by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
Palisades State Park has a hidden gem for residents, and it’s not among the beautiful granite outcroppings. The Palisades State Park Lodge opened just over a decade ago to the public, and has flown under the radar since.
The lodge, which is a converted old farmhouse, can be rented for groups of 6-12 people. It has four bedrooms on three floors, two large bathrooms, a fully-stocked kitchen, and a deck with a view. It has been used in the past for weddings, graduation parties, and family reunions. It can be rented for $280 per night. A 2-night minimum is required.
“You can get the family together for the weekend, and know that the kids won’t be running off to school events,” said Karla Lofswold, Camp Host, at an open house that was held this past Sunday and Monday.
“You’re all together playing games, it’s great fun,” added her husband, Darrell. “[You get] some of that together time.”
The Lofswold’s note that between the cost savings as compared to a block of hotel rooms and being able to bring and cook one’s own food, it’s a steal.
It can be rented up to a year in advance, and Park Director Luke Dreckman encourages residents of Garretson to take advantage of it. Christmas and Thanksgiving are already taken for 2020, but they would love to see it utilized more between October and April.
Both Karla and Darrell Lofswold have spent the summer volunteering at Palisades State Park as camp hosts. These volunteer positions are in high demand by campgrounds, as they are relied on for lots of small jobs around the park. For instance, Karla had spent some time cleaning the stove at the lodge a few days ago.
“There’s only three full-time positions in the park,” said Park Ranger Rob Reuland, “so we rely on them a lot.” The Lofswold’s were joined by one other couple as camp hosts this summer.
“They’re very valuable,” said Dreckman. He said there is more demand for hosts than there is supply, because there is work involved and it is a time commitment. However, hosts are rewarded with a free stay at the campground for the summer.
Karla said she and Darrell have fallen in love with camp hosting.
“We kinda started too early,” Karla said. “We wanted to give it a try this summer to see if it was our thing before we retired, and now we want to do it full-time.” The Lofswold’s, who are from Sioux Falls, plan to retire next year. They will continue helping out around the park throughout the winter, and are already locked in for next summer as camp hosts at Palisades State Park. Part of the reason they enjoy it is because “the people are so friendly.”
A friendly vibe is evident throughout the lodge, with a large dining room table, couches, and a fire pit near the garage. There’s a television both upstairs and downstairs if needed, along with a foosball table in the lower level. There are plenty of spaces for adults and kids to separate if needed, but those areas also encourage everyone to come together for meals, games, or conversation.
An RV camping pad is also available out front, just in case more space is needed. The cost for the camp pad is the same as any electrical spot within the park, but it is separate from the lodge.
The garage is available for a separate fee as well. The garage has several tables and chairs set up for a large gathering such as a graduation party. However, lodge rental is required, and the fee to rent the garage is $50 per day.
The privacy of the lodge is one of its best features, said Dreckman. Its entrance is located approximately a half mile north of the current park entrance, and while the park can be accessed via a hiking trail, it’s away from the noise and bustle of the park itself.
“It can get pretty busy, especially on the weekends,” said Karla.
When asked if that will change when the new Palisades entrance is constructed, Dreckman replied that he wasn’t sure. He figured it would stay the same, but the future of 485th Avenue is uncertain at this point. The township has said in the past that it does not have the funds to maintain it as a paved road if there is no financial help from the state, and while Garretson’s City Council has wondered about possible annexation in order to maintain it, no answers are clear. The road was patched a few years ago by Minnehaha County in order to keep it open for the park, but it is quickly falling into disrepair.
State officials have been reticent to put any more funds toward helping the township maintain the current roadway, as a new entrance for Palisades State Park will be built within the next 3-4 years at the junction of 484th Avenue and 256th Street. Conversations between the township, the City of Garretson, and the state are ongoing.
No matter the outcome on 485th Street, however, the lodge will stay in play as a valuable asset to Palisades State Park, and Garretson residents are encouraged to take advantage of it.
