Hill City SD to Devils Tower, WY

Marv Hoag wrote:

dewey02 wrote:
Agree on Belle Fourche Campground. It is within the boundary of the Monument and is extremely well kept. Many other National Park Campgrounds leave a lot to be desired, but this one is nice, good spacing between sites, shade, nice pea-gravel pull throughs, and a very cheap price. Most people don't stay at Devil's Tower more than a few days as it is a small park/monument. So most folks can do without hookups for that amount of time.

Probably stay at KOA. Coming in on a Saturday afternoon in August with another couple. Leaving the next morning, need a place that has reservations. Pretty sure Belle Fourche CG is first come. If it wasn't I'd give it a shot.

We were there in June one year without reservations, we were one of only 4 campers in the whole campground. Powderman , we hiked from where your rig is parked in that photo, up to the Tower. (We didn't know there is a road up to the tower). :S

BTW, the movie "Close Encounters of the third kind" (1977) was filmed or dubbed, in part, on top of Devil's Tower.

Marv Hoag wrote:
Will be at Rafter J Bar RV. Looking for best route to Devils Tower. Don't trust the GPS on this one. 40' Motorhome.

I stayed at Rafter J Bar a couple of years ago. I really loved the park and hope to make it back.

I've stayed at both the KOA & the Belle Fourche River Campground in the park. Depending on your site, the view from either can be great. While there is the advantage of hookups at the KOA, I prefer the in park campground.

For a real treat, drive up West Road (a gravel road on the left on the way up to the Visitor Center) to the Joyner Ridge Trailhead at night.

Site B17, Belle Fourche Campground:


Site 24, KOA:


Nighttime View from Joyner Ridge Trailhead:

Marv Hoag wrote:

dewey02 wrote:
Agree on Belle Fourche Campground. It is within the boundary of the Monument and is extremely well kept. Many other National Park Campgrounds leave a lot to be desired, but this one is nice, good spacing between sites, shade, nice pea-gravel pull throughs, and a very cheap price. Most people don't stay at Devil's Tower more than a few days as it is a small park/monument. So most folks can do without hookups for that amount of time.

Probably stay at KOA. Coming in on a Saturday afternoon in August with another couple. Leaving the next morning, need a place that has reservations. Pretty sure Belle Fourche CG is first come. If it wasn't I'd give it a shot.

Sounds like a good plan. That is a nice KOA too. Just one warning: Avoid their coffee. The wife and I stopped in to get a cup of morning coffee on the way out of the park. We didn't take a sip until we were already down the road. One sip each was all we could handle. Absolute worst coffee we ever tasted. :(

dewey02 wrote:
Agree on Belle Fourche Campground. It is within the boundary of the Monument and is extremely well kept. Many other National Park Campgrounds leave a lot to be desired, but this one is nice, good spacing between sites, shade, nice pea-gravel pull throughs, and a very cheap price. Most people don't stay at Devil's Tower more than a few days as it is a small park/monument. So most folks can do without hookups for that amount of time.

Probably stay at KOA. Coming in on a Saturday afternoon in August with another couple. Leaving the next morning, need a place that has reservations. Pretty sure Belle Fourche CG is first come. If it wasn't I'd give it a shot.

Agree on Belle Fourche Campground. It is within the boundary of the Monument and is extremely well kept. Many other National Park Campgrounds leave a lot to be desired, but this one is nice, good spacing between sites, shade, nice pea-gravel pull throughs, and a very cheap price. Most people don't stay at Devil's Tower more than a few days as it is a small park/monument. So most folks can do without hookups for that amount of time.

X2 on Belle Fourche River Campground. It's one of our favorite campgrounds. No hookups, but it's shady, quiet, cheap and beautiful. Each site has a picnic table and charcoal/wood grill, and most, if not all, are large enough for your coach. I'm thinking they're all pull-throughs.

I really enjoyed the views at the Belle Fource River campground. Only $6 a night with a geezer card. My profile photo was taken there. I dont think you can stay any closer.

GoPackGo wrote:
Actually there is. Devil's Tower View Campground is a few miles from Devil's Tower. No frills. Pull thrus with water and electric only but close to the highway. Nice restaurant on site. Probably a better view then from the KOA. Backs up to a beautiful canyon. I preferred staying there.

I have to agree with the view. There is such a thing as being too close. When I was there, it was KOA or nothing.