South Dakota? About This Page:

[tracyloveswdw]

DH has talked me into going to the Badlands and the Black Hills this August. I know nothing-never having been west of Richmond, Indiana except for a brief weekend in Chicago in May. Tell me what's good to see. We'll only have 5 days of touring (6 days of travel). DH and some friends are taking the motorcycles-I offered to drive the van (LOL) with the camping gear.

Tracy

[Suzy Q'Disney]

I beleive tha Laura Ingalls Wilder lived there and they may be some sights to see about that. Also the Native American History there is great. Have fun!

Susan

[patty c.]

I was just there last week! Are you going to Sturgis? Early August will be jam-packed with like 250,000 motorcycles going to the convention, which is the first 2 weeks of August. I would try to arrange lodging ahead of time if you can. DH and DBIL took turns riding the Harley through the hills and loved it. (I volunteered to drive the van too!)

Here are some ideas:
1) Mount Rushmore ($8 per car or bike for parking).
2) The Crazy Horse memorial (rock carving like Rushmore - not completed yet, pay $14 for a close up view and museum or peek at it from the highway for free.
3) Reptile Gardens, outside of Rapid City. I haven't been but everyone says it is worth the stop. Supposedly not too creepy, but tropical and nicely landscped.
4) Bear Country. Cars drive through a park with lots of bears. I haven't done this but my children rode through with grandparents and loved it. About $35-$40 per car with 5-6 people. (Have them park the bikes and get in the van for this!)
6) Caves. There are several. Jewell Cave seems to be the most talked-about.
7) Toadstool Park. This is south of the black hills in Northern Nebraska. (About 50 miles from Mount Rushmore). Absolutely the freakiest place I've ever seen. It feels like another planet.

There is also a Passion Play up north, I think around Spearfish, that gets rave reviews. I wanted to go visit the Gold Mine outside Rapid City but was outvoted.

If you drive through Mitchell, SD you have to go to the Corn Palace.

Skip the Flintstones attraction - very hokey, (unless you like hokey).

Evans Plunge is an indoor/outdoor water park fed by a natural spring. This was cool many years ago, but once you've been to a big water park this probably won't cut the mustard. (Unless it's cold or rainy and you can't swim outdoors).
And that reminds me - bring plenty of sweatshirts - we saw it dip to 40 degress overnight. Brrrr.

If you buy Black Hills Gold be sure to buy the Landstrom's brand. There are plenty of cheap immitations but Landstrom's is the original. It is top quality and very reputable.

I know I'll think of more things, and as I unpack more things tomorrow I'll look for my map of SD which has all the attractions.

It's a different kind of trip. Very beautiful in it's own way, and with a lot of Native American history. (And lots of bikers come August).

[tracyloveswdw]

Thanks! Sturgis is on the agenda. I agreed to ride once we made it out there (3 straight days is not my idea of fun since I've only been on the bike 2x in as many years-DH has a list of stuff I need before we go-boots, gloves, jacket, my own helmet, etc.). I really want to see Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park. We're planning on camping-the guys have a place-I don't think it's a real campground-just someone's ranch. I don't care as long as there's a shower nearby.