Recommendations on the Badlands?

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Recommendations on the Badlands?

July 07, 2015, 05:59:55 pm

Hi folks,

We're going to head out next month to tour the Badlands. First time to this area for the both of us. I'm looking for any comments/recommendations from anyone who has toured this area before.

I've already heard to avoid the Badlands during the first to mid part of August, as this is the time when the Sturgis run takes place. We're going to start out from Virginia around the 10th of August, but we will take a long and meandering route that will probably get us to South Dakota around the end of August. Right now, we plan to work our way up towards Chicago (but not near it) and catch I-90.

We're just at the beginning and still researching the map, but we want to see the grasslands, Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood, Custer State Park and other interesting sites (people keep referencing something called Wall Drug?).

Am eagerly hoping to soak up any comments about places to stay, things to see, what to avoid, etc.

As always, thanks for any pointers and suggestions!

Don

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #1 – July 07, 2015, 06:36:31 pm

Just returned from the South Dakota, Black Hills. I would highly recommend staying around Hill City, SD. Nice central location and appeared to have several RV Parks with easy access to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Highway 16/A through the tunnels and 180 degree bridges, very nice. But for cars only. Be sure to take the Wild Life Loop in Custer Park, but take some carrots to feed the wild donkeys (they are not very wild) and a really large herd of buffalo in the park.

Travel safe.

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #2 – July 07, 2015, 06:36:42 pm

I'm just at the tail end of visiting all of the units of the National Park System, including all the parks, seashores, battlefields, memorials, etc. I just have two left of the 407 total.

But one of my top ten visits included Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, right next to Badlands. We had the most incredible tour, given by a captain who worked down below when Launch Facility Delta-01 was active. The facility looks exactly like it did in the 90's when it was operational for the last time.
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

Unfortunately, tickets are available only on a first come, first served basis, each day, so you need to get there very early on busy summer days. We went in January and were the only visitors for the day, so it was great, but it's very popular during summer. I hope you can get a tour, it was great!

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #3 – July 07, 2015, 06:46:34 pm

Don't forget Devil's Tower not far from the South Dakota/Wyoming border.
Devils Tower National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #4 – July 07, 2015, 07:02:43 pm

Lots to see and excellent roads all around Mt. Rushmore. Use toad to park and even at that, I think is was $11 for parking. Nothing free even close. We were there in November of last year. We stayed in Deadwood, SD. Fun for dinner or breakfast or just to look around. Nice area, nice people and prices are not high like in Jackson, WY plus everything is pretty close together so you can find a spot for your coach and use the toad to explore.

Pierce

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #5 – July 07, 2015, 07:33:59 pm

This is great! Keep 'em coming, folks.

Forgot all about Devil's Tower and never thought about the Minuteman tour. Both are "must-dos" for us.

Working through some potential campgrounds now.

Thanks again!

Don

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #6 – July 07, 2015, 07:38:07 pm

An Wall Drug is just north of the Badlands. We stayed in a private campground just on the south edge of the badlands 2 years ago and there is also a National Park campground there if I remember correctly

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #7 – July 07, 2015, 08:35:01 pm

Forget about going up to 90. the route will have heavy tolls from VA if you go up the PA turnpike, to the Ohio to the Indiana to the Il tollway. I take 70 across to indy and shoot up 74 to 80 and Iowa and then over across Iowa to SD and hit 90 that way. You can see a lot of stuff that way. You can Stay in Zanesville at Wolfies and go tour the Longaberger basket factory and also stop in Dresden and look at all the used baskets.

Then you can go across 70 and stop at Wright Pat and they have a great museum. You can go over to see Indy if you want to stay in the KOA right as you get into Indy too. I stay at the flying J in Spiceland IN Most of the time. Then you can shoot up to 80 and you can stop at the quad cities and see some of the sites, even the the old armory over there. I would stop in Spillville IA and look at the grandfather clocks. You can take the coach up there but it is tiny roads but not hard to drive. I would also stop in Amana and visit the colonies there too.

Stop at I 80 truck stop. The largest one in the country just for fun and maybe for fuel too.

Then you can hit SD and go to Mitchell and see the corn palace and look at one of the first cabalas stores. Then head to Wall. Stay at Sleepy Hollow camp ground. It is better then Arrow but both have a train that will run thru but you can walk to wall drug and then take your car to see the badlands. You can drive the coach thru it too on the loop but they have a road that goes to a buffalo preserve too. The minute man site is neat too but I have been in one of those before. I would also stay over at rafter J and go toe mt rushmore and devils tower too. It will be an epic trip. I will look for you as I will be out in Iowa/NB/SD in Aug too.

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #8 – July 07, 2015, 08:38:53 pm

Recommend the Game Lodge Campground in Custer State Park, many great things, sights, experiences etc, my favorite on the Game Loop is The Burros seem to love the carrot nubbins (thumb size), they lined up until I ran out, I guess they are wild, but are very calm at the window, I hand them the carrot, they take it with their lips, you never see teeth, just like a horse only much smarter. They sure have learned how to hold traffic until the food is gone, then they disappear until the next gaggle of traffic, they stop them and pull the same game looking for food. Once I parked the ATV back about 150' and watched them, when I felt a nose trying to search my pocket for grub. I just enjoyed the whole event.
They have signs "Dont feed the animals" but these Burros are well trained on beggin. For me, the whole area just gives me the warm fuzzy feelin, I enjoy just being there and at $24.00 a nite with 50 Amp, Water & Sewer dump, great Verison cell & internet 4G coverage at the Game Lodge Campground, its a win win. Too much to list, but you can send a few days there exploring and what ever you do, do not take the coach on the Needles Highway, Toad only.
http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/default.aspx
I can not get enough of it, next trip, I will have a look at the silos from the cold way era, been to Wall Drug, a must do thing.
Enough for now.

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #9 – July 07, 2015, 10:12:48 pm

Don't forget to stop in Mitchell, SD and see the Corn Palace.Visit Mitchell | Outside Expectations

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #10 – July 07, 2015, 11:43:47 pm

Quote from: Don Rickey – July 07, 2015, 05:59:55 pm

........We're going to head out next month to tour the Badlands. First time to this area for the both of us. I'm looking for any comments/recommendations from anyone who has toured this area before........

Don,
I second Minuteman, Mitchell, Wall Drug, Badlands, but urge you to make the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup if at all possible (usually the last Sat. in Sept., but look it up online). Then on to the the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque the following week.
Have a great time!
Here are a few things to consider:
The Needles Highway and Custer State Park
The Needles Highway and Custer State Park
Neal😊

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #11 – July 08, 2015, 10:22:46 am

We spent one night in the National Park and enjoyed it. No hook-ups but great pull throughs. Met several military families camping
their way from one Coast to the other. The cost was $5.00 a night a few years ago; or maybe several years ago.

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #12 – July 08, 2015, 11:12:58 am

Lots to do in SD. We spent 3 weeks at Hart Ranch in Rapid City about 6 years ago. Used it as a base and drove the toad everywhere. Everything I would have said to see has been already said. We went to Custer Park so many times it was cheaper to buy an annual pass. Have fun.

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #13 – July 08, 2015, 10:36:56 pm

Wow, these are ALL great recommendations!

This is exactly what I have been looking for--routing, attraction and campground recommendations. Can't thank you folks enough. This puts us so far ahead in our prep work. I feel a whole lot better than trying to figure these things out without any input from someone who has already been there.

Many, many thanks. I'll be working to update all once we get started!

Don

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #14 – July 09, 2015, 10:31:09 am

On your way out depending on route some neat places to see are the wagon trails at Council Bluffs IA
State Historical Society of Iowa
And Hannibal,Mo Home of Samual Clemmona
Mark Twain neat stuff to check out.

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #15 – July 09, 2015, 10:31:52 am

I'm surprised no one mentioned Iron Mountain Road or the Needles Highway. Or did I miss that post.

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #16 – July 09, 2015, 06:00:48 pm

Oh stop at yankton, sd take the history museum. . Lewis not Clark campground right on the river...

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #17 – July 09, 2015, 06:36:25 pm

I stayed in that campground and it is very nice.

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #18 – July 09, 2015, 10:58:44 pm

Check out Fort Hay's old west town where the movie "Dance's with Wolves" was filmed. It is just outside of Rapid City, SD on Hwy 16. Check out their web site at:

Fort Hays Old West Town | Workshops

Click on the dinner show to read about the great western show and dinner that they put on there. We took the guided tour of all the sites in that area with the Mt. Rushmore tour package. Would do it all again in a heart beat if I was in South Dakota again. Have fun on your trip.

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #19 – July 10, 2015, 11:09:20 am

Ron,

Love the suggestion about Fort Hays. "Dances with Wolves" was a favorite and will definitely want to check this out since it is in the area!

Don

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #20 – July 10, 2015, 03:21:28 pm

Howdy Don, A couple more to add to the list. Just so much to do in the Black Hills. We just left Spearfish, SD from a two week stay in the city campground. The Black Hills area is our favorite summer time area.
Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
Wind Cave National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway | Black Hills & Badlands - South Dakota
Dave A

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #21 – July 10, 2015, 08:38:16 pm

Another great place to spend a few hours is the Pioneer Auto Museum at Murdo, SD, Exit 132, I-90, you will be amazed at all the display things. Auto Museum | Classic Muscle Cars | Antique Car Collection.
You will enjoy it if you have any blood flowing.

Re: Recommendations on the Badlands?

Reply #22 – July 12, 2015, 08:09:42 am

Also, if you don't have it yet and ever want yo run on the toll roads on the east coast, get a smart tag in va as it is comparable to EZ tag. No help pass IL or south of Va but everywhere else works.

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