fthomas200 wrote: I'd really like to get the word out to some of you people: Rafter J is not the only campground in South Dakota, although one would never know that from reading this forum.
Rafter-J is way overpriced. We spend 2 or 3 weeks in the Black Hills every fall. If Rafter was the only place to park, I would stay home. It is an OK campground, but way too expensive.
Paul
2005 Coachmen Sportscoach Elite 401TS
2006 Pontiac Torrent on a dolly
Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.
Rafter J was a great place to stay during our 05' trip across the US. We stayed here for 3 days and saw many of the area highlights. One of those was Hot Springs to see the Mammoth elephant dig which was very impressive. Rafter J
's pricing may seem high for south dakota, but here on the east coast it is about normal, maybe even a bargain. Check out Disney World prices sometime, $89 a night at Fort Wilderness, plus tax, during peak season which is when most people go there. It's a great place to go to, but there are nice cg's in the area for $45. a night too!
My sisters just spend a couple of nights at Happy Holiday RV. On the highway from RC to Mt Rushmore. They said it was a nice place. Only draw back was the pool was cold.
Last year we stayed at Mystery Mountain Resort, 15 miles out of Rapid and close to Keystone, the Faces, and the rest of the central Black Hills. We enjoyed our stay and were quite satisfied with the campground although the hot tub was out of service while we were there. Not a lot of large pull throughs, but plenty of shade and towards the rear of the campground are scattered campsites, some with full hookups, others with water and electric only and Bear country borders the property here so occassionally you could have elk, etc nearby. See the resort map on their website.
Rates are very reasonable, showers were clean and well maintained and they host the Black Hills bluegrass festival, seems to be the last weekend in June. Staff was courteous and helpful for any questions we had, although we had our itinerary pretty well planned before we got there.
Horse Thief Campground it`s the place we like to stay when in the Hills.
I don`t know about anyone else but when I think of the Black Hills I think of being surrounded by tall pines and beatiful views of hills. I can stay in a field here in IL!
Here is a pic from our campsite at Horse Thief.
Wife kim
Son brandon 7yrs
Daughter marissa 6yrs
Dog shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller,
Air lift air bags.
Better to have a bad day of
camping than a good day at work!
We stayed at Heartland RV Park in Hermosa SD last year and it was absolutely wonderful. It is a Passport America park located just on the east side of the Black Hills about 7 miles from Custer SP. All of the attractions Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, etc. are an easy drive (and allow you to drive by, or thru, Custer SP) The PA price for us was about $10 day for a week-long stay. We came from the east along I90, then dropped down there, and left to the south over to Cheyenne WY. This not only gave us a great CG location, but I didn't have to drive the MH thru the Black Hills. I highly recommend it. And there is a really good restaurant about 1 mile up the road, fantastic steaks
livin' and lovin' the retired life in Fl. And travellin' in our MH.
"You can't change the wind, but you can adjust your sails"
We took dodge guy's recommendation and stayed at Horse Thief Campground near Sylvan Lake. What a great suggestion. We loved this campground. The staff was probably the friendliest we have ever encountered. In fact, my daughter made friends with grandkids of one of the staffers and played with them all week. It's a pretty campground with a huge area to walk around, a pool, a little store and a nice shower facility. Plus, the price was right, about $35 a night. And, it was central to just about everything. Thanks, dodge guy!
07 Fleetwood Niagara (daughter named it FleetwoodMac)
Camping Days in New PUP
2007: 21
2008: 28
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