I am planning on camping in Custer SP in 2006. Does anyone have first hand information on the campgrounds there. At this point I am leaning toward the Stockade Lake North Campground.:)
We were there in 2003 for a couple of days. We stayed at Legion Lake Campground. None of the CG have hookups. Legion Lake is one of the smallest CG in the park, not a bad drive to Mount Rushmore. Stockade it the farthest away from the monument but closer to the town of Custer.
Most CG are located near the main roads, so you will have some road noise, but not too major. Our campground hosts were the friendliest people, they came to our site and welcomed us and gave us all kinds of pamphlets and a magazine that they publish for the parks. It was a nice touch.
Keep in mind about Sturgis, usually around the first part of August. Try to avoid that time due to crowds and mayhem. Make sure you schedule to see the monument near sunset. They have a great light show.
FYI - Out of State campers are charged a fee of $5.00 for reservations.
Hope this helps you out.
Take care.
Mary Romeo
Mary thank you for the information. From the pictures of the campsites online Legion Lake is wide open and that is too open for me. I like camping in the woods better, which is why I am leaning toward Stockade Lake North. Were there any sites in Legion Lake campground that were shaded? Were you able to swim in the lake? If so how was it? Was there much of an insect problem when you were there? We are going toward the end of July into the beginning of August. We will take the bikers in stride.:)
Custer State Park is beautiful and big! We didn't get to see all the campgrounds there but the ones we did see we liked Sylvan Lake CG the best. We didn't see the Stockade North CG that you're talking about - I'll have to check that one out as we also prefer wooded campgrounds.
We stayed for a week in the Rapid City area around the 4th of July weekend - alot of things to see and do. I don't remember it being very buggy at all. What I do remember it was a dry season and they couldn't do the fireworks display at Mt. Rushmore because of the high threat for fire. We also couldn't do any campfires as those were banned also. You don't want to miss the badlands, they are awesome. I would also agree with the other poster of not going around the same time as the bike rally in Sturgis.
Have fun planning and enjoy your trip!
Meriflower thank you for the information. Unfortunately my vacation is locked in for 2006. We will be leaving the week before Sturgis gets into the official bike meet. The kids will love seeing all of the bikes.:)
Custer State Park is hands-down the best state park I've ever visited.
It is managed by conservationists who know how to use natural resources and yet preserve them. They have a bison round-up and auction. They have controlled burns of the undergrowth and small forest growth. They operate on their own budget, meaning they are self-supporting. It's an awesome park, and should be a model for parks everywhere.
I think I saw a paw print of a mountain lion there!
Everyone should camp at Custer.
What a great place to go camping. So much to see and do. We stayed at Angostura close to Hot springs a few years back. It was a nice park, quiet etc but a little too far from the action. Meant a good deal a driving each day just to get to the main tourism sites. We have some friends who stayed at the blue bell campground Blue Bell (http://www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/Custer/bluebellinfo.htm) and they really enjoyed that place.
We hope to visit the Black Hills again within a couple of years. Kids enjoyed the donkeys trying to eat the car seats. Watching buffalo plod within inches of the car (I wasn't too impressed with that :yikes: ) and watching the prairie dogs. Also great to drive the needles highway. Visit Crazy horse and Mt. Rushmore.
I doubt the bikers will be too much of a hassle.
Speakeasy and PLJ thank you for your input. I am really excited about going on this trip. I looked at Angostura, but thought like you posted that it is too far south for most of the sights we plan on seeing.:)
Don't forget to stop at Wall Drug!!!
Wall Drug (http://www.walldrug.com/)
Quote from: tlhdocSpeakeasy and PLJ thank you for your input. I am really excited about going on this trip. I looked at Angostura, but thought like you posted that it is too far south for most of the sights we plan on seeing.:)
The name is Peter. Time to be more friendly and less formal.
I was blown away by how much their is to see and do in the Black Hills. We also took a detour to Wyoming to see Devils Tower. The wife is a fan of close encounters. We spent 10 days there and loved every minute of it.
Quote from: PLJThe name is Peter. Time to be more friendly and less formal.
I was blown away by how much their is to see and do in the Black Hills. We also took a detour to Wyoming to see Devils Tower. The wife is a fan of close encounters. We spent 10 days there and loved every minute of it.
We were in the area 2.5 years ago and took a day trip to Devils Tower. The kids loved it! There are a lot of places for them to climb around on the rocks at the base of the tower. It was a fun day.
We are heading to the same area a bit earlier in July. We're eyeing the private campgrounds as we are meeting up with my sister, brother and parents ... so far. Right now we have one family in a tent, one in a PU, one in a Class C and one looking at cabins!
I've been there several times during bike week ... the bikes are a sight to see! I found you just have to leave a little extra time for doing things ~ it's always crowded.
One of the best things about Custer SP is the wildlife. There are lots of mountain goats there; more than in any other place we've camped. We caught some beautiful video of a momma goat and her little kid. It's awesome!!!
Quote from: PLJI was blown away by how much their is to see and do in the Black Hills. We also took a detour to Wyoming to see Devils Tower. The wife is a fan of close encounters. We spent 10 days there and loved every minute of it.
We will have around 10 days there too and I am glad you loved it. Some people are telling me 10 days it too much time to spend there. I am going to have the kids watch close encounters before we go. Thanks Peter.:)
Quote from: SpeakEasyOne of the best things about Custer SP is the wildlife. There are lots of mountain goats there; more than in any other place we've camped. We caught some beautiful video of a momma goat and her little kid. It's awesome!!!
What area did you see the goats in or are they all over?
Quote from: tlhdocWhat area did you see the goats in or are they all over?
The mom and her kid were in the Needles area. One goat was right in the tunnel licking salt from the rock wall of the tunnel.
We also saw several goats right at Mt. Rushmore!
One warning: If you have a National Parks Pass, don't expect to see the National Monument at Mt. Rushmore for free. The National Park Service has outsourced the parking at this National Monument to a private contractor. Even though you are going to be seeing a National Monument operated by the National Park Service, your National Park Pass will not get you free parking. Oh, admission to the monument is free; but it's free for everyone. The money you paid for your National Park Pass won't help here.
Quote from: SpeakEasyThe mom and her kid were in the Needles area. One goat was right in the tunnel licking salt from the rock wall of the tunnel.
We also saw several goats right at Mt. Rushmore!
One warning: If you have a National Parks Pass, don't expect to see the National Monument at Mt. Rushmore for free. The National Park Service has outsourced the parking at this National Monument to a private contractor. Even though you are going to be seeing a National Monument operated by the National Park Service, your National Park Pass will not get you free parking. Oh, admission to the monument is free; but it's free for everyone. The money you paid for your National Park Pass won't help here.
Thanks for the information. I do have a NP Pass. That is kind of a rip off charging you to park. I guess the NPS is getting sneaky. When we were in the Great Smokey Mts. NP this summer it was and will be FREE for all. It free because when the park was created there was a clause in the agreement that it would always be free. A road comes though the park and on state or the other (I don't remember which) wanted to make sure the road would remain free.:)
>>Were there any sites in Legion Lake campground that were shaded? Were you able to swim in the lake? If so how was it? Was there much of an insect problem when you were there? We are going toward the end of July into the beginning of August. <<
Hi, I'm a newbie here but Legion Lake is not my recommendation. I think there are a couple of shaded site (two toward the front but close to the road). The lake is wonderful though and the restaurant is a good place for breakfast. There is a swimming area and beach as I remember and the trail around the lake is worth walking. So stop in the morning take a look or to swim later but there are better campgrounds. Both the Stockade campgrounds are excellent.
And they are close to Custer (the town). You can head out and there is a nice highway that goes to the monument areas fast...
Kavoom
Kavoom thank you. I am leaning toward Stockade North Campground, but some people clam it is noisy and very busy. They either recommend Blue Bell or Silvan Lake campgrounds. Do you know anything about either of them? Are there any sites at Stockade N that you could recommend? We don't need to be near the bathrooms. The more private the site the better I like it.:)
If you are going to be there during the Sturgis ralley, all areas will be noisy (motorcycle noise). We were in site 16 at Legion Lake. We were only there for 2 days. It was partially shaded and toward the back end of the CG, it was a back in spot and open to the back. The resturant at the Lodge was nice and the Lake was also a nice area for walking. We did not swim in the lake. I don't recall any problem with bugs in the area.
The one problem you will have is, Sturgis people will pack as many tents and cycles they can in a spot. Just be prepared. We took highway 87 to 753 from Legion Lake to get to the monument. The road was not as crowded and the wildlife near and on the road was awesome. We actually had a buffalo right by our vehicle.
We drove in from the west and came through Custer, it took us 1/2 hour to get through town because of all the bikes. They were parked up and down both sides of the highway and double rowed parked in the center. It was a little nerve racking pulling the PU. We just took our time.
It is true about charging for parking. It cost $8.00 to park but the entrance to the monument was free. Don't forget there is also the Crazy Horse monument which is also interesting. Hope this helps.
Mary Romeo
We will be home before the Sturgis Rally really begins, but I know that there will be a lot of bikes around anyhow. Thanks for the information.:)
I don't think 10 days is too much. Figure three for Badlands, Devils Tower, and Wind Cave area. We spent two 9 day trips there (four total traveling) and figure we saw it all.
Also there is a Wild Mustang Ranch down south (day trip) that is worth going to (a bunch of movies have been made there) and along the way is a natural springs out in the middle of nowhere and the kids can swim there. My DG has the brochure.
Rushmore, Crazy Horse and doing the Needles Highway is a couple of days. Custer itself is a couple if you like the scenery maybe a hike or two. You are really quickly getting up there in the days and I didn't even count shopping or some of the wierd museums.
Quote from: KavoomAlso there is a Wild Mustang Ranch down south (day trip) that is worth going to (a bunch of movies have been made there) and along the way is a natural springs out in the middle of nowhere and the kids can swim there. My DG has the brochure.
Any idea where the spring and Mustang ranch are? They sound like a good day trip.:)
I will get the info from my DG. She has it,
I found two websites. http://www.gwtc.net/~iram/VisittheSanctuary.htm
http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/wildhorse/default.asp
Has good directions that Highland Road thing is important as I remember off 71.
And we got pictures just like the ones on that second website with little colts and everything...
Directions (The Springs are on the way off 71 and all you see from the road is a little state roadside pull off with a bathroom. The springs are down in a gully...) The roads are not marked all that well for getting to the santuary and you get to a point where you begin to wonder and then you get there...
Wild Horse Sanctuary
12 miles South of Hot Springs, SD, off Highway 71.
Reservations: 1-800-252-6652 (For 2 hour bus tour)
PO Box 998
Hot Springs, SD 57747
Kavoom thank you again:) .