CSP Open House weekend starts Friday

This weekend, May 16-18, residents and visitors can enjoy free entrance into all South Dakota state parks and recreation areas as part of the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks’ annual open house weekend. In addition, a number of parks will be hosting special events. Camping fees still apply.
This weekend is also Free Fishing Weekend. No fishing licenses are required. Regulations and limits still apply.
At Custer State Park the weekend begins at 8 a.m. Friday, but the events begin Saturday at 8 a.m. with a pancake feed at Legion Lake Lodge. Donations made will support Custer County Search and Rescue.
From 9 a.m. to noon there will be fishing fun at Legion Lake, with registration at 9 a.m., fishing at 9:30 a.m. and prizes at 11 a.m.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the outdoor fair at the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center, while hayrack rides at Blue Bell Lodge begin at 11 a.m. and run until 3 p.m.
Also at 2 p.m. will be a Wildlife Station Talk at the Wildlife Station Visitor Center, and there will be a bison corral tour beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the Bison Center.
The day will conclude at 7 p.m. with an evening program at the State Game Lodge campground.
The following day’s events again start at 10 a.m. with the Legion Lake Lodge pancake feed, followed by canoe, paddleboarding and kayaks at the Center Lake boating dock.
Hayrack rides will resume at 11 a.m. at Blue Bell Lodge, and a junior naturalist program will begin at 1 p.m. at the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center.
Hayrack rides continue at 2 p.m., leading into the buffalo chip flip at the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center.
Registration for the event begins at 3 p.m., with the flip from 3:30-4 p.m., followed by awarding of prizes.