Outdoor News Daily

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission will consider a proposal on Dec. 3 to allow check-in until 10 p.m. for same-day reservation campers at two popular state parks.

Campsites at the Yankton Unit of Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton and Center Lake Campground in Custer State Park that are currently first-come, first-served will be available for same-day reservations next year. The new procedure allows campers to reserve sites online or by phone in order to acquire campsites on the day of reservations.

“Same-day reservations will allow last-minute campers to book campsites for that night without having to go to the park until the 10 p.m. check-in deadline,” explains Bob Schneider, Assistant Director of State Parks and Recreation. “Currently, campers must go to the parks to see if sites are available. With same-day reservations, campers can check availability, secure sites from home and have a reasonable amount of time to occupy their campsites.”

Same-day reservations will be available at the Yankton and Custer State Park campgrounds beginning May 21, 2010. Unlike advance reservations that allow campers to stay in spaces for a maximum of 14 days, same-day reservations could be made for up to seven days’ occupancy.

Under the same-day reservation system, all open sites can be reserved, beginning at 7 a.m. CST each day. The proposed change in campsite occupancy rules would require same-day reservation holders to place camping units on their campsites by 10 p.m.

Because of keen competition for first-come, first-served sites, it is currently a requirement that campers occupy campsites immediately upon registration.

The GFP Commission will consider the 10 p.m. occupancy change for same-day reservations at a Dec. 3 public hearing in Pierre.

For more information about same-day reservations, contact Bob Schneider at 605-773-3392.

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