In SE Wyoming is Cheyenne & Terry's Bison Ranch. A working ranch with a large heard of bison & assorted other ranch animals, expected & exotic. We watched a heard of wild elk graze thru the open expanse of the ranch. There's a restaraunt that features bison steaks & burgers. In June they put on a wild west/rodeo event. There's also a couple of state parks nearby where the scenery will knock your socks off. Also for scenery in SW Wyo. is Flaming Gorge.
We stayed at the Rapid City KOA last Fall and loved it. Central to most of the things that you will want to see in the area. If you go to Deadwood, go to Tatanka. It is well worth the trip. I have no desire to go back to Deadwood, but Tatanka is on my must-see-one-more-time list.
2008 Jayco Jay Feather 311
2008 Ford F-250 Lariat, Crew Cab, 6.4L Diesel, Automatic, Trailer Tow Package
If you get a chance go thru Lander, Wyoming. Go to see "Sinks Canyon". Then go up thru Togwotee Pass into Tetons then Yellowstone. There is nothing more beautiful this side of Heaven. There is a great RV park in Lander called Sleeping Bear RV park.
The Badlands can be very hot in the summer (112 F. at 5 pm). I always rest during the day and tour the Badlands early and late each day when it is cooler. The light is better for photography then, as well.
junmy3 wrote: Don't know if they still do it or not, but DW and I stopped at the South Dakota visitor center and rented a CD that gave a lot of information about SD. I think they rent it just so that they could get them back. It was surprisingly worth while.
Also I alway recommend a stop at the World's Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. It only takes an hour or two, but it is worth it.
In theory they do, but in our experience - due to manpower cuts - we never saw an attended visitor center in crossing the state last summer.
Lots of good suggestions; I would add Wind Cave NP, and note that you said "spring". You need to be aware of the opening schedule in Yellowstone; it is winter pretty late there. For instance:
"Some Park Areas, Entrances & Roads are Not Open Year-round!! Roads are currently being plowed. Most park roads are not open to motorized vehicle traffic at this time. The closed roads will begin re-opening starting April 18, 2008. See the spring schedule below for details"
Here is another vote for Rafter J in Hill City. We had a great time visiting the area and seeing the sites.
When we visited Yellowstone we stayed at Grizzly RV Park, which is outside the west entrance. Easy walking distance into town. Plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
If you can, you might enjoy hiking up Harney Peak. Beautiful views!! Google earth has some u-tube videos of the scenery. There are lots of easy hiking trails in the Hills for you to enjoy. You also might want to take in either Wind Cave National Park or Jewel Cave National Monument. Hope you have a great time in our great state!!
1993 Chevy K1500 4X4 5.7L V8 141.5 inch Wheelbase & 3.73 Gear Ratio
2004 Skyline Nomad North Trail Model #2480 UVW 4385, GVWR 6500.
Near Mt. Rushmore, we stayed at the KOA. It is called Palmer Gulch Resort. Very nice place, wish we had more time to take advantage of all the facilities. In Yellowstone we stayed at Fishing Bridge RV campground. Great location, we biked every night to the ranger-led campfire programs. The campground itself was more than adequate; when you are in Yellowstone you really aren't there to spend large amounts of time in the campground.
2003 F-250 6.0 Powerstroke diesel, 4x2, crew cab short bed
2004 Cardinal T31BH travel trailer
I second the recommendation to stay in Custer State Park. We loved it there. Buffalo (Tatanka!) as far as the eye can see!!! Spring is THE perfect time to visit (since it's cooler, less busy, and there is more wildlife to see!). We also stayed in Yellowstone - which we loved, too. We had a heard of buffalo migrate through our campsite on numerous occassions! The whole area is gorgeous - I really don't think there is a bad place to go or stay at.
Enjoy your trip!
Paula
Larry, Paula and Two Kids (ages 4 & 2)
2006 Dodge Ram Power Wagon
2007 Jayco Jay Flight 20BH
2005 Suzuki RMZ250
Offline
