Expansion coming to Palisades State Park

Palisades State Park is “growing up” and the public can gain more insight in that growth at an April 24 meeting. The public meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Henry G. Fix American Legion Post 23 in Garretson.

Governor Kristi Noem and Game Fish and Parks have made Palisades State park a top priority for 2019. In a joint private-public partnership, GFP and South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation (SDPWF) secured land purchase agreements that will provide for park expansion and additional recreational opportunities.

In the Governor’s 2019 legislative budget request, $500,000 was requested for additional park land development. The SDPWF has agreed to raise $1,600,000 to match this and GFP’s park expansion commitments.

GFP will unveil its current draft plan for the park at the April 24 meeting. Development possibilities include approximately 70 new campsites, four miles of new hiking and biking trail, picnic and day use area, additional access along the Split Rock Creek, water trail features such as canoe/kayak launches, an archery trail, dog training area for exercising pets off-leash, improved habitat and wildlife viewing opportunities, and educational and interpretive facilities.

The park’s current amenities include 34 campsites, six camping cabins, a lodge and two miles of trails. The park stays busy, operating at 99 percent capacity during the summer for the campsite, and recorded more than 95,000 visitors to the 157-acre park in 2018.

Discussion about acquiring the additional pieces of land has been in the works for more than a year. More than 250 acres of land surrounding the park was purchased from three families by the Parks and Wildlife Foundation and donated to Game, Fish and Parks.

 

About the park

Split Rock Creek flows through the Palisades State Park, which is lined with Sioux quartzite formations varying from shelves several feet above the water to 50-foot vertical cliffs. Scenic overlooks and rushing water make Palisades a popular getaway. The park is popular among campers, photographers, sightseers, picnickers, rock climbers and hikers.

 A huge flour mill was once located on the bluff overlooking the park. The mill was powered by a large water-wheel installed along the rushing Split Rock Creek. The once-bustling town of Palisades grew up around the success of the mill. In 1886, silver was discovered downstream. The silver ore proved to be low in quality, however, and the nearly 300 claims were quickly dropped.

For millions of years, Split Rock Creek cut deep gorges through Palisades State Park. Geologists estimate the Sioux quartzite spires are 1.2 billion years old. Four hiking trails twist and turn through these beautiful Sioux quartzite formations. The cliffs and formations at Palisades are used by rock climbers to practice their scaling and rappelling techniques. Bolting, however, is not allowed on the quartzite formations.