Favorites near Mt Rushmore

[grumpy0374]

These are 2 pics of our and our friends spots at Rafter J Bar this year. We were on our way across USA and up into Canada and Alaska.
You can see how large the spots were, and we were next to each other.
Grumpy

[grumpy0374]

These are some pics from Devils Tower KOA, from our 2016 trip. From under our awning we had perfect view of the tower.
Grumpy

[tbarb]

I heard on the local news this morning that the Custer Park Fire has now become the largest in State history. Yesterday they said it encompassed 73 square miles. Several of the campgrounds mentioned in this thread have been impacted by the fire. The fire is only 10% contained and they are hoping the wind goes down some as it has been fueling the fire. Just a FYI that after the dust settles to revaluate the situation in this area. Very Sad Deal.

[67L48]

The Legion Lake Fire, as it's called, is pretty bad. Here's a map of the fire location (with the approximate fire perimeter in red):



The main problem is that CSP opens for reservations 12 months in advance. Even now, if you haven't already booked, you're probably not staying in CSP in 2018. So, waiting for the dust to settle might be prudent, but you'll have to get lucky at that point to stay there.

Anyway, it's worth taking a look at the map and following the story, if you have plans to stay in CSP.

Good Luck.

[johng4706]

Originally Posted by 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.

I used to live in Chicago prior to retiring down here to Myrtle Beach five years ago. I've been back and through Chicago several times, with and w/o my TT. I have generally stayed in either the right or number 2 lane and try to get through there during non-rush hour times or on weekends.

Another suggestion is to get an electronic car pass to pay the tolls. I still have my I-Pass with automatic money renewal for minimum amount. Several reasons to have the I-Pass:

1. Tolls in Illinois were 50% when you used the I-Pass vs cash.
2. The I-Pass works on other systems: Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania toll roads, bridge crossings, etc.
3. Much faster and safer than some cash lines.
4. In Illinois, with the I-Pass, there is no price difference with or without pulling a TT.
5. I've also noticed that there are some areas (around Washington DC area) that are 100% automated. No attendents or cash machines.

[timfromma]

Massachusetts is 100% cashless. Its either EZ pass or they take a photo of your license plate and bill you.

[Fullroo233s]

I'm not getting notifications so I apologize for note responding for so long. Google maps showed a route south of Chicago that only added about 1½-2 hours. We already planned to bang out two 12 hour days of driving anyway, so a couple more hours isn't horrible. We use the EZ PASS also. I always presumed that it was accepted nationwide... True? Definitely lots of info here to consider. Thanks again

[keith_h]

If you aren't looking for a resort type campground we like Bluebell campground inside Custer State Park. We had an electric only site. It as the others were good sized and spread out. There is not dump station but there are two easy to get to on the way out through the park.

As far as Chicago campgrounds go we stay at the KOA in Union, Il. when we go back to visit family. It is easy to get to off of I-90 and the facilities are in clean and in good condition. If you like trains the Illinois Transportation Museum is a 5-10 minute drive away.

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by Fullroo233s

We use the EZ PASS also. I always presumed that it was accepted nationwide... True?

Not true...here's the EZpass network presently:
https://www.ezpassritba.com/StaticCo...ame=Facilities

[Vansteenburg]

EZ Pass is not nationwide, only states with an agreement with ez pass, luckily Illionois has that agreement. EZ Pass has a map showing all the states with agreements.
Theres no tolls west of Illinois anyway going to Mt Rushmore. Get out to west coast, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas then theres tolls.

[Fullroo233s]

As far as Chicago campgrounds go we stay at the KOA in Union, Il. when we go back to visit family. It is easy to get to off of I-90 and the facilities are in clean and in good condition. If you like trains the Illinois Transportation Museum is a 5-10 minute drive away.[/QUOTE]

We're literally going to crash one night and get back on the road so all I really need is a spot. Walmart in a decent neighborhood will fit the bill

[Fullroo233s]

Shows how often I leave the Northeast. Thanks for that link camaraderie

[John Dorsey]

Originally Posted by Fullroo233s

I'm not getting notifications so I apologize for note responding for so long. Google maps showed a route south of Chicago that only added about 1½-2 hours. We already planned to bang out two 12 hour days of driving anyway, so a couple more hours isn't horrible. We use the EZ PASS also. I always presumed that it was accepted nationwide... True? Definitely lots of info here to consider. Thanks again

Not wanting to be a negative nelly but that's a lot of driving. Times with trailers are longer and driver fatigue is much higher. I've driven a motorhome with toad, Ohio to Florida, Ohio to VA (mountains at 35 are exhausting), Ohio to Kansas. Pulled the 5th wheel Ohio to Kansas. Kansas to Wisconsin. You get the picture. The two things I have learned: 1. I never get as far as I intended. 2. If I push too hard the first day, the second day I start tired and go downhill. The important thing is enjoy the ride and get their safe. Oh and skip trying to go the 80 mph speed you'll see in SD.

[Fullroo233s]

Originally Posted by John Dorsey

Not wanting to be a negative nelly but that's a lot of driving. Times with trailers are longer and driver fatigue is much higher. I've driven a motorhome with toad, Ohio to Florida, Ohio to VA (mountains at 35 are exhausting), Ohio to Kansas. Pulled the 5th wheel Ohio to Kansas. Kansas to Wisconsin. You get the picture. The two things I have learned: 1. I never get as far as I intended. 2. If I push too hard the first day, the second day I start tired and go downhill. The important thing is enjoy the ride and get their safe. Oh and skip trying to go the 80 mph speed you'll see in SD.

Noted.... I'm hoping to get Mrs. to drive some too. You're right though, we'll get there when we get there.

[grumpy0374]

Originally Posted by John Dorsey

Not wanting to be a negative nelly but that's a lot of driving. Times with trailers are longer and driver fatigue is much higher. I've driven a motorhome with toad, Ohio to Florida, Ohio to VA (mountains at 35 are exhausting), Ohio to Kansas. Pulled the 5th wheel Ohio to Kansas. Kansas to Wisconsin. You get the picture. The two things I have learned: 1. I never get as far as I intended. 2. If I push too hard the first day, the second day I start tired and go downhill. The important thing is enjoy the ride and get their safe. Oh and skip trying to go the 80 mph speed you'll see in SD.

You'll see 75 and 80 mph speed limits on the interstates in SD, ND, and Wy. But maybe only 20% of vehicles come anywhere near that limit. You'll find most run at about 65 mph.
It was a bit strange, but the vehicles we saw running 75-80 were trucks towing rv trailers. We had many run past us (we were at 65 mph) like we were standing still. Just imagine what would happen if one of the tires had let go.
Grumpy

[timfromma]

I can cover 700 miles a day while towing. Due to a limited vacation window, I have to drive as far as I can to maximize the amount of time I can spend at my destination.

[keith_h]

We took a trip from NC to Yellowstone/Bozeman this past May. Due to time constraints with my wife's vacation time we went for longer drives. These averaged out to be about 500 miles per day, over 10-12 hours of driving. We only stopped once or twice each day for gas (36 gal tank) and ate lunch in the truck. It still took us 5 days of driving each way. On the way out it was very tiring as we drove it straight through. By the time we got to Yellowstone I just wanted to sleep. On the slightly longer return trip it wasn't as bad as we stopped to see the Black Hills attractions and in Chicago to see family. I just can't wait until the DW retires so we don't have to try to fit vacations to some work schedule and can go at a more reasonable pace of 5-6 hours on the road.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by keith_h

We took a trip from NC to Yellowstone/Bozeman this past May. Due to time constraints with my wife's vacation time we went for longer drives. These averaged out to be about 500 miles per day, over 10-12 hours of driving. We only stopped once or twice each day for gas (36 gal tank) and ate lunch in the truck. It still took us 5 days of driving each way. On the way out it was very tiring as we drove it straight through. By the time we got to Yellowstone I just wanted to sleep. On the slightly longer return trip it wasn't as bad as we stopped to see the Black Hills attractions and in Chicago to see family. I just can't wait until the DW retires so we don't have to try to fit vacations to some work schedule and can go at a more reasonable pace of 5-6 hours on the road.

We did MA to Yellowstone in 3 1/2 days this past summer.

[fil564]

Rafter J is an excellent place to stay, that is where we were this past summer and on our way out we overnighted in the Flying J in Beloit, IL and Cabela's in Mitchell, SD.

[Gohawks]

Stay on interstate 80 south of Chicago. Starved rock state park is about 40 miles west of Joliet. Ottawa Walmart parking lot (just off interstate)is safe. Try to avoid stretch on 80 between Indiana border and Joliet during rush hour. Then head North through Cedar Rapids Iowa.

We stayed at palmer gulch koa. Pricey, small sites but great location.