We've recently decided to make the detour over to Rushmore instead of doing I-80 through Nebraska. This route would take us through Casper, WY and would like to know about any do's / don't's along the way. Roads, sights, CG's, etc.
Will be in the MH with toad.
Thanks!
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When are you going? I'd recommend reservations in/near Mt Rushmore, and if you're headed there for Labor Day, you may find slim pickin's. Lots of CG recommendations here for the Black Hills (Mt Rushmore) - check the Search box under Mt Rushmore. Lots to do in the Hills, so you may want to allow several days if you can - Custer SP (herd of wild buffalo, plus wild donkeys/mules that beg along the road), Jewel Cave and Wind Cave NPs, Crazy Horse Memorial, 1880s train ride, etc. Along the way, there's the Corn Palace in Mitchell (stop by for a few minutes to see the murals on the outside), the Badlands Loop (could be quite hot this time of year; you can drive this with MH & toad) and lots of billboards. Devils Tower in n.e. Wyoming, a bit of a detour off the interstate, but worth it.
We were just at Sturgis, staying at the Rafter J and noticed a few empty sites during bike week. Twice while in the main office, campers showed up without reservations and they had a spot. There are so many camping spots for bike week, I can't imagine you'd need reservations any other time. As kknowlton said, there's lots to do in the area.
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If you're headed from Sioux Falls to Cheyenne via Rushmore, why are you going through Casper? Is there a reason you need to go to Casper? It's WAY out of the way.
We will be leaving Prince Edward Island, Canada next Thursday, beginning a 4,100 mile trek eventually landing in Mesa, AZ. We wanted to see some of the country we've not seen yet including WY. We also need to be in Sioux Falls to see friends and establish our residency.
From Rushmore we will be going to Rocky Mts. Nat Park so thought we'd plug in a piece of Wyoming. We are not familiar at all with it. Any thoughts?
Roadpilot wrote: We were just at Sturgis, staying at the Rafter J and noticed a few empty sites during bike week. Twice while in the main office, campers showed up without reservations and they had a spot. There are so many camping spots for bike week, I can't imagine you'd need reservations any other time. As kknowlton said, there's lots to do in the area.
Roadpilot -
We were thinking of staying at the Rafter J Bar for a few nights. It's right near the entrance to Rushmore isn't it? Was thinking you had said it was in Sturgis. What is your take on it. Looks good on the website. Are there wide open sites? (sat shot). Clean, level, etc?
Thanks
RafterJ has great big sites with easy sat. access on the lower end. The wyoming that you should see is going be at the west end of the state in my opinion. (But I may stand corrected) it is all great country. You will love RNP as well.
Joan and Bruce
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Since you're going to be in the Black Hills and want to see a bit of Wyoming, I'd suggest Devil's Tower for a stop. (If you need a camping spot, the Devil's Tower campground is a favorite of ours with no hookups. If hookups are needed, there's a KOA just outside the entrance that's not bad.)
From Devil's Tower I'd go south to Moorcroft, take I-90 to Gillette and then Hwy. 59 south to Douglas where you can pickup I-25 south. The Bighorn Mountains 70 miles west of Gillette (immediately west of Buffalo and Sheridan) are beautiful, historic, and primitive, but they'd be "just another mountain range" compared to RMNP. Casper, and most of the roads leading to it, offer little in the way of sightseeing. It's semi-arid high plains, much like you'd see along Hwy. 59.
If you take Hwy. 59, watch for a large bison herd about 30 miles south of Gillette (2000 head or so), deer and lots of antelope.
Another possibility when you leave the Black Hills (and a shorter route to Cheyenne) is to head south on U.S. 385, then U.S. 89, then west on U.S. 18 to U.S. 85 south to Lusk, WY. Stay on U.S. 85 south to Lingle, then turn west on U.S. 26 over to I-25, then south to Cheyenne. All are good "red" roads.
If you are interested in United States history, West of Lingle on U.S. 26 you can stop at Fort Laramie and then visit "Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site" at Guernsey. Here you can see a section of the Oregon Trail where the wagon ruts are still visible in the rocks. Also visit "Register Cliffs" nearby.
See http://www.trailsandgrasslands.org/register.html for more info
Doug Craw
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Devils Tower in n.e. Wyoming, a bit of a detour off the interstate, but worth it.
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