Embedded Files
Day 10 - Badlands
Campground: Badlands Hotel & Campground
Interior, SD
Before entering Badlands National Park, make a quick stop at the Minuteman Missile Visitor Center. It’s a great place to learn about the Cold War and just how close things came at times. They even had a patrol vehicle on display, with a Park Ranger sharing stories about its use.
After that, head to the Badlands’ Ben Reifel Visitor Center to grab a map, watch the park film, check out the working fossil lab, and look over the day’s ranger talk schedule
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
24545 Cottonwood Road
Philip, SD
Ben Reifel Visitor Center
25216 Ben Reifel Road
Interior, SD
Badlands Hotel & Campground
900 SD HWY 377, Interior, SD
Minuteman Missile Visitor Center
Navigating the Notch Trail
Day 11 Badlands
Campground: Badlands Hotel & Campground
Interior, SD
Door Trail
Window Trail
Notch Trail
Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Drive Route 240 West, we stopped at Panorama Point Overlook.
Check out our Indiana Dunes National Park page for more info and tips.
Badlands Sunset
Day 12 - Badlands
Campground: Badlands Hotel & Campground
Interior, SD
Castle Trail to Medicine Root Trail
Drive Route 240 West to Rim Road (dirt road) to Sage Creek Basin Overlook
Sun downer at Yellow Mounds Overlook, most scenic overlook in the park
Check out our Indiana Dunes National Park page for more info and tips.
Day 13 - Back Hills
Campground: Rafter J
Hill City, SD
The Rafter J conveniently close to everything. The campground is large, with multiple loops, cabins, and nicely spaced sites tucked among tall pine trees.
In the evening visit Mount Rushmore for the nightly program. They show a patriotic film about the presidents and have displays explaining how the mountain was carved. If you visit, the evening program is definitely a must-see
Laundry
Mount Rushmore
Every Day:8:00 AM–9:00 PM
Evening lighting program begins at 8:00 pm
Day 14 - Back Hills
Campground: Rafter J
Hill City, SD
Start the day with a visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial visitor center. Drive to Custer for an early lunch before a guided tour at Wind Cave. Before Leaving the park stop and hike on the Cold Brook Canyon Trail. Passing Pringle stop and see the Bicycle Sculpture, just because it sounded interesting but not for everyone.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Lunch in Custer and finished with pie at the Purple Pie Place
Wind Cave - Natural Entrance Tour
Wind Cave - Cold Brook Canyon Trail
Bicycle Sculpture (Pringle S.D.)
Day 15 - Back Hills
Campground: Rafter J
Hill City, SD
The Needles Highway has amazing views of tall granite spires, sharp curves, and a few tight tunnels that make it a memorable drive.
Iron Mountain Road is also worth doing—you get great views of Mount Rushmore framed right through the tunnels
Needles Highway in Custer State Park
Sunday Gulch Trail - Trail head at Sylvan Lake Visitor Center
Sylvan Lake Visitor Center- Lunch
Iron Mountain Road
Needles Highway Custer State Park
Day 16 - Devil's Tower
Campground: Belle Fourche River Campground - Devil's Tower
Devils Tower, WY
The next iconic sight was Devil's Tower. We tried to stop along the way at Deadwood but not a lot of parking for a camper and tow vehicle. We were fortunate to find an empty campsite at Belle Fourche River Campground. The campground has no hookups and no reservations taken.
Travel Day
Deadwood visitor center
Belle Fourche River Campground
Day 17 - Devil's Tower
Campground: Belle Fourche River Campground
Devils Tower, WY
In the morning hike the South Side Trail from the campground which connects to the Red Beds Trail—about a 4-mile round trip. After lunch, head to the visitor center to do the Tower Loop Trail. It’s a popular trail, but it takes you right around the base of Devils Tower and gives you great views from every angle. You can see quite a few climbers on the rock during the day, and even some night climbers, their flashlights were easy to spot moving across the tower after dark.
No dump station at the camp ground. You can stop at Cenex Travel Plaza in Gillette along route 90.
Hike the South Side trail to Red Beds Loop Trail
Walk the Tower Trail Loop
Day 18 - Canyon Creek Brewing
Campground: Canyon Creek Brewing - (Harvest Host)
Billings, MT
Using our Harvest Hosts membership, we stopped at Canyon Creek Brewing and camped in the big gravel lot right next to the brewery—we didn’t even bother unhooking the camper. Try sampling a few beers, and the R.I.P. Porter was a standout. If beer isn't your thing try a margarita and a strawberry slushy. The staff was great, and the place is dog-friendly, which is always a bonus.
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