Favorites near Mt Rushmore

[elchilero53]

All good suggestions. Be sure to book now or you may be out of luck finding a place to stay. July is one of the busiest times of the year in the area and everything gets books solid. We were there in 2016 right after Labor day weekend and everything was still pretty full.

Have safe and wonderful trip. There are a lot of things to do and see in the area.

[gectisme]

We stayed at the Travel Lodge MT Rushmore right in Keystone last July. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it or not recommend it. If you don't really plan on "camping", are out all day sightseeing and don't plan to spend much time hanging outside the trailer it is very convenient. Walking distance to all the tourist stuff in Keystone and very close to Mt Rushmore. The campground is very basic, no amenities other than full hookups and when everyone settles in, it is packed.

[John Dorsey]

Not sure of campground but MT Rushmore is a bit anti-climatic. Custer State Park is a must see and the licking burros are a hoot!!! An entire day of things to see. The badlands are also a must see while your there.

[johng4706]

X2 on Rafter J. Stayed there on my way to Alaska in 2015. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Escorted me to site. This was my first trip and didn't backup very well. Staff got in my SUV and in two seconds he had it backed in and in place. Beautiful campground.

Mt Rushmore is available during the daytime and has an evening show worth going to, a lazer light show. SAVE your daytime parking ticket and parking for the evening show is included.

Dinner at the Alpine Inn in Hill City is also highly recommended. Bacon wrapped filet with baked potato and salad under $15. The filet was the BEST piece of meat I had during my entire trip. Make reservations because Aline Inn is so popular. They are closed on Sundays or I would have had dinner there three nights in a row.

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by DNBINFV

We really enjoyed Beaver Lake campground. If you have kids there's a water park run by the campground.

https://www.beaverlakecampground.net/

X2 on this one ...plus you get to drive through Custer State Park on the way which is truly spectacular and comparable to most national parks. The small town of Custer is also right there for food & shopping...nice.

[BuzzWolfAR]

I spent a week at The Roost. A very small locally owned campground that was terrific. Great location, just out of Custer and very nice and quiet.

Used it as my base camp

[Fullroo233s]

I have heard a lot of people say to avoid Chicago. This coming season will be my second towing something significant (small pop-up previously) and I definitely try to keep it as stress free as possible. I hadn't thought of Sturgis "traffic" as I don't ride but we'll keep that in mind too. Thanks again.

[Wilco]

We have camped in the Black Hills three times. We recommend staying in Custer State Park at one of the campgrounds. Some campgrounds have water and electric with a dump station. Where else do you have buffalo wandering past the campground.
While you are there take the Iron Mountain highway north from Custer State Park to Mt Rushmore. Several of the tunnels on the highway frame Mt Rushmore in the distance. Return to the park via the Needles Highway.
If you are pulling a trailer or a toad (or better yet, a motorcycle), I would stay an extra day in the Black Hills and do Devil's Tower as a day trip.

[Kayak]

Wind Cave national park or Custer State park are both nice

[67L48]

Good info for you in This Thread.

Good luck.

[grumpy0374]

Originally Posted by Fullroo233s

These are all great. Thanks so much. Devils Tower may be another stop on same trip

If you do decide to go to Devils Tower and stay overnight or an extra day, be aware that it is off the "beaten path", and aside from the Tower, not alot to do. Across street from the KOA is a large gift shop with and ice cream and grill bar. Good stuff. Nick nacks, t shirts, but alot of nice area made gifts.
Take a 30 minute drive to the town of Hulett, north of the tower. A one stoplight village, nothing to see, but you will find the best home made fresh deli samwiches and subs ever at the R Deli. Best you'll find anywhere. A little hole in the wall restraunt that if you blink, you'll miss it.
Also, at the KOA, no cable, and no local OTA stations, so bring some dvd's and books.
Very spotty cell and wi-fi is non existant.
But, the tower is a sight and well worth the two nights and day we were there. It is just one of those things that you have to see. I wouldn't do it as a day trip as from the Mt Rushmore area it's about 2 1/2 hours there and then back. And, you'll spend at least 2-4 hours walking around the tower itself. Views and pic opertunities every 50 feet. Every day, weather permitting, you'll see climbers scaleing the tower, almost from every side.
As far as Sturgis, plan your trip at least 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after. Every campground in the entire area will be full, and some of those campgrounds will double their rates. Bikers will be in the area at least 1-2 weeks before the rally and a week after. Traffic will be backed up and congested in every small town and visitor sights like Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer Park and Needles.
Grumpy

[John48]

Ditto on Rafter J Bar Ranch, central to all area sites. Rushmore is great, trails through the area and do lunch with George Washington and his gang looking over your shoulder. Try to make the night show also, fantastic, especially for veterans.

[Hutch333id]

We stayed at Elkhorn Ridge RV resort in July (18 - 22) this year and it was only about a third occupied. It is about a 30 - 40 minute drive to Mt Rushmore which you need to visit twice. Once in daylight, once in the dark when it is lit up. Your parking fee is valid for a year and as many return trips as you can manage. Deadwood is only a short drive away as is Spearfish for grocery shopping. The Devils Tower is about 45 minutes the other way from this location. Each site is paved and has three sewer drops with 50/30 amp power available, cable tv if you need it and a very good outdoor pool. I guess the only downside is that it is very exposed and not enclosed by trees. On the journey to the area you will be confronted by dozens, if not hundreds of signs for a place called Wall. Worth a stop if only for the touristy factor - and the best doughnuts I have ever tasted.

Like others have said, avoid Chicago. We drove across IL and stayed for a few nights in the Quad Cities at the COE campground there. Very good sites for $20 a night.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Last year the wife and I took an "Open Top" van tour of Rushmore, Custer, Needles, the Pig Tails and Crazy Horse. It was us and a nice couple from Canada. We spent most of the ride standing up in the van with our heads sticking out the roof. I've always been the driver on those trips so never really got to site see as much.

[JohnF]

Originally Posted by F.R.O.G.

We stayed at Rafter J Bar when we did a FROG trip to the Black Hills and were very happy with it. Cindy and I have also stayed at Custer Gulch, where Custer's army camped on an expedition to search for gold in the Black Hills (before it had hookups) and it worked well for us. It's located between the town of Custer and Custer State Park. There are several excellent campgrounds located inside Custer State Park as well.

For a great dinner, check out the bacon-wrapped filet at the Alpine Inn at Hill City.

X2 on Custers Gulch Home. And if you like breakfast walk down the hill as there is a fine restaurant near the entrance that serves huge portions. The restaurant is called The 7th Calvary Cafe.

[Electra glide]

I've stayed at Rafter J Bar and Horsethief campground. I prefer Horsethief which is right on Needles Highway up the road from Rafter J.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by johng4706

X2 on Rafter J. Stayed there on my way to Alaska in 2015. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Escorted me to site. This was my first trip and didn't backup very well. Staff got in my SUV and in two seconds he had it backed in and in place. Beautiful campground.

Mt Rushmore is available during the daytime and has an evening show worth going to, a lazer light show. SAVE your daytime parking ticket and parking for the evening show is included.

Dinner at the Alpine Inn in Hill City is also highly recommended. Bacon wrapped filet with baked potato and salad under $15. The filet was the BEST piece of meat I had during my entire trip. Make reservations because Aline Inn is so popular. They are closed on Sundays or I would have had dinner there three nights in a row.

Our experience at the Alpine Inn was,Dinner doors to dining area Only Open at 5.00 PM not a minute sooner! No Reservations,Bar room and Sidewalk to the Inn,Packed! Great Food,worth the wait,Cash or Check Only! Large Groups can get Reservations! Youroo!!

[John Dorsey]

Most of us have ignored the question about Chicago. Coming from Syracuse I see no easy way around Chicago. Take one or mor of the 3 number interstates you can. I have gone through Chicago numerous times with just my dually and 90 straight through is a nightmare. Take plenty of cash there is no avoiding tolls and they are hefty. I pay about $1.25 more per toll just in a dually. I'd say hit it on a Saturday at 3 am but there will still be traffic.

[LaddDez]

Originally Posted by Restcure

+1 on Rafter J-Bar Ranch. We stayed there in 2010 on our way home from a trip west. We were impressed by the campground, especially the wide open spaces.

Thanks so much. So glad we made our res for RafterJ this upcoming June !!

[timfromma]

I took I90 directly through Chicago as we made our way out west last summer. There was tons of traffic and it took us forever but I didn't find it all that difficult. Just stay to the right whenever possible.