South Dakota's Black Hills

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

As far as "how much time?" .... I suspect you could spend a couple of months heading out on various trips from an arbitrary point in the Rapid City area. (yes there are also things to do in town ..... ). A typical recommendation is a week. The gotcha is that there are a lot of other things a few days drive this way or that. Do you spend a month at Custer SP and not go to Yellowstone / Glacier / Grand Teton / Banif / Jasper / Rock Mountain / Theodore Rosevelt / ....?

Bob

We both work, so time is not unlimited. Can't see it all.

We stayed at the lodge in Grand Teton two years ago, and did a day trip to Yellowstone (where we had been before), so don't need to do that again right away.

Theodore Roosevelt is a place I've wanted to see. I'll check that out as a side trip.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by winfahl

Wall Drug is a must for lunch or dinner, get the hot beef sandwich with extra gravy; best hot beef commercial sandwich anywhere.
Dinosaur park in rapid city, cosmos, badlands are a must. We stayed at a campground in Interior inside the badlands.

The Badlands will be part of this trip.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Shaker1011

The following route to Mt. Rushmore through Custer State Park is spectacular: Take Sylvan Lake Road out of Custer to Sylvan Lake; turn right on Needles Hwy; turn left at Hwy 16 which will take you down through the park; turn left on Iron Mountain Rd. Hope you enjoy the views as much as I did!

Forgot to mention that this route is not recommended for RVs.

I saw that one route through Custer State Park takes you through a very narrow tunnel (too narrow for an Airstream).

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Cobalt

You must stay in the Badlands, numerous campsites including state. I stayed this spring, think I got there And Left before the big snow above came through (15 May). Absolutely beautiful, looked out over antelope grazing. If you fish, you cannot get to all the lakes and streams in a week, great fishing. I stayed at the Roosters Roost outside of Custer City, about 30m south of a Mt Rushmore.

Big snow in May! That's crazy, from my Southern perspective.

I have a new flyrod I could try out up there ...

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Tschupp

We missed Wind Cave due to elevator breakdown but would have seen if available.

I see that Wind Cave National Park is nearby. I had not heard of this park before. Going to read up on that one.

[youngpeck]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

I see that Wind Cave National Park is nearby. I had not heard of this park before. Going to read up on that one.

Don't let Wind Cave's elevator problems dissuade you from visiting. You can combine a wildlife viewing (many times up close and very personal) by doing the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, then at its bottom, or southern, corner, hopping on County Road 6 which will take you into the eastern side of Wind Cave N.P. Good maps available online from the NPS and Custer Park. Bison abound in these areas. If it fits into your schedule, the Bison roundup in Custer S.P. Sept. 26-28 is very cool to see: https://gfp.sd.gov/buffalo-roundup/

[rolitsky]

Just got back from that trip but cane down through Glacier National Park...I know it’s a drive but so worth it!!

[TJ traveler]

HWY 24 to Devil’s Tower goes through two cowboy towns. Aladdin has a wonderful small cafe and a store with meats direct from the ranch. My family chanced upon Hewitt’s small town parade while we were visiting an antique shop. Rodeos held in the area are a fun adventure. We also happened upon a cattle drive along HWY 24. True Western experiences.

[kkdesigns]

Go check out the wall at the Badlands if you are into Boondocking for a night or 2. Very easy to get in and out. It has the most spectacular views and at dusk you can hear the coyotes howling to each other. It was awesome.

check out our link on RVHive.com

http://www.rvhive.com/boondocking-on...national-park/

[captainkirk]

This isn't a place to se but it's the best place to eat...

In Hill City there is the Alpine Inn and they serve the best steak dinner I have ever had the 9oz Fillet bacon wrapped dinner including salad and baked potato and Texas toast was $13.99. They only have three dinners to choose from but the only one to get is the 9oz. Steak.
They had 24 deserts to choose from.

This steak you can cut with a spoon...no lie they come in from Kansas....I normally don't buy steak dinners on the off chance that it's going to have fat in it, but we ate there three times in a week and I would have eaten there every night if I had known when we arrived.

It's that good I would fly in from Virginia just to eat there

Do not miss it

[SnooMc]

Thanks for this thread! We are going to spend the whole month of September near Rapid City, so this is all valuable advice. I've been to the area a few times years ago, but my husband hasn't. (Someone mentioned the Corn Palace in Mitchell...it is one of those places where you can say, "Yep, I've even been there," which is fun. But I don't recommend making a special trip.)

[Jim Pona]

The Crazy Horse monument is astonishing in it’s size, IMHO. It’s privately funded so it is taking a long time to complete. Others have reported much of the form can already be seen now; and it’s scale dwarfs Mount Rushmore. Enjoy your adventure!

[Moody]

We were there 25 years ago and folks were saying the same thing. Has there been any progress at all in rear time?

[dolson]

If you go to the Little Bighorn Battlefield also stop by the Bighorn County Museum in Hardin, MT. A real “diamond in the rough”. Amazing buildings an vehicles.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Jim Pona

The Crazy Horse monument is astonishing in it’s size, IMHO. It’s privately funded so it is taking a long time to complete. Others have reported much of the form can already be seen now; and it’s scale dwarfs Mount Rushmore. Enjoy your adventure!

Bigger than Mount Rushmore ... that's something I've got to see.

Thanks for the reminder. I had forgotten all about that mountain-art project.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by dolson

If you go to the Little Bighorn Battlefield also stop by the Bighorn County Museum in Hardin, MT. A real “diamond in the rough”. Amazing buildings an vehicles.

Vehicles ... what kind?

[brundom]

Regarding the Corn Palace... "yep, I been there, it's fun, but I wouldn't make a speacial trip." This sums it up!

[CruizinDux]

Likeky staying in sheridan or buffalo, then on to the koa at mt rushmore.

Google gives directions via hwy 16 > 385 vs i90 > hwy 14 > 244 or maybe Hwy 85 > 385

Any preferences?
Thx
B

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by CruizinDux

Likeky staying in sheridan or buffalo, then on to the koa at mt rushmore.

Google gives directions via hwy 16 > 385 vs i90 > hwy 14 > 244 or maybe Hwy 85 > 385

Any preferences?
Thx
B

If you are on 16 then Buffalo is what you are after. Sheridan would be a bit out of your way. Based on the signs, the folks in Buffalo *really* think that 16 is the right way to go. If I recall their claims about route 16:

1) Shortest route to Yellowstone
2) Least grade route to Yellowstone
3) Fastest route to Yellowstone
4) Most scenic route to Yellowstone
5) Cures baldness ....

I'm sure there were a few more billboards that I missed .....

Bob

[paiceman]

If you enjoy history and historic places stop by the DC Booth National Historic Fish Hatchery in Spear Fish, SD. Right next door is the Spear Fish Community Campground, wonderful place especially the six sites along the Spearfish Creek. I volunteered at the hatchery for a summer and they provided a campsite on the river, which the city donates to the Hatchery for volunteers.

There are guided tours, make sure you visit the Fish Rail Car, which is where I volunteered. It's still an active, small hatchery providing Brown and Rainbow trout to Indian Reservations and Ellsworth AFB.

It's one of our favorite areas and places and we've traveled all over.