Camping in SD

[Jpat14]

I’ll be traveling through South Dakota this summer. I don’t know too much about the state at all. I want to check out the badlands, black hills, and sturgis areas. What else should i do? I’m up to go anywhere worth the trip.

 

[Ldstruckn]

Custer state park connects to wind cave via a great overlanding road that covers prarie, forst, altitude. Wild buffalo, wild horses, antelope, etc...great camp grounds or just through down the tent anywhere pretty.

 

[Jpat14]

That sounds awesome. Those two were both on my list of things to see while i was around. What road is that? Off 87 I’d imagine?

 

[Flipper]

We did a trip this last summer to Co, Wyoming, and SD. Custer SP was huge and lots of wildlife. The Badlands were sort of a let down, cool to see but a one and done. The badlands campground was nice but the showers were nasty to the point I skipped it. You will be close to Devils Tower in Wyoming which was really cool. Campsite was about a 1/4 mile from the tower which made a fantastic backdrop. There is a trail where you can hike from the campsite to and around the tower. 1/2 way up to the tower we found a small cave you could sit in and see the entire valley. Mt Rushmore was a bit too touristy for me but that was a Wife decision. Wyoming also had tons of wildlife hundreds of deer and bison along the road. Have agreat and safe trip!

 

[Jpat14]

Wow. Those pictures are great! Is the campsite at devils tower paid or free? Any good trails around there?
I agree with Rushmore. But i figured we need to at least stop by to say we saw it haha

 

[Ldstruckn]

Ill attach a screen grab for you. Its called wildlife loop road off of 16

 

[Ldstruckn]

 

[Ldstruckn]

Sorry about multiple posts..i have big hands and a little phone. Anyway 2 pics of sylvan lake near rushmore and one of reptile gardens near rapid city. My son highly recommends reptile gardens

 

[Jpat14]

Haha looks like he had a blast! The more pictures the better! Thanks for the help! I’ll definitely take this route! Do you live near there?

 

[Ldstruckn]

I just moved to cheyenne about 4 or so hrs south. Blackhills have been our favorite vacation spot for years. So we used to drive 19hrs to get there, its that sweet.

 

[Jpat14]

Oh and thank you for your service. I see the airborne hat

 

[Jpat14]

Man I’m excited. I’ve never been. Would it be practical to camp in Custer and do the black hills during the day or is there decent dispersed camping or trails in the black hills?

 

[Ldstruckn]

You can camp anywhere in the forest as long as your more than 100ft from water. Also great campgrounds all around the town of custer. I believe sylvan lake has a campground and it a must see. Great hiking and rock climbing or kayaking. So beautiful that my friend had her wedding on its shores. If you want to see it beforehand you can watch the movie National Treasure. The scene where they're on rocks throwing water trying to find the hidden Eagle imprinted on the Rocks is Sylvan Lake

 

[Jpat14]

Nice! I’ll look that up right now. I may have to add a couple days just to explore that area. Decent trails in the forest? We’ve got a roof top tent on the truck

 

[Ldstruckn]

Video of sylvan lake.

Video of north end of that road in red i posted above

 

[Ldstruckn]

There is a local offroading club out of rapid that should have a website and be able to help w trail locations and usability

 

[Flipper]

Wow. Those pictures are great! Is the campsite at devils tower paid or free? Any good trails around there?
I agree with Rushmore. But i figured we need to at least stop by to say we saw it haha

I think it was only $20 per night, it is worth at least a 2 night stay. The one pix looking out of the cave is the campground, it is the round group of light colored trees in the middle. Here is a pix from the campground to the tower. You are also allowed to use generators. I would give it 5 stars.

 

[SiDbaru]

i would love to visit one day. my grandfather just took my mom and aunt there where he grew up.

 

[Big Red Ripper]

I too have been planning a trip to the blackhills this summer. I found this site
www.jeeptheusa.com/black-hills-jeep-trails.html
It seems to have some decent trails mapped out with pictures and descriptions, which you can download and import into app such as Gaia maps.

 

[Jpat14]

I too have been planning a trip to the blackhills this summer. I found this site
www.jeeptheusa.com/black-hills-jeep-trails.html
It seems to have some decent trails mapped out with pictures and descriptions, which you can download and import into app such as Gaia maps.

I use both of these and didn’t realize i could do that! This helps a ton! Thanks