Mt Rushmore/Badlands late March?
May 26th, 2015, 08:02 AM
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Mt Rushmore/Badlands late March?
Repost as I tagged in incorrectly
We are planning a spring trip for 2016. We are considering a trip to Mt. Rushmore/Badlands area for March 25th - April 3rd. We will be driving from NC. We will be traveling this week due to break from school as well as it is still cool enough to travel with our elderly dog. I've read about the weather averages regarding snow and temperature but wondering if anyone has any first hand knowledge of what to expect during this time. Is this a bad decision?? We wouldn't be able to make this trip until mid-June otherwise and we think this might be getting too hot for our dog.
We are planning a spring trip for 2016. We are considering a trip to Mt. Rushmore/Badlands area for March 25th - April 3rd. We will be driving from NC. We will be traveling this week due to break from school as well as it is still cool enough to travel with our elderly dog. I've read about the weather averages regarding snow and temperature but wondering if anyone has any first hand knowledge of what to expect during this time. Is this a bad decision?? We wouldn't be able to make this trip until mid-June otherwise and we think this might be getting too hot for our dog.
May 26th, 2015, 10:20 AM
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There was a late snowstorm in April this year. The locals welcomed it since they have been having extreme drought for the past 2 years. It is rather unpredictable what the weather will be in late March or early April.
http://www.laurajeantravelblog.com/2...edles-highway/
In June you will have a better chance of good weather.
Leave the dog home. There are few places that dogs are welcome in America's National Parks
http://www.laurajeantravelblog.com/2...edles-highway/
In June you will have a better chance of good weather.
Leave the dog home. There are few places that dogs are welcome in America's National Parks
May 26th, 2015, 03:38 PM
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Average high in June is 83 in Badlands. That's pretty doable unless your dog has health issues. I would assume it gets hotter than that in North Carolina in the summer.
But as Tomfuller said, there are few places that dogs can go in any national park. They are not allowed on any hiking trails in the Badlands.
http://www.nps.gov/badl/planyourvisit/pets.htm
Dogs are basically restricted to paved areas. At Mt. Rushmore, they are allowed in the parking ramp area and near the main entrance. Not sure what you would do with your dog while you are visiting either park or anywhere else for that matter.
Also, you're looking at 20+ hours of driving depending on where you live in North Caroline. Probably 5 days of solid driving, leaving you just 5 days to sightsee. I would think seriously about leaving your dog home and flying to a closer city to maximize your time and allow you to see and do more.
As for the weather, if you're determined to drive from North Carolina, I would choose June over late March. There is way too high of a chance of snow/icy conditions along your route at that time of year, and the drive will already take up a lot of your time. Running into bad weather would guarantee you'll spend more time on the road than at your destination.
But as Tomfuller said, there are few places that dogs can go in any national park. They are not allowed on any hiking trails in the Badlands.
http://www.nps.gov/badl/planyourvisit/pets.htm
Dogs are basically restricted to paved areas. At Mt. Rushmore, they are allowed in the parking ramp area and near the main entrance. Not sure what you would do with your dog while you are visiting either park or anywhere else for that matter.
Also, you're looking at 20+ hours of driving depending on where you live in North Caroline. Probably 5 days of solid driving, leaving you just 5 days to sightsee. I would think seriously about leaving your dog home and flying to a closer city to maximize your time and allow you to see and do more.
As for the weather, if you're determined to drive from North Carolina, I would choose June over late March. There is way too high of a chance of snow/icy conditions along your route at that time of year, and the drive will already take up a lot of your time. Running into bad weather would guarantee you'll spend more time on the road than at your destination.
May 27th, 2015, 06:22 AM
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I am the original poster of this question. So, just to clarify a few points...the dog is pretty lazy and would spend most of her time in the van while we are out and about so the temperature is important - really the cooler the better for her. This may sound bad to some but she is happy with this set up as long as she is not left home alone. She would go on some gentle walks with us often.
The other reason we've picked SD as a possibility is for our teenage son. He is begging to go somewhere, as he describes, rock-y. Being in North Carolina we experience the beaches and mountains several times a year and he wants to see something "different".
So, please share your ideas if you have a suggestion that might meet our criteria. I appreciate all the responses and feedback. Many thanks!!
The other reason we've picked SD as a possibility is for our teenage son. He is begging to go somewhere, as he describes, rock-y. Being in North Carolina we experience the beaches and mountains several times a year and he wants to see something "different".
So, please share your ideas if you have a suggestion that might meet our criteria. I appreciate all the responses and feedback. Many thanks!!
May 27th, 2015, 07:53 AM
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The problem with leaving the dog in the car is that it's not allowed in national parks, so you run a pretty good risk of getting a ticket. And there just aren't many short walks other than walking around a parking lot - dogs aren't allowed off pavement for the most part.
I think some state parks are less restrictive about having dogs on trails so that may be a better option.
I think some state parks are less restrictive about having dogs on trails so that may be a better option.
May 27th, 2015, 10:11 AM
#6
My best advice is to find a neighbor that has a dog that gets along with your dog and leave yours with the neighbor. Offer to let the neighbor to go on a trip of an equal number of days while you watch the neighbor dog.
I would not leave a dog in a parked car in the sun any more than I would leave a child. Vehicles parked heat up to over 20 degrees over the outside temp in less than 20 minutes even if you leave the windows down 3 inches.
If you and your son want to see the Rockies, try Glenwood Springs Colorado. There is a great bicycle trail along 1-70 and the Colorado River. Just north of the river and interstate is the world's largest hot spring fed swimming pool.
You and your son would like the gondola ride up to Glenwood Caverns.
I would not leave a dog in a parked car in the sun any more than I would leave a child. Vehicles parked heat up to over 20 degrees over the outside temp in less than 20 minutes even if you leave the windows down 3 inches.
If you and your son want to see the Rockies, try Glenwood Springs Colorado. There is a great bicycle trail along 1-70 and the Colorado River. Just north of the river and interstate is the world's largest hot spring fed swimming pool.
You and your son would like the gondola ride up to Glenwood Caverns.
