We were just there last year....what a great destination! Custer park is fantastic!
We stayed at the campground right by the lodge, 300 feet from the beginning of needles highway. Their camping locations are quite small compared to the ones I'm accustomed too....but there are more of them. The grounds, the sites (pad?) was about the same. We might have 150 sites in one spot. The camping area there had 25 sites. So, I definitely would recommend reservations. If the one you want is filled, you may have a considerable drive only to find it too is filled.
See Rushmore first....then crazy horse. Rushmore is quite impressive, don't get me wrong, but Rushmore will fit in the hair of crazy horse. Crazy horse is magnitudes larger, and left me in a state of amazement and awe. Had I seen it first, Rushmore would have been anticlimactic. Also remember that even today, crazy horse is 100% privately funded....no tax dollars have been spent on it...not a penny. The restaurant and gift shop is quite reasonably priced and good as well.
In Custer (20 minute from the campground we were at) is a cute town. 1 grocery store. Prices weren't terrible, surprisingly, When we were in mackinaw Michigan the prices were 20% to 50% higher...like shopping at a 7/11...not the case in Custer.
If you are coming from the east, you must stop at Wall Drug. You might have a hard time finding it, they don't have many signs
. The restaurant inside is was surprisingly good. Biscuits and gravy ... Best I've had. Donuts, they spoiled me. The ice water is still free
. For the record, I can't find a cake donut near me anywhere near as good as theirs. Damn, now I want one.
If you plan (and you should) to visit badlands park, go through the park, but just before the exit there is a back road. It has a magic to it as well. Look up the wild horse bands on the Internet....then see if you can find them while you are there. My wife has been following 1 mare and the band she is with....amazingly we found her, 30 feet off the road. Very cool.
Sturgis is a waste of gasoline except for one local diner...nostalgic, cheap and tasty. Again, can't remember the name. We just stumbled on it. Is 1 block off the Main Street, the business district downtown. Cash only as I remember.
Devils tower is a couple hours away, but also a must see. We made it the last stop before we came home. We stayed at a small private campground in Sundance. Wasn't bad. But remember the town rolls up the sidewalks at 5. Don't expect much there, it's a sleepy town. But look for the Longhorn Saloon...best burger I've had Ina long time. I'd go there again if I pass through the area! If I go to Devils tower again, , and we will, I'd definitely stay at the KOA which is literally next to the park. Take a copy of close encounters with you.
We spent 6 days in the badlands and surrounding area....and loved every day of it. Elevations are much higher than we are used too (we are at 670, most of the places were at 5000. We had no problems but I wasn't taking a bike or running anywhere either. What an Amazing destination!
by Bobcape » Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:04 am 
