Black Hills South Dakota

Family Road Trip in August. My wife and I have been there before, this trip is for the kids, Jonathan 8 and Katie 11. We plan on visiting all the touristy stuff: Badlands, Custer, Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore, Bear Country, Mammoth, Jewel Cave, Wind Cave and the DC Booth Hatchery.
Lodging is set, so no need for those recommendations.
I do know that Sturgis happens in August and we will catch the tail end of it
I am looking for other unique places to visit along with some good places to eat.
Any ideas?

Thanks,
Ron

Head up thru the hill country to Medora, North Dakota and do the North Dakota Bad Lands.

Deadwood was cool if you can get past the casino trap. The original saloon where Wild Bill met his bullet burned down, but across the street is an exact replica tavern where they perform the last hours of Hickocks life. Pretty entertaining.

We toured the Air Force base on our way out. It was very interesting.

The Alpine Inn in Hill City is a must stop to eat when we are there. The only choice is a fillet, big or small (besides a kids menu) very very good every time I’ve been there.

Might consider a side trip to see Devils Tower, it’s about an hour northwest and it’s interesting to see the climbers on the vertical cliff.

If you have horse lover the wild mustang range/ranch is south of hot springs about 30 min. It’s the largest wild horse concentration in the US.

Have a great time

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Head up thru the hill country to Medora, North Dakota and do the North Dakota Bad Lands.

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Thanks, I will look into that area.

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Deadwood was cool

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Planned on hitting Deadwood, Lead, on our way to Spearfish.

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We toured the Air Force base on our way out. It was very interesting.

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That was on my list of possible stopping stops

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The view from Harney Peak is worth the hike.

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That made the list of have to do’s.

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Might consider a side trip to see Devils Tower,

If you have horse lover the wild mustang range

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Devils Tower was on the list already.

The horse sanctuary is on the list of possible stops.

Thanks guys, keep the ideas coming.

Devil’s Tower is very cool, also I believe it is called the Needles Highway is very interesting drive, several tunnels to drive through.

A couple more pics of the Needles

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The Alpine Inn in Hill City is a must stop to eat when we are there. The only choice is a fillet, big or small (besides a kids menu) very very good every time I’ve been there.

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That’s great information. I love a great steak.
After looking at their menu, I’m not sure if I can make up my mind what to have

I showed the kids your pictures. They loved them, in fact when I showed them the bus/tunnel picture they both mumbled in a soft tone, holly chit

Thanks,
Ron

The Cosmos mystery area is pretty cool… I know the kids would love it it’s in small groups, so they pretty much involve everyone Cosmos

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The Cosmos mystery area is pretty cool…

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That is on my must see list
Great suggestion, I heard of that one from a co-worker.
Ron

If you take the kids through the wildlife loop Ron, watch out for these guys. They love cheetos but the dude on the right took a bite out of my steering wheel Dumb asses

What’s BK and Dean doing that far West

I told the kids that I was going to grab a couple bags of baby carrots and when we stop to see them, I was going to roll down their windows and throw carrots by the hand full into the back seat.

Not really sure they want to see the wild burros

There is a wood carving museum near Jewel Cave. There are several automated carvings and my son liked it.

We also did the lantern tour at jewel cave. They have battery operated lanters for the younger kids for safty.

There is a national cemetary in Hot Springs next to the VA Hospital. This is not to far from the Mammoth Site.

Lead has two mining museums. The cool one has a replica mine to show how mining was done.

Hill City has a shootout downtown every afternoon for charity.

Red Shirt Indian Reservation has a visitors center on the South side of the Badlands.

Thank You, I will check out all the ideas that you gave me

Ron

Reptile Gardens was pretty neat, the kids loved it

The kids can expect to see these on the wild life loop Ron Not to mention the deer and small game too.

No ones said it yet, but everyone has thought it….

Corn Palace.

Out of your way and not worth every minute of it.

How come nobody mentioned the biggest tourist destination of all? You will start to see the signs 500 miles before you get there And then after all the hype you pull up to shanty town and say to yourself, ” Seriously?”
Can anybody guess what I am referring to?

Wall Drug???

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Corn Palace.

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I have already told my family to drop me off at Cabela’s while they go visit the gymnasium of corn art.
One place I have ZERO interest in seeing again.

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And then after all the hype you pull up to shanty town and say to yourself, ” Seriously?”

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I read that that shanty town spends over 400,000.00 on signs a year.
And it all started by giving away free water.

Another place I have zero interest in visiting again, but the kids want to stop so we will

For good eats and a great adult beverage, try the Firehouse Brewery in Rapid City. South Dakota’s first brewpub located in an old firestation. Great beer,great food.

Dean Thorn

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Lodging is set, so no need for those recommendations.

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We have been talking about taking this trip this summer as well but we are not sure where to stay. We discussed camping but I am not willing to tent it for 5-7 days. I have looked into hotels and rentals but I would love some recommendations!

I will sent a PM with a couple of places we are staying.

Ron

Not sure how far they are on it… but Crazyhorse was pretty cool.. I seen it about 25 years ago and wonder if they made any progress…

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Lodging is set, so no need for those recommendations.

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We have been talking about taking this trip this summer as well but we are not sure where to stay. We discussed camping but I am not willing to tent it for 5-7 days. I have looked into hotels and rentals but I would love some recommendations!

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Absolutely do not get anywhere near Sturgis without reservations during the rally. Every campground, motel, RV park with in 75 miles is full. If you do find a spot you will need to sell a kid to pay for it. If planning a trip the first thing you need is the dates for the motorcycle rally and work from there.