Trip to Black Hills

L

lab man

Member
Help!!!!
I have been to South Dakota hunting every year since I retired in 2003, but I have not spent much time in the Black Hills since our honeymoon in 1972. This was a few days after the big floods and it was very hard to get around. anyway we are planning a trip from eastern Wisconsin to the Black Hills in mid September, we will be traveling with my Sister in law and her husband who have never been to South Dakota. I would like to get some ideas on a good motel in the Chamberlain area the first night. and also would like to get some suggestions on a place to stay for 2 or 3 night in the Black Hills that is centrally located. It looks like Rapid City is a little to far to travel everyday, that, and I hate the big cities. Thank you for any help you can give me. Can anyone tell me what the weather is like in mid September...:)

Lab Man
 
lab man said:
Help!!!!
I have been to South Dakota hunting every year since I retired in 2003, but I have not spent much time in the Black Hills since our honeymoon in 1972. This was a few days after the big floods and it was very hard to get around. anyway we are planning a trip from eastern Wisconsin to the Black Hills in mid September, we will be traveling with my Sister in law and her husband who have never been to South Dakota. I would like to get some ideas on a good motel in the Chamberlain area the first night. and also would like to get some suggestions on a place to stay for 2 or 3 night in the Black Hills that is centrally located. It looks like Rapid City is a little to far to travel everyday, that, and I hate the big cities. Thank you for any help you can give me. Can anyone tell me what the weather is like in mid September...:)

Lab Man
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Labman, I would think the weather would be great in Sept. I would highly recommend staying at the Sylan lake Lodge. They have cabins or hotel setups. Right at base of Harney Peak and close to all the good stuff in the Hills and you cannot beat the scenery. Your wife will love you for it.
 
Good suggestion U-GUIDE. If boked try Custer State Park lodges plus there are a ton of home rentals you can find on-line. While more of the points of interest are in the southern hills, I prefer the north for getting away and fall beauty, tho you may be a little early. Savoy Latchstring Inn.
 
All of the above are really good. Stay in the hill City/Custer areas as they are right in the heart of the hills. It is usually very nice weather that time of year.
Hope you enjoy your trip.:)
 
I second the Sylvan Lodge, up high in the Hills away from crowds (in Sept). We stayed there in May 2011. Be sure to hike the path around Sylvan Lake and explore the rock passage on the east end of the lake. On the way out, I recommend a stay at Cedar Shores on the west side of the river across from Chamberlain, it is a mile or more off the freeway and quiet. If you have never been to the badlands, it is pretty easy to do the auto tour on the way out or back. Best time is around sundown as the setting sun makes the reddish rocks glow. September should be a perfect time to visit the Hills, have a great trip!
 
Can't go wrong with any of the Black Hills recommendations you've received thus far. Spearfish Canyon Lodge might be another alternative. Check out Cedar Shores in Chamberlain, beautiful spot right on the riverbank.
 
All good recomendations so far. If you want a more scenic route drop off I90 down to Platte and take 44 across to Rapid City. This will take you through reservation land and the southern part of the badlands. Winner has a nice Holiday Inn. I love staying near Deadwood, it is northern hills, but driving through the hills is one of the attractions! The casinos have pretty good rates on rooms and Lead is a little cheaper yet. Spearfish Canyon is a must. The needles highway another great one. Don't forget Moonshine Gulch in Rochford. This is gettin me excited, I will be out to the cabin in a couple weeks for the motorcyle rally.

http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/
 
OK then, let's make an agenda for Labman:

+Cedar Shores Resort in Chamberlain
+Badlands Loop on the way out
+Check into Sylvan
+Walk around Sylvan Lake and maybe trout fish from shore
+Custer Wildlife Loop in evening
+Mount Rushmore
+Spearfish Canyon and Deadwood for a day trip up to north end of Hills
+Supper at the State Game Lodge in Custer State Park


There you go Labman, you're all set. It was a team effort but we got it done! Have a good time and give us a trip report when back in town.
 
Thank You

:) I would like to thank you for all the good ideas, We are planning on staying near Chamberlain the first night. Then get an early start for the Badlands, hoping that we can see the great colors of the Badlands with the early sun. My sister in law is still working so we may be on a tight schedule. I plan on looking into your suggestions and see what we can fit into the schedule. Thanks again Lab man:)
 
I will also recomend Cedar Shores in Chamberlain. Didn't stay there but ate dinner there one night last year while pheasant hunting. VERY nice place. If you eat dinner there, try the Walleye. It is out of this world good!
 
UGUIDE said:
OK then, let's make an agenda for Labman:

+Cedar Shores Resort in Chamberlain
+Badlands Loop on the way out
+Check into Sylvan
+Walk around Sylvan Lake and maybe trout fish from shore
+Custer Wildlife Loop in evening
+Mount Rushmore
+Spearfish Canyon and Deadwood for a day trip up to north end of Hills
+Supper at the State Game Lodge in Custer State Park


There you go Labman, you're all set. It was a team effort but we got it done! Have a good time and give us a trip report when back in town.
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If you can do Mount Rushmore in late evening and then stay for the lighting at dusk program in the amptheater---very inspiring to say the least
 
National Forest Maps of the Black Hills are very helpful for finding crowd free hiking/picknicking/camping sites; I have both the northern and southern black hills forest service maps which have helped for several camping and 4x4 trips out to the hills. We enjoyed Rod and Rifle campground near Spearfish Canyon, GameLodge in Custer was impressive for it's nightly buffalo bull parade.
 
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