Well, we're loading the final few items before we leave tomorrow for South Dakota. We've had this on our bucket list for years. We finally decided that it's the top priority. Woooooohooooo. We are both so looking forward to this new adventure.We have a month to spend. Devils Tower.Spearfish.Fall colors in general.Deadwood.The metropolis of Lead to tour the gold mine.Mount Rushmore.Crazy Horse.Custer State Park.Sturgis. Wind Caves NP.The Needles Highway.Bison, antelope, prairie dogs, burros,and other assorted critters.Custer's Battlefield. The Mammoth museum in Hot Springs.The Museum in Rapid City.The Museum in Bozeman (Dinosaurs, LOVE dinosaurs).Wall Drugs in downtown Wall.The Badlands.I've read every post on this forum regarding South Dakota. We will post photos as we travel.

Great. We plan on going to the same area in the spring. We look forward to hearing and seeing your trip.

Have a great time! We absolutely loved that area last year. Did most of the things you have planned. Classic American Road Trip, and for good reason.If you have time at Badlands, check out the Minuteman Missile National Hstoric Site. Their new visitor center may be open. Pretty amazing to go down 30 feet in a tiny elevator and see the keys that, if turned, would have launched nuclear weapons.

We have seen many of those sites, some more than once. We loved the badlands and wished we had more time explore. The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman is terrific and my boys ask to visit every time we drive through. Sturgis without the motorcycle run was pretty boring, and although Mt. Rushmore is nice and certainly a good item on your bucket list, it only needs a couple hours to get the experience. There are places on your list we still want to visit. Have a terrific and safe trip!

Custers Battlefield is Little Big Horn Nat'l Battlefield in Montana.

We stopped in Rapid City at Chapel in the Hills. Beautiful looking chapel. Have a great trip!

Mount Rushmore, Badlands, Black Hills, finally!

Busskipper
Explorer
Oct 02, 2014
from an older post;

Pictures

BOL,
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2014
WOW! a whole month! The Black Hills are big, but a month is a long time! but if you have the time why not! :) Lots to see and do, but as was said some things will be closed for the year!

Have fun!
Bull_Rider
Explorer
Oct 02, 2014
Thanks to all for your input, very informative.

We have been calling and we've confirmed that many establishments will have closed for the year, but it's not a deal breaker.

The weather may be trending into fall, but we grew up in Western Washington, so we will be fine.

We realized at Carlsbad Caverns that being underground isn't "our thing", and we're spending time at Wind Caves just for the wildlife viewing and the fall colors.

I do know that Custer's Battlefield is in Montana, I visited there once many years ago.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your input.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2014
It will be beautiful with the leaves changing!
Heavy_Metal_Doc
Explorer
Oct 03, 2014
We where just talking about this area being on our list for next year. Trying to pick a time to schedule it. What months are best for not too crowded, all attractions open, yet little risk of snow?
Band47
Explorer
Oct 03, 2014
My wife and I made a seven week trip to most of the same places this past summer. Loved the Black Hills most of all. Don't forget Cheif Crazy Horse. The night shows at Rushmore and Crazy Horse are a must. I did not see Devil's Tower on your list, however it will be well worth the trip. We pulled our Harley in a trailer and rode most of the roads in the area.....one of the best adventures of our lives. Good luck and enjoy.....we stayed at the French Creek Campground while in Custer. The campground owners are Rock and Diane. They are a fun couple and really made us feel like family.

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