Rt 44 or I90 to Mt. Rushmore from Badlands?

[Tdave]

Currently on the south side of the Badlands, and drove a short section of 44 back to our campground this afternoon. Lots of heaves for the distance we drove.

We like scenic routes, but I’m wondering if it’s worth heading through the park back to I90 for a more comfortable ride and for the sake of our rig. Heading to Black Hills on Tuesday.

[bduemig]

That would be a smoother drive. Once you enter rapid, take elkvale exit and follow b the bypass to highway 16. Once in 16, it is pretty scenic drive through the hills except for Hill City.

Btw, a great place to eat in the evening is the alpine inn in hill city.

[be-happy]

I am staying at the KOA at Interior first part of July and will be leaving there for a stay at a park in Custer. I have also been debating between HWY44 or I90.

I think I know what you are meaning when you say "heaves" but would you explain a little more?

Thank You

[Tdave]

Originally Posted by be-happy

I am staying at the KOA at Interior first part of July and will be leaving there for a stay at a park in Custer. I have also been debating between HWY44 or I90.

I think I know what you are meaning when you say "heaves" but would you explain a little more?

Thank You

I guess another way to put it is that every few hundred yards there are sharp dips in the road, that could end up launching your trailer.

Wasn’t a comfortable ride even just in my tow vehicle, and if the whole length of 44 is that way, I think I want to avoid it.

It’s a tight narrow climb going back through the park to I90, but we took that route to get here (downhill) and I see tour busses handling it, so we shouldn’t have an issue going back that way, either.

[hamm2018]

I-90 would probably the quickest, we were there last May 2021, and drove on I-90 from Box Elder to Wall.

[rfg9585]

Originally Posted by Tdave

Currently on the south side of the Badlands, and drove a short section of 44 back to our campground this afternoon. Lots of heaves for the distance we drove.

We like scenic routes, but I’m wondering if it’s worth heading through the park back to I90 for a more comfortable ride and for the sake of our rig. Heading to Black Hills on Tuesday.

LOL, we're sitting on the south end of Badlands boondocking area....look for green jeep!

We heading in via i90 to rapid city Tuesday(2 nights), then on to Palmer Gulch KOA.

[Tdave]

Originally Posted by rfg9585

LOL, we're sitting on the south end of Badlands boondocking area....look for green jeep!

We heading in via i90 to rapid city Tuesday(2 nights), then on to Palmer Gulch KOA.

Well that was a heck of a storm!

[rfg9585]

Originally Posted by Tdave

Well that was a heck of a storm!

Worst I have been in. Those winds had to be 70+MPH. Had to bring slide in and water still blew in my closed windows. Getting out of here and heading to Rapid City KOA. C U round....

[rfg9585]

Heck of astorm and now a rescue of a little kid who fell down the ridge. Never a dull moment in the badlands.

[Bobby F]

To anyone out there (or who was just out there): crowded?


(Badlands rim, I mean.)

[rfg9585]

Originally Posted by Bobby F

To anyone out there (or who was just out there): crowded?


(Badlands rim, I mean.)

Just left a perfect spot to the right as you come in. Was crowded last night but at least half left. Plenty of spots to go around.

[Bobby F]

Originally Posted by rfg9585

Just left a perfect spot to the right as you come in. Was crowded last night but at least half left. Plenty of spots to go around.

Great! Not there until Sunday, but I was worried that it would be packed.

[Tdave]

Originally Posted by bduemig

That would be a smoother drive. Once you enter rapid, take elkvale exit and follow b the bypass to highway 16. Once in 16, it is pretty scenic drive through the hills except for Hill City.

Btw, a great place to eat in the evening is the alpine inn in hill city.

Thanks for the tip, just got back from a great dinner there and then the Mt Rushmore lighting ceremony.

I ended up taking I90, only added a few minutes to the trip, was smooth of course.

And they need to rename the place the Black Mountains, ‘cause those weren’t hills I was driving on once I got into the National Forest. Those were some long steep grades for being mere “hills.” F450 with 17k lbs in tow.

[Bobby F]

Originally Posted by Tdave

And they need to rename the place the Black Mountains, ‘cause those weren’t hills I was driving on once I got into the National Forest. Those were some long steep grades for being mere “hills.” F450 with 17k lbs in tow.

I think my favorite boondocking spots above Custer are around 6700', which isn't too shabby for the Plains.