North and South Dakota

[Cindy and Ray's Grand Tour]

We are planning to visit North and South Dakota this summer. Any suggestions for State or Federal parks that can easily handle a 41 foot Monty. Particularly interested in Mount Rushmore, Badlands, and Sturgis in SD. Devils Lake area in ND. You may suggest commercial RV parks that rise the above the rest too. Your assistance is appreciated.

[DutchmenSport]

We stayed at Buffalo Ridge RV Resort located at Custer, SD. It was a good location and a good home base, centrally located for almost everything you listed in your post. Also, it's a Good Sam park, so you'll get a 10% discount on your campsite if you have a Good Sam membership.

We stayed 2 weeks, and our daughter and her kids rented a tent site. We also rented a TeePee for them for one night so the kids could experience something totally different! They had a blast. Of course, we got the 10% discount on all of this.

The park has a lot to offer, including a miniature train you can ride and a theater. Although we were there for 2 weeks, we actually spent only 1 full day in the park, playing in the swimming pool with the grandkids. The rest of the time, we were out exploring EVERYTHING every day. We'd leave early in the morning and sometimes, not get back to the camper until dark.

Anyway, it's a good, clean, decent park with a lot to offer in a good location. That's my recommendation:

Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort
245 Centennial Dr, Custer, SD 57730
605-673-4664

[twindman]

Perhaps a trip to Devils Tower could be added to your itinerary! It is an easy one day drive. I think the badlands are more of a drive thru along the interstate. I believe there is a airforce museum along the interstate also.
We stayed there one summer, and in the middle of the night there was a hail storm! Completely covered the ground. I opened our door and took a picture of the white ground! LOL

[Daryles]

You probably already have a list of things to see. When we were there we stopped at Mitchell, the Corn Palace. There is a very interesting pre historic indian dig site just north of Mitchell.
Minuteman missile silo tour (need to book months in advance).
The Wall has boondocking place along the rim road.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebr...a/?recid=30329
Wind cave
The Mammoth Site (Mammoth dig site) very interesting.
Keep an eye on the weather especially the wind!!!
They get very strong straight line winds (Derecho).
When we were there one came through. Warning was issued on the weather service. 74mph winds overnight. We pulled in our slides and filled ALL our tanks with water (1,600lbs of ballast) before going to bed. When it hit during the night it shook us pretty good but no problems. Next morning on the news it showed four 18 wheelers overturned on i90 just east of Rapid City.
The Windy app is very useful for keeping an eye on high winds for travel days.

[mlh]

I would suggest Bad Lands and the Teddy Rosevelt National Parks. They are both a must see. While in Bad Lands be sure to stop and enjoy the prairie dog town.
Lynwood

[Keith Schweizer]

Rafter J Bar Ranch, South Dakota, Good Sam
A really nice campground with really nice sites. Several different areas in campground to pick from. Close to all the things that South Dakota is known for. Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, 1880 train, etc.
We stayed at CG for about 5 nights. Would stay there again if back in that area of South Dakota.

[Cindy and Ray's Grand Tour]

Thanks for the responses. Does anyone else have some favorite campgrounds in North and South Dakota. Any near Devils Lake, ND?

[FishCampers]

Originally Posted by Cindy and Ray's Grand Tour

We are planning to visit North and South Dakota this summer. Any suggestions for State or Federal parks that can easily handle a 41 foot Monty. Particularly interested in Mount Rushmore, Badlands, and Sturgis in SD. Devils Lake area in ND. You may suggest commercial RV parks that rise the above the rest too. Your assistance is appreciated.

Rafter J Bar Campground is south of Hill City, SD, in the Black Hills. It's in the mountains and a nice camp!!

[RetiredandRollin]

South Dakota has a bunch of no brainer places to visit, Sturgis, Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake, Chief Crazy Horse, Deadwood, Badlands NP, Blah blah blah.

North Dakota is a little less traveled, however if you're interested in something kinda interesting try International Peace Gardens. It has a campground that easily will accommodate a 40'. The cg itself is similar to any State Park sites, heavily wooded, secluded and peaceful. What makes this place interesting is the history surrounding it, its beautiful lakes and gardens. More interesting is the fact that when you stay there you will no longer be in the US nor will you be in Canada. The entire facility is situated on International land with the actual US/Canada Border running right through the campground. The catch, YOU MUST carry your passport to stay there because on departure day when you exit the CG if you turn left you will run into Canadian Border authorities. If you turn right you will immediately run into US Border authorities. It was a very interesting experience but do all your groceries before getting there, the nearest town on the US side is like 27 miles; Dunseith, North Dakota.

[wed]

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