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06-02-2014, 12:24 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Pincher Creek, AB
Posts: 809
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Headin to Mt. Rushmore this summer
Just wondering if anyone has any places to see/avoid for a trip to Mt Rushmore?
We are heading down in early July for a week and a half from SW Alberta.. Looking at the maps, we'll probably make our way past Helena, MT the first day then..??? The wife was mentioning maybe doing a loop and coming back through Cheyenne and across to Grand Teton Park and then back up...
Any info would be great!
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06-02-2014, 12:37 PM
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#2
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Save some time to visit Crazy Horse Mountain. Strictly a privately funded project that in size only, dwarfs Mt. Rushmore. Mt. Rushmore is a breathtaking, beautiful sight. Most of all, HAVE FUN!
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06-02-2014, 01:05 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 120
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I always make it a point to see Deadwood and Lead and if I have time go up North to Spearfish.
There's a nice and quiet campground right on Spearfish creek near the old fish hatchery that you can tour if you want.
I guess everyone should see the Badlands once. SD is one of my favorite places.
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06-02-2014, 01:20 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Orland Park, IL
Posts: 471
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Try to miss bike week unless that is why you are going. August 4-10. Needles Highway is great (without trailer) and the Custer State Park wildlife route is nice. I will be there at the end of June.
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06-02-2014, 01:26 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 110
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The 1880 train ride between Keystone and Hill City was nice. If your at Crazy horse stop at near by Boyd's Antiques.
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06-02-2014, 01:59 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 14
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Just got back from that area...Needles Hwy is in that area, there's a couple of tunnels too small for an RV but a real nice drive....Here's a photo I took, it was cloudy so I worked the photo some but you get the idea...
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06-02-2014, 05:55 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 13,688
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To add to the above posts I'd check out the Badlands and Wall Drug too.
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06-02-2014, 06:09 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Valley City, Utah
Posts: 551
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Visit Custer State Park. We also enjoyed visiting Wind Cave & Jewell Cave. If you are in a vehicle smaller than an RV take the highway with the tunnels that showcase Mt. Rushmore and have some fantastic pigtail bridges on it. It was a fun drive. Needles highway is a plus as well (no RV's). By the way try & take the time to see Mt. Rushmore at night under lights. Just another great way to view this landmark. When we went they had a fantastic program in the amphitheater.
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2014 Chevy Silverado
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06-02-2014, 06:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Avoid the gift shop and eat and drink your fill BEFORE you got to Mt. Rushmore.
$9.50 for a Buf burger and fries plus $2.50 for a med soda.
Plan on spending more time at Crazy Horse than you think you should because it is quiet expansive.
The Indian interpretive center alone needs quiet awhile to go thru.
Parking is $11 per person vs $11 for two adults and one child at Rushmore. (prices are what we paid, your cost may differ)
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06-02-2014, 06:45 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 172
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Rushmore was great but Crazy Horse blows it away. Must see! If you can swing it Badlands is spectacular. Beautiful area all around.
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06-02-2014, 07:12 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Southwestern Mi
Posts: 1,242
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If you're staying around Rushmore, Rushmore KOA is phenomenal! Has everything at the campgrounds that you need (many food choices, options for kids, nice camping store) Located in Hill City, facilities are top notch. At night, they have bus rides to Rushmore. They light up the monument and have veterans memorial service.....very touching. And you don't have to worry about driving to and parking there. They charge only a nominal fee. Also agree...Deadwood and lead. Also, Devils Tower a must see. Tons of great things to do in the area. If you go as far as Yellowstone, definitely stop in Cody and see Buffalo Bill museum.
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06-02-2014, 07:42 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 120
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Just a tip, if you do make it to the Badlands, if you're like me and love taking photos then go anytime other than the middle of the day because the contrast of lighting either at sun up or sun down here is amazing.
Not to mention it can get pretty warm there.
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06-02-2014, 08:03 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SE Arizona's Gila Vally
Posts: 1,505
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I have stayed at the KOA in Custer SD but there are CG's everywhere most have a theme of some sort. I did like the Custer KOA, the KOA nearer to Rushmore really looked crowded. There are a jillion tourist traps everywhere you turn so choose wisely Grasshopper.
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06-02-2014, 08:29 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,748
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5erDriver
Rushmore was great but Crazy Horse blows it away. Must see! If you can swing it Badlands is spectacular. Beautiful area all around.
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Washington, our greatest president Jefferson, principle founder Lincoln, our second greatest president and Roosevelt, which had vision for the national parks. Nah, I disagree.
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06-02-2014, 08:43 PM
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#15
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,330
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I highly recommend Rafter J Bar Ranch campground. Also if you make the trip to Yellowstone, stop in at the Erma. Wild Bills hotel in Cody,very good lunch buffet. I have to say the gift shop at mt Rushmore was not that unreasonable. But I was not hungry or thirsty. We spoke to a nice gentleman there,who was the photographer, who took the pic of the last gathering of the great Indian chiefs. Take the hike to artist observation/living quarters,..... Ah, have fun!!!!
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06-02-2014, 08:46 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: south Kansas City area
Posts: 1,298
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Check out my profile which has a photo album attached from our trip there 2 years ago. Great trip overall. Enjoy!
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06-02-2014, 08:52 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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I was there the summer after 9/11. What a mess. They had orange mesh fencing ALL THE WAY AROUND THE MOUNTAIN, and armed Nat'l Guard guys every 150 ft around the mountain. Every car was checked underneath with a mirror and bomb-sniffing dogs. All bags were searched. Took us about an hour to get through all the security. It's not like that anymore, thank goodness.
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06-02-2014, 09:24 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 172
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Still Kickin
Washington, our greatest president Jefferson, principle founder Lincoln, our second greatest president and Roosevelt, which had vision for the national parks. Nah, I disagree.
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It was not a poke at the men. Merely the monument. Rushmore is spectacular. For me Crazy Horse was and potentially will be more. Only an opinion. Nothing else intended.
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06-02-2014, 09:37 PM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,499
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Many good ones listed here. I was there this past September. I agree with needles highway, Custer start park, Wall drug, and if Yellowstone is on your route, drive the bear tooth scenic route, but make sure you have plenty of HP and braking power. Beautiful drive from Montana into Yellowstone.
Sent from my XT907 using Forest River Forums mobile app
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2018 Forester 3011 DS
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06-02-2014, 09:45 PM
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#20
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5erDriver
It was not a poke at the men. Merely the monument. Rushmore is spectacular. For me Crazy Horse was and potentially will be more. Only an opinion. Nothing else intended.
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I have to agree with 5erDriver, Mount Rushmore is a tremendous monument to the 4 presidents, but SIZEWISE only, it is dwarfed by Crazy Horse and is all privately funded vs. Rushmore was government funded. Two magnificent monuments. Here is a picture taken in 1964 with the man who started the project and his family is carrying on with his dream. Disregard the jerk in the white polo shirt.
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