Outdoor hospitality operators along the Highway 44 corridor in Rapid City should begin preparing guest communications now, as a rockfall mitigation project launching Monday, March 2, will bring daily delays of up to 15 minutes through July 2026.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation announced the $2.3 million safety improvement project will take place in Cleghorn Canyon, directly across from the Cleghorn Springs State Fish Hatchery. Crews will work between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to remove loose rocks and debris from the hillside and install protective fencing to prevent future hazards, according to the agency’s Feb. 27 press release.
The project will maintain traffic flow throughout its duration, but campground and RV park operators should note several restrictions that directly affect their guests. A 16-foot width restriction will be enforced in both lanes throughout the construction period, and temporary lane closures will occur as needed for scaling and excavation operations. Flaggers will guide vehicles through the work zone during these closures, helping maintain orderly traffic movement through the canyon.
The width restriction is particularly relevant for RV travelers, as some larger Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels towing vehicles may require additional guidance about navigating the work zone safely. Properties serving the Black Hills region should consider advising guests about these constraints during the reservation process, and encouraging arrivals and departures outside the 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. work window can help minimize delays for travelers with tight schedules.
Effective guest communication during local infrastructure disruptions helps maintain satisfaction and avoid negative reviews. Updating reservation confirmation emails to include travel advisories and alternate route suggestions helps guests plan appropriately before they arrive at your property. Adding construction notices to campground websites and online booking platforms keeps information accessible, while training front desk and reservation staff to mention potential delays during phone inquiries demonstrates transparency that builds trust with guests.
Social media channels offer another avenue for keeping travelers informed, allowing guests to check conditions before departing for your property. Creating printable or digital maps showing alternate routes gives guests practical navigation tools, and sending pre-arrival emails 48 to 72 hours before check-in with current road conditions has become standard practice among many outdoor hospitality properties. Text-based communication is increasingly preferred by travelers who may not check email while on the road, and many operators now use guest communication apps and automated messaging systems to push notifications about local conditions to affected guests.
Midwest Rockfall Inc. of Denver, Colo., serves as the prime contractor for the project, which carries a completion target of July 2026. The work involves removing rocks and debris from the hillside adjacent to Highway 44 and installing rockfall fencing designed to mitigate future hazards. Construction impacts are expected to continue through spring and early summer, encompassing the beginning of peak travel season for many Black Hills properties.
Road safety improvements along scenic corridors benefit outdoor hospitality businesses over the long term by enhancing the overall travel experience and reducing the risk of emergency closures that can devastate seasonal bookings. Properties that experience fewer access disruptions tend to receive higher ratings for location convenience in guest reviews, and seasonal operators particularly benefit from reliable road access because their compressed operating windows cannot absorb extended closure periods.
Emergency road closures due to rockslides or other hazards can result in immediate booking cancellations and long-term reputation damage for affected regions. Once completed, the Cleghorn Canyon rockfall fencing will reduce the likelihood of future emergency closures that could strand guests or force last-minute reservation changes. This perspective may help operators frame the temporary inconvenience as an investment in the region’s tourism infrastructure.
Experienced campground operators often reframe construction periods positively when communicating with guests. Messaging that acknowledges short-term delays while emphasizing long-term safety improvements resonates with travelers who appreciate transparency. Some properties include notes in their communications explaining that road crews are working to make the drive even safer for future visits, helping maintain positive guest sentiment during the construction period.
RV travelers have seen growing adoption of RV-specific GPS systems and route planning apps that account for road conditions, construction zones, and vehicle size restrictions. Campground operators increasingly recommend these tools to guests, and some properties partner with navigation app providers to ensure their locations are accurately represented with current access information. Given the width restriction in Cleghorn Canyon, directing guests to these resources may prove especially helpful during the coming months.
Properties along the Highway 44 corridor serving the Rapid City and Black Hills region should consider implementing multiple communication touchpoints before the Monday start date. Digital signage at property entrances can display traffic updates for departing guests, while automated messaging systems allow operators to segment communications by arrival date to ensure only affected guests receive construction-related information. These proactive measures help manage expectations and maintain the guest experience despite external factors beyond an operator’s control.
Travelers seeking real-time information about road conditions can access updates at the state’s 511 service or by dialing 511 for current information on closures, work zones, commercial vehicle restrictions, and traffic incidents. Drivers passing through Cleghorn Canyon during daytime hours should plan for extra travel time, and outdoor hospitality operators may wish to include this resource in their guest communications as a helpful planning tool throughout the spring and early summer construction period.