Mt rushmore

[CoveredWagon]

Looking for any park recommendations near Mt Rushmore. Will be there this summer

 

[cookie]

We like Rafter J Bar. and have been there several times.
Make your reservations early as it is a popular place.

Peace
Dave

 

[jbeletti]

We like Rafter J Bar. and have been there several times.
Make your reservations early as it is a popular place.

Peace
Dave

I'm with cookie on this on. Randy R (RJR6150) turned us onto this place back in 2012. Worked out perfect for a base of operation when doing stuff in the area.

 

[CoveredWagon]

Thanks guys. That’s just what we are planning on doing. Any recommendations on best summer months. I’m kinda in the mind to think Sept at the moment.

 

[rjr6150]

Dave
Agree with the others Rafter Bar J. As to September a fair number of places start shutting down right after Labor Day.

One attraction we have enjoyed was the yearly Buffalo roundup. In 2019 it will be 9/27-9/30 and going to be the 54th Anniversary. If looking during this time period start making reservations now.

 

[Sniper]

We stay at Fort WELIKIT when we are in the area https://www.blackhillsrv.com/ it's just East of Custer not far from Custer State Park entrance (if your going for the annual roundup ), needles hi-way, Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Sylvan Lake, Wind cave and Jewell cave too. The owner Steve is a great guy and has been doing a lot of upgrades since it bought the campground. The Strugis Motorcycle rally is always the 1st full week of August so it's already probably impossible to find a campsite anywhere in the Black Hills for that week. It's a great area of our Nation to visit for sure.

Safe travels.

 

[Hogladyrider]

FYI - another opinion here. We have workamped the last two summers in Custer, SD at Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort. We are returning for a 3rd season this coming spring/summer.

We absolutely love Custer, such a quaint small town.

Both Rafter J and Fort Welikeit are great recommendations as well.

Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort is about 1/2 mile from downtown Custer. Access to the Michelson Trail (bikes, hiking trail) is right across the street from the campground and the trail goes right into downtown Custer.

Campground is 6 miles from entrance to Custer State Park, about 15 minutes from Mt. Rushmore as well.

We are a Good Sam Park, all pull thru gravel sites with full hookups and complimentary wifi, no cable.

Best time to visit the area and avoid the crowds is definitely after Labor Day. Just be forwarned that it can be chilly in September in this area, they seem to go right from summer into winter!

Many places close down after Labor Day or reduced hours and most campgrounds are closed for the season after Buffalo Roundup which takes place the last weekend in September.

You will love the Black Hills area, so much to see and do and friendly!

Depending on where you will be arriving from suggest you stock up before arriving, Rapid City is the closest Walmart and that's about an hour drive each way. If you plan on being in the area for a while you can order online from Walmart with free delivery, that's what works for us spending the summer there.

Enjoy!
Susan

 

[CoveredWagon]

FYI - another opinion here. We have workamped the last two summers in Custer, SD at Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort. We are returning for a 3rd season this coming spring/summer.

We absolutely love Custer, such a quaint small town.

Both Rafter J and Fort Welikeit are great recommendations as well.

Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort is about 1/2 mile from downtown Custer. Access to the Michelson Trail (bikes, hiking trail) is right across the street from the campground and the trail goes right into downtown Custer.

Campground is 6 miles from entrance to Custer State Park, about 15 minutes from Mt. Rushmore as well.

We are a Good Sam Park, all pull thru gravel sites with full hookups and complimentary wifi, no cable.

Best time to visit the area and avoid the crowds is definitely after Labor Day. Just be forwarned that it can be chilly in September in this area, they seem to go right from summer into winter!

Many places close down after Labor Day or reduced hours and most campgrounds are closed for the season after Buffalo Roundup which takes place the last weekend in September.

You will love the Black Hills area, so much to see and do and friendly!

Depending on where you will be arriving from suggest you stock up before arriving, Rapid City is the closest Walmart and that's about an hour drive each way. If you plan on being in the area for a while you can order online from Walmart with free delivery, that's what works for us spending the summer there.

Enjoy!
Susan

thanks for all that info Susan. I think we’ll be heading to the area after the national rally, at least that is the plan as of this moment. I guess that would put us there in June or July. Any more info you care to share is more than welcome.

Dave

 

[Bogie]

We stayed at Big Pine Campground just outside Custer last summer. The are open until October 1st. It's a smaller campground and is Good Sam affiliated. Most sites are not pull through, but the staff was right there to help back you into the site and seemed to be very proficient. Our rig is 35' and that was no problem. If you consider them, you may want to ask about the maximum length they can handle.

All attractions are only a short drive away.

Be sure to go the the Crazy Horse monument. It's between Custer and Mt. Rushmore. We found their museum and their story to be fascinating.