RV Park or Campground at MT Rushmore

[allenb12]

We stayed at Beaver Lake and liked it.

[Gsykora]

Mid May, we stayed for 4 nights at Ft. Wilikit campground in Custer. Unlike lots of campgrounds we saw around the area, this one had lots of trees and shade. Clean bathrooms and showers. We also had wired cable at our site - a nice plus. This campground is just outside of down, so it's easy to get to everything from here.

[beaverfever]

another vote for beaverlake,
superb help and great location

[Rollin101]

Originally Posted by In Pursuit

We spent a week at Rushmore Shadows Resort. We liked it because it was clean, spacious, and close to town.

X2,3&4

[Normy]

Originally Posted by Rollin101

X2,3&4

This place is membership I believe, do you know what those fee's are and how it works?

Thanks
Normy

[Normy]

Originally Posted by Big Dude

We stated at Elkhorn Ridge to explore the northern areas, including Devil's Tower, and Rafter J Bar and Broken Arrow Horse Camp & RV (different trips) for the southern part and would stay at all again.

There seems to be so many great choices everyone is suggesting. I'm wondering if it is easier to ask which ones to stay away....


(Just kiddin', let's not flame any here). I honestly can't believe how many folks have good things to say about so many campgrounds in SD!
Is it like this almost everywhere out West. (West from me in MA). Here in the Northeast I find there are more than a few I would not revisit. I do have to say so far in NH & ME, I have had good luck and nice places, not a bad one yet. and don't get me wrong.....there are tons of good places here in New England!!


Thanks
Normy

[Vaark]

I'll second Fort Welikit. We were also there in May and thought it was a great place to stay.

[Gladie]

Coming from NE, I have to agree with you that there are not a whole lot of real nice campgrounds to choose from esp. in MA and RI. And yes, there are numerous great choices in SD and the West! Did a 10 week trip last year to 11 National Parks, no reservations, and stayed at all lovely parks.

[swagn]

Originally Posted by TomandGloria

We spent a week at Rapid City RV Park. Nice campground and close to Rushmore, Sturgis, Deadwood, Custer, Walmart and restaurants.

We plan on staying at Ellsworth AFB...we thought this would be centrally located too...Is it?

[Normy]

Been reading reviews on some of the campgrounds mentioned, seems most in the surrounding area have spotty Wi-Fi and some suggest none at all further away from the office's. Did you find this as well? Not that I don't mind being unplugged. I am however considering some kind of in trailer temperature monitoring and want to be sure I'll get alerts.

Also, I'm surprised that some people thought the office staff were rude and don't care about following up on complaints about others not respecting the rules. I mentioning this on the most popular ones, ( I won't mention the campground names because it's not my place). So I 'll take it with a grain of salt, but anyone find this as well, (no need to publish those names as either).

All camping we done to date haven't had a rude staff member yet.. but Wi-Fi, forget it hit or miss here at home

Thanks
Normy

[Normy]

Originally Posted by Gsykora

Mid May, we stayed for 4 nights at Ft. Wilikit campground in Custer. Unlike lots of campgrounds we saw around the area, this one had lots of trees and shade. Clean bathrooms and showers. We also had wired cable at our site - a nice plus. This campground is just outside of down, so it's easy to get to everything from here.

Looks like a nice site for sure!

Where did you get your family sign made up, nice!

Thanks
Normy

[slowlanelife]

Originally Posted by grumpy0374

Rafter J Bar. Been there twice in last 3 years.
A bit pricy, but super clean campground, very spread out with large spaces.
Central to everything in the area.
Grumpy

Ditto that

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by swagn

We plan on staying at Ellsworth AFB...we thought this would be centrally located too...Is it?

The Black Hills is a small area, some 75 miles or so from N to S. Get a good early morning start and day trips are quite doable. I stayed in Spearfish, and this was kinda the same thing as it is on the far northern edge of the Hills. I made each day an outing and got back to the camper in time to eat, or ate on the way back. Biggest issue with staying in a campground on the periphery of the hills is that you don't get the scenery and rustic feel you get in one of the campgrounds right in the middle of the hills.

From the FamCamp to Rushmore is 35 miles, will take 45 minutes or so, excellent roads.

FamCamp to Deadwood is 52 miles, will take an hour or so

FamCamp to Wind Cave is 67 miles.

Badlands pinnacle entrance at Wall is 54 miles from the FamCamp.

You will waste one and a half to two hours per day "commuting" to stay at Ellsworth, but plan your stops visiting the "right" places in the right order and you can reduce this significantly.

Upside of Ellsworth is that you get to visit the Museum, you will drive right by it, and have the advantage of eating pizza on base or visiting the commissary for supplies.

Slow down on all of your trips and take in the scenery, this makes the drive worth it.

Charles

[Normy]

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

Slow down on all of your trips and take in the scenery, this makes the drive worth it.

Charles

So true! This will be the priority as much as possible!