Gerhardt

We will be touring the Black Hills area from August 25 to the 31st. School will have started in South Dakota and probably many other places. Will the tourist traffic be less than earlier in the Summer? We have lodging reservations for our first night in Rapid City. Do we need advance reservations in other towns? I would prefer not to do this, since I would like to play it by ear a little bit once I am there. Thanks in advance for your advice.

sven

It will slow down, but it still stays steady. They are really trying to build the shoulder seasons and target young couples with no kids or older people. I think you will be fine in Rapid City if you do not have reservations. Some of the smaller towns do not have a lot of places to stay. You may not get your first pick but I am sure you will be able to find something. You may want to plan a couple of days in the southern hills and base yourself in Custer. I would also spend a couple of days in the northern hills and base yourself in the Deadwood area. Have fun!

Tess

I would definitely make reservations. There will still be some 'hangers-on' from the Sturgis rally and hotels are full through Labor Day. I don't know--it is kind of fun to wing it but maybe call around before you leave and talk to a few hotels. They can give you some idea of what availability will be during your stay. Have fun!

ARKANSASNURSE

We based ourselves in Hill City, 16 miles southwest of Rapid City. Stayed in a cabin at the Mountainview Lodge. (www.mountainviewlodge.com)It was wonderful the owners have cocoa and smores around the campfire (unless firewatch is in effect) on Fridays. They also have motel rooms and lots of return guests. if you plan a chuckwagon supper, recommend the one on the Dances with Wolves set. It was very entertaining. Take a drive on the Needles byway, take a luch and water as there was no humidity while we were there and one dried out fast. Enjoy.

Gerhardt

Thanks, folks. You have been very helpful. Special thanks to you, Arkansasnurse. We went to the Mountain View Website (its mountainviewlodge.net.), and we were so impressed with the pictures, your recommendations and others, that we booked a room for 5 nights.