Planning family vaca to Rapid City/Rushmore/Badlands...

[Archie F. Swin]

Never been to the Black Hills of South Dakota before. Lookin for any advice I can get...including accommodations.

[Red Beans]

Somewhere in the Black Hills of South Dakota lived a boy named Rocky Raccoon.

That's about the extent of it...

[HonestChieffan]

One of the coolest old hotels in the country is in downtown Rapid City. Awesome old place. Cant recall the name. Lots of the usual places too with the same ugly rooms and bad free breakfast deals.

Get into the hills early in am, stay late, lots of great wildlife watching.

[Bugeater]

We stayed in Deadwood when we were up there, it was pretty cool but it's kinda far away from most of the touristy areas.

[Frazod]

I love the Black Hills. I've been there six times and would go back tomorrow if I could. My last visit was last year.

For starters, I would not stay in Rapid City. It's pretty far from everything you'll want to see. When I go out there I always stay at the one of the Custer State Park resorts. There are four Lodges - Sylvan Lake, Blue Bell, State Game and Legion Lake. If you like riding horses and enjoy sort of an old west flavor, stay at Blue Bell. State Game Lodge is the most centrally located and offers jeep tours of the Wildlife area. If you like to fish, Legion Lake is for you. However, my personal favorite, and the place I always stay, is Sylvan Lake. It is the most remote, but is also in the prettiest location, and is near the trail heads to Sunday Gulch and Harney Peak (tallest mountain in the range). It is also on the road for Needles Highway, which is the prettiest drive in the area. If you stay at one of them, however, you can use the services and eat at all of them. Rushmore is cool, as is Deadwood, but Custer State Park is the absolute jewel of the area. All of the Lodges have cabins, which we generally use. The accommodations certainly aren't four star, but if you're looking for that, don't go the Black Hills. It's a blue collar type of vacation place. It's also more of an adult vacation place, IMO. There aren't a lot of kid-specific attractions, and unless your kids really appreciate natural beauty and the outdoors, they may get bored.

Some other general things:

DO NOT GO OUT THERE DURING THE FUCKING BIKE RALLY.

When you visit Deadwood, eat a Jake's. Fantastic restaurant. You may even run into the owner, Kevin Costner, although we never have.

If you go in September and stay in a cabin, you may have bug issues. I'd stay in the main lodge that time of year.

You'll see signs everywhere for the Cosmos Mystery Area. Check it out. Touristy and gimmicky, but neat.

Go see Devil's Tower. It is the most remote attraction (way northwest in Wyoming) but worth the drive.

I'll add more later and/or be happy to answer any specific questions.

[CoMoChief]

I went up there when i was younger and i met the last living (then) person who constructed Rushmore. Hes prob dead now...he was 80 something when i met him.

[rockymtnchief]

Frazod stole my post:harumph:

If you do have kids, Bear Country and Reptile Gardens might keep their interest.

If you have time, Harney Peak is a fun hike as is most trails around Sylvan Lake.

crazy horse monument is another destination.

[SDChief]

I live in Rapid. The hotel in DT Rapid is the Alex Johnson. There are so many things to do and places to stay that it kinda depends on kids ages, and how many to what you want to do. I know that the gaming buisness has been down in Deadwood since the smoking ban, so you may get a really good deal on hotels there. but it is in the northern hills and you will drive further to some places. RC is actually central to pretty much all the destinations in the hills and badlands. Close to Reptile Gardens, Bear Country, Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Whole lot of hotels in Rapid, some with waterparks inside, and some real basic.

[HonestChieffan]

I live in Rapid. The hotel in DT Rapid is the Alex Johnson. There are so many things to do and places to stay that it kinda depends on kids ages, and how many to what you want to do. I know that the gaming buisness has been down in Deadwood since the smoking ban, so you may get a really good deal on hotels there. but it is in the northern hills and you will drive further to some places. RC is actually central to pretty much all the destinations in the hills and badlands. Close to Reptile Gardens, Bear Country, Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Whole lot of hotels in Rapid, some with waterparks inside, and some real basic.

I dont disagree with Fraz but the Alex is worth it IMHO....RC is not the greatest place to stay and there are some great B and B's on ranches that are fantastic. BUT the Alex, when I stayed there was just like a step back in time when a hotel was more than a room.

[brorth]

Yeah, Frazod about has it covered. I would add that Deadwood/Lead area isn't a bad spot to "base camp" from if you're going to spend a few days covering the whole area. Terry Peak is better than you'd think for skiing or snowboarding.
If you've got more than a week (10 days or so), you can hit all three mentioned and get a few days of skiing or hiking in some beautiful country. It's an awesome way to do a combo vacation pretty reasonably.

[Kclee]

http://www.mammothsite.com/

One more thing you could do.

[Archie F. Swin]

Hows about Wind cave Natl Park?

[Archie F. Swin]

I live in Rapid. There are so many things to do and places to stay that it kinda depends on kids ages...

9yr old boy, 13 yr old girl

[Okie_Apparition]

Do they ever let anyone inside to see Teddy's balls, I bet they're huge.

[mlyonsd]

Hows about Wind cave Natl Park?Wind or Jewel are awesome.

I agree completely with Fraz's suggestions.

If you head up to Deadwood check out Terry Peak. It's a ski resort but I think they run their ski lift during the summer. From the top of the mountain you can see half of South Dakota.

Mt. Coolidge is free and cool too. You can get up on the fire tower for a great view.

[Buehler445]

Stayed in Hill City in a place called Lantern Inn. 3 miles from Rushmore 10 from crazyhorse IIRC. Close but not overpriced or completely touristed out.

They took up track from the railroad and made it a walking trail. Do it.

Bug spray. Those damn Mosquitos are the size of buzzards.

[rockymtnchief]

They took up track from the railroad and made it a walking trail. Do it.



That's the George S. Michelson Trail. You can find maps of it anywhere touristy in the Black Hills. 100+ miles to bike or hike.

[DTLB58]

Bear Country USA is a MUST.
We just happened to get there at feeding time and that was awesome for the kids to see but either way it is a very entertaining family outing.

[Buehler445]

Needles highway is good. Just drive it. Hopefully your kids will appreciate it.

[mlyonsd]

Needles highway is good. Just drive it. Hopefully your kids will appreciate it.

This. At the needles you can park and hike back up overlooking them. Awesome views from up there.

[SDChief]

not trying to promote a RC stay at all... There are great places to stay all over the hills. the 1880 train is great for kids, evens plunge in Hot Springs, which is near wind cave. there is Spearfish Canyon. Flintstone village in Custer... your kids MAY be a little old for that one. it kinda depends are you looking for touristy things or nature hikes. you get to see a lot of sites on the 1880 train.. starts in hill city, goes to keystone and back... I usually drop my guests off at hill city and then drive to keystone to pick them up. both ways takes some time. lots of history and sites to see. I think rapid is the most central place for basecamp. Hot Springs/Wind Cave is 70 mi to the south and Deadwood/Spearfish is 40-50 mi to the north, but you can stay in different towns on different nights.

[Bugeater]

That's the George S. Michelson Trail. You can find maps of it anywhere touristy in the Black Hills. 100+ miles to bike or hike.
I want to ride that trail sooo badly. Kind of a long trip for a bike ride though.

[rockymtnchief]

I want to ride that trail sooo badly. Kind of a long trip for a bike ride though.

The terrain isn't too tough. I've ridden most of it (not all at once) when I lived in Rapid City. IIRC, a few of my friends did the whole trip in three days.

[Bugeater]

The terrain isn't too tough. I've ridden most of it (not all at once) when I lived in Rapid City. IIRC, a few of my friends did the whole trip in three days.
I meant the amount of driving I would have to do just to go there. But yeah, we have some of those rails-to-trails around here too, they're not bad because railroad grade usually isn't too steep. I heard there's a couple fairly tough climbs on that one though, I can't imagine I'd ever ride the whole thing. I'm too old for that shit.

[2bikemike]

Frazod, SDChief and the others are really covering it well. I like Frazod find the Black Hill very alluring. I go every chance I get. Sometimes for the Bike Rally and sometimes just to go.

One thing my wife and I really enjoyed was the lighting ceremony at Mt. Rushmore. Check the website for details.

[dtebbe]

http://www.walldrug.com/

[Rooster]

The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota is cool but kinda corny. ;)

[Monty]

Frazod, SDChief and the others are really covering it well. I like Frazod find the Black Hill very alluring. I go every chance I get. Sometimes for the Bike Rally and sometimes just to go.

One thing my wife and I really enjoyed was the lighting ceremony at Mt. Rushmore. Check the website for details.

Agreed with the other recommendations. I was born in Rapid City and have an extensive family history in Deadwood, Rapid, Hill City, Hermosa, Buffalo Gap. I'd move back in a second and I prefer Hill City as a base camp as it's usually nicer in the summer than in Rapid. I prefer the cooler temps in the Hills versus the dry heat in Rapid, but only on days that it's hot, which is fairly rare.

In addition to the already provided suggestions:

1. Custer State Park, Wildlife Loop. Go at sunrise for the best experience. Less traffic from tourists and the animals are out and about.

2. If you fish, Deerfield is good for lake fishing and Castle Creek is great for fly fishing. Both are about 15 miles northwest of Hill City and off the beaten trail so to speak. Not much for amenities, but there is a store in case you forget something.

3. The helicoptor ride in Keystone is pretty cool as well.

4. Wind Cave is worth the time, but save that for the afternoon to escape the heat(if it's hot that day).

5. The Alpine Inn in Hill City has a great Prime Rib special if you're interested.

6. Iron Mountain Road is probably my favorite of all the roads in the Black Hills and definitely worth the trip.

7. Sylvan Lake is where they filmed National Treasure 2. They have some good trails there.

8. Harney Peak. Good trails there too.

9. Spearfish Canyon is good for scenery too, but early in the morning is the best time IMO.

Enjoy your trip! :toast:

[Buehler445]

Agreed with the other recommendations. I was born in Rapid City and have an extensive family history in Deadwood, Rapid, Hill City, Hermosa, Buffalo Gap. I'd move back in a second and I prefer Hill City as a base camp as it's usually nicer in the summer than in Rapid. I prefer the cooler temps in the Hills versus the dry heat in Rapid, but only on days that it's hot, which is fairly rare.

In addition to the already provided suggestions:

1. Custer State Park, Wildlife Loop. Go at sunrise for the best experience. Less traffic from tourists and the animals are out and about.

2. If you fish, Deerfield is good for lake fishing and Castle Creek is great for fly fishing. Both are about 15 miles northwest of Hill City and off the beaten trail so to speak. Not much for amenities, but there is a store in case you forget something.

3. The helicoptor ride in Keystone is pretty cool as well.

4. Wind Cave is worth the time, but save that for the afternoon to escape the heat(if it's hot that day).

5. The Alpine Inn in Hill City has a great Prime Rib special if you're interested.

6. Iron Mountain Road is probably my favorite of all the roads in the Black Hills and definitely worth the trip.

7. Sylvan Lake is where they filmed National Treasure 2. They have some good trails there.

8. Harney Peak. Good trails there too.

9. Spearfish Canyon is good for scenery too, but early in the morning is the best time IMO.

Enjoy your trip! :toast:

Damn it. Forgot about those. i need to go back to refresh my memory :D

[Monty]

Damn it. Forgot about those. i need to go back to refresh my memory :D

Yeah, what you said! :toast:

[Archie F. Swin]

I truly appreciate everyone's input. Assuming we can afford the gas to get to SD...should be a great vacation.

[Iowanian]

I've done that tour....as others have said, be sure to catch wind and jewel cave, mammoth site, devils tower, badlands and the monuments. If you're into geology at all there is a lot to see too.

I found Rapid City to be one of the most bizarre, wild drinking towns I've ever stayed in. I saw fights spill out of bars to the sidewalk like the wild west, I was in a club with 2 big screen Tvs, one with Tom and Jerry, and the other a porno over the dance floor. Rough place.

Should be a nice trip.

[Bugeater]

The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota is cool but kinda corny. ;)
I thought it was a complete waste of time.

[kepp]

9yr old boy, 13 yr old girl

My family went on vacation through the west when I was 8 years old and that area is one of the places we went. I don't remember ever being bored (except for the car ride). I remember being amazed by Devil's Tower and Rushmore.

[Frazod]

My family went on vacation through the west when I was 8 years old and that area is one of the places we went. I don't remember ever being bored (except for the car ride). I remember being amazed by Devil's Tower and Rushmore.

I think it's pretty safe to say kids are different today. I went out there for my first time when I was 11 and fell in love with the place. Of course, that was back in the 70s. It's entirely possible that a modern child would spend the entire trip pissed off because he or she couldn't text friends or download videos. And in large chunks of the Black Hills, especially Custer State Park, that will definitely be the case. At Sylvan Lake, my iPhone didn't work at all, and the only wifi was in the lodge, and it was iffy at best.

[Rooster]

I thought it was a complete waste of time.

I was ten and easily amused.

[mlyonsd]

http://www.walldrug.com/

On the way you pass about 2000 signs for it so you're kind of obligated if you haven't been there before.

When we were kids we got a kick out of the singing cowboys.

Oh, and ice water is always free.

[Frazod]

I thought it was a complete waste of time.

This. There's nothing worth seeing anywhere until you hit the badlands and Wall. Brutal drive, but the Hills are always worth it.

[OmahaChief]

You'll see signs everywhere for the Cosmos Mystery Area. Check it out. Touristy and gimmicky, but neat.

I agree. Check out the Cosmos. Total roadside attraction type of place. We all loved it for what it was and got some cool photos for the album. These types of places are perfect for family vacations and to break up spending so much time in the car.

[OmahaChief]

We also enjoyed Evans Plunge.

http://www.evansplunge.com/

[Monty]

We also enjoyed Evans Plunge.

http://www.evansplunge.com/

I spent a tremendous amount of time there when I was a kid.

I just remembered that there's a coupon book for the family attractions and it's definitely worth getting. There are two: one($15) is just attractions and the other($20) is attractions+restaurtants+motels.

Link: http://www.blackhillsdiscounts.com/

[Bump]

this sounds like a cool vacation, I want to go there someday.

[Brianfo]

Bump. My wife and I have totally changed our vacation plans after reading this thread. Thanks to all who have contributed. Do any of you know anything about Palmer Gulch in Hills City. That is where we have tentatively booked, but are not sure if that place is where we should stay. They don't have many pics on their website. Our kids love to swim and we like to wind down by the pool at the end of the day. Website says that they have 2 pools.

We have twins(boy/girl) that are 7 and a 5 yr old son.

TIA

[black angus]

I enjoyed jewel cave near Custer when i was there. We also spent an afternoon at
a rendevous when we were there. I've always enjoyed vacationing inthat area.
Floating down the Niobrara river near Valentine is also pretty relaxing.

[jspchief]

Agree with others. Black Hills/Custer is my favorite part. Mt Rushmore is better in real life than you can imagine.

Badlands is really cool to drive through, but it's not much of a destination itself.

Disagree with Frazod about Devil's Tower. It's a long ass way from where you are, and while kind of cool, it's not worth the drive IMO. Our family wished they had that day back.

There are a lot of "tourist traps" in SD, so you kind of have to filter. I'm sure your boy will eat it up. A 13 yo girl maybe not so much, but I guess it depends on the girl.

If you like scenery, the Black Hills won't disappoint.

[jspchief]

Oh, forgot Custer's Last Stand.

The first time I visited, I was maybe around 11 and to me it was completely awesome. You go through the museum and read about how it all went down, then go out and see the land and how things played out. Just visualizing that battle was incredible for me.

That was a long time ago though. Don't know how it would appeal to others. Also don't know if political correctness has changed that story to the point that the place is no longer what is was.

[Bugeater]

The drive to Devil's Tower is brutal. Whole lot of fucking nothing on the way there.

[rockymtnchief]

Oh, forgot Custer's Last Stand.



Custer Battlefield is a good 3 hour trip from the Black Hills, though.

[jspchief]

Custer Battlefield is a good 3 hour trip from the Black Hills, though.I was young on that trip, so don't remember how out of the way it was. In my memory, it was "on the way" but I have no idea how far out of the way it was between Iowa and the Black Hills.

All I know is it was a highlight of that trip.

[Frazod]

Custer Battlefield is a good 3 hour trip from the Black Hills, though.

Back in '99 we did a long driving vacation and hit Cheyenne, Jackson, Tetons/Yellowstone, Little Bighorn and the Black Hills. Drove about 5,000 miles in 10 days, but it was a great trip. The battlefield is pretty far from pretty much everything, but if you're an American history buff, it shouldn't be missed if you're in the general area. You really get a sense of how isolated Custer's final command was from the rest of his forces. It's a long fucking way from Weir Point to Last Stand Hill.

[rockymtnchief]

In my memory, it was "on the way" but I have no idea how far out of the way it was between Iowa and the Black Hills.



It's in SE Montana.

[jspchief]

It's in SE Montana.Ahh, we went to Montana on that trip too. That explains it. ;)

[Bearcat]

Thinking about taking a road trip out there soon, anyone know how touristy it is this time of year? Mostly wondering about the Harney Peak trails, considering it's listed as a 'heavy usage' trail, but would be interested in any good/remote trails that offer good views.

[Brock]

It's mid august so sturgis and the aftermath is still kinda going on. Probably still a couple million people up there.

[Bugeater]

Well if you're like me and hate other people's kids, it's probably a great time to go since school has started in most places.

[Bearcat]

It's only august so sturgis and the aftermath is still kinda going on. Probably still a couple million people up there.

Yeah, it went through the 9th, thinking of driving up there about a week before Labor Day.

Well if you're like me and hate other people's kids, it's probably a great time to go since school has started in most places.

Yeah, that's the hope... that's the first week in about 2 months where no one on my team is on vacation.

[Brock]

I got curious and went to look at a live camera of sturgis. Ghost town. So I guess there's probably nothing going on.

[TrebMaxx]

I must suggest Wall Drug.

[markd2000]

Pick up some Sturgis Beef Jerkey while you're in the hills. My Dad introduced it to us and we in turn to our kids who love it. Best jerkey I've ever tasted...kids will love it too. I worked in Rushmore Cave one summer...cool, but I think Wind Cave is better. Get out and smell the fresh air and scent of the pines. Better than being cooped up in the car all day. Picnic lunches are great for that. Take some hikes. (PS...I also hand made the first sign for Bear Country USA when it first opened)

[Tacoman]

The helicopter ride that flies around the fac of the monument is something I will never forget.

[Bearcat]

Pick up some Sturgis Beef Jerkey while you're in the hills. My Dad introduced it to us and we in turn to our kids who love it. Best jerkey I've ever tasted...kids will love it too. I worked in Rushmore Cave one summer...cool, but I think Wind Cave is better. Get out and smell the fresh air and scent of the pines. Better than being cooped up in the car all day. Picnic lunches are great for that. Take some hikes. (PS...I also hand made the first sign for Bear Country USA when it first opened)

Any suggestions on hikes? The fewer people the better.


Flying over Rushmore sounds cool, I'm all for seeing it without standing in line.