Lake Herman Camping Fees Could Go Up

Posted on Wednesday, October 10, 2007

The South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation proposed increases for several user fees during the Game, Fish and Parks Commission meeting on Thursday, October 4th in Pierre. State Parks Director Doug Hofer says the fees charged at parks across the state help cover operation and maintenance costs. The base camping fee in state parks, other than Custer State Park, has not been adjusted since 1995 and the camping cabin rental fee since 2001. Hofer says both fees need adjusted to keep pace with inflation. A statewide base camping fee increase of $2 per night was proposed. In addition, a recommendation of raising the camping cabin fee by $3 per night and the group lodge fee by $25 per night was proposed. This fee adjustment will not impact Custer State Park, as the Commission set those fees earlier this year. Lake Herman State Park in Madison has 70 electrical campsites, 2-tent only sites and 2 camping cabins. The Division also recommended an increase for the George S. Mickelson Trail daily and annual passes. If approved, a daily pass would cost $3 and an annual pass $15. The user fee for the Mickelson Trail has not been increased since the trail opened ten years ago. Hofer says the increase will assure the Mickelson Trail stays in good condition for years to come. No increase has been proposed to the cost of a daily or annual park entrance license. However, the cost of a transferable park entrance license has been proposed to increase to $60. In addition, the fee for an unattended or unlicensed vehicle in a park requiring an entrance license would increase to $10. The commission will consider the fee increases at its next meeting Nov. 1 and 2 in Gettysburg.