Just a note relative to the Ex Rocket Scientist's post...during Sturgis week everything goes up 100% or more. When going out to eat, shop etc. we show them out SD driver's licenses and get the "regular" price. We purposely altered our itinerary this year as we had the GKs with us and didn't want to hassle the M/C crowd. Sturgis has a normal pop of 6300 but that went to over 500,000 this year......like going to Quartzsite, you've gotta do it once......We spent two weeks there and didn't see everything. And we left the week before Sturgis...finally, the 1800s train ride was awesome. We got some great videos. Lots to do in the Rapid City area...for sure....Dennis
Dennis and Debi
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Both are spectacular but if you do not have a preference, why not support the US ecomomy...we sure can use the all the business we can get these days.
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You mentioned touring the Lakota reservation. I assume you mean the reservations near the Badlands, and there are two -- Pine Ridge and Rosebud. I personally haven't toured there, but family members have taken their time, stopping here and there on the backroads. There are small museums, heritage centers, historic sites and markers, and casinos to be found. This map might be helpful: Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations map
Akta Lakota Museum in Chamberlain, SD is quite good, too. Here is another page with a variety of suggestions. clicky And I also suggest asking a park ranger at Badlands NP for suggestions.
Really helpful information from all and I appreciate. Especially like the help about local information, such as Lakota reservation. We really like to get to see real life, not just touristy stuff, like getting into the grocery stores and food the locals eat. Glad to see about the college and ability to get into their bookstore, etc.
I've seen a few folks mention visiting Devil's tower from the Black Hills (Custer, Hill City). Looking at a map that appears to be a 2 hour (maybe longer as I have no way to tell if the roads are the slow curvy types), one-way drive, correct?
tlbj6142 wrote: I've seen a few folks mention visiting Devil's tower from the Black Hills (Custer, Hill City). Looking at a map that appears to be a 2 hour (maybe longer as I have no way to tell if the roads are the slow curvy types), one-way drive, correct?
You don't need a lot of time to take in Devils Tower, couple hours max. We just made it a stop as we were passing through the area on 90. It's about a 45 min drive each way from 90.
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For the op we stayed at the Badlands KOA and I would highly recommend it if you stay overnight in that area. I'm not a KOA fan but this is one of the nice ones, close to the park and nice setting. Badlands can be covered in a day. I thought Wall Drug was a waste of time. Someone else mentioned the minute man missile tour. We wanted to do this as well but it's a small operation with limited tickets, you need to do reservations ahead of time to get in. Can't remember where we stayed around Rushmore, we spent about 1/2 day at the momument and it was enough for us, I also agree with others comments about taking in the closing ceremonies, it's a moving experience. There a couple of nice cave's in the area as well. Wind Cave and Jewel Cave which are nice. We also did the Mammoth dig site and found that pretty interesting.
I've gotta put in my 2 cents worth for Wall Drug. It's the granddaddy of all tourist traps. That in itself makes it worthwhile! And they do have a nice selection of decent stuff too. I'm anxious to stop back there again because I need a wallet and can always find one I like there.
My late wife searched for Black Gold Jewelry for a couple years before finding the piece she wanted there. They have a great selection of belts, blue jeans, boots and western wear. If you've got kids they'll love the backyard. And if you just want a cheap souvenir of the Hills/Badlands, there's no place better.
You can't take the place seriously, but it's really pretty cool if you go in with the right frame of mind. And by all means, learn the history of the place -- how it got started, etc. It's interesting.
Go in to Wall Drug, get the free cup of coffee & do a 'walk about' , look at the art, historic photos, many paintings& bronzes by americas finest pioneer artists . look above the sight line of children. Yes there is a touristy side to consider, but there is a wealth of quality adult historic displays throughout.
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...We spent two weeks there and didn't see everything. And we left the week before Sturgis...finally, the 1800s train ride was awesome. We got some great videos. Lots to do in the Rapid City area...for sure....Dennis
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And they do have a nice selection of decent stuff too. I'm anxious to stop back there again because I need a wallet and can always find one I like there. 
