Camping our way to Mount Rushmore and home

[RVChick]

Originally Posted by Hybrid 233T

Wow!! Looks dangerous! Do you drive or hike it?

You would drive it. Most I have been on, don't really offer trails to walk. Since they take u up and own mountains, they are often steep and are 2 lane roads. Large trucks are often warned to take a diff route because they can't come around those curves without taking up the entire road, which makes it very dangerous for any oncoming traffic. We rode Harley's on several switchbacks and they are both scary and thrilling......did I mention scary?

[thunderalley3]

I have been blessed to have spent many months (during the summer) in the black hills and surrounding areas. A few things to remember,,
1) The Sturgis Black Hills Motorcycle Rally, it is scheduled for 10 days usually, but you can count on 1 week prior and 1 week after the "official" start and end dates there are motorcycles and motorcyclists everywhere. Makes places to stay and travel in most scenic areas a bit difficult. I will be there adding to the congestion!!! Official dates this year Aug 5-11.
2) Rattlesnakes are rather common in the area
3) There have been many years of drought, wild fires etc over the past few years, plan accordingly, there are often fire bans etc.
4) Take a day and go to Wyoming, Sundance, famous for the Sundance kid, devils tower etc,,all less than 100 miles away
5) Prepare for all kinds of weather. I have seen 100 degrees at noon, hail at 5 and winds of 50 mph all on the same day.
6) ENJOY and think about how the pioneers ever traveled across that area , I am glad it wasn't me trying to get that wagon over that hill.

[EJM4]

How big of a coach can fit in Custer State Park?

[4kmprs]

Originally Posted by thunderalley3

I have been blessed to have spent many months (during the summer) in the black hills and surrounding areas. A few things to remember,,
1) The Sturgis Black Hills Motorcycle Rally, it is scheduled for 10 days usually, but you can count on 1 week prior and 1 week after the "official" start and end dates there are motorcycles and motorcyclists everywhere. Makes places to stay and travel in most scenic areas a bit difficult. I will be there adding to the congestion!!! Official dates this year Aug 5-11.
2) Rattlesnakes are rather common in the area
3) There have been many years of drought, wild fires etc over the past few years, plan accordingly, there are often fire bans etc.
4) Take a day and go to Wyoming, Sundance, famous for the Sundance kid, devils tower etc,,all less than 100 miles away
5) Prepare for all kinds of weather. I have seen 100 degrees at noon, hail at 5 and winds of 50 mph all on the same day.
6) ENJOY and think about how the pioneers ever traveled across that area , I am glad it wasn't me trying to get that wagon over that hill.

qq

[recon33alpha]

Originally Posted by Rolling buckeye

Hy! Hybrid, We will also be in that area in June,12-16 I think. I've been looking at campgrounds in the area,and think,from pics on web,I like horse thief cc. We have not been to Rushmore area,but are also excited,and realizing how quickly it will be time to load m up and head out!
I'll be watching you're thread for ideas also.
Happy camping!

We will be in Custer koa june 11-17, looking forward to the trip

[recon33alpha]

Originally Posted by Hybrid 233T

Oh, this is the KOA I contacted. It is very nice but expensive at $75.00 a night for a 24' camper with electric, sewer, cable, water etc. For the wife it's not a bad deal.

My reservation has $46.97 a night on it for Rushmore koa. Back in, full hook ups, wifi

[Rolling buckeye]

Originally Posted by recon33alpha

We will be in Custer koa june 11-17, looking forward to the trip

Cool! Going to make res. tomorrow,for this leg of our journey,I'll look at the koa, if there is still room,we may be there.
I've been looking at horse thief cg,and now the one mentioned in this thread, think its j bar ranch. Guess I've gotta get off the fence!
That is good price!

[Hybrid 233T]

Thanks for the info!

[vasnipe]

Enjoy the trip to Mount Rushmore!
We took our children there many moons ago and had a great time.
One of the stops we made was The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, S.D.
Welcome to The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota
Combines archaeology and the kids' love of digging things up!

[F.R.O.G.]

On the way to the Black Hills, take time to drive through Badlands National Park. There is a NPS campground by the Visitor Center about halfway through the park, and a private campground about 1/2 mile to the south, just outside of the park boundaries.

The kids will get a kick out of Wall Drug, on I-90 at the west end of the Badlands, and possibly the Corn Palace and related schlocky places in Mitchell.

Everything that you've been told about Custer State Park is true, but still doesn't begin to do justice to the place. We were there for the annual buffalo roundup about six years ago in October. It's quite a spectacle. One evening we had to sit on the road while what I would estimate to be 150 buffalo crossed the road ahead of us.

[Hybrid 233T]

Hi F.R.O.G,

Thanks for the info on the Badlands National Park. I have seen a lot about the park on the nature channel. To my understanding it can be both beautiful and dangerous. I'm sure in June the park will live up to its name "HOT"!! Still looking forward to the trip.

[Hybrid 233T]

Mammoth sit has just been added to the agenda! Place looks great.....thanks for the info.

[Hybrid 233T]

Hey Rolling Buckeye, we will also been in the SD area around that time. Don't know if I mentioned, I was born an raised in Ohio. Graduated from Kent State U and drank a lot beer at OSU! I love Columbus Oh. I have a lot good memories from area...at least the ones I can remember. Some nights it was too much beer. :0)

[Hybrid 233T]

Originally Posted by EJM4

How big of a coach can fit in Custer State Park?

Not sure....my camper is 25' long. I was told it would be no problem. I suggest you contact the park for more information. Good luck!

[Hybrid 233T]

Originally Posted by recon33alpha

My reservation has $46.97 a night on it for Rushmore koa. Back in, full hook ups, wifi

Wow, good price. How big is your trailer?

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by Hybrid 233T

Hi F.R.O.G,

Thanks for the info on the Badlands National Park. I have seen a lot about the park on the nature channel. To my understanding it can be both beautiful and dangerous. I'm sure in June the park will live up to its name "HOT"!! Still looking forward to the trip.

Maybe yes maybe no.
We were there in late June of 2005 and had a wonderful day.
Very low humidity and temps in the low 80s.

Badlands NP can be done pretty well in one full day.
I don't recommend spending the night there but that's totally your call.
Here is a little teaser video for ya.

[4kmprs]

We saw a lot in a single day at the badlands. Very hot but well worth the sweat. We didn't venture far on foot. We stayed to well marked trailers and short loops/paths as our time was limited.

[Hybrid 233T]

Originally Posted by 4kmprs

We saw a lot in a single day at the badlands. Very hot but well worth the sweat. We didn't venture far on foot. We stayed to well marked trailers and short loops/paths as our time was limited.

Sounds like it was hot but still worth it for you. I think I will brush up on some Badlands history before we go! Maybe impress the wife! Ha ha.

[RVChick]

Originally Posted by Hybrid 233T

Sounds like it was hot but still worth it for you. I think I will brush up on some Badlands history before we go! Maybe impress the wife! Ha ha.

The badlands looks like you are on a another planet! Nothing like them!!

[Hybrid 233T]

Originally Posted by RVChick

The badlands looks like you are on a another planet! Nothing like them!!

Very true! Looks kinda like plant mars. This is what my son thinks. He's a mini young comedian! Thinks everything is funny. :0)