A partnership between South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and the state Department of Transportation funded more than $1 million in road maintenance and repairs in the Northern Hills in 2025.
GF&P planning and development administrator Adam Kulesa told the commission the agencies share a five‑year agreement that provides $2.8 million annually for collector roads, which connect state and local roads to state parks. About 40% of this year’s funding went to projects at Custer State Park, Shep’s Canyon, Angostura and Shadehill reservoirs, and the Pete Lien and Sons Shooting Complex. Major projects included a $200,000 asphalt upgrade to Custer State Park’s Wildlife Loop Road and $400,000 for access roads at the shooting complex.
Kulesa said the program helps avoid using hunting and fishing license dollars for road repairs.
The current agreement expires in June. GF&P plans to submit its proposed 2027 projects to DOT later this spring, including $156,000 for road maintenance in Custer State Park, Shep’s Canyon and Spearfish Canyon, along with $700,000 in alternate projects such as a bridge replacement and additional road work.
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