South Dakota

[Rangerman40]

Any recommendations on where to stay in the Badlands/Wind Cave/Custer/Black Hills/Mt Rushmore area that would be fairly central to all of these places for us to explore for a few days before heading off to Yellowstone next summer? If I missed any other "must see" things out that way please let me know.

[bluie5]

We loved Game Lodge Campground in Custer SP when we were there two weeks ago. Just electric but there is a dump station and water there. Sites are not on top of each other and are paved and level. Very clean.

[ADAD437]

ADAD437 wrote:

Rangerman40 wrote:
Any specific park within Custer? Isn't there 4 or 5 of them? I have 2 weeks to do this trip coming from Ohio and I want to hit all these places, stay at Yellowstone for 4-5 days and wrap it up in the Tetons before coming home. So realistically if you had 18 days for this trip how would you map it out? I can get from Ohio to Sioux Falls on day one without much trouble based off past trips.

they are all nice, game lodge is the most convenient and most likely to have buffalo around a lot, close to the wild life loop. take truck rt 16 south around rapid city to 79 south to 36 to main gate. if i remember right that is exit 62 off I-90. have fun.

on 2nd thought i cannot remember if that is exit 62 or 59 (senior moment,lol) but there is a flying j truck stop there. i have only done it about a 100 + times.

[ADAD437]

blue bell is very nice also. it is close to the south end of the wild life loop and closer to custer and hill city. you will also be there for the big annual round up, DON'T MISS IT.

[Rangerman40]

Well I ended up booking Blue Bell Campground in Custer for 6 days, then Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone for 5 days, and Colter Bay in Grand Teton for 2 days. Should be a good trip. Thanks for all the help!

[ADAD437]

Rangerman40 wrote:
Any specific park within Custer? Isn't there 4 or 5 of them? I have 2 weeks to do this trip coming from Ohio and I want to hit all these places, stay at Yellowstone for 4-5 days and wrap it up in the Tetons before coming home. So realistically if you had 18 days for this trip how would you map it out? I can get from Ohio to Sioux Falls on day one without much trouble based off past trips.

they are all nice, game lodge is the most convenient and most likely to have buffalo around a lot, close to the wild life loop. take truck rt 16 south around rapid city to 79 south to 36 to main gate. if i remember right that is exit 62 off I-90. have fun.

[MoRookie]

I agree with Custer State park we stayed last year it was the highlight of our trip don't miss the wildlife loop it was amazing. Bring carrots or apples to feed the wild donkeys. There were so many buffalo it was amazing. We could have stayed on this park and never left and had a great time. We stayed at Stockade Lake and it was very convent to getting in and out of the park. Sylvan lake and needles highway are not to be missed in this state park.

[3oaks]

Rangerman wrote:
Any specific park within Custer? Isn't there 4 or 5 of them?

Yes. I would recommend either the Game Lodge campground which is the largest and centrally located in the Park. Full sun to almost full shade sites. Or where We always stay, at the Grace Coolidge campground about a mile or two up the road from the Game Lodge. It is a much smaller campground with a few sites in full sun and most being shaded but doesn't accommodate too many big rigs. There is also a small campground at Legion Lake still further up Rt 16A. And then there is Center Lake, Stockade Lake, Sylvan Lake campgrounds, and Bluebell Horse Camp campground.

Custer State Park

[kknowlton]

For the Badlands and Wall Drugs spend a night or two at Interior, SD ~ the White River KOA. For all the other attractions around Rapid City and south try Rafter J Ranch in Hill City, SD. Both parks are nice.

x2

[Murphsmom]

We stayed at Creekside RV park outside of Deadwood (or as we called it...Dudwood) in May. We had one of the sites with a deck that overlooked the Creek. Nice park.

If you stay in Custer State Park, make sure you don't go in through the wrong entrance and get stuck not being able to go through the tunnels. The drive is great, but NOT with an RV or trailer in tow. The tunnel at the Eye of the Needle is so narrow that we were able to touch the walls from inside the pickup.

[Rangerman40]

Any specific park within Custer? Isn't there 4 or 5 of them? I have 2 weeks to do this trip coming from Ohio and I want to hit all these places, stay at Yellowstone for 4-5 days and wrap it up in the Tetons before coming home. So realistically if you had 18 days for this trip how would you map it out? I can get from Ohio to Sioux Falls on day one without much trouble based off past trips.

[rr2254545]

Been to that area a lot

FYI Palmer Gulch and Koa Interior did not have Verizon cell service in August of 2013 when we camped at both with the Grandkids

Last fall we stayed again at Sleepy Hollow in Wall- the western entrance to Badlands National Park is in Wall - nice place - you can walk the Wall Drug and the downtown area

[3oaks]

I also say Custer State Park, SD. In fact we will be staying there again during the last two weeks in September. 🙂

Along with all that is mentioned, Dead Wood, SD north of Rapid City is worth visiting at least once also.

It will take more than just a few days to visit them all without being worn out. Vacations should be relaxing. If you are limited for time, choose a few areas of interest that are most important to you. "Must see things" are a matter of personal opinion.

[ADAD437]

custer state park. you are central to most stuff except badlands, you can see that on your way out in a few hours, also the minute man missle site. a half day is enough for these two.

[pasco1215]

For the Badlands and Wall Drugs spend a night or two at Interior, SD ~ the White River KOA. For all the other attractions around Rapid City and south try Rafter J Ranch in Hill City, SD. Both parks are nice.