Black Hills NF CG Prospectus_Q and A_Batch 2.pdf

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Black Hills National Forest Campground Prospectus

Questions and Answers – Batch 2

1. Does the Forest Service have a breakdown of revenues by each campground and day use area?

Does the Forest Service have occupancy/use levels for each?

Please see response to question #9 in Black Hills National Forest Campground Prospectus Questions and Answers – Batch 1, published August 21, 2025.

2. When was the last rate increase for the current concessioner for each campground and day use area? Please provide each prior rate amount before increase.

The most recent rate increase for the current concessioner was requested in October 2024 and implemented in 2025. Prior to this, the first rate increase in nearly 10 years was proposed in April 2022 and implemented in 2023. A full-rate schedule is not available for pre-2022.

3. For the Mystic Ranger District, it appears that the day use fees are the following:

• Pactola Reservoir – Increased from $5 in 2024 to $7 in 2025

• Sheridan Lake, Dakota Point - $5 for both 2024 and 2025

• Sheridan Lake, North and South Beach – Decreased from $7 in 2024 to $5 in 2025

• Spring Creek Picnic Area - $7 for both 2024 and 2025

• Deerfield Recreation Complex - $5 for both 2024

Are the above rates correct? What is the reason for the inconsistencies within the Mystic Ranger District? Does the Forest Service agree that all day use fees within one Ranger District should be the same amount? If not, why not?

The information is correct. Many factors may exist for fee increases or decreases. In general, the Forest Service does not establish prices per site, rather the market dictates pricing, and the holder requests changes with proper justification. The Forest and concessioner come to an agreement on appropriate pricing per site, and once approved by the Forest Supervisor, the new fee is implemented. As stated in the prospectus, page 22, applicants must provide a list of all fees they propose to charge the public for the first three years of operation.

4. We note that for Wyoming State Parks, the standard day use fee (vehicles) is $7 for residents and $12 for non-residents. For South Dakota State Parks, the standard day use fee is $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents. Additionally, the Forest Service day use fees at most forests in the western U.S. is $8 to $12 and has been increasing, obviously due to the increases in operating expenses for both concessionaires and the agency. Does the Forest Service want the day use fees on the Black Hills National Forest to be $5? If yes, please explain the reasoning.

Please see the response to question 3 above. In addition, Appendix 10, II. P. Regulating Services and Rates: The Forest Service reserves the right to regulate the adequacy, type, and price of services provided to the public and to require that these services conform to satisfactory standards. The holder may be required to furnish a schedule of prices for sales and services authorized by this permit. Such prices and services may be regulated by the Forest Service, provided that the holder shall not be required to charge prices significantly different from those charged by comparable or competing businesses.

It is important to note that prices are not (and should not) necessarily be aligned with state fees or any other public land fees in the local area. However, market research and comparables can include public lands, private businesses, and other similar forms of operations in order to complement the services, supplies, and materials being provided to the public.

5. For campgrounds, what is the opinion of the Forest management team about the current rates that are being charged to the public? Too low? Just right? Too high?

Please see the response to question 3 and 4 above.

6. For day use areas, what is the opinion of the Forest management team about the current rates that are being charged to the public? Too low? Just right? Too high?

Please see the response to question 3 and 4 above.

7. We understand that the Forest Service would like to see applicants propose ideas for

“innovative fee collection methods”. Will the Forest Service please identify the areas most in need of these innovative methods? We note that many unstaffed areas do not have cellular or internet signal.

This is correct, as many locations have limited cellular or internet service. The Forest would like to see applicants propose their ideas or methods for expanding on site cashless fee collection using credit cards or other electronic payment types, taking into consideration the cost and feasibility of these services.

It is important to note that the public has requested additional payment options over the past five years, as cashless systems are available in many other public lands and surrounding private businesses. It has been informally observed by the Forest and local communities that the majority of travelers do not use “cash” for payments of services, but rather credit cards or online options.

8. How many host sites are available at the Pactola Campground? Does the Pactola Reservoir

Recreation Complex have employee housing or host sites that are not located within the campground? We note that the prospectus recommends seven to nine hosts.

There are seven designated host sites, with five of those having reasonable space for an RV, at the Pactola Reservoir Recreation Complex. Currently there is a proposed project (GAOA) that would add three additional host sites in Loop B of Pactola Campground. Exact dates for completion are unknown at this time.

9. How many host sites are available at the Sheridan Southside Campground? Does the Sheridan

Lake Complex have employee housing or host sites that are not located within the campground?

We note that the prospectus recommends 10 to 12 hosts.

There are eight designated host sites for the Sheridan Lake Campground (South) with one additional host site at Sheridan Lake North Cove. Appendix 9 recommends 10 to 12 hosts for the Sheridan Lake Complex; however the table on page 2 of the AOP are just recommendations compared to what has historically proven successful. The applicant should propose personnel locations, staffing hours and schedules in their application.

10. Does the permit allow the holder to sell alcohol? With what restrictions?

The standard form for concession campground permits, shown as Appendix 10 Special Use Permit for Campground, includes clause II.Q. Sale of Alcoholic Beverages which states, “the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the permit area”.

11. Does the Forest Service want glamping on the Black Hills National Forest? Where and what type?

See response to question #11 in Black Hills National Forest Campground Prospectus Questions and Answers – Batch 1, published August 21st, 2025.

12. Do you still anticipate Highway 385 construction to be completed by 2026? Any specificity on the completion date?

According to information listed within Phase 2 Construction documents, Closure E begins on October 20, 2025, and extends through April 17, 2026. The closure area does not directly affect fee-based recreation sites on the Forest; however, the Forest is not managing this project and cannot guarantee that changes will not occur between now and the 2026 summer season. For specific information, applicants are encouraged to visit https://www.US-385.com and/or contact the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

13. Are there any existing interpretive programs currently in place at the Forest?

Over the past four summer seasons, the Forest has offered multiple interpretive programs at fee-based sites managed by the Forest Concessionaire. Campfire musical programs have been quite popular at various campgrounds, with one taking place each month from June through September. At times, Junior Forest Ranger Programs have also occurred at day-use sites, and in some instances external partners have provided youth and/or family recreation programs at concessionaire sites. In short, although the Forest is limited on staff, the Recreation Program is working toward providing high-quality visitor experiences for its guests / vacationers, in order to create memorable moments and showcase the “stories” on the Forest (and Black Hills). As indicated in section 18 of the proposed annual operating plan (Appendix 9), if interpretive programs are offered, the applicant must include an interpretive services plan for any interpretive services proposed ... please refer to section 18 for more information.

The photos below show examples of what has currently been offered as a partnership between the Forest and concessionaire.

https://www.us-385.com/

14. Does the Forest have average annual utility and/or waste management costs?

Related to sites managed by the Forest Concessionaire, annual fees vary from location to location, depending on visitor usage and whether or not sites are open for use in the off-season. In many situations, the Ranger Districts pay for dumpsters and/or toilet pumping fees on sporadic occasions due to need, not necessarily on a maintenance schedule. The current Concessionaire manages its own utility and waste costs according to their own business plan.

15. Will the concessionaire be responsible for managing staff for special events such as the

Rushmore Half Marathon at the Bearlodge Mountain Classic Bicycle Race?

No. Although there may be an assortment of special use permits that occur in (or around) Concessionaire-operated sites, the Forest does not expect any assistance from the Concessionaire, unless dialogue takes place that warrants this assistance in advance. In most instances, the Forest simply provides the Concessionaire with notification(s) of the events and/or activities for their planning purpose, scheduling staff for fee collection, cleaning facilities, etc.

16. If a “Forest Pass” is allowed, do you anticipate it would be issued and renewed on a yearly basis?

Yes. The Forest has the vision of producing an annual pass that visitors and/or locals could purchase at the beginning of the current year, which would then be valid at all fee-related sites across the Forest through December 31.

17. Currently, are there any areas on the Forest that have accessibility challenges/issues that need to be addressed?

Yes. Most recreation sites on the Forest were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s and did not include any formal recognition toward accessibility situations. Over the past four years, the Forest has worked closely with the current concessionaire to update / enhance its recreation sites and improve accessibility for all users. This has resulted in some wonderful improvements for walkways, picnic tables, camping pads, beach access, etc. However, more work is needed to fully address the current shortfalls, and the Forest expects the concessionaire to actively address these issues to the best of their ability.

Lakota Lake Day-Use Area / Hell Canyon Ranger District New accessible pathways in 2023

Sheridan Lake Day-Use Area (South Side) / Mystic Ranger District New accessible pathways and picnic tables in 2024

Black Hills National Forest Campground Prospectus