Black Hills National Forest

US Forest Service
Black Hills National Forest
1019 N. 5th Street
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-9200

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
605-673-9227

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest

Contact: Rick Hudson (605) 673-9200, or email us at r2 blackhills webinfo@fs.fed.us

DISCOUNTED SALE OF FOREST RECREATION PARKING PASSES EXTENDED TO APRIL 20

CUSTER, SD: March 30, 2004

Black Hills National Forest annual parking passes to popular day-use recreation sites will continue to be sold at a reduced price until April 20. The sale was scheduled to end March 31 but has been extended through April 20, according to Rick Hudson with the Forest Service in Custer.

Beginning with the 2004 season, day users of National Forest facilities will have two options available to them, according to Ty Garcia, operations manager of Forest Recreation Management, which operates 73 facilities in the Black Hills National Forest of western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming.

The discounted price for a "standard" annual parking pass is $15 for a single vehicle pass. The price returns to $20 after April 20. The discounted price for a "premium" season parking pass is $25 for a single vehicle pass. The price returns to $30 after April 20.

"Essentially, the visiting public may choose between a 'standard' annual parking pass or a 'premium' annual parking pass based on their use of National Forest facilities in the Black Hills,"Garcia said.

The "standard" pass provides admission to most of the concessionaire-run facilities in the Black Hills, Garcia said. Among those facilities are the following picnic grounds: Cook Lake, Dakota Point, Grizzly, Harry Mills, Hazelrodt, Lakeshore, Lakota Lake, Mountain City, Strawberry, Steamboat, and Spring Creek. The "standard" pass also allows entrance to Roubaix Lake beach, the Dalton Lake and Bismarck day-use areas, Custer Trails boat ramp and trailhead, and the Dutchman Cove boat ramp, she said.

Daily parking fees for these areas will remain at $3 or $1.50 with Golden Age/Access, Garcia noted.

The "premium" season pass, available for $30 per vehicle ($15 Golden Age/Access) after April 20, provides admission to all of the previously mentioned facilities as well as to Calumet trailhead, Pactola's North and South boat ramps, Pactola Point beach and picnic ground, Sheridan North and South picnic grounds, beaches and boat ramps, and Sheridan South fishing access, Garcia said.

Season passes are available by mail from Forest Recreation Management Inc. (FRM), Season Pass Department, Box 1168, Hill City SD 57745, phone (605) 574-4402. Passes are also sold over the counter at the Mystic Ranger District offices in Hill City and Rapid City and other Black Hills National Forest offices.