Last summer we loaded up the kids (ages 13,11 and 6) and headed for the hills. The Black Hills of South Dakota to be exact. We spent 3 weeks on this trip and easily could have added a couple more. Coming from Michigan along the I-80/I-90 we hit many fun places along the way…
The Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, MN. We were going a little “corn crazy” and were delighted to spot the billboard advertising the 55 ft tall green man. The kids were happy to stretch their legs and we now have an interesting photo for the family album.
The Corn Palace, Mitchell S.D. We had heard about this one from our friends on RV.net. The exterior of the building is covered with colored corn cobs making up murals. I believe it changes every season. There wasn’t anything inside to look at the day we visited. Parking is a couple of blocks away and in all we spent more time detouring from the freeway then we actually did at the Corn Palace.
Wall Drug, S.D We began seeing signs for Wall Drug in Minnesota. We lost count at 75. The signs were very amusing, and we had to stop if for no other reason to say that we had. It was 111 degrees the day we visited. The heat was almost unbearable outside with no breeze whatsoever. The Wall Drug soda fountain and ice cream shop was bustling that day for sure ! The kids enjoyed the T-Rex that roared every 15 minutes, the silly photo ops, the water misters that went off in the backyard and the small arcade. It really is a tourist trap with the same souvenirs you find anywhere else- mugs, hats, t-shirts, novelty toys, etc. But it is an experience worth stopping for. Plan on at least 2 hours to see it all.
The Badlands National Park– the entrance to the loop road is not far from Wall Drug. We chose to go about an hour before sunset. I loved the way the shadows changed on the formations as the sun was going down. It was also cooler and we saw more wildlife than if we had gone midday. We hit all of the scenic overlooks along the way, including the fossil area and in all probably spent 2 hours there.
We chose Rafter J Bar Ranch in Hill City as our base camp. It is a very nice campground (though nowhere near as green as in the pictures on the website !) with a nice pool, all you can eat pancake breakfast, trail rides, and clean bathrooms. We visited all of the other area campgrounds and we would choose Rafter J again for our next visit.
Next week I will finish our trip including links and information on Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park.
Until next week,
~Shannone
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Roz Nowosielski
Thanks so much for this info! We are from the Shelby Twp area in MI, and are planning a 3 weeker beginning in late June. Would you recommend taking 80 or 90 on the trip out? We are considering 80 to 29 so we can avoid the Chicago shuffle as much as possible. Do you have any advice or recommendations on route?
Also, how would you describe the driving terrain through the portion east of the Black Hills? We have a travel trailer, so I am trying to gather as much info to prepare myself.
Your info is just what I needed!
Take care!
Roz
nascarsunshine
We visited Rapid City and the Badlands back in 2002. We went for the 4th of July fireworks. Unfortunately that year, they had a burn ban due to extreme fire dangers. That was the year Deadwood burned. Anyway, they hired a laser light firm from California to put on a show. Withink 30 seconds the place was clearing out completely. We were so disappointed. We LOVED the badlands, the Corn Palace in Mitchell and Wall Drug, Reptile Gardens, Crazy Horse, Bear Country, and the one place that we haven’t seen mentioned is Cosmos! You HAVE to go to Cosmos when in Rapid City. We had so much fun there. There are many caves to visit as well. Enjoy the rest of your trip, but definitely get to Cosmos if you can.
Lil'Darlin1972
Duke and Summer- We decided to stay 4 nights each way and enjoy the campgrounds a little bit. So we stopped at the Lena, IL KOA (small sites but super nice owners and very clean). We spent 2 nights there and we found a small waterpark in town where the kids enjoyed a hot afternoon. We also stayed for 2 nights at the Flying Goose Campground in Fairmont, MN. It is on a nice little lake where my husband and son enjoyed some catch and release fishing. We left Fairmont, MN about 8:00am and arrived at Rafter J about 5:00.
We prefer to drive less than 300 miles a day whenever possible so we arrive at the campground with some of the day left. But sometimes we have to push it, especially during the school year when we are working within school vacation days.
Duke and Summer
Thanks for the report. We’re heading out to Ranch J. for 13 nights in June. Planning of making the drive in 2 days, is that pushing it in your opinion? We’ll be leaving on Friday around noon time, and plan on getting about 6 – hours knocked out. Did you remember where you stayed on the way out or back? Thanks again for the blog, really informative. Have a good one.
Duke and Summer
Clark Cupery
We saw more wildlife in the badlands than we did in yellowstone. Waiting for your next blog.
santa skip
the Pasion Play in spearfish is also great to see!!!!
Lil'Darlin1972
David & Sheila- I don’t remember which one Crooked Creek was ,but it’s not on my list of “will not stay at” if that helps, lol. We did take the 16 out of Rapid City to Hill City. There is a steep hill right out of Rapid City and we just took it slow and steady. It’s a very pretty drive. My mom has a pacemaker and that hill was the only place where the change in altitude gave her a problem.
I hope you have a GREAT time in Yellowstone, we are headed out that way next summer =)
Paul- We didn’t make it to Spearfish. That is why I could’ve stayed a couple more weeks. Next time we’d like to check out Spearfish, Devil’s Tower and Deadwood. There are sooo many nice places to see out there. It’s almost too much for one trip.
Terry- Don’t be too disappointed about Wall Drug. It was an interested stop along the way, but not something to go out of your way for…know what I mean ?
Have a nice weekend…
~Shannone
Paul
This was very timely. We’re planning a trip out there this June. Although we won’t be spending 3 weeks, it was fun to read. We’re planing on staying around Spearfish, SD and they have 3 different day tours to see all around the area. It looks like alot of fun.
Can’t wait for Part 2. Thanks for posting this.
Paul and Susan Moore
Terry
We were in SD last summer long enough to visit Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. I was in awe while visiting the monument of the Presidents. I will be interested in hearing what your family thot of Crazy Horse. I was disapointed that we didn’t have time to visit Wall Drug. Next time!!!
David
Shannoe,
My family and I are going for a 3 week of west also. One week will be spent in Yellowstone. On the way from Memphis, we plan a stop at Wall Drug before spending the night at Crooked Creek, Hill City. 2 questions; (1)Did you take 16 out of Rapid City and was it a slow steep drive, (2) What what were thoughts of Crooked Creek?
David & Sheila
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