Custer State Park Wildfire 95 Percent Contained, To Reopen

CUSTER, SD — Custer State Park is reopening on a limited basis on Monday along with U.S. Highway 16A and State Highway 87 South as firefighters inch toward complete containment of the Legion Lake wildfire, which has burned more than 84 square miles.

The park's visitor center will reopen Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Superintendent Matt Snyder is asking that visitors remain patient as officials assess the damage and repair roads and fences.

The Festival of Trees event officially begins Monday and runs through New Years Day.

All roads and trails inside the park will remain closed other than U.S. Highway 16A and State Highway 87 South. This includes all gravel roads in the park, Wildlife Loop Road and Badger Clark Road, state officials said in a release.

Badger Clark Historic Trail, Lover's Leap Trail, Prarie Trail, Centennial Trail and all horse trails will remain closed.

ll trails and roads in the Sylvan Lake area remain open, as well as Iron Mountain Road, officials said.

A downed power line on Dec. 11 ignited the fire, which has burned nine burros, officials said. As of Sunday, it was 95 percent contained.

The park just south of Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a top tourist destination.

#LegionLakeFire Update:

Containment moves up to 95%. pic.twitter.com/nQRPpXCJP8
— Custer State Park (@CusterStatePark) December 17, 2017

Custer State Park press release regarding reopening of Highway 16A and Highway 87. #LegionLakeFire pic.twitter.com/N6ImHJpviE
— Custer State Park (@CusterStatePark) December 17, 2017

Photo credit: David McNew / Getty Images