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News Release Archive
Grand Opening Celebration Set for Rocky Point Recreation Area
Media Contact:
Patience Hurley, (701) 250-4242 ext. 3107, phurley@gp.usbr.gov
Brad Nelson, Park Manager
For Release: June 26, 2006
The Bureau of Reclamation and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks will celebrate the Grand Opening of Rocky Point Recreation Area at Belle Fourche Reservoir on Tuesday, July 11, with an event co-hosted by the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce will cater a meal beginning at 11:00 a.m. and Reclamation and Game, Fish and Parks will give a presentation and perform a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:30. Park entrance fees will be waived that day for all visitors.
"This new state recreation area is the result of a successful partnership and cost sharing effort between Reclamation and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks," said Brad Nelson, Park Manager. "This partnership has allowed for several improvements and new facilities, including a new hard-surfaced access road and parking lots, modern campsites with electrical hookups, standard and low water boat ramps, drinking water, a comfort station with showers and flush toilets, picnic areas, a playground, fish cleaning station, vault toilets and a trailer dump station."
Reclamation is the federal agency that administers the reservoir and surrounding lands while the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks manages the recreation area through an agreement with Reclamation. The two agencies shared the expenses of the developments to maximize the benefits and savings to the public.
In addition to the grand opening ceremony on the 11th, the public is invited to the recreation area for an Open House on Saturday, July 15. Staff from both Reclamation and Game, Fish and Parks will be available at both events to introduce visitors to the new facilities.
"The Open House is a great opportunity for the community to check out all of the new facilities at Rocky Point," said Nelson. "Entrance fees will be waived that day, and we'll have several fun activities for the whole family. In addition, campsite reservations are still available for those that would like to experience the campground first-hand."
Rocky Point Recreation Area is open year-round. The camping facilities are open and reservations are being taken for all arrival dates through Labor Day. Camping fees are $8 for non-electrical sites and $12 for electrical sites. Campsite reservations may be made online at www.CampSD.com or by calling 1-800-710-CAMP (2267).
With the exception of the grand opening and open house, vehicles entering the park must also have a valid park entrance license. Visitors can purchase either a daily permit for $5 per vehicle or an annual pass for $23, which allows entry to all South Dakota state parks and recreation areas until May 2007.
Other improvements the public can expect in the next few years will include improvements to other reservoir roads and the designation of primitive campsites outside of Rocky Point.
For more information about the grand opening, contact Faye Streier of the Bureau of Reclamation at 605-394-9757 Extension 3005. Information on Rocky Point Recreation Area can be obtained by calling the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks Northern Hills Region office at 605-584-3896 or by visiting www.SDparks.info.
Rocky Point Recreation Area is located 8 miles east of the city of Belle Fourche off SD Highway 212, on the west side of Belle Fourche Reservoir.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
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