AGP Executive Report

Custer State Park: Xanterra will take over lodging, retail and other visitor services on Feb. 1, 2027, under a 10-year contract. The company also runs concessions at Mount Rushmore and other national parks. Black Hills Outdoors: Meade County commissioners oppose possible federal Wild and Scenic River status for Little Elk Creek, citing concerns about land management and impacts on recreation and infrastructure. The proposal is still under review. Rapid City Travel: SDDOT is seeking public feedback on long-term plans for I-90 and Highway 16B at open houses Oct. 20–21; comments are due Nov. 6. In Sioux Falls, West 41st Street lane closures begin Oct. 15 and are expected to last about a week. Culture and Hunting: Thousands gathered in Rapid City for the Black Hills Powwow, celebrating Indigenous culture with performances and a runway show. South Dakota also drew hunters from across the country for pheasant season’s opening.

Road Alerts: A trailer wheel crossed the median on I-90 near Kimball on Monday, killing two people and injuring two others. The crash remains under investigation. In Sioux Falls, lane closures on West 41st Street begin Thursday, Oct. 15, and are expected to last about a week. Rapid City Planning: SDDOT is seeking public input on I-90 and Highway 16B improvements at open houses Oct. 20–21; comments are due Nov. 6. Black Hills Culture: Thousands gathered in Rapid City for the Black Hills Powwow, drawing tribes from across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Fall Getaways: Hunters traveled from across the country for South Dakota’s pheasant season opener. Brookings’ McCrory Gardens also welcomed visitors for its fall festival, with foliage, hayrides, food trucks and family activities. Custer State Park: The park is preparing to finalize a new concessions contract, with an out-of-state operator slated to take over.

I-90 Safety: Two people, including a 3-year-old, died and two others were injured Monday near Kimball when a wheel detached from a westbound trailer and struck an eastbound minivan. Road Work: Sioux Falls lane and sidewalk closures are underway, while Rapid City-area drivers face work on Old Folsom Road and a Daughenbaugh Road closure through Thursday for railroad repairs. Cultural Travel: Rapid City’s Black Hills Powwow drew thousands, with months of planning behind the gathering’s dance competitions, vendors and visitor arrangements. Fall Outings: Brookings’ McCrory Gardens welcomed visitors to its Oct. 11 festival, featuring fall foliage, hayrides, food trucks and a floral-arranging class. Seasonal Tourism: Hunters traveled from across the country for South Dakota’s pheasant-season opener, adding to the state’s autumn visitor draw.

Aurora Watch: Far northern South Dakota had a chance to see the northern lights overnight after a geomagnetic storm; dark locations with a clear view north offered the best odds. Cultural Travel: Rapid City’s Black Hills Powwow drew a packed crowd after months of planning, with organizers coordinating travel and hotel blocks for dancers and drum groups. Road Notes: Daughenbaugh Road east of Rapid City closes Oct. 13–15 for railroad work, while daytime roadwork on Old Folsom Road continues through Oct. 23. Fall Getaways: Hunters traveled from across the country for pheasant season’s opening. Park News: Custer State Park is moving toward a new concessionaire contract, with an out-of-state operator slated to take over.

Road Conditions: Sioux Falls drivers should expect lane restrictions and detours this week on Cliff Avenue, Marion Road, and near Success Street and Masters Avenue. Rapid City Events: Thousands gathered for the Black Hills Powwow, alongside the Indigenous Peoples’ Day parade, bringing visitors and Native communities together. Outdoor Recreation: Mitchell’s Lake trails span 14 miles, with local cyclists helping maintain paths and improve safety at a blind intersection. Park Operations: Custer State Park is set to award its concessions contract to an out-of-state operator, who will pay more. Hunting Season: Hunters are traveling from across the country for South Dakota’s pheasant-season opening. Tourism Policy: A lodging tax is headed to the ballot, a decision with potential implications for local tourism funding.

Culture & Events: Rapid City’s Black Hills Powwow drew thousands, with dancers, a downtown Indigenous Peoples’ Day parade and a fashion show celebrating Lakota traditions. Visitors also got a nudge to explore the Black Hills’ cultural sites. Outdoor Recreation: Lake Mitchell’s 14 miles of trails rely on local volunteers to clear fallen trees and improve safety; trail work was highlighted at the state parks and recreation conference in Mitchell. Park Services: Custer State Park is preparing to award its concessions contract to an out-of-state operator, a change that could shape visitor services. Getting Around: Sioux Falls road and sidewalk closures begin Oct. 12, including work on North Cliff Avenue and South Marion Road; allow extra time or choose alternate routes.

Black Hills Road Safety: A 35-year-old Rapid City man was killed in a motorcycle crash on Nemo Road near Deadwood; two others were injured. The crash is under investigation. Sioux Falls Traffic: Lane and sidewalk closures are planned on North Cliff Avenue and South Marion Road, so check routes and allow extra time. Culture & Events: Thousands gathered in Rapid City for the Black Hills Powwow, alongside an Indigenous Peoples’ Day parade that drew hundreds of spectators and about 100 floats. Park Updates: Pactola North Boat Ramp is set to close for construction through January, while Custer State Park is preparing to finalize a new concessionaire contract.

Black Hills Culture: Rapid City’s 39th annual Black Hills Powwow drew thousands, while the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Parade brought about 100 floats downtown. Visitors can pair the events with cultural stops such as Crazy Horse Memorial and the Journey Museum. Outdoor Access: Pactola North Boat Ramp is scheduled to close for construction through January, so boaters should plan for an alternate launch. Sioux Falls Travel: City crews announced lane and sidewalk closures for utility and curb-ramp work; drivers and pedestrians should watch for detours and allow extra time.

Black Hills Powwow: Thousands filled Rapid City’s Monument for the annual powwow’s opening Grand Entry Friday. A downtown parade and more Grand Entries are scheduled through Sunday, giving visitors a chance to experience Indigenous dance, fashion and culture. Deadwood-area Safety: A 35-year-old Rapid City motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Nemo Road southwest of Deadwood Friday. Two other riders were injured; none of the three wore helmets. Custer State Park: The park is preparing to finalize a concessionaire contract with an out-of-state operator, which is slated to pay more. Black Hills Travel: Multiple road projects are expected to affect trips around Rapid City and the Hills, including a Keystone bridge closure, tunnel inspections and a Deadwood weekend detour. Check routes before heading out.

Black Hills Powwow: A new free daytime fashion show gave Indigenous models a runway to celebrate culture and confidence, adding a fresh attraction to powwow weekend in Rapid City. Custer State Park: The park’s concessions are set to go to an out-of-state operator under a new contract that will pay more. Road and water access: Black Hills road projects bring closures and detours, while Pactola’s north boat ramp is closed for construction through January. Check conditions before heading out. Fuel costs: The national gas average eased five cents to $4.36 a gallon, but remains a record high for autumn—a costly backdrop for road trips. Beyond the icons: A look at western South Dakota’s 577 region spotlights not just Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park and Sturgis, but also the wide-ranging communities and landscapes beyond the familiar stops.

Black Hills Access: Rockerville firefighters urged drivers to slow down after four crashes near the Highway 16 curve by the Candy Store. Box Elder will count traffic at four intersections Oct. 13–15 to guide road improvements and connections with Rapid City. Park Updates: Custer State Park is preparing a new concessionaire contract with an out-of-state operator, whose payments are set to increase. 2027 state park entrance licenses are now available, while Jewel Cave plans a prescribed burn to reduce wildfire risk. Fall Outdoors: Spearfish Canyon’s fall colors have peaked, drawing visitors from across the region. Travel Costs: AAA says the national gas average fell five cents this week to $4.36, but remains at a record high for autumn.

Custer State Park: South Dakota approved a 10-year contract with Xanterra to operate park services and lodging. The deal starts Feb. 1, 2027. This Weekend: Colombia’s Música Ficta performs Friday at Vermillion’s National Music Museum, with a free-to-visit cultural stop for travelers. Black Hills Travel: Pactola North Boat Ramp is closed for construction through January. A prescribed burn near Jewel Cave is also planned to reduce wildfire risk. Plan Ahead: 2027 South Dakota state park entrance licenses are now on sale. Spearfish Canyon’s fall color has peaked, drawing visitors from across the region.

Custer State Park: Commissioners are expected to approve Xanterra Travel Collection as the park’s new concessionaire this week, replacing the South Dakota-based operator that has managed its resorts for 20 years. The park now draws more than 2.3 million visitors a year. Black Hills Travel: Multiple road projects are set to affect travel across the Black Hills and Rapid City; drivers should check for closures and detours before heading out. A prescribed burn is also planned near Jewel Cave to reduce wildfire risk. Park Planning: 2027 South Dakota state park entrance licenses are now available. Fall Getaways: Spearfish Canyon has reached peak fall color, drawing visitors from across the region.**

Holiday Trail: The 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will stop in Custer on Nov. 10 and Mitchell on Nov. 12, with free community events planned along the route. Rapid City Tourism: Visit Rapid City says conferences and group events bring business to local hotels, restaurants and attractions, and locals can help recruit organizations to town. Trail Safety: Rapid City is adding speed and usage counters to its 10-mile Leonard Swanson Pathway as it urges cyclists and e-bike riders to slow down and share the trail. Black Hills Travel: Fall color has brought visitors to Spearfish Canyon, while road projects are set to affect travel around the Hills and Rapid City. The Pactola North boat ramp is closed for construction through January, and Highway 16A in Keystone will close for bridge replacement. Visitor Updates: 2027 South Dakota state park entrance licenses are on sale. Mitchell’s Corn Palace Plaza expansion plans add shade and seating but remove about 21 parking spaces.

State Parks: The 2027 entrance licenses are on sale, covering more than 60 South Dakota parks through May 21, 2028. They cost $40 for one vehicle or $60 for two; camping and lodging cost extra. Rapid City Trails: Officials urge cyclists and e-bike riders to slow down and share the Leonard Swanson Memorial Pathway after reports of speeding and close calls with pedestrians. Black Hills Travel: Multiple road projects are set to affect Rapid City and the Hills. Highway 16A in Keystone will close for bridge replacement, Pactola’s north boat ramp is closed for construction through January, and prescribed burns are planned near Jewel Cave. Sioux Falls Outdoors: A 20.5-acre land donation will expand Great Bear Recreation Park, adding space for year-round recreation and conservation. Fall Visits: Spearfish Canyon has reached peak fall color, drawing visitors from across the region. South Dakota drivers are also urged to watch for deer as migration and mating season begin.

State Parks & Outdoors: The 2027 South Dakota state park entrance licenses are on sale now, with resident options at $40 (one) or $60 (two) for access to 60+ parks and recreation areas through May 21, 2028. Rapid City Safety: City officials are urging everyone to slow down and share the Leonard Swanson Memorial Pathway after reports of fast e-bikes and close calls; low-speed pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed up to 20 mph. Local Travel Disruption: A water main break near Lacrosse and Omaha is impacting about 100 residences and slowing northbound traffic to one lane while crews repair the line. Black Hills Film Festival: The 17th annual festival in Rapid City is spotlighting South Dakota filmmakers and independent stories, bringing people together through film and Q&As. Wildfire Prep: The U.S. Forest Service plans a prescribed burn in the southern Black Hills near Jewel Cave, with smoke possible and drivers asked to use caution. Great Bear Expansion: Sioux Falls’ Great Bear Recreation Park will grow by 20.5 acres after a land donation, boosting trails and year-round outdoor access. Gas Watch: GasBuddy reports show some of the lowest prices in the region around $4.09 regular in Custer County and $4.29 regular in Harding County for the week ending Sept. 26.