South Dakota Trip

**iccyfan** · 02-22-2010, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by woodie

march is a good time to go thru custer state park because it is a good time to see the wild animals in the park since all of the trees do not have their foliage yet.

When you purchase your entry into Custer Park, they'll give you a road map. When you drive the "wildlife loop", stop at one of the Ranger Stations and they'll be thrilled to mark where the various herds are reported to be. We went way off the paved loop roads in search of the best bison herd looks and had no problem in the family Chevrolet Venture minivan!

On the same topic, before going in purchase some "baby carrots" at a grocery store and let your kids feed the burros. They'll get a kick out of it, plus you'll make the other dads look bad because they didn't think of it.

**GeronimusClone** · 02-22-2010, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by HandSanitizer

Hey all,
In the interest of being lazy and saving time. I wanted to ask anyone who has recently been to the Black Hills in South Dakota advice. We are spending a couple days there and wanted to know the main things to do and how much time is required to see them. We are in the process of picking a motel. We are thinking the Keystone, Hill City or the Custer area.

As of right now here are a few things on my list for options. Not sure how long they take though.

Flinestone bedrock city- Custer
Black hills forest-Custer
Jewell Cave -Custer
Crazy Horse - North of Custer by 20 mins
Big Thunder Gold Mine - Keystone, SD
Mount rushmore - Keystone, SD
Bear Country USA - Custer
1880 Train - Hill City/Keystone

Thanks!

I was in Rapid City last summer for business and I'd suggest staying in Custer. It's not far from Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. Make sure you go to the lighting show at night at Mt. Rushmore. Really cool. Also, don't miss the Cosmos. That was my favorite thing as a kid. Reptile Gardens as well.

**jsb** · 02-22-2010, 09:13 AM

My family went in 1989 on a trip. It was right after our 1988 vacation to Disney World and I agree with the previous poster that said it was a really great trip. We visited the corn palace, we spent a lot of time in the Badlands National Park. Back then the donkeys would come right up to your car. We visited Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore. We went to some park with mamouth bones in it. We drove into Wyoming to see the Devil's Tower.

Are you taking kids? If you have a daughter that is the right age, a trip to De Smet, SD where a lot of the Little House on the Praire books took place is pretty cool. I was about 10 when we went and I loved visiting it.

**jsb** · 02-22-2010, 09:14 AM

Oh and we saw Wall Drug too. You almost have to stop there since you see signs for days :)

**harty83** · 02-22-2010, 09:21 AM

I don't think anybody has mentioned this yet, but another great side trip is through Spearfish Canyon. Beautiful.

Spearfish Canyon Foundation

**yler4cy** · 02-22-2010, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by cycopath25

DEADWOOD!!!!!!

I am going to Mount Rushmore for the first time in my life in July. We are going to be staying in Deadwood.

HandSanitizer - I will ask my sister. They just went there last year.

**GeronimusClone** · 02-22-2010, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by jsb

Oh and we saw Wall Drug too. You almost have to stop there since you see signs for days :)

Wall Drug is the biggest waste of time since the Wisconsin Dells.

**aauummm** · 02-22-2010, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by harty83

I don't think anybody has mentioned this yet, but another great side trip is through Spearfish Canyon. Beautiful.

Spearfish Canyon Foundation

That has got to be one of the top ten drives in America. Nice waterfall stop along the way. Beautiful resort out in the middle of the canyon with great views.

**cyfanatic** · 02-22-2010, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by GeronimusClone

Wall Drug is the biggest waste of time since the Wisconsin Dells.

I agree with this. I guess I can say that I was there...but that is about it. I just don't see the attraction to it at all.

**CarolinaCy** · 02-22-2010, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by GeronimusClone

Wall Drug is the biggest waste of time since the Wisconsin Dells.

Bigger than the Corn Palace in Mitchell? We only went there because that's where we stayed overnight on the way out. What a gigantic waste of time.

**aauummm** · 02-22-2010, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by GeronimusClone

I was in Rapid City last summer for business and I'd suggest staying in Custer. It's not far from Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. Make sure you go to the lighting show at night at Mt. Rushmore. Really cool. Also, don't miss the Cosmos. That was my favorite thing as a kid. Reptile Gardens as well.

Custer isn't too bad. If you go through there a stop at the Purple Pie House on Main Street is a must. We stayed at the Rafter J Bar RV Ranch just outside of Hill City. Hill City is very nice and it is centrally located. Cute town.

**GeronimusClone** · 02-22-2010, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by CarolinaCy

Bigger than the Corn Palace in Mitchell? We only went there because that's where we stayed overnight on the way out. What a gigantic waste of time.

At the very least, you get to sign your name in a book. That vaults it past Wall Drug.

**cyfanatic** · 02-22-2010, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by CarolinaCy

Bigger than the Corn Palace in Mitchell? We only went there because that's where we stayed overnight on the way out. What a gigantic waste of time.

I agree with this too! Again, saw it...that is about it for my thoughts on the Corn Palace. This is about all you need to see about it:

South Dakota Public Broadcasting

**harty83** · 02-22-2010, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by CarolinaCy

Bigger than the Corn Palace in Mitchell? We only went there because that's where we stayed overnight on the way out. What a gigantic waste of time.

If you do go through/stay in Mitchell, just take a look at the Corn Palace as you drive by. That's as good as it gets. Then stop at the Cabela's they have now. Much better use of time.