Rapid City / Ellsworth AFB area RV Parks?

Question

Any tips for full hookup sites in the Rapid City SD area? I'll be headed to Rapid City SD for their airshow coming up Aug 15&16. So for this trip, closer to the Air Force base would be better. I'm not a veteran so the on-base CG is not an option. I'm sure we'll stop by Mt. Rushmore and other sites but we'll be visiting the base more often than anything else. So I think although Rafter J and Horse Theif sound nice, Custer would be too far away from where we want to be.

I have a motel booked then realized, why don't I pull my motel on wheels!? So for this trip, the KOA style "camping" is more what I'm asking about. Any reviews of the Rapid City KOA or other suggestions in the area? We prefer sites with room so the neighbors slide-out isn't over our picnic table and shade is tied with space as the most important thing. The gravel playgrounds on the open prairie aren't really our thing. We'll be traveling with three kids and two small dogs if that matters. Thanks!

murphsmom · Answer

You might give Hidden Valley RV outside of Deadwood a try. Not as far as Custer, although it isn't right at Rapid City, either. Nice sites and clean facilities. We had a site that overlooked the creek with its own deck.

shawdowboss · Answer

We just stayed at the Rapid City KOA a few months ago. It was a nice facility.

The site we had was on the upper section and was pretty level. Had full hookups and cable. Pretty short walk over to the pool and office. Only KOA we ran into so far that charges the pet fee for ANY pet. We do have a cat and are honest about it, all the other KOA's we've been at over the years have not charged anything, just noted it. It was an overnight for us, so I was going to quibble about the $4.

It's about 4 miles south of I-90, and pretty easy to get to. It would be only about 10 miles to Ellsworth AFB from that side of town.

finally_time · Answer

I stayed at the Rapid City KOA for a week in July. I had a "premium" site; not very level end to end but lots of space between sites. Very clean grounds and facilities. Every staff member I had contact with was pleasant. I got lazy and bought their breakfast three mornings, very good food. It is in a central location for the Black Hills and Badlands NP.

I was asked on check-in if I had any pets and said yes. Later, when I looked at my receipt, I found a pet charge. I went back to the office and said I had never been charged for my cat before. The lady refunded the charge and said the clerk should have asked what kind of pet? They do not charge for cats, birds, hamsters, etc. She did say they have had guests with pet pigs and goats. They do charge for those and require them to be on a leash and to pick up after them.

rbtglove · Answer

We use the base fan camp if we can get in but if can't get a site we use the KOA  which is OK but resembles a parking lot.  Only about 15-20 minutes to the base.

valkyriebush · Answer

Since you mentioned it Ellsworth AFB hands down! Nice park, near all! Sorry Reread your post. Must be retired or AD military.

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Rapid City / Ellsworth AFB area RV Parks?

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