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Old 01-08-2018, 09:21 AM   #1
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Bad Lands

We are going to the Bad lands area. Looking for a good campground where we can stay for the month of May or June. Want to be within 2 or 3 hours of the major sights to see. We have never been to this area. Can anyone suggest a campground?
Thanks
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Old 01-08-2018, 09:48 AM   #2
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What bad lands area are you referring to? There are a few named as such.
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Old 01-08-2018, 09:59 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by Larryg17 View Post
We are going to the Bad lands area. Looking for a good campground where we can stay for the month of May or June. Want to be within 2 or 3 hours of the major sights to see. We have never been to this area. Can anyone suggest a campground?

Thanks

Larryg17


Are you referring to South Dakota?
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Old 01-08-2018, 03:09 PM   #4
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assuming South Dakota badlands I'd split your time between the Wall, SD area near the Badlands NP and Custer, SD in the Black Hills with the majority of your time in Custer.

In Wall you can see Wall Drug, the Wounded Knee Museum, Badlands NP and the Minuteman Missile National Historic Park (exit 131 off I-90).

Custer is more or less centrally located in the hills. Custer State Park; Mt. Rushmore (Keystone); Crazy Horse; Mammoth Dig Site (Hot Springs); Wild Horse Refuse (Hot Springs); Wind Cave Natl Park; Needles Highway (Custer); Deadwood, SD tour; Mt. Moriah Cemetary (Deadwood); Mining Tour (Lead, SD..Pronounced Leed); Spearfish Canyon (Spearfish); Devils Tower (abt 90-min west) and lots, lots more.

I'd spend maybe 3-5 nights in Wall at Sleepy Hollow campground. 5-min walk to Wall Drug; 30-min drive back to the Minuteman Missile site. Also SD state route 240 is the loop road that runs thru the Badlands Natl Park. 240 runs between I-90 exits 110 (west) and 131 (east). it will run you past most of the park's overlooks and visitor center. other than just breezing through I'd plan to spend at least a couple of days exploring the park.

Then the balance of your time in the hills based in or near Custer. Custer State Park has multiple camping/RV opportunities some with water/electric and others dry camping. Many, many full hookup commercial RV parks in the area as well. me? I'd go with the Game Lodge campground in Custer State Park (make reservations!) or Custer's Gulch RV Park (make reservations).

good luck and safe travels.
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Old 01-09-2018, 10:19 AM   #5
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I agree spend the bulk of your time in Custer. So much to do and see. Then spend a couple of nights (3 maybe) at the badlands NP. There is a KOA that is adequate about 5 miles from the park entrance. Then spend a day or two exploring the park.
Wall drug is a afternoon stop on the way to your next destination. We had trouble spending over 3 hours there.
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Old 01-09-2018, 11:25 AM   #6
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In Wall there are several CGs within a short drive. We have stayed several times at 'Arrow CG'. full hookups, level sites and walking distance of the "World Famous Wall Drugs" and the downtown strip. Nice staff and the prices are good.
It gets hot in the BadLands before the weather heats up in the Hills. Spring is a good time to go, but subject to thunderstorms blowing in from the west pretty fast.
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Old 01-09-2018, 02:27 PM   #7
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unless you are a hiker the badlands can be driven through in about an hour and a half. not trying to discourage you as it is worth a visit just be aware of the time it takes and plan accordingly.
custer state park should be a national park with much to see and do as are jewel and wind caves plus mt rushmore and crazy horse. enjoy
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Old 01-09-2018, 02:59 PM   #8
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The Badlands are a on the east side of most of the other things you will want to visit and a long ways, except Wall. It's most of an hour drive to Rapid City and then further to other things. If you want to stay near the Badlands they have two campgrounds neither looked good to us. In Wall there is a big full service campground within walling distance to downtown. We stay at the Airbase when we visit but there are plenty of other nice campgrounds more centrally located that might be better choices. If you choose to stay in the Blacks Hills National Park best to get a reservation early.
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Old 01-09-2018, 05:31 PM   #9
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South Dakota
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Old 01-09-2018, 05:33 PM   #10
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Do you think there is enough to do to spend 3 or 4 weeks near Custer?
We are not hikers, but have no problem driving for a few hours.
Thanks,
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Old 01-09-2018, 07:02 PM   #11
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We are going to the Bad lands area. Looking for a good campground where we can stay for the month of May or June. Want to be within 2 or 3 hours of the major sights to see. We have never been to this area. Can anyone suggest a campground?
Thanks
Larryg17
We stayed at Rafter Bar J Ranch in Hill City. It was central to all the sights we wanted to see. Beautiful campground, big sites , great pool and hot tub. I believe it was less expensive than the KOA but not sure. There is lots to do and see out there. A day trip to Devils Tower was worthwhile. Have a great time.
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Old 01-09-2018, 07:12 PM   #12
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We go to Sturgis every couple of years, I would find it hard to spend 3 to 4 weeks in that area, it is a nice area to stay and a lot to see and do but not 3 weeks worth, I would stay closer to Custer state park. You could do the badlands and wall drug all in the same day.
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Old 01-09-2018, 08:05 PM   #13
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Do you think there is enough to do to spend 3 or 4 weeks near Custer?
We are not hikers, but have no problem driving for a few hours.
Thanks,
Larryg17


Larry17,

You know when you sit in one spot and look around you, at first you see just the big expected things. Over time you see smaller things that you didn't see before. When we pull into an area, we go to the known places of interest first. After meeting and talking to the locals, we learn to appreciate them, their culture, and those less known interesting spots that make that locale unique.

Sometimes just taking a down day or two once and a while to reflect on what we've learned and experienced is great. Life isn't a sprint.

This is my long way of saying, yes, there is enough to do and see for 3-4 weeks near Custer.
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Old 01-09-2018, 08:53 PM   #14
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You waste a lot of time by sitting in one spot and trying to drive hours to see something else. Move around to different areas and maximize your time... and fuel $$.
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