Custer State Park Selects New Primary Concessionaire
Custer State Park is changing its primary concessionaire to Xanterra Travel Collection, an out-of-state operator based in Colorado. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission chose Xanterra, citing the need to meet growing visitor expectations and future park needs,…
Rapid City, SD, October 8, 2026 — Custer State Park has announced a significant change in its primary concessionaire operations. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has selected Xanterra Travel Collection, an operator based in Colorado, to manage key services within the popular South Dakota state park. This transition will replace U.S. Hotel and Resort Management, a company that has served as the park’s long-standing concessionaire and is based in South Dakota.
The decision by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission was reportedly made to address the evolving needs of the park and its visitors. Officials cited the necessity of meeting growing visitor expectations and planning for future park requirements as key factors in their selection process. The commission’s choice of Xanterra, an out-of-state entity, marks a shift from the previous arrangement with a locally based company.
Details regarding the specific services Xanterra Travel Collection will oversee and the timeline for the transition were not provided in the summary. The financial terms of the agreement and the scope of Xanterra’s operational responsibilities are also not detailed. The summary does not include specific reasons why U.S. Hotel and Resort Management was not selected to continue its contract, other than the stated need for a new operator to meet future park demands.
Xanterra Travel Collection is known for operating concessions in various national and state parks across the United States. The specific operational history or any past issues or successes related to Xanterra’s management of other park facilities were not detailed in the provided summary. Similarly, the impact of this change on park staff or local businesses associated with the previous concessionaire was not specified.
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission oversees the management and operation of state parks and wildlife resources. Their decisions are intended to ensure the long-term viability and visitor experience of these public lands. The selection of a new primary concessionaire is a substantial operational change for Custer State Park, which draws a significant number of visitors annually. Further details on the implementation of this change are anticipated.
Story summarized from the original created by Emily DeCock, South Dakota News Watch on www.kotatv.com, see more information here.
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