Game, Fish & Parks marketing fully-furnished homes within South Dakota state parks

Agency sees increase in overnight stays since starting regional campaign

An ad for “modern lodging” options with Game, Fish & Parks (GF&P)

A marketing push to encourage more visitors to use modern lodging facilities within South Dakota state parks preceded a noticeable jump in overnight stays at those locations.

That’s according to the Game, Fish & Parks Department, which this week reported a 12 percent increase in the use of lesser-known lodging options, like fully furnished homes, since the agency earlier this year began a marketing campaign publicizing the availability of those amenities found within several state parks throughout the state.

“Many people have driven through and been to Palisades State Park,” GF&P Marketing Coordinator April Larson said this week. “They have climbed through that over and over, but we actually have a house, with great amenities for families and groups that is available for rent.”

Dubbed the “See for Yourself” campaign by the department, it seeks specifically to tout modern lodging options available in nine of South Dakota’s state parks, which differ from traditional camping cabins in that they boast amenities like kitchens and bathrooms not available during the true camping experience.

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