Custer State Park, SD – The New Year will find many people making plans for their 2012 camping trips in South Dakota. Beginning Monday, Jan. 2, campsite reservations may be made for the upcoming season in Custer State Park.

Campsite reservations for Custer State Park will be accepted beginning at 6 a.m. Mountain Time on Jan. 2 for all arrival dates between May 18 and Oct. 8, 2012. Those reservations can be made by calling 1-800-710- 2267 between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mountain Time.

Beginning Jan. 2, online reservations for Custer State Park can be made 24 hours a day at www.campsd.com. Those website visitors can also view details about each site, such as pad length and amount of shade.

Telephone and online reservations for campsites at other South Dakota state parks and recreation areas can be made 90 days before arrival for the summer and fall camping seasons. Feb. 18 is the first day to make reservations for Friday, May 18, which is Open House Weekend at South Dakota state parks and recreation areas. Reservations open Feb. 25 for arrivals on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.

The reservation center is currently accepting reservations for group campsites, lodge facilities and camping cabins for some 2012 arrivals. Group lodge facilities at Lake Thompson, Mina Lake, Oahe Downstream, and Shadehill Recreation Areas, and Palisades and Newton Hills State Parks can currently be reserved for all arrival dates in 2012. The call center is taking group camping reservations in Custer State Park and Lewis and Clark and North Point recreation areas for the 2012 camping season. Reservations for camping cabins can be made year-round, within 90 days of arrival.

For more information on reservations, visit South Dakota state parks online at www.gfp.sd.gov.