Exploring the Black Hills of South Dakota

We had spent a week driving cross country, stopping to eat, sleep and explore. So when we got to South Dakota, we decided it was a good place to stop and rest for several days, while still exploring. We passed through Wall, South Dakota, stopping for a break to explore the famous Wall Drug to see their wall-mounted jackalope and sample their donuts, bison burger and, of course, the ice water and 5 cent coffee! Then we headed on our way to Sturgis.

Sturgis had been on BJ’s wish list for awhile since he has been a motorcycle rider all his adult life. We were excited to find Sturgis Downtown RV Park, and that they run monthly specials! This campground is on the back side of town, easy to access, big rig friendly, and has site options with views overlooking the city. It had full hookups, as well as a nice bathhouse and laundry facility. It was walkable to town and close to grocery stores and restaurants.

What made it better was that, as we pulled up, BJ spotted many folks with race packets, and was able to snag a walk up spot for a 30k Black Hills Trail Run that started in the park right next to the campground. Since we had budgeted for him to rent a bike and ride the Black Hills if he wanted to, we had it in our budget for the entry fee. Although he was thrilled when he found out and now, he was kicking himself on that last section of the trail, but he finished and enjoyed it so much!

This was a great location for us to explore the area. We were able to visit Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and drive the Needles Highway.

We had researched ahead of time and read it was pet friendly on paved areas and away from wildlife, so we took Luna with us. Turns out, Mount Rushmore’s paved areas that are pet friendly are only the front walk and parking areas, and it was too warm for us to leave her in the truck, so we missed exploring there, but were able to put her in her doggy backpack and at least grab lunch, a postcard and a quick photo. Crazy Horse was pet friendly–and we highly recommend a visit to learn their story and the other side of Mount Rushmore. Head’s up on the Custer State Park day pass, the sticky stuff is a pain to clean off the windshield (we still have it on ours, mostly because we haven’t tried).

We were dazzled by the views and switch back turns of the Needles Highway (BJ was driving, I was tense and chicken breaking, of course). And Custer State Park introduced us to prairie dogs and bison, and had us stuck in a bison traffic jam for almost an hour.

It’s not a long drive from Devil’s Tower, in Wyoming, if that is on your list, but we were heading that way next, so didn’t do a day trip there. We wish we would have since we ended up there on a super busy day and didn’t get beyond the parking lot, but that’s another trip!

We left a few weeks before the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, but they were prepping for it and the museums and shops are open year round.

Since this is along the main highways through Southern South Dakota, it’s a great stop coming or going, whether for an overnight, or a longer stay.

Be sure to check out the Travel Map on our home page for other campground and attraction reviews! You can also find FREE resources on the Printables page, or order your copy of Our Travel Planner to have all the resources conveniently at your fingertips!