Finally in South Dakota

[utmtman]

After a month of waiting on parts for our Motor Home and Tow Dolly, both are fixed and we are on the road again. We got to Custer, SD day before yesterday and I spent yesterday seeing some of the local sites. I was very surprised to find that the National Parks Pass is not worth a lot here. There is not charge at Mount Rushmore except for Parking and thus the pass is no good. At Jewel Cave and Wind Cave again the pass is almost useless price to go in is half with pass. Have never seen that at any other parks. And Custer State park cost 15.00 just to drive thru it but I guess its the same as Yellowstone which is also 15.
Its rained the past two nights but was nice yesterday and hope it is again today. Going to try and see Chief Crazy Horse monument today. After we leave here on Monday plan to check out the Wall, SD. Than onto Badlands National Park.

 

[H2H1]

Re: Finally in South Dakota

Hey Lee sounds like you are following in my foot prints. Crazy Horse was nice , be sure to stop at the restaurant on the right and eat, man it was good. be sure to go to Needle but in the tow to small for your MH. Now at Walls be sure to be prepared to spend the day, that is one huge store. And if you like coffee, it's only 5 cents a cup. On down the road is the 1880 town. They have a lot of Kevin Costar props from DANCING WITH THE WOLVES. And a lot of history from the past. Good luck and enjoy :laugh:

 

[C Nash]

Re: Finally in South Dakota

Watch out for the tornados that are hitting SD Len. When we went to yellowstone they accepted the Golden age. Glad you got the repairs and on the go again. We were kind od dissapointed with crazy horse but it's a must see anyway. Was over a 100 degree when we were at Walls drug so didn't get to ramble much. Enjoyed the Badlands.

 

[DL Rupper]

Re: Finally in South Dakota

We saw all we wanted to see of Crazy Horse from a distance. I don't like to pay for tourist traps. If it's free or we can use our Golden Age National Parks Pass (age 62) then we go. We are cheap. However, it's surprising what we were able to see for free in 14 years full-timing.

Lee, Wall Drug is fun to see (free) and a ride through the Badlands is well worth the time. The hot roast beef sandwich, coffee and donuts are great at Wall Drug. :laugh: You can camp at the Badlands (no hookups) or at Wall, City.

 

[elkhartjim]

Re: Finally in South Dakota



We used the Golden Age pass at Yellowstone for over a week.

If you like nice cg, check out Rafter J RV Resort in Hill City, SD.

Like DL said, in my opinion, Crazy Horse is just that crazy. From the hwy you're 1 1/4 mile away; from the "gift shop" your 1 mile away. What 20-25 bucks to get 1/4 mile closer. My traveling mate was there 8 to 10 years ago and said she couldn't see any change except they have the horses head outlined in white and you can see that from the hwy.

The entranceto Custer is $6/ person or $15 a car full and is good for 7 days. Its a SD state park not a Natioanal park. If you go to Custer as Hollis said, drive the Needles route and also the Iron Mountain drive. Both in the toad I would recommend. If you're interested in wildlife, do the off paved road drives. They are all good roads. We saw pronghorn antelopes fighting. Many turkeys, came over a hill and estimated over 800 bison.

The Spearfish Canyon drive is beautiful with a river and several nice waterfalls.

The Badlands was a one day trip from Hill City and was worth the drive.

The Walls Drug is a hoot. Just be careful where you park the RV or you can get boxed in. That's Texan that you can't get out.

A word of caution...the motorcycle crowd takes over the entire area the last week and first couple weeks in August. Sturgis!! Over 500,000 last year. Heck, that dang hear doubles the state population. Oh yeah, they seem to think they drive better after a few beers, so I was told by the locals.

 

[elkhartjim]

Re: Finally in South Dakota

Don't have a cluse what happened. It would read a whole lot better with paragraphs instead of

"s. I tried to edit but just got another set of

. Sorry

 

[H2H1]

Re: Finally in South Dakota

no problem with the typing Jim, I am glad you enjoyed the the trip. I agree with DL and U Crazy horse was Ok. we didn't have to put any more money out as we was on a guided tour which included the meal at the restaurant at the foot of crazy horse. Glad you are out and about enjoy it wild you can, :laugh: :laugh:

 

[raskal]

RE: Finally in South Dakota

Don't forget to visit Deadwood ... and the Saloons where Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity jane frequented and Bill was shot. Oh, you might leave a few dollars in the many casinos in the town whilst you walk the streets listening to music and eating a great big ice cream cone ... dodging cowboys and horses.

Then do go to the little town of Sturgis if the Bike Boys aren't there ... great plate of sirloin tips at the Knucklehead Saloon!

Take a trip to Bear Butte as well ... religious and major historically important spot for the Native American Lakota and Cheyanne people ... it's right near Sturgis.

If you need a cheap place to park for a while ... Jack's Campers along Highway 90 (or is it 94) at Piedmont is something like $10 a night with full hook-ups if they're not full.

Good hiking and an excellent Cowboy restrauant at Elk Creek Road near Jack's Campers.

Enjoy

 

[utmtman]

Re: Finally in South Dakota

Well we stayed in Custer and I enjoyed 4 mile city, the Custer Museum and Wood Carving museum. We went ahead and saw Mt Rushmore they explained that the ten dollars was to pay for the parking lot and would only go until 2017. Than it will all be changed and be more like most other parks. We also visited Crazy Horse monument and I really enjoyed all the native history they had there and the information they had about many of the Lakota Sioux. Someone said that they saw no change in the Crazy horse monument but they have a schedule post so you can be there if you want to watch the firing when they blast the rock. I guess they only blast four days a year according to what was post on the board. Also went to wind cave and jewel cave but decided I could not hike the stairs I would have had to hike to see either one. They dont have much for the disabled people. We stopped at Wall but never got the donut or coffee, I cannot stand in a line for two hours just for a cup of coffee or a donut. One person I talk to was leaving to find someplace else for lunch after he stood in line for 30 minutes and said it had hardly moved. It was hard to see much there since it was breathing room only so we did not stay long and were sad that we did not get to really see it like we would have liked to. Next time we ever go to Wall will be early in the summer or late so there will be less crowds.

 

[H2H1]

Re: Finally in South Dakota

Lee glad you got there to enjoy SD. We went to all of those site and enjoyed them so much. In Walls we didn't have a problem getting the 5 cents coffee or donuts, and even less getting lunch. But again we went in May and there was crowds but not that bad. We even got parking spot in front of the store. I hope you enjoy the rest of your venture. :laugh:

 

[C Nash]

Re: Finally in South Dakota

It was in July when we were at Walls and like Lee we found it crowded and it was hot. We didn;t stand in the lines either. Sounds like May is the time to be there. We also enjoyed all the sights in that area. Lots to see.

 

[Guest]

Re: Finally in South Dakota

now , nash what is hot??? 100 degrees ,, that is almost shorts weather for me ,, now if it 110 ,, then that is no shirt weather ,, :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

[elkhartjim]

Re: Finally in South Dakota

We were at Walls June 22 and ate lunch ...there was one person in front of us. Maybe it was the time of day...we ate about 11:30.