MOUNT RUSHMORE
Mar 15th, 2004 | 06:42 PM
#1
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Joined: Mar 2004
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MOUNT RUSHMORE
WE ARE PLANNING AN EARLY SUMMER TRIP TO MOUNT RUSHMORE / BADLANDS / CUSTER. HOW LONG SHOULD WE ALLOW FOR THESE AND WHAT ELSE ARE WE MISSING FOR A MAXIMUM WEEK VACATION? WHAT IS A MUST-SEE, MUST-DO OR MUST-STAY? WHAT SHOULD WE SKIP?
Mar 15th, 2004 | 08:08 PM
#2
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It is considered shouting when you use caps on message boards.
Where will you be coming from? Mt. Rushmore is a couple of hours, Badlands is half a day or more depending if you like to hike. Near by is Wall Drug store is a tourist trap but fun. Custer is a day or two, also depending if you like to hike. There is Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Caves National Monument. We didn't do Jewels Cave because our youngest wasn't old enough to do the tours. Also not far is Deadwood City which is a tourist trap, but it has gambling and is fun to walk around.
A week should be plenty of time. Will you be driving in and if so where will you be coming from?
Utahtea
Where will you be coming from? Mt. Rushmore is a couple of hours, Badlands is half a day or more depending if you like to hike. Near by is Wall Drug store is a tourist trap but fun. Custer is a day or two, also depending if you like to hike. There is Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Caves National Monument. We didn't do Jewels Cave because our youngest wasn't old enough to do the tours. Also not far is Deadwood City which is a tourist trap, but it has gambling and is fun to walk around.
A week should be plenty of time. Will you be driving in and if so where will you be coming from?
Utahtea
Mar 16th, 2004 | 03:21 AM
#4
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Babsmom,
Your post brought back fond memories of a great South Dakota trip with our kids when they were little. Below are links to information on three things that came to mind. You didn't say whether you are taking kids, but I couldn't resist mentioning Bedrock City and have linked you to Roadside America's review of this totally kitchy place. Then there's the mammoth site, which we missed, and I've always regretted it. Evan's Plunge was kind of neat for an unusual swimming experience.
Note on Custer -- if you are tempted to feed the famous burrow pack in the park, remember they can be pretty intimidating and agressive when you are passing out food.
Have fun-- South Dakota is pretty cool.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attra...USbedrock.html
http://www.mammothsite.com/
http://www.evansplunge.com
Your post brought back fond memories of a great South Dakota trip with our kids when they were little. Below are links to information on three things that came to mind. You didn't say whether you are taking kids, but I couldn't resist mentioning Bedrock City and have linked you to Roadside America's review of this totally kitchy place. Then there's the mammoth site, which we missed, and I've always regretted it. Evan's Plunge was kind of neat for an unusual swimming experience.
Note on Custer -- if you are tempted to feed the famous burrow pack in the park, remember they can be pretty intimidating and agressive when you are passing out food.
Have fun-- South Dakota is pretty cool.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attra...USbedrock.html
http://www.mammothsite.com/
http://www.evansplunge.com
Mar 16th, 2004 | 07:39 AM
#6
Joined: Jun 2003
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Have done the above and enjoyed most. Wall drug is a must do just because it is and everyone else does...lol.
We really enjoyed a day trip to Devils Tower in WY. It was a very easy day trip from our base in Deadwood and would be fine even from more southern locals. FYI this is the hill/mountain featured in the movie Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind. Scenic drive, easy walk around the tour and quite impressive up close.
We really enjoyed a day trip to Devils Tower in WY. It was a very easy day trip from our base in Deadwood and would be fine even from more southern locals. FYI this is the hill/mountain featured in the movie Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind. Scenic drive, easy walk around the tour and quite impressive up close.
Mar 16th, 2004 | 10:29 AM
#7
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I apologize for "shouting", I was working on something else and didn't pay attention to the CAPS. We are planning to fly in but I am not sure where to set up "base camp". Should we move around or is there somewhere central that makes sense? I have a 10 and 12 year old and want to see and do what we can but not make ourselves crazy trying to cram everything in. Thanks for the advice and links!!!
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Mar 16th, 2004 | 11:28 AM
#8
Joined: Aug 2003
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This is a wonderful area of the country, but I wouldn't worry about cramming too much in, unless you choose to occupy your week with the endless supply of touristy things they've made available, things you will find around ANY tourist town.
As Utahtea said, if you explore the 'main' attractions you're talking three days MAX. That is, unless you want to spend days playing ENDLESS putt-putt and shopping in souvenir stores.
If you're driving and have a full week, I would look beyond that area. Devils Tower and Yellowstone are to the west, Denver to the southwest, Scottsbluff to the South, just for a start. Why not explore one of those areas for 2-3 days? (Yes, Yellowstone is worthy of more time, but its better than nothing.)
I may get slammed for this but IMO, I would skip much of the downright touristy stuff in S. Dakota to have a few days somewhere else, too, especially Yellowstone. Once you see Mt. Rushmore, you've seen it! Its not like the Grand Canyon with a myriad of look out points. Same thing for Crazy Horse. We've hiked the country and while Custer has interesting wildlife, it was best seen with a drive through. Either Wind Cave or Jewels Cave would be enough - more than enough, IMO. Wall Drug and Deadwood (home of Kevin Costners casino
) are fun, but more like time fillers (killers?), IMO.
Again, this is just my opinion. Everyone is different, but we would rather explore major attractions, National Parks etc., since we have lots of 'amusements' in our own 'backyard.' It all depends on what you're looking for. Have fun, whatever you do.
As Utahtea said, if you explore the 'main' attractions you're talking three days MAX. That is, unless you want to spend days playing ENDLESS putt-putt and shopping in souvenir stores.
If you're driving and have a full week, I would look beyond that area. Devils Tower and Yellowstone are to the west, Denver to the southwest, Scottsbluff to the South, just for a start. Why not explore one of those areas for 2-3 days? (Yes, Yellowstone is worthy of more time, but its better than nothing.)
I may get slammed for this but IMO, I would skip much of the downright touristy stuff in S. Dakota to have a few days somewhere else, too, especially Yellowstone. Once you see Mt. Rushmore, you've seen it! Its not like the Grand Canyon with a myriad of look out points. Same thing for Crazy Horse. We've hiked the country and while Custer has interesting wildlife, it was best seen with a drive through. Either Wind Cave or Jewels Cave would be enough - more than enough, IMO. Wall Drug and Deadwood (home of Kevin Costners casino
) are fun, but more like time fillers (killers?), IMO. Again, this is just my opinion. Everyone is different, but we would rather explore major attractions, National Parks etc., since we have lots of 'amusements' in our own 'backyard.' It all depends on what you're looking for. Have fun, whatever you do.
Mar 16th, 2004 | 11:35 AM
#9
Joined: Jan 2003
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Babsmom
If it were me, I would set up camp at Custer State Park. As Utahtea said, it will only take you a couple hours to do Mt Rushmore, a half day to do the Badlands, an hour or so to do Crazy Horse and you have the rest of the week left. I would go to the Custer Web site and see what all they offer that your kids will like. We stayed there two nights and had a lot of fun. and Needles Hwy is a hoot! We also stayed a night in Deadwood and visited Wild Bill and Clamity Janes graves. Have fun!
If it were me, I would set up camp at Custer State Park. As Utahtea said, it will only take you a couple hours to do Mt Rushmore, a half day to do the Badlands, an hour or so to do Crazy Horse and you have the rest of the week left. I would go to the Custer Web site and see what all they offer that your kids will like. We stayed there two nights and had a lot of fun. and Needles Hwy is a hoot! We also stayed a night in Deadwood and visited Wild Bill and Clamity Janes graves. Have fun!
