GARRETSON, S.D. (KELO) -- This is the first fall season that visitors to Palisades State Park can take advantage of a major expansion. This past spring, the park near Garretson nearly tripled in size and added dozens of new campsites. But the additional amenities aren't the only reason campers are drawn to Palisades at this time of year. Snowbirds from the Great White North have already begun their seasonal migration into South Dakota. "It wasn't our plan to become snowbirds, but I suppose that's what we are," Katherine Breeson of Parry Sound, Ontario said. Remaining mostly dry and warm We found a couple from Canada visiting Palisades State Park because camping during the fall and winter in Ontario isn't an option at this time of year. "There's a few parks that have winter spots, but you don't have any services available. It's just a place to park for the die-hard campers in the winter. So, once mid-October hits, we don't have that availability necessarily," Breeson said. The couple didn't realize Palisades has new campsites to accommodate more year-round visitors. Word-of-mouth drove them to South Dakota. "People, as you go down, they just said you gotta stay here, or see this and so, that's kind of how and why we're here," James Simmons of Parry Sound, Ontario. Palisades has more than doubled its number of campsites as part of its expansion earlier this year. "We definitely have grown. 167 acres to 435. It's been a big addition, an awesome addition and a needed addition," District Park Supervisor Luke Dreckman said. The additional camping spaces could put the park on pace for a record attendance before the year's over. "We obviously have more units than we've ever had, so I think we'll definitely have increased numbers for Palisades this year," Dreckman said. Palisades also features four new cabins that are expected to be a popular option during the winter months. "They have four beds, sleep up to five people. They have heat, electric and air-conditioning, with their own fire pit and picnic table there, so it's kind of a luxury of coming out to enjoy camping without having to have the expenses of the equipment," Dreckman said. There's still some fall landscaping work to be done here in the expanded areas of the park. Crews have just put down some fresh grass seed that should provide plenty of greenery for the camping crowds next year. Putting up Christmas decorations in October "It's so new. Give it some time. When the newly planted trees and grass take hold, then, I think you'll find it's going to be a great place to come," Simmons said. Fall is the favorite time of year for many campers who visit Palisades. "It's calmer. It's more peaceful, especially during the week. And the heat isn't as bad, so we're able to spend more time outside and just relax and enjoy the beautiful fall colors as well," Breeson said. Fall colors are reaching their peak this month, giving park visitors an eyeful of seasonal splendor amid the quartzite cliffs along Split Rock Creek. "It's been beautiful. We got some great pictures of sunsets and we've heard some amazing wildlife in the background, pheasants, and we saw a 13-lined ground squirrel for the first time, so it's been exciting," Breeson said. This is Breeson's and Simmons' first trip to South Dakota. They say all they knew about the state was Mount Rushmore. Now, they know what fall is like in Palisades State Park. "Every time we go to a new park, you get a new experience," Simmons said. Our Canadian campers were planning to head to the Badlands following their stay at Palisades. Dreckman says he expects park visitation should be even higher next year, as more word gets out about the Palisades expansion.