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Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp says land-exchange with U.S. Forest Service moving toward 2026 transfer
Summary
Camp officials told the Custer County commissioners appraisals and baseline documentation are complete, the exchange is equalized at 94.3 acres, and the Forest Service’s public comment period is likely to start in mid-November 2025 with a transfer targeted for 2026.
Representatives of Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp briefed the Custer County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday about progress in a decades-long land-exchange with the U.S. Forest Service.
The camp’s executive director said appraisals for both properties are complete and that an equalization resulted in a proposed transfer of about 94.3 acres into county jurisdiction. “We completed the baseline document that basically documents exactly what our site is like right now,” the camp representative said, describing the baseline as a required element of the conservation easement process the camp will enter with a local land trust.
Why it matters: Rainbow Trail’s transfer would move camp buildings and associated parcels from Forest Service ownership into private (county) ownership and place the property under a conservation easement managed by Palmer Land Conservancy. County staff and the camp said the easement is intended to protect the surrounding forest and neighbors to the north.
Timeline and next steps: The camp said the Forest Service will receive the baseline and documentation for final review and that a public comment period is likely to begin in mid-November 2025. Camp representatives said they expect most required work to be finished by mid-2026, with some Forest Service steps possibly trailing to year-end 2026. They asked county staff to begin planning for the transition — for example, meeting with the county planner about septic, zoning and a site master plan — so the camp’s transition into county jurisdiction will be smoother.
Property specifics and local questions: Camp leaders said the proposed parcel abuts Fremont County at the northern boundary and contains a small ‘jog’ that slightly crosses into Fremont County; they did not expect tax or jurisdictional issues to change materially. The camp’s representatives noted the camp is not seeking to expand its footprint and that the long-term intent is to maintain existing operations rather than grow significantly.
Public engagement: Camp staff said the exchange has support from Fremont County officials and that the Palmer Land Conservancy is preparing the conservation easement paperwork that will be subject to public review. The camp invited commissioners to expect inquiries after the Forest Service opens its comment period.
Ending: Commissioners agreed staff should be contacted for follow-up and to begin preliminary planning steps ahead of the exchange.
