July 1 through July 16, starting from Indianapolis. Thinking about the final destination to be Keystone, SD (Mount Rushmore) approximately 1100 miles one way (2200 round trip). Planning on approximately 300 miles travel a day gives lots of wiggle room for activities and site seeing traveling there and back again. Can easily stay somewhere a couple days and then move on if we want to.So the question? I did a quick search for activities and attractions in the Keystone (Black Hills) area of South Dakota. For those of you who have "been there, done that", were there enough attractions, activities, in the area to fill your time? Was it interesting, fun, or did you feel your time spent in the area could have been spent better somewhere else. (apart from Mount Rushmore)?What's your thoughts for those who have been there? Is it worth the trip or would time spent be better elsewhere. We are not "active" go-getters any more. We're now in the old-farts club, who enjoy campfires and good food, but do enjoy nature, hikes, and site-seeing. Our other thought is Northern Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota (lots of trees and water), but also looking for a new area in the USA we've never been to? Neither of us has seen Mt. Rushmore or been to that part of the country.

With 2200 miles and 300 miles a day you only have 7/8 days to enjoy the Black Hills. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, Custer State Park, Wind Caves NP, the town of Custer, a lot to do in a short amount of time. Enjoy your time there.

Mammoth Site of Hot Springs. Do not confuse this with the dinosaur museum in Rapid City.Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is very interesting.If you like to stay at KOA's (shudder) the one in Rapid City is really swanky.If you prefer a more rustic experience, go to uscampgrounds.info and check out the sites in the Black Hills National Forest. Just beware, the ones near US385 get lots of road noise due to the grooved pavement that's used a lot in that area (or at least it was a few years ago.)Devil's Tower is really cool and not a bad drive.

DutchmenSport wrote:Our other thought is Northern MichiganThe beginning of July is still mosquito heaven in the UP. End of July or August is a better bet.

GeoBoy wrote:With 2200 miles and 300 miles a day you only have 7/8 days to enjoy the Black Hills. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, Custer State Park, Wind Caves NP, the town of Custer, a lot to do in a short amount of time. Enjoy your time there.Good info. Additionally, think of the Black Hills in 3 sections...Deadwood/Lead/Sturgis in the north, Hill City/Keystone/Custer central and Hot Springs south. Each area has something to offer, depending on what you like. If hiking is your thing, there are plenty of trails to hike. Notably, the hike to Harney Peak, the highest point in SD, is a worthy hike. Challenging but not overly difficult. Results are worth it. Mickelson Trail if you're in to biking. Can get on numerous places and get off numerous places. If you stayed at a place like Rafter J Bar, you can get off/on the trail right there at the campground. Custer State Park. Worth at least 2 days, maybe more depending on what you like to see/do. Wind Cave and Jewel Cave are a good day's worth of activities each. Take a drive out to Badlands. Continue on to Wall (assuming you're not coming in that way -- if you are, stop there on your way to your destination. Plenty of museums and fun spots, between Rapid City and the Black Hills. And stuff to do in Rapid City. Google "things to do in the Black Hills" and you'll get plenty of things to keep you busy. You won't have enough time for everything.

While you are that far, might as well plan on going to Yellowstone. Around Rushmore, there is Custer State park and the buffalo if you can find them. The Needles drive in Custer State Park, with its NARROW passages, and the tunnels with a great view of Rushmore.(BTW, NO Trailers or Motor Homes on that drive) the Black Hills, The Badlands, and then there is always Wall, and Wall drugs(nice campground there also)! And a MUST see, is the Crazy Horse Memorial, with the museum, and resturant. IMHO, better than Rushmore. On a bit past is Devils Tower, something to see, but no way were going to climb it. the prarie dog cities there were a lot of fun to see, but didn't take long. One more little hint, at Rushmore, One thing to see is the Artists Studio, but it is down and up what seemed like thousands of steps. But, there is a handicapped entrance and parking without having to do the steps. They don't tell you about that til you get to the bottom of the steps, and you car is way back at the top. Lots of trails and walking as much as you want to.

Travel plans, need your ideas? | Good Sam Community

RGar974417
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
WE enjoyed Bear Country USA and the Cosmos. Google them for more info.
trailertraveler
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
If you are planning on taking I-74 to I-80, the Amana Colonies are not far North of the interstate. Winterset, John Wayne's birthplace and where "the Bridges of Madison County" was filmed is not far South of the interstate. The City Park has a campground. You could then take either I-35 or I-29 to I-90. Before reaching the Black Hills on I-90 you will pass Badlands National Park and the famous tourist trap Wall Drug.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
Wow! Impressive! Thanks! You all are making me rethink the 300 mile a day limit and push that a little harder to spend more time there! Thank-you! Absolutely everything mentioned above sounds like a winner! (except those thousand steps! I'll be looking for the handicap elevator! My knees won't be able to take that, for sure!)

I think we have a winner here! This is the ammo I was looking for. Thanks again!

Next step, actual trip planning and campground reservations!
Johno02
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
While you are that far, might as well plan on going to Yellowstone. Around Rushmore, there is Custer State park and the buffalo if you can find them. The Needles drive in Custer State Park, with its NARROW passages, and the tunnels with a great view of Rushmore.(BTW, NO Trailers or Motor Homes on that drive) the Black Hills, The Badlands, and then there is always Wall, and Wall drugs(nice campground there also)! And a MUST see, is the Crazy Horse Memorial, with the museum, and resturant. IMHO, better than Rushmore. On a bit past is Devils Tower, something to see, but no way were going to climb it. the prarie dog cities there were a lot of fun to see, but didn't take long. One more little hint, at Rushmore, One thing to see is the Artists Studio, but it is down and up what seemed like thousands of steps. But, there is a handicapped entrance and parking without having to do the steps. They don't tell you about that til you get to the bottom of the steps, and you car is way back at the top. Lots of trails and walking as much as you want to.
Thom02099
Explorer II
Feb 14, 2017
GeoBoy wrote:
With 2200 miles and 300 miles a day you only have 7/8 days to enjoy the Black Hills. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, Custer State Park, Wind Caves NP, the town of Custer, a lot to do in a short amount of time. Enjoy your time there.

Good info. Additionally, think of the Black Hills in 3 sections...Deadwood/Lead/Sturgis in the north, Hill City/Keystone/Custer central and Hot Springs south. Each area has something to offer, depending on what you like.

If hiking is your thing, there are plenty of trails to hike. Notably, the hike to Harney Peak, the highest point in SD, is a worthy hike. Challenging but not overly difficult. Results are worth it.

Mickelson Trail if you're in to biking. Can get on numerous places and get off numerous places. If you stayed at a place like Rafter J Bar, you can get off/on the trail right there at the campground.

Custer State Park. Worth at least 2 days, maybe more depending on what you like to see/do. Wind Cave and Jewel Cave are a good day's worth of activities each.

Take a drive out to Badlands. Continue on to Wall (assuming you're not coming in that way -- if you are, stop there on your way to your destination.

Plenty of museums and fun spots, between Rapid City and the Black Hills. And stuff to do in Rapid City. Google "things to do in the Black Hills" and you'll get plenty of things to keep you busy. You won't have enough time for everything.
michigansandzil
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
DutchmenSport wrote:
Our other thought is Northern Michigan

The beginning of July is still mosquito heaven in the UP. End of July or August is a better bet.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Feb 14, 2017
Mammoth Site of Hot Springs. Do not confuse this with the dinosaur museum in Rapid City.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is very interesting.

If you like to stay at KOA's (shudder) the one in Rapid City is really swanky.

If you prefer a more rustic experience, go to uscampgrounds.info and check out the sites in the Black Hills National Forest. Just beware, the ones near US385 get lots of road noise due to the grooved pavement that's used a lot in that area (or at least it was a few years ago.)

Devil's Tower is really cool and not a bad drive.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
With 2200 miles and 300 miles a day you only have 7/8 days to enjoy the Black Hills. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, Custer State Park, Wind Caves NP, the town of Custer, a lot to do in a short amount of time. Enjoy your time there.

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