We are heading to the Black Hills for 8 days in about a week. It was planned rather last minute due to another trip/music festival cancellation. We have reservations at Custer's Gulch RV Park just outside Custer, so that part is taken care of, but if anybody has any tips for that particular park, I'm happy to hear them. My question for all is, any suggestions on interesting/off the beaten path stuff to do up there? We of course know about all the main attractions... Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Needles Highway etc. Good restaurants/brewery suggestions are welcome too! It's just the two of us in our late 30s, and 2 of our dogs. No kids.

We visited Custer State Park several years ago the week after Labor Day -- had to fly in and rent a car so we weren't in our RV at the time. We stayed at both the State Game Lodge and Sylvan Lake Lodge, and although you wouldn't be staying there, I recall the restaurants in both of them being quite nice -- not pricey, but good food in a nice atmosphere. Might be worth a try.I also vividly remember going through the park and feeding the donkeys. They loved the small carrots. Even if initially they're a distance away, showing them that you have a bag of carrots will bring them right to you!

I wouldn't miss Bobkats Purple Pie Store in Custer nor Black Hills Burger and Bun also in Custer.

Needles Highway, Sturgis (Buffalo Chip Saloon), DeadwoodMost of these are not out of the way, but interesting.

We stayed at Custer Gulch about 10 years ago. The owner and managers were the nicest, friendly people and easy to be around. We rolled in with no reservations and asked about a spot. They had one spot open each night (of 4 we needed) but each at a different site. As we moved each day they apologized for having us move even though they were doing us a great favor by working us in even though we were at fault for not planning ahead. If I were going back to the Black Hills again that is where we will stay. Very clean, quiet and pleasant place to stay and right outside the park west entrance.

Black Hills suggestions | Good Sam Community

RetiredRealtorR
Explorer
Jun 04, 2020
We visited Custer State Park several years ago the week after Labor Day -- had to fly in and rent a car so we weren't in our RV at the time. We stayed at both the State Game Lodge and Sylvan Lake Lodge, and although you wouldn't be staying there, I recall the restaurants in both of them being quite nice -- not pricey, but good food in a nice atmosphere. Might be worth a try.

I also vividly remember going through the park and feeding the donkeys. They loved the small carrots. Even if initially they're a distance away, showing them that you have a bag of carrots will bring them right to you!
ae5573t
Explorer
Jun 04, 2020
I wouldn't miss Bobkats Purple Pie Store in Custer nor Black Hills Burger and Bun also in Custer.
enblethen
Nomad
Jun 04, 2020
Needles Highway, Sturgis (Buffalo Chip Saloon), Deadwood
Most of these are not out of the way, but interesting.
donkeydew
Explorer
Jun 05, 2020
jewel and wind caves
ksbowman
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2020
We stayed at Custer Gulch about 10 years ago. The owner and managers were the nicest, friendly people and easy to be around. We rolled in with no reservations and asked about a spot. They had one spot open each night (of 4 we needed) but each at a different site. As we moved each day they apologized for having us move even though they were doing us a great favor by working us in even though we were at fault for not planning ahead. If I were going back to the Black Hills again that is where we will stay. Very clean, quiet and pleasant place to stay and right outside the park west entrance.
Edd505
Explorer
Jun 05, 2020
Wall Drug about 100 miles one way and it will take most of a day to see, get a Buffalo burger while there. Minuteman Missile National Historical Site near Wall.
Dick_B
Explorer
Jun 05, 2020
Take the bus tours: Rushmore and Crazy horse is one and the Black Hills in another. What movie was filmed in the Black Hills?

Somebody gave away the answer but I wanted the poster to check it out for themselves.
TexasShadow
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2020
add another thumbs up for Custer's Gulch rv park.
A day trip over to the Badlands park. The restaurant at the visitor center does a really BIG, tasty indian taco...have them cut it in half for the two of you.
Wall Drug is interesting.
The Minuteman Missile museum/visitor center, located at the eastern exit off I 90, (highway 240) is a small gem and worth your time.
hornet28
Explorer
Jun 05, 2020
Dick_B wrote:
Take the bus tours: Rushmore and Crazy horse is one and the Black Hills in another. What movie was filmed in the Black Hills?

I think your remembering Dances With Wolfs. A film site is off the Spearfish Canyon Drive. Wife and I took our picture with the sign marking it way back in 95
afidel
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2020
ae5573t wrote:
I wouldn't miss Bobkats Purple Pie Store in Custer nor Black Hills Burger and Bun also in Custer.

I'll second black hills burger and buns, very good, though if you're looking at a 2+ hour wait go back another day, not worth that IMHO. We were told that the first day, went back the 2nd just before closing time and got a seat right away and had some tasty burgers at only slightly crazy prices.