Custer State Park, SD

[dmax_83]

Just booked our reservation for next June for Custer State Park, specifically the Grace Coolidge campground. We are traveling with another couple who have been there before, but it will be our first time. We are planning on checking out Mt. Rushmore and Badlands National Park for sure and will likely find other attractions at June gets closer. Does anyone have any suggestions for sightseeing or for the campground/area in general? Looking forward to your responses!

[newrvguy68]

You'll enjoy staying in Custer State Park when you go. Camped there with my dad when I was a kid and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. My memories of what to see and do are a little foggy though, given the time that has passed. As I recall, you may want to include a visit to Jewel Cave or Wind Cave, and there are some good horse trail rides to be had.

[Jagiven]

So many things to do and so little time.

We were in Cusert SP over the 4th of July. Had a great time. There is a Lot you can do in the area. As usual we did not have enough time. I would recommend driving needles hwy, there are three tunnels that you go through and you can see Mount Rushmore as you drive through. We toured Wind Cave, very nice. We wanted to tour do Jewel Cave, but it is very popular and has a lot fewer tours, so it is hard to get a tour at a time you want. I would also recommend going to see the Mammoth dig site (in Hot Springs), if you have any small kids have them do the junior program. Our son absolutely love it, it is an hour long. I like the wildlife loop, but I like to cut off the main road and drive the gravel roads, as there almost no traffic. I have heard mixed reports on ziplines. A coworker highly recommended doing it (DW said no way in @#$%), also have heard good thinks about horseback rides.

The one thing I do not like about the area in general, everything you want to do involves a decent amount of driving to get there.

[Bob806]

Check out Sylvan Lake, beautiful scenery with granite boulders. If you're brave enough, you can jump into the lake. Also, Needles Highway is well worth the drive.

[crocket]

You may want to check out the Crazy Horse Memorial. It is a carving in the hills just like Mount Rushmore. Here is the web site if you would like to read up a little on it. crazyhorsememorial.org I have never seen it and I live in South Dakota but I am up in the northeast corner of the state and it is quite a drive out to the hills. Whatever you end up doing you will have a good time.
Darla

[Big Sky]

The Norbeck byway is a must see. Check out the photos from my album.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/album.php?albumid=420

Be sure to read the comments on each photo for more info.

[clutch]

Don't forget Wall Drug in the Bad Lands, also Lead Deadwood. Mt Rushmore is best viewed at dusk when the flood lights are on. There is a lot to see in SD.

[kvangil]

We'll be heading to Custer for the week of July 4th. Can't wait to explore. This will be our first long road trip with the camper in tow.

[dmax_83]

Lots of excellent suggestions, thank you! I suspect our week in the park will just fly by.