Park

Custer State Park’s 1,300 bison have 71,000 acres to roam. Other wildlife, including pronghorn, elk, mountain goats, prairie dogs, and the park’s entertainers – the begging burros – also can be found at the park. It’s a place were visitors can see the wildlife, up-close and personal, along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road.

The park is not only known for the wildlife, but also the breathtaking scenic views around each corner. From granite formations, known as “The Needles,” to sweeping prairie backdrops and curving creeks, visitors will find the unexpected.

The campgrounds in Custer State Park offer unique landscapes alongside creeks or amidst pine forests. Additionally, Custer State Park Resort company offers several lodging options, including the new Reunion Cabin. Staying in Custer State Park puts you just minutes from three scenic byways; Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road and the Wildlife Loop Road.

There is no shortage of outdoor adventure at the park. Rock climbers test the limits along the “Needles” formations and fly-fishermen can enjoy abundant fishing. Mountain bikers, hikers, photographers, and road cyclists will all find the park exceptional for their trade.

 The annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup is one of the grandest events at the park. It’s a weekend filled with Old West entertainment and heart-pounding adventure as cowboys and cowgirls round up nearly 1,300 bison. Thousands of spectators take in this mandatory park management event each September. The 2011 Buffalo Roundup is September 26.

Custer State Park Buffalo Auction

Custer State Park Buffalo Auction

Custer State Park Buffalo Auction

While not as picturesque as the Buffalo Roundup that brings the animals into holding corrals, the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Auction serves an even bigger purpose in selling off excess animals to keep the park’s herd down to a manageable size. Over 230 animals were sold on November 21 to buyers from across the country. Prices were up again for the third year in a row.

The auction is held roughly one month after the roundup each year, in mid-November. If you’re interested, the 2009 sales totals and averages are listed at the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website.