Planing a vist to S.D - PLEASE HELP (Custer: safe, horse)

[DannyBanany]

hotels.com - WE KNOW HOTELS INSIDE AND OUT.®

These are some options I found for Rapid City. The prices are obviously per guest.

[raindrops]

Jammie/DB, I've made some alterations due to work schedule, however, please let me know if the list below is possible and if I can do them "in the order" I have jotted them.

Nov23: Omaha to Rapid City. There by evening. Eat, look around & hit the sack.

Nov24: Get up early check out…..
Cosmos
Mount Rushmore
Crazy Horse
Deadwood and
head back to Rapid City.

Nov25: Get up early check out…..
Custer State park – drive through Wildlife loop
Badlands National Park
Needles Hwy and Iron Mountain Rd
Head back to Rapid City

Nov 26: Get up early and head back to Omaha, stop over at Corn Palace in Mitchell & Wall Drug in Wall, (check out Sioux Falls if possible)

PS: I heard there is a parade of lights parade on the 24th, is it worth checking it out ???

[Jammie]

The 23rd and 24th look good although you'll be very busy both days. I'm guessing since it's vacation you don't mind a 10 or 12 hour day.

I'm just kind of wondering about the 25th though. We generally go through the Badlands either on our way home from the Hills or on our way out there. You'll have to do a lot of back tracking if you go to the Badlands and then go back to Rapid. Once you're at the Badlands, I don't think you're too far away from Wall. But like I said, since I don't drive out there and just site see, I don't pay a lot of attention to distances. BUT I'll venture to guess that the Badlands might be an hour and a half to two hours east of Rapid. Does that sound about right, Danny?

So if it was me, I'd just find the nearest motel to the Badlands instead of going back west again, only having to drive that same road the next day.

[DannyBanany]

Your itinerary looks great, except you may have to cross out the Badlands visit. You will see them anyway on the way to and from Rapid City. They are along Interstate 90, but they are just too far from Rapid City/Black Hills for an easy, fast trip.

The Festival of Lights is a GREAT parade in Downtown Rapid City at night. Many businesses in the area decorate floats with Christmas lights and throw candy to kids. It usually last a little over an hour and it gets bigger every year. It takes place Downtown. Just as the front desk at your hotel and they will give you directions to it. It's REALLY FUN!

Have a great trip!

[Jammie]

Danny, where is the turnoff for actually driving through the Badlands? I just can't think of it right now. Anyway, they could drive just a few miles south of I-90 and drive through them.

[blackhillsdreams]

Nov23: Omaha to Rapid City. There by evening. Eat, look around & hit the sack.

Nov24: Get up early check out…..
Cosmos
Mount Rushmore
Crazy Horse
Deadwood and
head back to Rapid City.

Nov25: Get up early check out…..
Custer State park – drive through Wildlife loop
Badlands National Park
Needles Hwy and Iron Mountain Rd
Head back to Rapid City

Nov 26: Get up early and head back to Omaha, stop over at Corn Palace in Mitchell & Wall Drug in Wall, (check out Sioux Falls if possible)

Hi there. I've Been out many times and done close to your same itinerary. I have a few suggestions. Your Nov 24 day looks fine. On the 25th, do the needles highway first on the way to the wildlife loop. You won't have time to do the badlands in the same day, it's too far to drive as it is over near Wall Drug. If you are already at the South end of Custer Park, you might want to consider heading to Hot Springs and check out the Mammoth Site (look it up on the web). It is very cool.

Also, if you like antiques and old things, the Murdo Auto Show (a.k.a. the Pioneer Auto Show) is awesome. I love to rummage through there and look at technology from over 100 years ago. I hope you have a blast out there in the hills. Wish I was going with you!

Have a great trip!

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Danny, where is the turnoff for actually driving through the Badlands? I just can't think of it right now. Anyway, they could drive just a few miles south of I-90 and drive through them.

I'm not Danny but I'll answer it for you. Wall. Then it comes back onto I-90 on the way over to Kadoka. Makes a big loop. Like you, I can't remember the exit number of the East end. But if you want to come in from the East, there's a big sign that says, "Badlands".

[raindrops]

Blackhillsdreams & ElkHunter, thanks for the tip....so the only thing I have to alter is the 25th.....
Needles Hwy and Iron Mountain Rd (do they join or are they in diff. directions too, whats special about these 2 places ?
Custer State park – drive through Wildlife loop and then
Head back to Rapid City.
DannyBannay or does anyone know what time the parade of the lights start and what time to get there to beat the crowd? this is for the 24th I'm guessing ?

[DannyBanany]

Originally Posted by raindrops

Blackhillsdreams & ElkHunter, thanks for the tip....so the only thing I have to alter is the 25th.....
Needles Hwy and Iron Mountain Rd (do they join or are they in diff. directions too, whats special about these 2 places ?
Custer State park – drive through Wildlife loop and then
Head back to Rapid City.
DannyBannay or does anyone know what time the parade of the lights start and what time to get there to beat the crowd? this is for the 24th I'm guessing ?

Needles Highway, Custer Wildlife Loop, and Iron Mountain Road are all the same road. This is the major road through Custer State Park. It is very interesting because it goes through multiple tunnels, swirling bridges, and it gives a great view of Mount Rushmore, Harney Peak, and the distant prairie. It is one of the highest roads in South Dakota. Probably over 6,500 feet.

Parade of Lights usually starts around 8:00 or 8:30. There are about three or four parking ramps Downtown and there is parking along most streets. However, Main Street will be closed for the parade. I suggest going anywhere along Main Street. I personally like the corner of Main Street and Mount Rushmore Road (8th Street) next to the Radisson Hotel because the parade "turns" there and you can see both sides of each float!

[raindrops]

Thanks D.B, Its snowing here in Omaha :-( seems like we would get more than an inch today, anyways, a very big " THANK YOU " especially to You & Jamie " and all the others who have helped me plan my trip. I guess I'm all set now, please let me know if there is anything else I should add/delete, I'll check the forum before I leave.....Happy Thanks Giving.