Wyoming and South Dakota

[High Road Travelers]

We are taking a long tour this summer from east Texas, and will tour around through Colorado and then make our way up to Yellowstone. Most of this part of the trip is planned out, but to come back home we want to go through Wyoming and South Dakota. We have never been to this part of the world.
Can someone give some recommendations of what sights to take in while in WY and SD? We are mostly into nature sight-seeing, maybe some historical sites and such - no bright lights and glitz.
Thanks,

[ppine]

Western SD, Deadwood, Black Hills, Lead, Mt Rushmore, Badlands NP.
Wyo is more spread out. The best part is the West. I like Cody and Sheridan to visit. Lots of places to camp like the Bighorns.

[B52Rnav]

About 80 miles west of Billings, MT. Big Timber, MT is one of our favorite small towns. Spring Creek CG and Trout Farm on the river is nice. If you are HH and golfers, the Big Timber golf course is nice. About 10 miles outside of town is a burger joint with best burgers and cheese curd.



South of Billings is one of our favorite places. Big Horn Canyon NRA, just outside of Lovell, WY. Horseshoe Bend CG. Upgraded last few years. Not much traffic mid week, but weekends are busy with boaters. Dark skies for star gazing.


In SD, Corn Palace on Mitchell. Needles Highway in Custer SP is a spectacular drive. Be careful if in big pickup.

[OldBaldFat]

1880's Town, I-90 Exit 63, Midland, SD

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, east of Rapid City, SD

[Isaac-1]

We are just east of you in western Louisiana, and are also going to Yellowstone (for the 2nd time), in June, we did western / southern South Dakota in May of 2023, I generally would second the southwestern corner of SD, Mount Rushmore, Badlands NP, Black Hills, Custer State park, etc., We did not get to spend as much time I would have liked there, so will likely be going back maybe next year or the year after.


Now a couple of negative things from the prospective of our local area:


Thing one they don't know how to cook, we ate at several places that were supposed to be best restaurant in town in SD, most were what I would at best call ok, though a couple were actually good, the issue is they tend to season everything the same, at one place I had the Country Fried Steak and my wife had something with Chicken and they tasted identical, and I do mean identical, only the texture differed.


Second thing, EVERYTHING closes by 8 pm, we stopped for the night in Mitchel, SD (Home of the Corn Palace) on the way back to Louisiana, we pulled into the RV park around 7 pm on a Saturday, and decided to go out for dinner and found nearly every restaurant in town closes at 8PM, including Burger King. We ended up eating at the only 24 hour restaurant in town a Denny's knock off next to the truck stop. We had a similar experience in Wall, SD a few days before, but Wall is MUCH smaller (population 688 according to google) than Mitchel which is around 16,000.


p.s. One place we did eat at that we were impressed with was the Colonial House in Rapid City, the place has the feel of a regional chain, professional looking menus, wait staff uniforms, layout/ furnishing, etc, but is a one off restaurant. They also have a frozen / prepared heat and serve cooler / freezer section by the checkout counter, we stocked up on 3-4 days worth of meals there.

[Isaac-1]

Originally Posted by OldBaldFat

1880's Town, I-90 Exit 63, Midland, SD

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, east of Rapid City, SD

The Minuteman Historic site is about 85-90 miles east of Rapid City, check the hours of operation, they are limited, both for the museum and even more so for the silo site a few miles west of the museum. Don't make our mistake and pull off the interstate while passing by at about 3-4 pm thinking it would be open (hours are 9-3 tues-sat for the museum), they have metal bar gates and no turn around at the end of the entrance road. We had to disconnect our TOAD car and do about a 9 point turn to get turned around in their driveway stub before the gate.

[Wiscampsin1]

Add Devils Tower in Wyoming on your list of things to see.

[LoneTraveler]

In Wyoming, Little Big Horn Battleground National Park (Custer’s last stand) and Devil’s Tower. South Dakota, all places mentioned. I felt most of the towns mentioned were too touristy. Found the town of Custer was smaller and less touristy and several campgrounds nearby. Stayed at Big Pine CG and liked it. May try a different campground east of Cody next time I go back. Custer SP has a lot to do. Very nice hiking trails around SylvanLake. Large bison herd that comes very close to the roadway and two Lodge restaurants to eat at. I really was impressed with the Blue Bell Lodge restaurant. Really nice laid back atmosphere. A small lodge. Hell Canyon west of Cuter was a nice canyon for a day hike. Nice 7 mile loop trail around Black Elk Peak near Sylvan Lake. Check out the park’s and Black Hills National Forest websites. Have fun!

[Charming]

If you plan to tour the Minuteman Missile site put in your request for tickets as soon as possible. I waited too long to request tickets.

[jacwjames]

In 2021 I spent about a week visiting sites around West SD. Stayed at Wind Cave NP and used that as base to visit Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the NP, and other sites. Then went on to Devils tower and spent a couple days there.

Lots of history there, some of the old mining towns are interesting and one of the old mines is being used for experimental purposes on Dark Matter. Not for everyone one but I found it interesting.

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by High Road Travelers

We are taking a long tour this summer from east Texas, and will tour around through Colorado and then make our way up to Yellowstone. Most of this part of the trip is planned out, but to come back home we want to go through Wyoming and South Dakota. We have never been to this part of the world.
Can someone give some recommendations of what sights to take in while in WY and SD? We are mostly into nature sight-seeing, maybe some historical sites and such - no bright lights and glitz.
Thanks,

I would even consider a trip up to Medora, N.D. to Teddy Roosevelt N.P. This park is really nice and worth the trip.

[SteveJ.]

Alpine Inn in Hill City. There are reasons for the line up to get in.

Somewhere along the way, try rocky mountain oysters.

[oldenavy]

Originally Posted by LoneTraveler

In Wyoming, Little Big Horn Battleground National Park (Custer’s last stand) and Devil’s Tower. South Dakota, all places mentioned. …

Actually, Little Bighorn is in Montana. It’s very much worth a visit if in the vicinity.

[Cousin Ed]

You received some great ideas but YELLOWSTONE is mostly in WY!!!!