The Pavilion at Grizzly Bear Campground on the Black Hills National Forest will be closed for the season on Aug. 19 for repairs and restoration work. The Forest has partnered with HistoriCorps, a non-profit organization that specializes in preserving historic structures on public lands, to perform the work on the Pavilion, which will include roof replacement, log timber repairs, and masonry work.
“The Pavilion at Grizzly Bear Campground is a very popular place for the public to gather for small receptions, picnics and rest stops while visiting the Forest,” said Todd Butler, Acting District Ranger for the Hell Canyon Ranger District. “The Grizzly Bear Campground restoration project will provide much needed updates while retaining the historic feel from when it was built nearly 90 years ago.”
Grizzly Bear Campground was one of the South Dakota Civilian Conservation Corp’s (CCC) major projects during the winter of 1935 and 1936. Company 1793, led by Noble Witt, was the primary unit assigned to campsite construction. The CCC developed one mile of access road with a dozen spurs for individual campsites, two parking areas, and the camping areas included outdoor stoves, tables, benches, incinerators, and a well house. By April 27, 1936, the project was complete.
The Grizzly Bear Campground Reconstruction Project was authorized and funded through the Great American Outdoors Act. Repairs and restoration of the Pavilion is part the project.
The Pavilion restoration is the first part of the Grizzly Bear Campground project. Future work will include improvements to the camping sites, water system upgrades, and additional sites and toilets while staying within the footprint of the existing campground and retaining historic features. Dates for this future work have not been established yet.
Grizzly Bear Campground will remain open to the public through Monday, Sept. 9. HistoriCorps will be staying within the campground through September, working on the Pavilion.
For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills/.