Forum Discussion

notlost's avatar
notlost
Explorer
Sep 03, 2013

from Casper to Devil's Tower or Custer? Which one?

We are leaving Riverton, WY tomorrow and headed to spend a night in Casper (unless someone can tell me that there is something to see in Casper). From there, we are heading north to take in Devil's Tower, Deadwood, Sturgis, Custer, Badlands (if time)...

Here are my questions:
1. is there anything we should stop at and see between Casper and the points i listed?
2. did i miss any highlights (between Devil's Tower and Custer?)we love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, sightseeing unusual places as well as national and state parks.
3. campground suggestions would be appreciated. we have a 42' MH. prefer campground with FUH, but would certainly enjoy a few nights in a forest service/coe/blm cg (if we can fit into it).
4. we aren't planning on hitting buffalo, unless someone suggests that we should.

any other hints for the area would be greatly appreciated. we have plenty of time (don't need to leave the area for about 3-4 weeks (unless weather chases us out!).
thanks for any help...
  • newk's avatar
    newk
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    There are lots of things around Custer -- Custer State Park, Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Crazy Horse Monument, Rushmore, Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, etc. Take Hwy 387 from Midwest to Wright, then jog a mile south and take Hwy 450 to Newcastle and 16 to Custer (if that's where you're going first, otherwise head north at Wright to Gillette/I-90).

    I like Devils Tower as a place to camp if the timing works for you, and I also like Custer State Park.

    There's lots to see in the Black Hills. Enjoy your visit.
  • dancoppins's avatar
    dancoppins
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    There are a lot more things to see and do around Custer than in or near Casper. There are two caves (Wind NOP and Jewell NP) nearby and Mt Rushmore. Crazy Horse is also within 10 miles of Custer, and the Badlands NP is about 1.5 hours away. You can easily spend 4 days at Custer IMHO. We were both very disappointed in Deadwood.
  • IDman's avatar
    IDman
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    There are NO decent rvparks in Casper. It is a nice town but not a destination type of town. My suggestion is going from Riverton to Thermopolis and enjoying the hot springs. From there, continue thru Worland to Buffalo, which is a nice little town with several good rv parks. Then you can continue to Devils Tower and Black Hills.
  • Big_Don_53's avatar
    Big_Don_53
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    I agree with the other poster about Deadwood. Save your gas and time and skip it unless you like to gamble or play the slots. There are a lot of slot machine in every building I think. Crazy Horse is interesting and the Lighting ceremony at Mt Rushmore at night is really cool. DW is from SD and we travel there but never have camped there.
  • notlost's avatar
    notlost
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    Thanks to all for your responses! I think we will just spend an overnight stop in casper as we head up toward devils tower.
    here are some campgrounds that looked interesting to me...do you have a favorite cg that i missed? any thoughts would be appreciated. we don't have any reservations yet.
    also, i think custer st park cg's close 9/30...is that correct?
    custer (if sp is closed)...allen ranch or custer gulch?
    deadwood (just as a base of operations)....steel wheel

    and, ONE MORE QUESTION:::: should we stop at buffalo? anything to see and do there?

    thanks again, guys. you're always so helpful
  • CT_WANDERER's avatar
    CT_WANDERER
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    We went to Custer SP two years ago. Enjoyed it a lot. We made runs from there to Rushmore and Crazyhorse Than did the sights at Custer. There was a lot more to see around Custer SP area but we had to get a move on to Yellowstone. We spend a few days at the Badlands before getting the Custer. Enjoying the sights at the Badland at nighttime looked great.
  • Jim_Shoe's avatar
    Jim_Shoe
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    There's a nice FHU KOA just outside the entrance to Devil's Tower. Same folks operate the General Store next door. You're only about 30 yards from the entrance to Devil's Tower NP. Drive up to the NP office to park. There's a well marked trail around the base of the tower for a hike.
    As you're driving in from Sundance to DT, there are several places to pull over and take a pic of Devil's Tower. By the time you get to the entrance, you're too close to get a decent picture. Kinda like taking a picture of the Empire State Building from the sidewalk in front of it. You're just too close.
    If you go to Custer SP, be sure to drive the wildlife loop. If you have a toad, drive the Peter Norbeck Scenic drive, on Needles Hwy. but your RV is too big to get thru the one lane tunnels. There are tour busses that fit.

About Campground 101

Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,716 PostsLatest Activity: Oct 15, 2013