Black hills and glacier

TTNewbees · 01-12-2014, 08:01 PM

Looking to head back to black hills and glacier national park this summer. Looks like KOA will get our money in west glacier but deciding on the black hills stay. We have stayed at rafter j bar and liked it but thought the KOA looked good when we were there during our trip 2 years ago. Has anyone stayed at both that can offer a recommendation? Seems to be more action or things to do at koa. Thoughts, insights or experience at either welcome. Want to book this week.

Old car · 01-12-2014, 08:23 PM

We really enjoyed Grace Coolidge campground in Custer State Park. Close to everything and you might get a mountain goat or buffalo walk through your campsite.

TTNewbees · 01-12-2014, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old car

We really enjoyed Grace Coolidge campground in Custer State Park. Close to everything and you might get a mountain goat or buffalo walk through your campsite.

Thanks, no website and bad information for Allstays says only 6 sites? Is that possible?

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aspengirl · 01-12-2014, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTNewbees

Looking to head back to black hills and glacier national park this summer. Looks like KOA will get our money in west glacier but deciding on the black hills stay. We have stayed at rafter j bar and liked it but thought the KOA looked good when we were there during our trip 2 years ago. Has anyone stayed at both that can offer a recommendation? Seems to be more action or things to do at koa. Thoughts, insights or experience at either welcome. Want to book this week.

The KOA is better, if you have kids, and need activities for them. If not, it's more crowded than Rafter J Bar, and not as appealing if you are just looking for a nice campground in the out-of-doors.

Any of the Custer State Park Resort campgrounds are nice, too, but as with Rafter J Bar, there aren't "activities" for kids.

If you want to boondock, you camp anywhere in the Black Hills National Forest at no cost.

And if you're coming through Yankton, SD, the campgrounds at Lewis & Clark Lake are very nice. You can find information on the SD State Parks and Recreation Areas at SD GFP | State Parks | campsd.com.

Old car · 01-12-2014, 08:55 PM

Grace Coolidge had about 24 sites and is one of many campgrounds in the state park. The restrooms were the cleanest I have ever seen. No real activities for kids although there is a good walk/bike path that covers some ground. We parked our camper and were only there to sleep. We did other things (Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, etc.) by day. No kids, just me and the wife.

caper · 01-12-2014, 09:00 PM

Your info states 26 sites and 6 tent sites.

TTNewbees · 01-12-2014, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caper

Your info states 26 sites and 6 tent sites.

Your right, eyes get tired after looking at the all stays app for hours, thanks.

Old car · 01-12-2014, 09:04 PM

TTNewbees · 01-12-2014, 09:13 PM

Thanks, I live with glampers! I could survive a week on electric these cats can't survive a day without 20 min showers and a pool. We all like the thought of being in a place with buffalo, deer, goats roaming through. We will weigh out the options and go from there. Did like amenities and open areas of rafter j bar.

Old car · 01-12-2014, 09:28 PM

If you don't stay in the state park at least plan the time to do the wildlife loop drive. I think it's about an 18 mile loop that takes about an hour to drive and we saw huge herds of buffalo, deer, antelope. Go about 90 minutes before sundown. Seems like the ideal time. Check out the photo album on my profile.

TTNewbees · 01-12-2014, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old car

If you don't stay in the state park at least plan the time to do the wildlife loop drive. I think it's about an 18 mile loop that takes about an hour to drive and we saw huge herds of buffalo, deer, antelope. Go about 90 minutes before sundown. Seems like the ideal time. Check out the photo album on my profile.

Thanks we did do Custer loop drive 2 years ago and would plan to do again.

SaskCampers · 01-13-2014, 08:20 AM

We stayed at the KOA and I would go back there in a heartbeat. DW loved the horse back riding. Yes the sites are a bit cramped but we only realy spend the evenings at any cg we go to anyway as we camp to go sitght seeing in the area we are in and the CG is just a place to park aour tired butts at the end of the day for the most part.

bobcrowder · 01-13-2014, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old car

If you don't stay in the state park at least plan the time to do the wildlife loop drive. I think it's about an 18 mile loop that takes about an hour to drive and we saw huge herds of buffalo, deer, antelope. Go about 90 minutes before sundown. Seems like the ideal time. Check out the photo album on my profile.

Don't forget the Iron Mnt. Road, and Needles highway also. We did them all twice when we were ther last year. Check out Beaver Creek campground in Custer. It was nice.

dbarr · 01-13-2014, 09:06 AM

I would not go to glacier and not go to waterton lakes. It would be a wasted trip IMO

TTNewbees · 01-13-2014, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarr

I would not go to glacier and not go to waterton lakes. It would be a wasted trip IMO

And why is that? Is the landscape better/different than glacier/ more abundance of wildlife?

Ford Idaho · 01-13-2014, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarr

I would not go to glacier and not go to waterton lakes. It would be a wasted trip IMO

No cell/WIFI service?

dbarr · 01-13-2014, 11:47 AM

Waterton Lakes is well worth the drive up. Always have seen bear and moose up there. Them Canucks lucked out on their scenic areas. They got the best view of Niagara and the better end of the Rockies.
You'll need,at minimum, a passport card for everyone that goes.

Indymule · 01-13-2014, 11:49 AM

I can't recommend anywhere at glacier.

We have stayed several times at Big Pines Campground in Custer SD.
This is a really nice campground off the main path. They do not have a pool nor a lot of kids stuff. The campground has big sites and the cleanest restrooms I have ever seen at a campground. They also have really good rates. Check them out if your looking for a more peaceful campground.

Pipeman · 01-13-2014, 12:20 PM

We have spent a fair amount of time at Waterton. Two years ago, this summer coming, we would go on two of the trails there every day and we would see bears close up and personal. That's 13 days of doing that. We drove beside 6 big horn sheep. Had them jump off a cliff about 20 ft high right in front of us, Lots of wild life if you take your time (Drive slow). We find it better that Banff NP. Cameron Lake is just as beautiful as Lake Louise and not nearly as many people. We stayed a few miles outside the Park gate. It can get very, very windy there. There's a lot to do and see in the surrounding area. Pincher Creek is about 25-30 miles north if you want grocery stores, Walmart, etc.

lonewolf465 · 01-13-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old car

We really enjoyed Grace Coolidge campground in Custer State Park. Close to everything and you might get a mountain goat or buffalo walk through your campsite.

Not to be picky, but you won't see mountain goats around Grace Coolidge. They are bighorn sheep. There aren't many mountain goats left in the Black Hills. The best place to happen into some would be around Mount Rushmore. If looking for critters, check out the Wildlife Loop road in Custer State Park around sunrise and sunset. Should have no problem seeing buffalo. Usually you will also see antelope, deer, turkeys and sometimes elk.

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