Going to Mt. Rushmore-- WE'RE BACK! Day 5 is up!! page 10 Final Day!

[Angelhalo]

We took a trip out west last year. We camped in KOA's all over and inside Yellowstone. We stayed in the Mt Rushmore KOA which was really nice. I really wasn't all that impressed with Mt Rushmore. I kept saying, but its so small! LOL!

NOT to be missed though is Bear Country USA!!!

 

[Angelhalo]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the info as well. DH and I are planning a massive road-trip out west this spring.

Anyone have any advice for Yellowstone?

We did Yellowstone and the Grand Teton national Park. Both were great. My biggest tips for Yellowstone are to stay INSIDE the park if possible whether it be in a tent, a camper or a lodge. So much easier than going in and out, and wear comfortable shoes. There was about a hundred times more walking than we expected! I was not expecting to care much about Yellowstone at all on our trip and it turned out to be one of my favorite parts. My least favorite thing was Old Faithful. It just wasn't as amazing as I imagined but I'm glad we saw it. I love the thermal pools the best!

 

[Angelhalo]

We flew to Denver. We then rented a car and drove about 400 miles to Custer, SD. It was well worth it as tickets to Denver were so much cheaper than to Rapid City. The drive goes fast as the highway is straight and flat and the legal speed limit is about 75mph. However, we were also traveling in a big loop from South Dakota to Yellowstone then to Rocky Mountain National Park so this was the least expensive option for us.

We flew into Denver as well. My FIL trailered our motorcycles from Florida to Denver, then we flew out and met him. We then went through Colorado, Wyoming, The Dakotas, Montana Etc. All in all we did over 3,000 miles. Then we flew back and DFIL trailered the bikes back to FL.

 

[Angelhalo]

That's how we felt. I mean it was OK, but we wouldn't go back. We were moving cross-country, and it wasn't too far out of the way, so I suppose it was worth it. There were all 50 state flags there. Of course, it was July and HOT, but that's another story.

I really enjoyed Wall Drug. I can't remember how far it was from Rushmore, but it was cool and kitschy. Another thing I don't think I'd go back for, but cool enough.

We enjoyed Wall Drug too and felt like you did at Mt Rushmore. We felt like Clark Griswald at the Grand Canyon, a couple of nods a couple of pictures and we were on our way. We thought the badlands were cool for the first ten minutes and then we were like ok get us back to civilization! We stopped at the underground missle thingy on our way back to our camp at Mt Rushmore. I can't remember what it was called.....

 

[JanetRose]

 

[FanaticadeDisney]

Originally posted by disneybound31:
"Can anyone recommend a bus touring company for one of the one day excursions that takes you to all the major sites. Found one in a travel book for $69 per adult $34 per child- includes: Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Hwy in Custer State Park, breakfast and dinner at the Fort Hayes Chuckwagon, Slyvan Lake and a few others..."

When I went to Mt. Rushmore a few years ago, I booked the hotel and a package together and we saved money. We stayed at the Rapid City Radisson Hotel and the package included breakfast, tours and transportation to Bear Country,Reptile Gardens, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore and a Chuckwagon dinner and show. I liked everything but my least favorite was the Reptile Gardens. I liked that a cub was brought to our bus and we could touch it at the Bear Country place.

 

[disneybound31]

Originally posted by disneybound31:
"Can anyone recommend a bus touring company for one of the one day excursions that takes you to all the major sites. Found one in a travel book for $69 per adult $34 per child- includes: Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Hwy in Custer State Park, breakfast and dinner at the Fort Hayes Chuckwagon, Slyvan Lake and a few others..."

When I went to Mt. Rushmore a few years ago, I booked the hotel and a package together and we saved money. We stayed at the Rapid City Radisson Hotel and the package included breakfast, tours and transportation to Bear Country,Reptile Gardens, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore and a Chuckwagon dinner and show. I liked everything but my least favorite was the Reptile Gardens. I liked that a cub was brought to our bus and we could touch it at the Bear Country place.

What did you not enjoy at the Reptile Gardens? We thought our Ds10 and DD7 would love it. It is Bear Country that I read not so good reviews about- and it seemed a bit pricey. Is is worth it?
TIA!

 

[bethbuchall]

We took a trip out west last year. We camped in KOA's all over and inside Yellowstone. We stayed in the Mt Rushmore KOA which was really nice. I really wasn't all that impressed with Mt Rushmore. I kept saying, but its so small! LOL!
NOT to be missed though is Bear Country USA!!!

This is what we thought the first night when we went to the lighting ceremony. I guess being there in the dark for so long, we were imagining a much larger area. We really did enjoy walking the trail the next morning, though, and found it more impressive by daylight. That's the opposite of what we had been told by others.

 

[moburg]

Don't forget to check out the other side of the mountain.

 

[crz4mm2]

We have been twice. I thought it was a very inspiring place. DD not so much

I LOVE Crazy Horse. Absolutely LOVE it.

Here's a link for the live web cam http://www.alltravelcams.com/crazy_horse/crazy_horse.php

It really is an awesome place!

 

[Angelhalo]

What did you not enjoy at the Reptile Gardens? We thought our Ds10 and DD7 would love it. It is Bear Country that I read not so good reviews about- and it seemed a bit pricey. Is is worth it?
TIA!

OMG bear Country was my favorite part of our entire out west trip!!! bears everywhere! And I could have stood there and watched those baby bears playing ALL DAY LONG!!! My husband practically had to drag me out of Bear Country. it was worth every penny!!

here are some of my pix from bear country:

Seriously, I freaking loved it!

 

[Angelhalo]

This is what we thought the first night when we went to the lighting ceremony. I guess being there in the dark for so long, we were imagining a much larger area. We really did enjoy walking the trail the next morning, though, and found it more impressive by daylight. That's the opposite of what we had been told by others.

We were there during the day. It's funny, we heard soooo many people saying that they expected it to be so much bigger. I guess it just always looks bigger on tv or something, or maybe you just can't get the right perspective from the viewing platform. Either way, it was quite underwhelming. I would have liked to have seen it at night. We went to the light show at Crazyhorse instead.

 

[disneybound31]

Can those of you who have been to Bear Country explain the pricing to me?

If there are 4 adults and 2 children in our rental van what is the cost? It looks like a $55 max per vehicle, then there is a per person pricing. My headcold may be clouding my reasoning abilities.

TIA.

 

[mdrob214]

It's been a while since I've been to Bear Country but I remember it being a per vehicle rate.

ETA--looks like max of $55/vehicle. Not bad if you have a van full.

 

[mnbrowns]

We just booked our first trip to SD. We have a cabin in Custer State Park and are very excited. Anymore suggestions or advice?

 

[siouxsieQ]

Wow, lots of great info in this thread!

We will be in SD in June, and will be staying in Keystone at the K Bar S Lodge. We are really looking forward to this road trip.

 

[Maroon]

Not sure when you last were there.

 

[disneybound31]

Just booked at The Powderhouse for a mid July stay. They ARE nice folks. Very easy going.

Any info I should know about this place for a better experience?

Are there 1 or 2 bathroom in the deluxe cabins? The ones with the upper loft (for the kids)... looks fun. It looks more primitive than what we usually do (think Disney resorts- haha) , but looks like alot of fun and we need to try something new. i.e. cabin vs. Holiday Inn.

TIA!!!

 

[FanaticadeDisney]

Originally Posted by disneybound31:

What did you not enjoy at the Reptile Gardens? We thought our Ds10 and DD7 would love it. It is Bear Country that I read not so good reviews about- and it seemed a bit pricey. Is is worth it?
TIA!

I don't like reptiles but it was part of a package. I liked Bear Country because it's the only time I've touched a bear and the only way I would do it, so it was unique for me. Since Bear Country was part of the package, I don't have specific prices but that's why I posted the package information here because it was a good value to see all those places for one single price including a room.

 

[mnbrowns]

I've been reading that in order to see the Mt Rushmore 9:30pm July fireworks, you need to arrive at 11am. What is there to do for 11 hours?!