Licenses
Photo © Cory Zirbel
Park Entrance License
A state park entrance license allows you to enjoy over 60 state park and recreation areas throughout South Dakota. The license is required of all motorized vehicles for entrance into designated state parks, recreation areas and lakeside use areas. It does not cover camping costs or additional fees. Qualifying South Dakota disabled veterans are eligible for free park entrance and discount camping.
You can purchase annual park entrance licenses by:
- Visiting campsd.com,
- Calling 1.800.710.2267,
- Your local state park or Game, Fish and Parks office, or
- By visiting limited retail stores
Park Entrance Licenses Options
Daily park license:
$6 per vehicle
Valid until the start of quiet hours the day issued, or, if issued to registered campers, at 4 p.m. the following day. Not available for purchase at Custer State Park. Not valid on the Mickelson Trail.
Custer State Park temporary license:
$20 per vehicle | $10 per motorcycle
Valid for seven days. Expires at 6 p.m. on the seventh day of the visitor's stay. Not available for purchase outside of Custer State Park. Not valid on the Mickelson Trail.
Annual entrance license:
$30 per vehicle
Valid for all people in the vehicle. License expires the May following the license year. Purchasers of one license can also buy a second at half price at the time of purchase or later by using the included coupon. Must be affixed by license adhesive in passenger-side corner of windshield, within three inches of the bottom. Not valid on the Mickelson Trail.
Motorcycle annual entrance license:
$30 per vehicle
License is in the form of a durable wristband which can be affixed around the handlebars of a motorcycle or similar vehicle. Grants the same access as annual entrance license.
Transferable annual entrance license:
$65 per license
Hang tag license which can be moved to different vehicles. Valid only for the vehicle in which it is displayed. Grants the same access as annual entrance license.
George S. Mickelson Trail passes:
Daily trail pass: $4 per person | Annual trail pass: $15 per person
Grants access to the Mickelson Trail and facilities. Trail pass is issued to an individual. Must be kept on your person or bicycle while using the trail. License expires the May following the license year.
Additional Annual Licenses
If you have more than two vehicles (must be 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 full-price license and half-price second license. 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
Fees support state parks and recreation areas
Fees collected by South Dakota's state parks play an important role in the system's daily operations. The sale of park entrance licenses and camping fees comprise over two-thirds of the entire funding needed to operate the state parks and recreation areas and provide comfortable and enjoyable facilities and recreation opportunities.