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Published August 25, 2011, 07:57 AM

Campsites re-opening near Pierre and Platte

Visitors to Farm Island Recreation Area near Pierre and Platte Creek Recreation Area near Platte will finally get a chance to bring out the campers. Select campsites were available for camping as of Wednesday.

By: News release, SD Game, Fish and Parks Department

Visitors to Farm Island Recreation Area near Pierre and Platte Creek Recreation Area near Platte will finally get a chance to bring out the campers. Select campsites were available for camping as of Wednesday.

“The water is going down on the Missouri River, and we are able to open some campsites,” said state Park Director Doug Hofer.

“As releases from the Missouri River dams continue to decline, more park facilities will become available.”

The east campground at Farm Island Recreation Area will open 17 campsites and three camping cabins. Electricity will not be immediately available, however.

“We will not be able to open a comfort station or the dump station due to the effects of the flood, but vault toilets and a water hydrant will be available to campers,” said Farm Island Manager Pat Thompson.

Although campsite electricity is not expected to be on until Labor Day weekend at Farm Island, Thompson hopes to get it restored earlier. The three camping cabins will not be available for rentals until they have power.

Platte Creek Recreation Area will open 14 electrical campsites on Aug. 24.

“We had some damage to our comfort station, so that will not be open,” said District Park Supervisor Dave Enke. “Our camper dump station will be open, and we’ll have vault toilets and water hydrants available.”

Fishing has been good in the area, and the Platte Creek boat ramp and fish cleaning station are open, Enke said.

Camping will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at both Platte Creek and Farm Island. Reservations are now being taken for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-4, at both parks.

Boat ramps at both Platte Creek and Farm Island are open, and other ramps on the Missouri are opening up daily. Campsites at Buryanek Recreation Area west of Platte re-opened recently. Additional state park facilities along the Missouri River will be made available as high water levels recede.

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