Headed to Black Hills/Badlands of North Dakota - need suggestions

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Some people say, ask a question and nobody replies, but say something wrong and the world will rush to correct you...


This year I'm dragging the little camper into the Black Hills in South Dakota and nearby Wyoming area. Unfortunately after I started making plans, my dumbass realized that I picked Sturgis week of all weeks. I'm sure this will make things interesting, but also bad for avoiding the crowds.

This is one of the few parts of the country that I have somehow not visited yet, and I'm unfamiliar with the area. I turn to the magic of the internet, asking you, oh wonderful strangers, for your wisdom.

The only goals I have in mind are "see Black Hills, find cool, unusual, and interesting shit, and also take an obscene picture at Devil's Tower." I do not have to stay in the area - I am open to detours if its wild and wacky enough. I'm trying to keep it down to one week this time, and as much as I love the national parks... I'm not sure if this year is the year for seeing the big popular sights. I really wanted to do a trip to see Yellowstone to Glacier to Banff, but that route is shelved for obvious reasons.

For reference, home base is Texas. The drive out will be mostly a mind-numbing jog on the interstate to get us through the mid-way point at Hays, Kansas, then its mostly secondary roads for the remaining northward leg. The return loop might be back down through mid-to-east CO, or I might even go the opposite route and return through Iowa to Missouri depending on whats interesting and how much highway I can possibly avoid.

So far I have booked 2 nights at Custer State Park. I would like to shy away from developed campgrounds for the remainder of the trip. Will be hipcamping part of the way also.

Need help with ideas to map out the rest of the itinerary. Hit me with it, you beautiful bastards.

 

I'm subbed because I want to do this myself one day soon.

@Rock Lobster

Might want to ask this question in the appropriate regional forum.

 

Good Idea. I might cross post this weekend If I get no hits.

 

The area is really beautiful. When my Dad and I moved from WI to NV, we went across through South Dakota and Wyoming and saw the badlands, black hills, devil's tower, etc. I was only 10 at the time, so I don't really have any specific recommendations

However, I live in KCMO now, and frequent the Missouri/Iowa I-35 when going to and from Wisconsin, so if going up through Kansas is a little slow and you decide on going a different route home, you can get away with traveling Texas speeds on I-35. It's mostly truckers, and usually not too populated. Plus, then you can stop in KC for some famous BBQ
While you're in the Dakotas, play around with the radio stations a bit; lots of native music
I'd also include maybe don't go out of your way to see Mt.Rushmore. It's a very I came, I saw, I left kind of park imo, and the most expensive between the badlands and devil's tower.

 

Check out Galena. Beautiful area and some amazing trails!

 

Been here the past 2 years and going again in September. Not sure what you're looking to do, but Custer is a huge place and you could spend your entire time hiking there and not get bored. Hit the national parks, wind cave, jewel cave, badlands (for sure!). Heck, camp at Badlands if you can get a spot. While you're there, you obviously have to do the touristy thing and go to Wall Drug lol. Minuteman missile site is right there, so you could hit all 3 in a day. George Mickleson trail is beautiful if you have a bike (non-motorized). I've ridden most of it and highly recommend it.
Pay my favorite brewery a visit in Hill City; Miner Brewing. Love that place. Pair it w/ Rushmore, or a hike up the highest point in North America east of the Rocky Mountains....Harney, AKA Black Elk Peak. I hiked it from the back side which WAY less crowded. In fact, we only saw 2 or 3 other people on the way up. But it'll take a few hours and if you guys have any health or fitness concerns, maybe take the other route. It'll still be worth the views. The overlook is beautiful in all directions.
I still think Rushmore is a must-see. I think we spent about 4 hours there and it's enough.
Devils tower is a couple hour drive, but also worth it. Hike around there. Climb it, if thats your thing. The drive up there, hiking and return drive will be a full day.