I just booked a trip !

[susieq]

Deadwood is a fun town if things are open. Nice scenery there and throughout the Black Hills. Mount Moriah Cemetery is open to the public, and you can see the gravesites for Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Custer State Park will be a good place to maybe see bison. Drive through The Needles for a spectacular time. Mt Rushmore is a National Monument, and the grounds are open right now. I think their Visitors Center is closed, as is the evening fireworks show. But the grounds are open. See their site: https://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm

Years back we exchanged to Lead, one of our most memorable vacations! You will DEFINATELY see buffalo in Custer State Park! There is so much to see and do in that area, you're in for a great time!! I envy you!!

 

[Timeshare Von]

I love . . . L . . . O . . . V . . . E . . . South Dakota!

If it weren't so darn "wintery" and snowy . . . I would give serious consideration to retiring there!

 

[DaveNV]

Something you will absolutely want to tie into things, if you go to Custer State Park (as I recommended in my comment in #4 above), is a drive along Iron Mountain Road, also known as Highway 16A. It is a winding road through the Black Hills, where virtually every bridge or tunnel view is of the faces on Mount Rushmore in the distance. It's hard to describe it until you've done it, but is something I'd say is a "Don't Miss" opportunity. It's very cool. At the end is Custer State Park, another not to be missed place. The Peter Norbeck Highway is another name for part of this roadway, and includes the part that goes through The Needles. Check this page to understand what I'm suggesting:

U.S. Route 16A - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This website has some good local information, and links to things in the area:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, there are businesses across South Dakota that are temporarily closing or operating under special hours, and some events are being canceled or postponed. We will do our best to update this page as information becomes available. Please make sure...

www.travelsouthdakota.com

Enjoy yourself. I suspect you will want to go back and see more once things are fully reopened. South Dakota is one of those places people don't think much about until they've been there - and then they wonder what took so long.

Dave

 

[b2bailey]

We actually drove up a few days ago and the Badlands National Park was open and was our favorite part of the trip. We stopped and saw Mt Rushmore as well. Most stuff was closed around Mt Rushmore but a few gift shops were open in the nearby town of Keystone. We stayed in Rapid City at a Home 2 Suites and the water park was open for hotel guests. I actually wish we had stayed a little longer. It was nice to get away. We are in Colorado and our ‘stay home’ orders ended, but I still didn’t admit to hardly anyone we went somewhere, because I figured most people would be mad at us right now for that. It’s such a weird and difficult time for everyone.

I'm moved to comment on your remark about keeping things on the "QT". I think it's a shame that those of us who feel inclined to 'venture out' (within guidelines, of course) are subject to disapproval from others who have a different interpretation of the situation at hand. Reminds me a bit of the disparity between people who feel it's okay to have a glass of wine vs teetotalers.

 

[b2bailey]

Something you will absolutely want to tie into things, if you go to Custer State Park (as I recommended in my comment in #4 above), is a drive along Iron Mountain Road, also known as Highway 16A. It is a winding road through the Black Hills, where virtually every bridge or tunnel view is of the faces on Mount Rushmore in the distance. It's hard to describe it until you've done it, but is something I'd say is a "Don't Miss" opportunity. It's very cool. At the end is Custer State Park, another not to be missed places. The Peter Norbeck Highway is another name for part of this roadway, and includes the part that goes through The Needles. Check this page to understand what I'm suggesting:

U.S. Route 16A - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This website has some good local information, and links to things in the area:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, there are businesses across South Dakota that are temporarily closing or operating under special hours, and some events are being canceled or postponed. We will do our best to update this page as information becomes available. Please make sure...

www.travelsouthdakota.com

Enjoy yourself. I suspect you will want to go back and see more once things are fully reopened. South Dakota is one of those places people don't think much about until they've been there - and then they wonder what took so long.

Dave

I only remember one time I even vaguely considered a trip to see Mt. Rushmore. This thread has made me reconsider. Thinking it would be fun to take my grandsons to South Dakota when they are a bit older.

 

[Patri]

I have been there several times, and love it all. You will have fun, and yes, you should have taken a few more days. Enjoying nature will be the best part. We have all been cooped up too long. I am itching to fly out of here as soon as there is somewhere to go, or someone to go with.

 

[Krteczech]

Devils Tower national monument in nearby Wyoming is closed right now. Black Hills are beautiful and with travel restrictions in place the wildlife will be plentiful. Enjoy the scenery!

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

@T_R_Oglodyte Thank you for your comments. I am not ignoring you! Your story about your dad touched me. My mother has dementia and lives in an assisted living facility, 5 mins from my house. It's killing me that no one other than staff has seen her for 8 weeks now. And God knows when that will end. I am bracing myself our first visit. I'm so angry that my mother is in the sunset years of her life and am prevented from seeing her. I'm not angry at her facility. I understand and respect it. Just angry at the whole situation, if that makes sense. I am now interested in checking out Wounded Knee when we go through the Badlands. Thank you!

Thanks for the response, and the sharing. Alzheimer's also took my father-in-law. Indirectly it claimed my mother-in-law as well. She had been struggling to care for her husband as it advanced. Struggling much harder than any of us realized. She finally conceded it was time for him to go to the attached Alzheimer's care unit at the senior citizens facility where they were living.

Within one week she was hospitalized for a heart irregularity. We were told it was minor, and she would be discharged within a day. But she didn't respond, so they said still not a big issue, but she'll have to stay an extra day. After that extra day they said to come immediately because she wasn't responding to any treatment, and her situation was grim. And a couple of days later she was gone. We all believe that upon being relieved of spousal care, she could now allow herself to be sick.

Switching to Wounded Knee, be aware that there isn't much there to see. It's not at all imposing, and it's a bit out of the way. To appreciate it, you have to know the story of Wounded Knee. And then imagine the encampments in the lowlands, with the Army units moving in to the highlands.

To me, even though it isn't imposing, it's situated in the middle of one of the most impoverished regions in this country, and despite their meager resources, still give it care and attention.

 

[DaveNV]

I only remember one time I even vaguely considered a trip to see Mt. Rushmore. This thread has made me reconsider. Thinking it would be fun to take my grandsons to South Dakota when they are a bit older.

I won't hijack @Cornell's thread, but several years ago we tied a driving trip to the Black Hills in with a stay at Yellowstone National Park. After a week at Yellowstone and a night at Grand Tetons, we drove up into Montana to see the Custer Battlefield, then down into Wyoming to see Devil's Tower, over to South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills area, then back west to Cody, Wyoming, to see the Buffalo Bill Museum. Further west, we drove back into Yellowstone, and spent our last night at the Old Faithful Lodge, before driving up to Bozeman, Montana, to catch our flight home. It was a fantastic two-week trip, with lots of time in the car, but some completely spectacular scenery out the car window. Your grandsons would love seeing this sort of thing, if they understand the historical significance of what you're viewing. PM me if you'd like more specifics on what we did.

Dave

 

[geist1223]

We have an ongoing RCI Search for the Bare(Bear)foot condos in Lead South Dakota for anytime in June 2021. In case that never comes through we have Booked 2 weeks in Arizona for May 2021.

Have a great time. Patti has never been to that area and I have not been for 55 years.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Hi Cornell,

If you decide to visit Wounded Knee/ Pine Ridge Reservation, I highly recommend reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown. It gives an excellent history of what happened.

Richard

 

[Cornell]

Wow! So much enthusiasm & excitement for my humble trip to SD.

I am re-watching The Rider this afternoon to get myself even more psyched up for this. @T_R_Oglodyte This movie takes place near where Wounded Knee is.

I have always been captivated by the west -- so I don't know why I never really considered this before!

I can't make the trip much longer b/c my daughter still does have "school" still. Note the air quotes around school.

And @b2bailey -- I actually thought twice about posting about this trip, fearing some shaming about it. But at some point people need to start venturing out and living again. We cannot be hiding in our homes forever.

 

[Cornell]

@MULTIZ321 I'm ON IT! Thank you. I love non-fiction books like this.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Hi Cornell,

If you decide to visit Wounded Knee/ Pine Ridge Reservation, I highly recommend reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown. It gives an excellent history of what happened.

Richard

@MULTIZ321 I'm ON IT! Thank you. I love non-fiction books like this.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is what piqued my interest in Wounded Knee originally. I read it in 1973 or 1974, if I recall correctly. It only took me 25 years to get there because I seldom travel that part of the country. So no way was I going to miss it on that road trip.

 

[Cornell]

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is what piqued my interest in Wounded Knee. I read it in 1973 or 1974, if I recall correctly. It only took me 25 years to get there because I seldom travel that part of the country. So no way was I going to miss it on that road trip.

I’m obsessed with the Donner Party and that interest led me to Truckee , CA which has been one of my greatest vacations ever.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I’m obsessed with the Donner Party and that interest led me to Truckee , CA which has been one of my greatest vacations ever.

Also an interesting episode. Especially the events that happened during the journey that caused them to begin the crossing too late in the season.

 

[PigsDad]

@Cornell - the one thing I always recommend families to do in the Rapid City area is Bear Country USA. Yes, this looks like a typical "tourist trap" (and it probably is), but it is so much fun! It is a drive-through zoo with all types of native animals, but the highlight is the bears. As you drive through that area, there are dozens of bears and they come right up to your car. They also have an area where they usually have 10 or so bear cubs. Looking at their website, it looks like you have to stay in your car past the cub area right now; normally you can get out there, go to the gift shop (what tourist trap is not complete w/o a gift shop! ), etc.

I know you are limited on time, but if you are heading past that area, it is definitely worth an hour or so of your time. Literally everyone who I know that has been there just raves about the place (seriously!).

Kurt

 

[Panina]

We will all be traveling through your eyes. Looking forward to your pictures.

 

[geoand]

Dave posted about seeing Mt Rushmore from tunnels & that sparked a memory. As I recall, there were several tunnels & they all had Mt Rushmore at the end of tunnel. I also remember seeing a railroad trestle below after exiting the tunnel. The trestle was circular so that trains could climb or descend the grade. I was amazed. Then we arrived at the monument. We were entertained with videos & lights on the Presidents & the crowd stood and sang. Very emotional.

This was a trip 25 years or so ago. I cannot vouch for accuracy of my memory.

I know you & daughter will have a great time.

 

[Cornell]

@Cornell - the one thing I always recommend families to do in the Rapid City area is Bear Country USA. Yes, this looks like a typical "tourist trap" (and it probably is), but it is so much fun! It is a drive-through zoo with all types of native animals, but the highlight is the bears. As you drive through that area, there are dozens of bears and they come right up to your car. They also have an area where they usually have 10 or so bear cubs. Looking at their website, it looks like you have to stay in your car past the cub area right now; normally you can get out there, go to the gift shop (what tourist trap is not complete w/o a gift shop! ), etc.

I know you are limited on time, but if you are heading past that area, it is definitely worth an hour or so of your time. Literally everyone who I know that has been there just raves about the place (seriously!).

Kurt

We are flying in / out of Rapid City!

 

[DaveNV]

Hi Cornell,

If you decide to visit Wounded Knee/ Pine Ridge Reservation, I highly recommend reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown. It gives an excellent history of what happened.

Richard

I believe the Wounded Knee area is locked down right now. https://www.newscenter1.tv/first-covid-19-case-reported-on-pine-ridge-indian-reservation/

Dave

 

[DaveNV]

Dave posted about seeing Mt Rushmore from tunnels & that sparked a memory. As I recall, there were several tunnels & they all had Mt Rushmore at the end of tunnel. I also remember seeing a railroad trestle below after exiting the tunnel. The trestle was circular so that trains could climb or descend the grade. I was amazed. Then we arrived at the monument. We were entertained with videos & lights on the Presidents & the crowd stood and sang. Very emotional.

This was a trip 25 years or so ago. I cannot vouch for accuracy of my memory.

I know you & daughter will have a great time.

Your memory is plenty accurate. It's a pretty interesting area.

That tunnel road you mentioned is Iron Mountain Road, that I linked to in comment #28 above. And yes, the views are as amazing as you remember.

The Mount Rushmore monument itself will be mainly closed - the presentation you remember isn't happening right now, based on the NPS.gov website closure notes for Mount Rushmore.

Dave

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Here is a list of open/closed areas I came across which may be helpful. [Enjoying traveling virtually through this thread - never been to SD. Now interested.]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, there are businesses across South Dakota that are temporarily closing or operating under special hours, and some events are being canceled or postponed. We will do our best to update this page as information becomes available. Please make sure...

www.travelsouthdakota.com

FYI, as long as you steer clear of Sioux Falls area, looks like SD is a relatively safe place to travel. Just wear a hazmat suit out of your local airport!

 

[sue1947]

Deleted

 

[DaveNV]

We are flying in / out of Rapid City!

If you're flying into Rapid (as the locals call it - no "City"), you'll be right in the heart of things. Rushmore and Hwy 16A are southwest of town, near Keystone. Deadwood is northwest of town. But the freeway speed limit is 80mph in some areas, so traveling is pretty quick. Secondary road speeds are much slower, of course. This map may help:

Dave