Dakota's and Beyond, Wyoming & Montana

[Indy54]

Tailgating on Ruebenrays thread here. We will be in SD around 8/20 this year. Haven't made any reservations. Looking for nice independent parks. Does it make sense to "base" in Rapid City and backtrack to day trips to the badlands? I don't see any places with great reviews in the Wall SD area. Any suggestions?

[Indy54]

Anyone ever stay at Elkhorn Ridge RV park just above Deadwood? Looks nice....

[roothoss1282]

Originally Posted by Indy54

Anyone ever stay at Elkhorn Ridge RV park just above Deadwood? Looks nice....

It is a really nice park, a little spendy but Deadwood is 10 miles and Spearfish is closer. Sturgis is maybe 20 miles. Right off the interstate and easy in and out. All pads are cement and level.

[MTSam]

Hey ya'll I know some think I am over exaggerating current conditions in MT right now... But here is a serious update that could impact travelers to campgrounds in Glacier National Park.

Tonight's news (KRTV- Great Falls):

Logging Creek
Quartz Creek
Lower Quartz Lake
Upper Quartz Lake
Logging Lake
Adair Lake
and
Grace Lake

campgrounds are all CLOSED DUE TO WILD FIRES that started last night/this am from lightening.

As I've said, it's awful darn dry everywhere in Montana, and that includes the Mountains. The state is pretty much in a stage one or stage two status due to this.

There are also 6 trails that have been closed in the park due to the same wildfires.

IF you were set with reservations, I seriously suggest calling and finding out what alternatives may be available to you. I'd hate to see anyone stuck and not able to get somewhere safe after a long drive to sleep for the night.

Gibraltar Ridge Fire -- (Eureka) is also dealing with wildfire/s...

Hope this helps.

[marknpeg]

Here in Missoula the smoke has been pretty bad the last couple days. It was relatively clear when we got here in Sunday but the wind has changed. You can barely see the mountains. Still a beautiful town.

[M2D]

Thanks MTSam, we will keep our eyes on the situation. We leave on 8/15 from MA. We can change direction as needed. There are so many beautiful parts of our country to see. Just got to get to the Wooden Boat show in Port Townsend, WA the weekend after the Labor day weekend. Otherwise we can go anywhere.

We appreciate your updates. We will be very grateful if you could keep us all advised. Wonder if there is a link to your news channel so we can check everyday on our way.

Michele and Mark

[M2D]

Found KRTV.com to read the story about Tuesday's storm and the wildfires that have started. We will check it often for developments as well as with the park service. We are booked into the St Mary's KOA for five days over Labor Day weekend. Campgrounds inside the park are closed.

Michele and Mark

[marknpeg]

My wife climbed the "M" in Missoula today. This was in the morning and the smoke wasn't bad. By this afternoon you couldn't see the mountains in any direction.

[Indy54]

Have appreciated the helpful updates in this thread by MTSam and others. We are headed up I-90 tomorrow, 8/22 from, Rapid City SD through billings, butte, Missoula, to Coeur d Alene. DEQ sites from MTSam indicate yellow and orange. Route seems safe at this time..

[MTSam]

Hey guys, happy to help. I just wish to see people safe, have info to help assess their plans, and make the best choices for their comfort level. Things can change very quickly here - good and bad. It's harder to 'negotiate' the bad when you aren't familiar with the lay of the land...

This may help - https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/27/

I was 'out' the other week up on 'The Front' in the Bob. (No cell, thus my quiet status).

We headed for a 'cleaner' 'greener' area close to easy exits out of The Front after going into a canyon we thought had 'started recovery well' from fires years ago. Wrong. Sadly dead timber still stands, and knowing a storm was in the forecast for winds we were concerned about timber coming down on us and back tracked.

That put us closer to the two lightening fires that started during the late night by chance. The storm quickly passed with lightening setting off the two wildfires just west of our camp. Both were quickly contained and then put out - less than 50 acres each I'm told. That's about two football fields gone for our enjoyment folks. And those aren't even piss ant size fires. It will take time before the ground returns to 'beautiful' as well as safe. Keep that in mind. This fire season will impact us all for years to come. Trees take time.

Also including a pic from the camp ground. You get there after long gravel roads and no water in camp. Water sure is precious here.

Sometimes yah just try your best to stay safe and still get out for fun.






Hope everyone is enjoying safe travels. Remember open flame, some generators, and other spark causing issues are illegal in many areas of Montana right now. Be safe!

[PLimbaugh]

Kinda thinking about heading this way so appreciate knowing this info!

[Ranger Rick]

Will be traveling in our 42 ft mh from Cody wy. To rapid city South Dakota in late September. What is the best route in order to avoid the omg incline? Thanks for your recommendations.

Ranger Rick
Winnebago Tour 42

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Ranger Rick

Will be traveling in our 42 ft mh from Cody wy. To rapid city South Dakota in late September. What is the best route in order to avoid the omg incline? Thanks for your recommendations.



Ranger Rick

Winnebago Tour 42

I would take US16 over the Big Horn range to Buffalo. There is one long grade up to the Powder River Pass at 9700'. There is a pull out at the pass where you can overnight. I did this route in the other direction a few years ago.

[starebear]

Is there a 'go to map'.or website..etc that a person can study so that they know about the incline ...elevation...dangers etc. of the roads for planning trips... (newbie..excited to learn and be smart about traveling)