South Dakota/Badlands

[RedRover37BA]

Hi all, thinking of heading to South Dakota this summer, any suggestions on best time of year, places to stay and how much time we should plan on for the Badlands? Traveling in a 39 foot class A.

Thanks!

[mricet1005]

Originally Posted by RedRover37BA

Hi all, thinking of heading to South Dakota this summer, any suggestions on best time of year, places to stay and how much time we should plan on for the Badlands? Traveling in a 39 foot class A.

Thanks!

For Badlands it depends on whether you are into hiking or not. If only scenic drives then you can explore the park in one day. I like to hike and do night/ star photography, so I stayed 3 nights.

Lots to do in Black Hills. Many scenic drives through Custer State Park, many hikes, Mt Rushmore. Lots of biking choices. Crazyhorse Monument. Lots of towns to explore. Spearfish Canyon, Wind Cave and Jewel Cave. I can spend weeks in the area and not get bored.

[SWO Vette]

FYI. The annual Sturgis motorcycle rally is the first full week of August. You might want to avoid that time as all sites will be full.

[SteveNdebbie]

Originally Posted by RedRover37BA

Hi all, thinking of heading to South Dakota this summer, any suggestions on best time of year, places to stay and how much time we should plan on for the Badlands? Traveling in a 39 foot class A.

Thanks!

We were heading from Ohio to Oregon coast last September and we boondocked at Nomads View just outside the Badlands park entrance. Found it on Campendium. We were planning to stay one night but couldn’t bring ourselves to leave and stayed two nights.

[RedRover37BA]

Looks awesome, thanks!

[SteveNdebbie]

Originally Posted by RedRover37BA

Looks awesome, thanks!

You’re welcome! And it’s FREE. Just make sure you close the fence so the cows don’t get out.

And don’t miss the Wounded Knee museum in Wall.

[Big Dude]

We’ve made three trips to the Black Hills and would recommend these: Mt Rushmore (especially at night), Deadwood, Tatanka (Kevin Costner’s Story Of The Bison), Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, Needles Highway & Iron Mountain Rd, Spearfish Canyon, Hill City, The Museum at Black Hills Institute, Prairie Berry Winery, Mammoth Site at Hot Springs, Wind Cave NP, Sturgis & Wall Drug (just to say you’ve been there). West in WY to Devil’s Tower. I would stay at least a week.

[Rolling Ragu]

Black Hills area will amaze you with how much there is to do and see.

As mentioned above, we had scheduled one night in the Badlands and ended up adding two more! If you're a drive by and look kind of person, one day. Otherwise, at least two, to allow for a few hikes. Badlands has several short but amazing hikes that most anyone can do.

[RedRover37BA]

Great info and ideas, thanks all and safe travels!

[Melvo]

Lived in Rapid City for a few years and the only month we didn't have snow was July. We even had a flood that killed 200 people caused by a freak storm. You should be OK from May to September, most years can be hot. If you don't want to spend a full day in the Badlands you might want to combine it with Wall Drug, a true tourist place but worth a stop same with the Corn Palace if you pass it.

[Saltydog44]

Love the area. Rafter Bar J Ranch worked great for us. Close to the Badlands and also to Custer State park (Great stop - been there several times) and many other spots like Rushmore.

[mricet1005]

Originally Posted by Saltydog44

Love the area. Rafter Bar J Ranch worked great for us. Close to the Badlands and also to Custer State park (Great stop - been there several times) and many other spots like Rushmore.

+2 on Rafter J Bar Ranch. Great base for touring the Black Hills area.

[LPerry]

Thanks to all, I'm planning a trip to that area this summer and needed the advice.

[jaymiller]

We also went at the Sturgis time and going thru Custer SP did not see any Buffalo herds or for that matter any other animals. Asked the Ranger about that and he said that the Bikes going thru the park scare most of the wildlife away from the roads. Who would have thought that?