Mt. Rushmore CGs

[ArmandV]

Originally Posted by CoastieSCPO

I liked the Rafter J Bar of all the campgrounds that we stayed at over the years. The place has lots of open spaces and the individual sites are big. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally or "bike week". It is supposed to be bigger and more crowded than usual. My son, who has lived in Rapid City for a long time, drives a delivery truck for one of the beer companies in Rapid and told me that they expect a huge turnout. The event is from August 3-9 but I would not go in the area any time near the actual time of the rally.

We were there during the 50th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and it was a zoo. We started noticing bikers riding in droves just before we reached Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Everyone was polite, but just too many people in the area.

[two-niner]

It may appear as a "zoo". But to many of us Vietnam combat vets who know actual danger, it's a walk in the park. Plus, sadly, it may be our last ride.

Sometimes you meet someone who you thought had gone to Arlington.

[Redwing 77]

Rafter J Bar

[Ray,IN]

Add Crazy Horse CG to your list. It is on top of the mountain North of Custer, S.D. It is usually 10 or degrees cooler up there than in Custer. One time we got a little hail in July.

[the_vfox]

Try Rush No More Campground, very nice people, large sites. We have been there three times in the last two years.

[ROAquaman]

If you haven't made reservations yet, you may want to consider Sheridan Lake campground if you like a more secluded camping experience. We stayed there June 2014 and loved it. Beautiful lake and campground. Water and electric only. Not crowded during our stay. Really close to Hill City, SD.


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[desertvince]

Thanks one and all. Will be using one of these recommendations.

[PanJH]

After the rally, you should not have an issue with getting a site pretty much anywhere nearby without reservations. As many said, Rafter J is nice. Another place we checked out, but didn't stay as we were set up elsewhere was Horse Thief CG. We stopped by for a afternoon BBQ and had a great time. The sites looked pretty nice .

[Dasmoeturhead]

We liked the Happy Holiday cg also.

[doc]

Future Rally Dates

• August 3rd - 9th, 2015(75th Annual Sturgis Rally)
• August 8th - 14th, 2016(76th Annual Sturgis Rally)
• August 7th - 13th, 2017(77th Annual Sturgis Rally)
• August 6th - 12th, 2018(78th Annual Sturgis Rally)
• August 5th - 11th, 2019(79th Annual Sturgis Rally)

Gonna be crowded anywhere in the Hills that first week. They start getting there a few days before and many leave a couple of days early. That said,GO! This will be a milestone for bikers and people who live in the Hills

[rdpulford]

Spearfish city campground is a wonderful spot.
Creek runs right thru it.
Very friendly staff and beautiful scenery.
Drive thru Spearfish Caynon is a must see!

[ArmandV]

Originally Posted by rdpulford

Spearfish city campground is a wonderful spot.
Creek runs right thru it.
Very friendly staff and beautiful scenery.
Drive thru Spearfish Caynon is a must see!

Your post reminded me of something that I haven't thought of in ages.

We stayed at the Rushmore KOA in 1990 and we were leaving to go Wyoming.

As we were driving, my (rather dense) ex-wife asked if we're stopping for breakfast.

I said, "We'll get something in Spearfish."

She responded (in a very concerned tone), "We're having spearfish?!"

She never was a fish-eater.

[the_vfox]

Originally Posted by rdpulford

Spearfish city campground is a wonderful spot.
Creek runs right thru it.
Very friendly staff and beautiful scenery.
Drive thru Spearfish Caynon is a must see!

That is a nice park, however some of the spots are very tight for larger rigs, but worth the effort.

[LakeKerrGuy]

What about Whispering Pines? Is it convenient to Rushmore and other must see / do?