siouxfallsparks.org: Great Bear Chalet

Great Bear Recreation Park Chalet Information and Rules

Great Bear is a 220 acre nature park jointly operated by Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation and Great Bear Recreation Park, Inc.

Great Bear was established in the early 1970’s as a ski area and began expanding into a year round recreation park in the summer of 1998. The renovation of the Chalet at Great Bear was completed December 2001 and offers a wonderful 270 degree panoramic view of the surrounding area. The 2002 completion of the Ralph and Doris Wallin Nature Trail System marked the completion of the Great Bear Expansion Project and officially opened the park to four-season use. Due to the nature of the ski season, the Chalet at Great Bear is not available for private use November 1st through March 31st. Wedding events may be booked at the Chalet from April 1st through October 31st yearly.

Arrangements for a wedding at the Chalet are handled directly by Great Bear staff, so please call Great Bear at 605-367-7317 for pricing information or to reserve the Chalet for your wedding event. Photos of the Chalet are available at www.greatbearpark.com/

While renting the Chalet at Great Bear you will have exclusive use of the main and banquet levels of the building itself, however the nature trail system will remain open to the public. Outdoor restroom facilities are provided for nature trail users.

Rental of the chalet is as follows:

$400 per day must be finished by 5 p.m. Monday – Friday only.
$700 per day weekends and week days later than 5 p.m.
Hourly rates (Monday – Friday) $75 per hour 2 hour minimum done by 5 p.m.
All fees must be paid in full the day of the event.
Park closing at 10:00 PM must be observed. Events must be over & participants must be out of the park by 10:00 PM regardless of starting time. *
If your event uses outside amplified sound, you must contact the Health Department at 367-8760 about a permit, per Noise Control Ordinance Section 25.5-5.
If your event uses outside inflatable (bounce houses etc.) or portable play structures, you must contact the park office for the appropriate permit. Phone 367.8222 Also, you are required to provide your own power for the structure.
No vehicles are allowed on the grass.
Keys for the area will not be given out. A Great Bear employee will open the chalet, monitor its use, and lock up.
The basement area of the chalet is off limits to guests.
No smoking is allowed inside the chalet at Great Bear at any time. Ashtrays are provided on the deck.
The outside fire pit will be maintained by Park and Rec. or Great Bear employees only. Advance notice to use the fire pit is required. Lighting the pit is at the discretion of Great Bear management. Dry conditions will negate the use of the fire pit.
Acceptable decorations in the chalet are centerpieces, baskets/vases of flowers, & votive candles in containers. No open flames. Please check with a Great Bear management if you have questions on acceptable decorating ideas. We are happy to answer any questions.
Nothing may be stapled, tacked, nailed or taped to the walls or woodwork.
The use of helium balloons, confetti or sprinkles is prohibited. Please ask if you have questions about other accepted decorations.
You may rent our “starry sky”, “lighted window arch & railings” for $50.00
Great Bear Recreation Park, Inc. holds a beer/wine license. All alcohol must be purchased from Great Bear & consumed within 300 feet of the chalet. No hard liquor may be purchased or consumed at Great Bear without the appropriate one-day liquor license. Any outside liquor brought into the building will be confiscated & the party may be asked to leave the premises. A $100 fee may be assessed to the original rental agreement for noncompliance.
All guests will be “carded” no exceptions, any underage drinking will be immediately dealt with & the authorities will be contacted.
No outside food or beverages may be brought into the chalet without the prior consent of building management. Non compliance may result in additional fees added to the rent.
Cake, punch, mints & nuts may be brought in for events.
Great Bear does not provide plates, napkins, forks or cups for the cake or punch. The staff can provide these items for an additional fee upon request. Please notify the staff prior to the event if you would like us to provide these items.
All vehicles must be parked in the designated parking areas. Handicap parking spots are available.
Users are required to clean up all litter and decorations. Trash containers will be provided.
All tables & chairs must be stacked against the walls & wiped off. Moving & setting up of the tables & chairs is the responsibility of the renter.
All clean up must be done the night of the event. If you choose not to do the clean up, the fee is $100 and must be arranged with the venue in advance.
If an additional day is needed to remove your items a $50 fee will be charged. This must be arranged in advance of the event & paid the day of the event. The time of the pick up will be set by Great Bear management.
The reserving party will be held responsible for any damages caused by their guests & their activities during the time the party has access to the property.
A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the chalet rental fee is due in order to establish a reservation. Once paid it will not be refunded.
Great Bear Recreation Park, Inc. is not responsible for the loss or damage of any personal property brought on to the grounds or into the building.
Any items left in the building longer than 30 days become the property of Great Bear & may be discarded.

* Midnight close deadline may be granted on a per event basis with Park Director permission.