Burley

We're taking a huge family vacation there in June (6 families), and I need some help, please.
We're driving into CSP on Tuesday, and anticipate arriving in time for dinner and then make it to the 9:00p lighting ceremony.
Wednesday, we plan on seeing Mt. Rushmore and exploring the area and then seeing Crazy Horse Monument, and getting to know CSP (maybe do the wildlife loop).
Thursday, I'd like to go see the Badlands and Devils Tower (which I can see from other posts is about 2 hours away). Is Walls Drug (a controversial tourist trap, but apparently recommended enough to make the stop) on the way to the Badlands, or in a different direction?
We'd also like to maybe do Wind or Jewel Cave, or some gold mining for the younger set (6-12 yr olds)
Friday, we planned on spending the entire day at CSP (paddle boats, biking, etc) and finish up with the Chuckwagon Dinner.
Saturday we head home (back to Texas).
Can anyone give me advice on this itinerary? I've been put in charge of planning, so I want to look like I've got it all together as many will be depending upon my suggestions. Thank you for your help.

jleone

Hi Burley,
Your itinerary looks good--though keep in mind Devil's Tower and the Badlands are in opposite directions from Rapid City. DT is west (not sure how far) and Badlands is east.

As for Wall Drug, I LOVE it, my husband and mother hate it. It depends on your tolerance for kitsch, I guess. It's a good pit stop for food (and free ice water!). Wall Drug is on the way to the Badlands. It's worth a stop, and the kids will probably love it. There is also a photograph of Laura Ingalls Wilder hanging up in there somewhere--it's difficult to find, so ask someone who works there. It's worth seeing if you are a fan of hers.

The gold mining can be done while you are touring the Black Hills, there are plenty of stops for that along the way.

I'm not sure if you can do Badlands and Devils Tower on the same day. I suppose you could if you rushed each just a little (get an early start). Have fun, the Black Hills and Western South Dakota are beautiful.

utahtea

Badlands is a little over two hours from Custer State Park BUT Devil's Tower National Monument is in the opposite directions and is 3 hours from Badlands. If you were to do both in one day, that would involve about 445 miles and almost 8 hours of driving to and from Custer. I would do one or the other.

As far as Wall Drugs, if you are just going to go to the Badlands, then it's a fun stop for kids.

Utahtea

laurieb_nyny

What town are you staying in?

I have planned several National Park trips for my family & we try to limit ourselves to one large park per day or several small venues in close proximity to each other. I think with only three days, DT is out. We will be in SD this year so here is what I suggest:

Tues night: Pitchfork Fondue dinner & show. They get you out in time for the lighting on MR.

Wed: MR, CH, + one of the Caves.

Thurs (very long day): DT, Badlands, Wall.

Friday: CSP Wildlife Loop + other activities you mentioned; Chuckwagon dinner (which one?--we are going to the Circle B in Rapid City).

Sat: leave for home? or have another day for touring?

Hope this is helpful.

placeu2

Please do yourself a favor and DO NOT do Badlands and Devils tower in the same day. If you must choose only one, my vote is for Devils Tower. The 6-12 year old contingent is likely to be bored at the Badlands but probably enjoy scrambling around the base of Devils Tower. You can catch the gold panning almost everywhere but I prefer the history of Deadwood for that (on your way to or from DT).

Crazy Horse is a fairly quick stop and Mt. Rushmore can be done in a couple of hours as well especially if you do the evening program one night.

madcitysue

One alternative activity to consider, if you decide against driving three hours to Devil's tower, would be checking out the town of Hot Springs just south of CSP. There's a mammoth site where they've discovered and preserved a large number of mammoth fossils and bones. Also in Hot Springs is a large indoor warm water pool. I think it's called Evan's plunge. The day we spent at Hot Springs was a highlight of our trip for our then 7 year old.

CAPH52

While I am a big fan of both the Badlands and Devil's Tower, I strongly agree with madcitysue's recommendation of the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs. Our kids, 16 and 12 at the time, were very impressed with it. With such a large group, it might be easier to stick with things closer to CSP.

Burley

Thank you all for your helpful posts! This is just the kind of info I needed (had no idea about DT and Badlands being in opposite directions). I will let the group decide which one to do, and tell them about Hot Springs, as Evans Plunge sounds fun! Again, thanks!