Beginning June 1, campers will be able to stay at the Griffin Park campground in Pierre as long as they like, but will need to pay a little more to do so.
The Pierre City Commission updated the city’s campground policy, lifting restrictions on how long RV campers are allowed to stay in the park at last night’s (Tues) meeting.
Parks and Recreation Director Tom Farnsworth said last year was the busiest the city’s campground in Griffin Park had ever been, but was seldom at max capacity. He said with that in mind, there isn’t a strong reason to limit the number of nights people can stay.
Tent camping will no longer be allowed. However, Farnsworth says he will consider special events– such as a boy scout troop wanting to camp– on a case by case basis.
RV campers staying between the beginning of May and the end of October will pay $25 a night, up from the current $16 per night. The fee for camping between the beginning of November and the end of April remains $10 a night.
Farnsworth says in the summer months, bathhouses are open and water service is available, so the increased fee helps cover the cost of operating those facilities. Within the last month, a new RV filling station was installed at the campground and a shower house and storm shelter was opened in Griffin Park last year. He says in the colder months, those services aren’t available, thus the lower camping fee.
The city has 16 RV spots available. There is no reservation system; the campground is first come, first serve. Camping privileges can be revoked for violation of ordinance or validated complaints.
Pierre hasn’t changed camping fees since 2006.
Griffin Park Campground in Pierre.
Photo credit City of Pierre.
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