Idaho, Wyoming, and South Dakota July Trip

[blarsony]

We are heading out from Meridian Idaho on 1 July and would like some information (good or Bad) on the places we are staying and the must visit areas. Traveling with the 12 and 10 year old boys.

Idaho Fall - Overnight stop at the Snake River RV Park. Have stayed here once before. Just ok. Convenient.

Livingston Mt. - Arrive on the 2nd and depart on the 5th. Staying at the Paradise Valley KOA. Planning on the Rodeo, Parade and Fireworks in Livingston.

Buffalo Wy. - Overnight stop at the KOA on the way to Custer, SD.

Custer, SD. - Staying at the Beaver Lake Campground, arrive on the 6th and depart on the 10th. Rushmore, Crazy Hose, Devils Tower, Wall Drug, and Sturgis on the agenda.

Cody, Wy. - Staying at the Cody KOA 11th - 14th. 2-day museum visit, shoot-out on the list as of now.

West Yellowstone - Arrive on the 14th for 2 days. Staying at the Grizzly RV Park and going to the Zip-Line course across the street. We did a Yellowstone trip last year so not planning on the park that much.

Twin Falls - Staying one night on the way back from West Yellowstone. We have stayed here a lot. GREAT Park for passing thru.. Awesome owners, off freeway and very clean. Road noise on sites closer to the road.

Thanks for any/all suggestions!

2012 Ram 3500 Laramie Crew 6.7
2015 Big Country 3450TS

 

[JohnD]

You'll need more time in South Dakota to do the things on your list . . .

We stayed in Custer, SD at the Big Pine's Campground for seven nights the week before the Sturgis rally in 2013.

Crazy Horse took the better part of one day . . . there is so much to do there if you want to do it right!

We went to Mount Rushmore after we left Crazy Horse, but it was late enough in the day that the sun was behind the mountain, so had to go back the next morning to get a good shot of it (see below).

Mount Rushmore and the Needles Highway, and Custer State Park (a must see) another whole day.

We did Sturgis, Deadwood and the Devil's Tower in one day, but by the time we got to Devil's Tower it was getting late and still had a three hour drive to get back to the campground, so didn't go inside of the park.

Wall Drug and the Badlands another whole day (three hour drive each way from Custer), but really should have spent the whole day in the Badlands to really take it all in!

We also went to Jewel Cave, which is about an hour west of Custer.

One thing you want to do is to leave some time to just sit around and relax . . . or just go into town and walk around or do some shopping.

Often when traveling we forget that we are on vacation and need a little time to just sit around the RV and relax but instead spend the whole trip on the go go go!



We will probably go back up there sometime in the next couple years to take the rest of the area in!

 

[iaflatlander]

With two young boys, consider the Jim Gatchell Museum. Incedible collection from the real "old west". See:

www.jimgatchell.com

Right in Buffalo, Wy.

 

[Jim-Lynn]

I totally agree with John D. We did this trip last summer and spent a week. We could not see everything we wanted to, BUT we will be heading back that way again this summer as well. All the spots you mentioned John are great. They only negative we had we - stay away from the KOA in Spearfish. WE had reservations, pulled in - and pulled right out - not an acceptable place, even if free. I am sure you will have a great trip.

 

[Lynn1130]

If it were me, knowing what I know now, I would put the time into Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Badlands (getting to and from the Badlands along with sight seeing is a day) and skip Wall Drugs and Sturgis. Sturgis is fun during the Rally but the rest of the year pretty much a tourist trap where you can buy T-Shirts. JMHO. Wall's was a bunch of curio shops. Custer State Park is a "do not miss" and with stops to enjoy the animals will be no less than a half of a day. Probably more.

 

[blarsony]

Thanks a bunch everyone! Adding additional time to our schedule as we speak for South Dakota, and taking Lynn's advise. What campground did you all stay at in the Custer area? Mixed reviews of the Beaver Lake campground online. Again, we appreciate all of the great information.

 

[JohnD]

Thanks a bunch everyone! Adding additional time to our schedule as we speak for South Dakota, and taking Lynn's advise. What campground did you all stay at in the Custer area? Mixed reviews of the Beaver Lake campground online. Again, we appreciate all of the great information.

Big Pine Campground . . . about a mile east of Downtown Custer on Hwy 16.

Great place with lots of trees and shade!

http://www.bigpinecampground.com/smaltolarg/photos.html

 

[cookie]

Needles highway is nice but if your 3500 Lariat is DRW you might want to reconsider as there are some very narrow rock tunnels.
Also I recommend that after you see MT Rushmore save your ticket and go back at night for the evening ceremony.

Peace
Dave

 

[Lynn1130]

We stayed at Beaver Lake just outside of Custer and had good results. Nice place and helpful owners. And +1 on making the night show at Mt. Rushmore.

 

[kkamshop]

You can get through those tunnels that Dave mentioned on the Needles highway - our dually squeezed through!

 

[blarsony]

Thanks, good news on the Camp Ground. Light Show? Similar to the one at Grand Coulee?

 

[TXTiger]

I work in Custer State Park as a volunteer all summer. There are several campgrounds in the park. All are electric only but there is a hose bib at the showers to fill your tank and a free dump station in the park. Most all of the private campgrounds outside the park are good. I haven't stayed there but have heard good reviews about Rafter J near Hill City. You can see Crazy Horse and Mt Rushmore in the same day. Also go back to Mt Rushmore for the evening show. Needles highway and Iron Mountain road are a good scenic drive, just bring in your mirror when going then the tunnels. Custer State Park will require a half day, drive the Wildlife Loop road to see the bison. There is nothing in Sturgus except for the motorcycle rally the first week of Aug. Deadwood will be just a few hours. The badlands are a couple of hours drive from Custer each way and may be a trip and overnight by itself. You may want to check out the 1880 Train ride from Hill City to Keystone, the kids will love it. Keystone, about 5 miles from Mt Rushmore has a lot to see also. Wax museum of all the Presidents, an alpine sled ride Email me for my cell for more info.

 

[codycarver]

We are heading out from Meridian Idaho on 1 July and would like some information (good or Bad) on the places we are staying and the must visit areas. Traveling with the 12 and 10 year old boys.

Idaho Fall - Overnight stop at the Snake River RV Park. Have stayed here once before. Just ok. Convenient.

Livingston Mt. - Arrive on the 2nd and depart on the 5th. Staying at the Paradise Valley KOA. Planning on the Rodeo, Parade and Fireworks in Livingston.

Buffalo Wy. - Overnight stop at the KOA on the way to Custer, SD.

Custer, SD. - Staying at the Beaver Lake Campground, arrive on the 6th and depart on the 10th. Rushmore, Crazy Hose, Devils Tower, Wall Drug, and Sturgis on the agenda.

Cody, Wy. - Staying at the Cody KOA 11th - 14th. 2-day museum visit, shoot-out on the list as of now.

West Yellowstone - Arrive on the 14th for 2 days. Staying at the Grizzly RV Park and going to the Zip-Line course across the street. We did a Yellowstone trip last year so not planning on the park that much.

Twin Falls - Staying one night on the way back from West Yellowstone. We have stayed here a lot. GREAT Park for passing thru.. Awesome owners, off freeway and very clean. Road noise on sites closer to the road.

Thanks for any/all suggestions!

2012 Ram 3500 Lariat Crew 6.7
2015 Big Country 3450TS

We have stayed at the KOA in Buffalo and like it. May even have a rally there one of these years.

With two kids Mt Rushmore KOA (Palmers Gulch) would be worth considering. Lots of activities for kids.

In Cody Consider the Ponderosa Camp ground. It is right down town walking distance to the museum and next door to the Dairy Queen. The KOA is outside of town and when the wind blows (does that a lot around here) it can get really dusty there.

We have stayed at Grizzly also. Like it very much.

 

[aatauses]

You are getting plenty of advice to stay a little longer in the Black Hills and I agree. We workamped there last summer and spending all summer there was still a lot to see and do. The park we workamped was Fish n Fry, about 6 miles south of Deadwood. You mentioned that you had some kids with you--they may really enjoy some down time at the rv park---there is a fishing pond, you catch your fish(rainbow trout), have them cleaned, and then decide if you want to cook them or have the staff cook them, along with all the sides---great fun for kids--no license or poles needed, everything supplied. The park has full hook ups, plenty of space, and owners (Michelle and Gary) on site who are super.
al
currently in Crystal River, FL

 

[blarsony]

Thanks everyone, AWESOME intel and advise. Adjusting plans accordingly!