Badlands

[MarkBarbieri]

I changed my plans. I was going to work all summer and use a few weekends to take sailing lessons for a BVI trip next year. Sadly, the major project I have been working on is being shut down and my financial situation has made an expensive sailing trip next year much less attractive.

Our plan now is to take a camping trip to the Badlands area and to Rocky Mountain National Park. I've been to RMNP lots of times and know what to expect there. I've never been to South Dakota at all. Any suggestions for things that are fun (and cheap) for a small family (boys 8 and 10)? Any suggestions for good photo ops?

We're also thinking about renting a llama and going backpacking in Colorado. Anyone have any words of wisdom for camping with llamas?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I changed my plans. I was going to work all summer and use a few weekends to take sailing lessons for a BVI trip next year. Sadly, the major project I have been working on is being shut down and my financial situation has made an expensive sailing trip next year much less attractive.

Our plan now is to take a camping trip to the Badlands area and to Rocky Mountain National Park. I've been to RMNP lots of times and know what to expect there. I've never been to South Dakota at all. Any suggestions for things that are fun (and cheap) for a small family (boys 8 and 10)? Any suggestions for good photo ops?

We're also thinking about renting a llama and going backpacking in Colorado. Anyone have any words of wisdom for camping with llamas?

The badlands are such a beautiful part of SD. You'll see grasslands, canyons and lots of unique geology. When you go into the park itself you ought to do some hiking on the trails. Of course there's also Mt. Rushmore and I like to visit the Crazy Horse monument that is being built. There are a lot of caves in the area. I've only done Jewel Cave which is quite large and beautiful. Wind Cave is another I've wanted to visit but timing has never worked out.

Custer State Park has lots of wildlife including buffalo herds. I've also seen lots of people fishing around there.

Depending on the route you take or if you have time you might want to cross over into Wyoming to see the Devil's Tower. IMO it's one of those geological sites that really stands out.

Deadwood is another historical town that you might want to investigate on visiting. I've not done much there myself though. And depending on when you are going you might have a chance to see the Sturgis motorcycle rally. I know people that go every year so it must be good! lol

And if your route takes you past Wall, SD you must stop in at Wall Drug. Last time I was there you could still get a free glass of water! I wouldn't go out of my way for it though unless you're running low on trinkets and souvenirs.

Oh - and no words of advice about llamas except to watch out for their spitting!

 

[Altair]

Wall is near the western edge of Badlands NP so it's on your way to or from the Black Hills area. Wall Drug is so cheesy it's worth a look.

The Needles Highway is also close to Mount Rushmore, but don't try with a motor home.

In SE Wyoming you can check out Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Very interesting.

I agree, don't miss Devil's Tower. Take some of the hikes away from the base for better views.

 

[boBQuincy]

Probably best to schedule a Badlands trip to avoid Sturgis bike week. Nothing against bikers (I am one) but the tourist spots are likely to be crowded at this time.

From what I am told llamas don't spit at us, they spit at each other and we get caught in the crossfire. You still get wet but don't take it personally...

 

[Snappy in OK]

I would definitely avoid the area during the Sturgis bike rally with young kids. I personally would not want to expose my kids to a lot of the stuff I have heard goes on during Bike Week. Friends of my dad's used to go yearly.

 

[Steve's Girl]

We just got back from a South Dakota, Yellowstone, Grand Teton trip late last night. Give me a day or so to get my pooey together and I'll have some input on this question.

 

[Steve's Girl]

I would definitely avoid the area during the Sturgis bike rally with young kids. I personally would not want to expose my kids to a lot of the stuff I have heard goes on during Bike Week. Friends of my dad's used to go yearly.

Ughhh....we "just so happened" to be passing through Sturgis during bike week on our honeymoon. That was a very expensive mistake on my DH's part! (we rode out to the Tetons for our honeymoon and came through SD on our way home. DH just neglected to mention until we got there what was going on during that week. In DH's defense, he is a gearhead and wanted to see all the vendors, etc. But, on our honeymoon! Bad, bad mistake!)

 

[mom2rtk]

We just got back from a South Dakota, Yellowstone, Grand Teton trip late last night. Give me a day or so to get my pooey together and I'll have some input on this question.

Welcome back! I can't wait to see what you brought back!

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We just vacationed in South Dakota & Wy a few weeks back. It was our first visit to that area & we loved it!

We started out at Wall Drug store. That was really neat & we all enjoyed it. Their cinn. rolls are Delicious!! Lots & lots of neat things to see. Kiddos will love it here!

Next was the Badlands. We drove though them & enjoyed the drive. We had lots of stops for photos along the way & walked several short trails.

Then we went to Bear USA. Fun drive thru park with bears everywhere. I'd do that again if I was ever up that way! Kids would totally love this place. Is abit pricey though.

We shopped in Keystone at all the touristy shops.

We went to Mt. Rushmore & walked the Pres. trail, saw all the displays & went to the lighting program. Awesome!! Makes you proud to be blest to live in the USA!!

We drove the Needles highway..Wow! The scenery is outstanding! I loved this drive.

We took another drive I can't recall the name that has lots of granite tunnels & you can see Mt. Rushmore in the distance thru them.

We also drove the Wildlife loop in Custer State Park. Here you see bison, deer, donkeys, turkey, & lots more wildlife. Was a really neat drive & well worth the time. Kids will love this drive as you see lots & lots of animals.

Went to Crazy Horse & saw the film which was really interesting. We all enjoyed this stop.

Hill City was a neat town. They have a teddy Bear Museum which has the worlds largest collection of teddy bears. Is a small place but I really enjoyed that & it was free.

Also, Hill City has Alpine Inn. Supper here is so so good! So good that we ate here 2 nights straight in a row!! At night they have 2 choices only on the menu...small or large filet w/ bk. tater, wedge salad & toast. Prices $8.95 & $10.95. And a dessert menu that is awesome!!! Ya'll would love it!

We went to Devils Towers & walked the inner trail around it. We really enjoyed that. Is a paved trail of about a mile - really easy walking & pretty.

Then we headed to Yellowstone & drove the grand loop...WOW!!

And then the Tetons where we saw bald & golden eagles & bears & lots more bison & wildlife. The Tetons are so beautiful
& Jackson Lake was so pretty.

We ended up at Jackson Hole which was a neat town. Wish we'd had more time there but after lunch flew out there.

Such beautiful scenery thoughout the entire areas. I know ya'll will have lots of fun!

 

[Steve's Girl]

We only spent about a day and a half in the Badlands/Rushmore area of SD. We could have easily spent a few more days there, but this was just a quick stop for us on our way to Wyoming. We spent about half a day in the Badlands. We did some of the shorter walks/hikes. Personally, I couldn't see spending days there. It is pretty incredible to see, and the terrain is very diverse. But, it is hot and hotter (with no air conditioned tunnels).

I really enjoyed Rushmore. I had been there a couple times as a kid, but this time we did some of the Ranger walks and the history was pretty fascinating to me. I would recommend sunrise and sunset photos of Rushmore.

Custer state park is pretty fun for wildlife. We made many stops among buffalo herds, overly friendly burros, etc. The kids really enjoyed it.

We skipped Devil's Tower and Deadwood this time. DH and I had been there on our infamous Sturgis trip, but elected to spend that extra time in Yellowstone.

I could see spending 4 or 5 days in SD. But, I personally prefer some of the wildlife in other national parks.

 

[klmall]

Mark,

Here is a link to the Badlands page on my favorite site (other than the DIS!) on the web. It contains some Badlands general info and a link in the upper left to some wonderful amateur photos to give you photo-inspiration.

There are also links to almost every other national park etc. on this site. It's a wonderful place mostly about hiking, mountaineering etc. but many of the landscape and mountain photos are wonderful!

Hope things work out well for you this summer!