Our two options to visit Custer SP and the Badlands next year are the third week of June or the end of August. Is there any difference or advantage or disadvantage with either time frame? Thanks

I would suggest August, the Buffalo and Elk (?) will be at the peak of the breeding season. It is surprising how loud they are. Plus the trees should be in full color. Check to see when the Surges motorcycle rally is. 500,000 motorcycle in the area can be a problem. This photo was from the North part of the Roosevelt NP. Notice the date at the bottom of the photo

TenOC wrote:I would suggest August, the Buffalo and Elk (?) will be at the peak of the breeding season. It is surprising how loud they are. Plus the trees should be in full color. Check to see when the Surges motorcycle rally is. 500,000 motorcycle in the area can be a problem.We'd be a week and half after sturgis ends. Didn't know about the elk. Thanks

Avoid The Sturgis rally at ALL costs, plus the week before and after. Your timing should be good.

michigansandzilla wrote:TenOC wrote:I would suggest August, the Buffalo and Elk (?) will be at the peak of the breeding season. It is surprising how loud they are. Plus the trees should be in full color. Check to see when the Surges motorcycle rally is. 500,000 motorcycle in the area can be a problem.We'd be a week and half after sturgis ends. Didn't know about the elk. ThanksDidn't know about the elk.August is too early for elk rutting. It's in late September/early October. Info On Elk RuttingThat said, it's likely to be rather warm in the Badlands either time, presumably hotter in August than in June, simply because August is generally a hotter month anyway. Custer can also get warm, but it's been very pleasant in June the times that I've been there that month.

If it were me I wouldn't hesitate to go in June rather than August. August is usually very hot while June is very pleasant. No comparison. Late August will be a bit cooler but still can be very hot and humid. Late June can be getting pretty warm but is almost sure to be much nicer than late August.

Badlands & Custer SP. Difference in June vs August?

michigansandzil
Explorer
Oct 07, 2015
TenOC wrote:
I would suggest August, the Buffalo and Elk (?) will be at the peak of the breeding season. It is surprising how loud they are. Plus the trees should be in full color.

Check to see when the Surges motorcycle rally is. 500,000 motorcycle in the area can be a problem.

We'd be a week and half after sturgis ends.
Didn't know about the elk. Thanks
TenOC
Nomad
Oct 07, 2015
I would suggest August, the Buffalo and Elk (?) will be at the peak of the breeding season. It is surprising how loud they are. Plus the trees should be in full color.

Check to see when the Surges motorcycle rally is. 500,000 motorcycle in the area can be a problem.

This photo was from the North part of the Roosevelt NP. Notice the date at the bottom of the photo

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Badlands & Custer SP. Difference in June vs August?

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