Any hints regarding Badlands NP, and Mount Rushmore?

[bobbiwoz]

I'm also interested in Custer SP South Dakota. How about Wind Cave NP or Jewel Cave NP?

We don't do hiking, but want to see the visitor centers, scenic drives, maybe an easy walk.

We have 3 nights total. Does anyone have a "must do?" This will be over Memorial Day weekend, 2012.

Is it just best to stay in Rapid City, and just head out each day, or is it worth staying in the state park, or Cedar Pass Lodge.

Thank you.
Bobbi

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm also interested in Custer SP South Dakota. How about Wind Cave NP or Jewel Cave NP?

We don't do hiking, but want to see the visitor centers, scenic drives, maybe an easy walk.

We have 3 nights total. Does anyone have a "must do?" This will be over Memorial Day weekend, 2012.

Is it just best to stay in Rapid City, and just head out each day, or is it worth staying in the state park, or Cedar Pass Lodge.

Thank you.
Bobbi

At Custer SP, I highly recommend Blue Bell Cabins. We drove down to Wind Cave, but stayed above ground, and the most walking we did was walking around at a picnic area. But we saw LOTS of buffalo and babies. Blue Bell had a cute-looking hayride offered, but I couldn't convince DH to go on it. The dining rooom in the main lodge was reasonably priced and servers very nice. That wasn't the case in Badlands-overpriced food, bad service, bad food-which was the main reason we wish we hadn't stayed in Badlands NP. There's only that one, terrible place to eat. From Rapid City, it's a long drive to most places you mentioned, which is why I wouldn't recommend it as home base. But Custer SP is beautiful.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Oh! Gorgeous! We had picked a cabin in the game lodge area simply because that area seemed easier to get in/out of the park. However, we've taken your advice before, and we'll change. Tom just tried to call and change, but reservation line is closed.

We've also decided to fly in on Thursday night, so 3 full days of sightseeing, with the last and first night in Rapid City.

Thank you!

Bobbi

 

[Simba's Mom]

Oh! Gorgeous! We had picked a cabin in the game lodge area simply because that area seemed easier to get in/out of the park. However, we've taken your advice before, and we'll change. Tom just tried to call and change, but reservation line is closed.

Bobbi

I'll admit that the Game Lodge area IS more conveniently located. But not once did we regret our choice. And don't forget that one evening you need to take a drive around the park and see the "Beggin' burros".

 

[bobbiwoz]

Well, " beggin burros" is on our list to see.
Was it Walls store that you once mentioned to me?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Well, " beggin burros" is on our list to see.
Was it Walls store that you once mentioned to me?

Wall Drug. From Rapid City, just head east. The billboards start about 75 miles before you get there. Yes, you can get 5 cent coffee there. Even Guy, who's fairly picky about coffee quality, said it wasn't bad. Some people don't like the food there, but we ate there twice. Both times I had the beef and gravy on bread (can't remember that sandwich's name) and a piece of pie for dessert. Real basic stuff.

And taking these pictures is "All part of the experience"(as Sparky Griswald would say). They must have about 10 of these kind of statues for posing around Wall Drug-

 

[bobbiwoz]

I can't wait to show Tom those pictures!

A neighbor mentioned the store to us too, so it's a do! Is it along the highway that we would be taking to the Badlands NP?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can't wait to show Tom those pictures!

A neighbor mentioned the store to us too, so it's a do! Is it along the highway that we would be taking to the Badlands NP?

It's right off the highway, and since it's such a tourist attraction, they make sure no one misses it!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Ok! We now have two nights in a Blue Bell cabin, thanks!

 

[CrabbyPatty]

LOVE the Black Hills area - you'll have a wonderful time on your trip! Just remember it could be somewhat cold Memorial Day weekend. We went quite a few years ago (in the mid 80s?) that weekend, and stayed in a cabin near Sylvan Lake - with a fireplace and no central heating. We almost froze.

 

[bobbiwoz]

LOVE the Black Hills area - you'll have a wonderful time on your trip! Just remember it could be somewhat cold Memorial Day weekend. We went quite a few years ago (in the mid 80s?) that weekend, and stayed in a cabin near Sylvan Lake - with a fireplace and no central heating. We almost froze.

Thanks for the warning!

 

[jamiesmom07]

I second about how cold it can get over Memorial Day weekend! BRRRRRR!

We love Crazy Horse, if you time it right they may have an explosion that day. I prefer Crazy Horse over Mount Rushmore (but that's coming from someone that has seen MR in every season and every time of day). If you are interested in points south into Nebraska, let me know.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Don't get scared off about the Memorial Day weather. When we went last year, it was the week after Memorial Day and plenty warm enough.