State Park Entrance Permits
Enjoy South Dakota's great outdoors!
The annual park entrance license allows you to use the facilities at nearly 60 state park and recreation areas throughout South Dakota. The license is required for entrance into designated state parks, recreation areas and lakeside use areas. It does not cover camping costs or additional fees.
A park entrance license also makes a perfect Christmas, birthday, or other special occasion gift.
2016 Permit Details
Available: October 1, 2015
(annual licenses are available each year in October)
Expiration: May 19, 2017
Fee
- First License: $30
- Second License: $15*
- Transferable (valid for only one vehicle at a time): $65
*Purchasers of one license can also buy a second at half price.
Daily Park License
Fee: $4 per person | $6 per vehicle*
(age 11 and under free)
* This option is not available at Custer State Park
Temporary Custer State Park Permit
Fee: $20 per vehicle | $10 per motorcycle
Expiration: valid up to 7 days
George S. Mickelson Trail Pass
Fee: $4 per day | $15 per year
Motorcoach License
Fee: $3 per person per continuous visit
How to Purchase
Credit Card
Check or Money Order
Mail your application, along with your check/money order to:
South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks
Parks & Recreation
523 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
Entrance licenses can also be purchased at local state park offices or by calling the South Dakota Division of Parks & Recreation at 605.773.3391.
Additional Annual Licenses
Multiple Vehicles
If you have more than two vehicles (registered in your name) that you need annual park licenses for, you may purchase additional licenses at half price.
To obtain additional licenses, you are required to purchase the initial two. Properly complete the application for multiple Park Entrance Licenses: apply online or download application. The serial numbers of the two park licenses as well as registrations for all vehicles are required. Send the completed application to the Licensing Office with proper payment (check or money order) to receive additional half-price licenses.
Unlicensed Scooters/Golf Carts
When applying for a half-price park entrance license for a vehicle that does not require licensing (scooters/golf carts), please provide one of the following:
- Copy of a proof of insurance
- Copy of vehicle title
- Copy of bill of sale
Self-Registration
A friendly face is generally waiting for you at South Dakota state parks. But if we're not at home, a self-registration booth will allow you to pay all necessary fees.
Both entrance and camping fees can be paid through self-registration envelopes at these stations. Simply remove an entrance license envelope or camping permit from the dispenser, complete the information, enclose the fee and drop it into the tube. Place your temporary license in the lower passenger-side corner of your windshield. It is your responsibility to pay these fees.
Retail Stores
View list of retail stores that sell S.D. state park entrance licenses.