Deadwood SD

[djcjc]

Planning a trip to Deadwood SD this summer me and the wife. Pulling a 30 travel trailer. Want to see Deadwood, Sturgis (not interested in bike week), Mount rushmore and Crazy Horse would like one campsite and travel around in pickup to see sites any reccomendations appreciated. Just retired yesterday so now can travel.

[HHfundays]

I second this ...

If you stay there bring carrots to feed the donkeys. Fun!

Also, if you like caving try the candle lit tour at Wind Cave. We loved that. Book that early.

3wheel wrote:
I second Custer state park as a great place to stay. (near Custer, SD). It is about 1 hour south of Deadwood.

Things we enjoyed:

• Wind Cave National Park
  
• Custer State Park

Of course Mt. Rushmore.

Although we did not make it... the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.


Caution: some of the roads in the area very restrictive in the turns and tunnels.

[RangerEZ]

Martyn wrote:

1mtnman wrote:
We stay at Rafter j and like it very much. Rafterj

I agree with this one - stayed there a year or so back - by far the best campground in the area. Try and get a site on 'The Island'.

I've gotten a good rec for Rafter J from a friend so plan to check it out this year. Curious: why do you like "The Island" area?

[4juanrodriguez]

Martyn wrote:

1mtnman wrote:
We stay at Rafter j and like it very much. Rafterj

I agree with this one - stayed there a year or so back - by far the best campground in the area. Try and get a site on 'The Island'.

we stayed at rafters

[WA7NDD]

Mount Moriah Cemetery where Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried is in town. Very steep grade narrow suburb road to the entrance. Took my class C up there and found a sign that said I was not supposed to do that.

Driving into town there was a parking area with a sign telling all the big rigs to stay out park here walk in. Streets are very narrow. We drove though but did not stop in town. Not very far out of town is Mount Rushmore. We continued on to Fort Laramie. A bit of a drive but the best part of the trip.

The Fort is a living fort during the summer, everyone dressed in period clothes, all the buildings are original from the Indian wars. Very large fort first stop for pioneers after crossing the planes. Besides Custer's battle field, there is Old Fort Phil Kearny, The Wagon Box Fight, and the Fetterman Massacre site near Phil Kearny. Study the history before you go, the trip will be much more interesting. We did this with our children before we visited historical sites.

[dodge_guy]

djcjc wrote:
Thanks everybody booked a spot today at Whistlers gulch we will drop trailer there and travel in Pickup day trips are not a problem I now have no need to rush. Looks like a 14 hour trip from here in ILlinois but thats ok to. Should be some great scenery. Deadwood should be perfect for the wife she loves to shop.

Sounds good. We stopped in Sioux Falls (actually Brandon SD.) at the Jellystone for a stopover. Then we did a drive through of the Badlands on our way to the BH's! This is a great trip, have fun planning.

[djcjc]

Thanks everybody booked a spot today at Whistlers gulch we will drop trailer there and travel in Pickup day trips are not a problem I now have no need to rush. Looks like a 14 hour trip from here in ILlinois but thats ok to. Should be some great scenery. Deadwood should be perfect for the wife she loves to shop.

[Sue_Bee]

I had started to do some research a few years ago about the area, and then things happened and we weren't able to go, but it does seem like this is an area that has a whole bunch of really good choices. I sent for the South Dakota trip planner and was sent some very good material, plus the Deadwood C.O.C. has some good stuff too.

[Jim_Shoe]

Dodge Guy,
That's exactly what I mean. Those guys have a real racket going. I think they've been watching too many 1930's Chicago Mob movies. 🙂

[dodge_guy]

Jim Shoe wrote:
A bonus in Custer SP. The wild burros. Their ancestors arrived with the miners. When they didn't find gold, they turned the burros loose. The current residents have a neat trick. One walks out to the center line and stops. The others go from car to car, begging for food. The rangers prefer that you feed them carrots, but they'll eat just about anything. Its been awhile. I'll post pics if I can find them.
BTW, CSP is a state park, so the National Parks Pass doesn't work. But the State pass isn't expensive, and you'll need it to camp.

You mean like this guy?!



You can see his buddy to the right (just under my mirror). their friend was in front of my van!

[Martyn]

1mtnman wrote:
We stay at Rafter j and like it very much. Rafterj

I agree with this one - stayed there a year or so back - by far the best campground in the area. Try and get a site on 'The Island'.

[Jim_Shoe]

A bonus in Custer SP. The wild burros. Their ancestors arrived with the miners. When they didn't find gold, they turned the burros loose. The current residents have a neat trick. One walks out to the center line and stops. The others go from car to car, begging for food. The rangers prefer that you feed them carrots, but they'll eat just about anything. Its been awhile. I'll post pics if I can find them.
BTW, CSP is a state park, so the National Parks Pass doesn't work. But the State pass isn't expensive, and you'll need it to camp.

[LindaAnn]

I loved Deadwood! I think you would enjoy spending a day there and going through all the old buildings and shops--like Saloon#10 where Wild Bill Hickok was shot and Kevin Costner has a casino there. I would also recommend the old cemetery. I just enjoy old towns...

I do agree with Jim that you would probably want to make your base near Hill City, to see Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Some of the drives are so pretty and Custer State Park will offer you glimpses of buffalo and other wildlife. If you like this sort of thing, Bear Country USA is a drive through wildlife park where you can see bears, wolves, etc.

It's a beautiful part of the country and I'm sure you will enjoy!

[Jim_Shoe]

Deadwood is 40 miles north of what you want to see. An interesting drive thru but not a good base of operations. The Hill City area is where you want to be for Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Several nearby RV parks. And another 10 miles south gets you to Custer and the SP. Drop off the TT or 5er at a CG before you start touring. Needles highway has many tunnels and turns that you don't want to drive while towing. Narrow tunnels, "pigtail" bridges and 180 degree switchbacks. When you see them, you'll know why they call them "pigtail".

[Old-Biscuit]

Fish 'N Fry Campground........LINK