yahoo travel did a recent article on the 5 worst National Parks. Badlands, and Wind Cave were both on the list. As we are planning a trip to S. Dakota in June/July, I was wondering if any of you agree, or disagree? Are they worth our time? We were for sure going to give the Badlands a visit. Wind Cave not so much. We have 5 nights reserved in the game Lodge CG in Custer SP. Opinions please. Thanks,

Went to both last summer with our three youngest grands. We stayed 4 days in Custer, and did the park and the caves in the area and moved on to Wall and did the Badlands. The park is great for younger children that aren't quite ready for Yellowstone. They like the caves, and the Badlands were a bit different although I don't think their favorite part. The buffalo in Custer seemed to be the highlight for the boys, and Rushmore for the girl. All in all it was a good area for their ages. We have been there many times , the year before with the teenaged grands. The little ones horsebacked rided at Blue Bell. I don't know about staying in the park as we stayed in Custer. I think it is a busy area, we went in June and there were quite a few people there. We always try to go right after the kids are out of school to beat the crowds.

I love stopping at the Badlands. It's not that big, and therefore limited in variety of "things to do", but bad?? No way! Not a destination park, but definitely a layover location.Can't speak to Wind Cave - been to Black Hills too many times years ago, so tend to skip the whole area these days in favor of further west locations.

Badlands are Good. You can spend a day there or drive through in about an hour.If you are in the area, it's on the must do list.Brian

We spent a week at the Badlands KOA just outside the park a few years ago and had a good time. We are day hikers tho so we get out of the truck and explore the park. It's not one of the greatest parks but we had a good time. The Rangers were friendly and helpful. So I don't get the bad part. Maybe they were talking about the CG which really is awful. WE stayed there once maybe ten or twelve years ago. It is a bare patch of dirt and gets really hot during the summer. That's why we used the KOA last time we stayed there. We didn't do Wind Caverns that year but we have in the past and I don't recall any problems with it. It isn't Carlsbad but we had a good time there too.

We spent about a month in South Dakota this spring. Loved Custer State Park. Sat in the middle of a herd of about 200 buffalo on a dirt road for 30 minutes while the buffalo grazed past our vehicle. Amazing. Herds of Big Horn sheep grazed right past our RV at Game Lodge Camp Ground. Would go back to Custer State Park before going back to Yellowstone.Enjoyed the Badlands too, hundreds of prairie dogs and the rock formations were pretty cool too.Wind Caves was a drive by, but we didn't go to the caves, we just checked out the camp ground.Don't miss South Dakota, a fantastic place to visit.

Badlands, and wind cave S. Dakota that bad? | Good Sam Community

dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2015
Well, I am biased. But, living here in the Black Hills, I have to say that the article couldn't be more wrong. We camp every fall at Wind Cave NP, and we haven't done a cave tour in years.

The only wildlife you can see at Yellowstone that you won't see at Wind Cave are bears, wolves, and otters. Plus Wind Cave will not have traffic jams. Unless the bison won't move off the highway. The bison in Custer SP have cattle dna, the Wind Cave herd doesn't. They are only separated by a fence, and both sides take it seriously.

There is much more to Wind Cave than a cave anymore. If anyone is thinking of an early fall visit, the elk bugling heard from the campground is as good as Yellowstone.

I said I was biased.
junmy3
Explorer
Feb 09, 2015
I took three teenage girls (my daughter and two of her friends) to the Badlands 20 years ago and they loved it. Of course we got out and did some hiking and not just a drive through. One especially loved taking pictures of the sunsets. Since then DW and I have been there a couple of times camping in the parks CG. We enjoy it so much that we were planning on going back this year until we found out that we are going to be grandparents again this summer. We love it there because it is so beautiful and less crowded than the major National Parks. They have great programs and the hiking is great.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Feb 09, 2015
We did the Badlands NP, drive thru, Custer, Needles Highway, Wind Cave NP, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and we had a great time. Stayed at the KOA in Custer.

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