Hwy 83 south out of the Badlands

[aftermath]

Planning on driving south out of the Badlands this September all the way to Amarillo, TX. I have never been on this stretch of highway and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for places to stay, sights to see and/or things to avoid.

Thanks

[Twomed]

Just did Valentine to the Interstate a couple of weeks ago. WOW... they cut and patched all the winter cracks and filled them high. Ten bag air ride and we have never had that bad a stretch, and we do a lot of two lanes. They should make the contractor do it over... 😞 Tighten everything down!!

[The_Mad_Norsky]

DesertHawk made a really good post.

I've also taken that route with various RV's and trailers in tow, from North Dakota down to Texas and return.

Mind you, it has been some time now since last on that route, but I found it to be a really nice, usually well maintained two lane road.

Another camping spot found is in North Platte, Nebraska. Just to the east of the US 83/I-80 intersection, along the north side of I-80 on the frontage road (Google maps says it is marked as Halligan Drive) is Holiday RV Park. Stayed several times, good sites and facilities. Link Holiday Park

There is another neat camping spot, I believe north of Wellington, Texas on US 83. Not sure if you are going that far down, since you mentioned Amarillo.

But this is a county run facility, just off the highway to the west, where US 83 crosses the Salt Fork of the Red River. Mind you, it has been a long time since I was last there. But I found it to be neat, clean and scenic, a great spot for just an overnight stay.

[DesertHawk]

Yes, we used US 83 one trip to & from Minot, ND. It proved to be a neat drive.

Just into Nebraska from SD, a nice state park near Valentine. We did an overnight there, as did my son earlier. Neat place. A Unique Place: Smith Falls State Park

On the border NB/SD there is an Indian Casino at the state line. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Casino Wacipi.

North Platte, Nebraska: the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park and Camping; never stopped there, but driven by on US 83; nice looking campground by the river.

More Nebraska US 83 Sights.

In Kansas, Fort Scott Nat'l Historic Site, we did not stop, my son did an overnight at the State Park. Seems like a neat area as well. Lake Scott State Park even has a New Mexico connection. NM pueblo people moved there to get away from Europeans (Spanish).

Saw the exit for but didn't go to Monument Rocks. It takes some gravel road driving to get to them.

We did two overnights (going up & coming back) at the Liberal Walmart. A nice large parking lot. Just off US 83 as you enter town southbound.

There is a city park with RV sites southeast side of Liberal as well. Arkalon Park, but have never been to it.

More US 83 Kansas.

In Texas, Near Amarillo: Never been to the state park, but have read about it & would like to make it over there someday. Palo Duro Canyon State Park as well as Caprock Canyons State Park, from what I have read, seem like very neat areas to see.

Southeast of Amarillo & Southwest of Quanah: Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway would make a neat place to check out. One I would like to see. Has a Bison herd I have read.

Ditto, Copper Breaks State Park near Quanah sounds pretty cool.

Free Overnighting: Dumas City Park north of Amarillo. Or the Amarillo Welcome Center. Never been to them.