If you're planning a camping road trip over the 4th of July you are not alone. Officials are predicting record travel this holiday weekend and reservations at state park campgrounds are already full. Lynn Spomer is with South Dakota Game Fish and Parks. She says holiday weekends usually fill up early. She encourages visitors to still enjoy all of the parks’ activities and events beyond camping.
“The parks are always open for day-use visits. There’s lots of beaches, playgrounds, disk golf, there’s lots of things for families to come out and do, so we would really encourage them to come out to the parks even though our camping spots may be full for the weekend," says Spomer.
Spomer hopes travelers also consider local events in communities throughout the state as the celebrate the holiday. She also reminds campers and visitors that state parks do not allow fireworks, especially as parks become busy and conditions are dry.