Visiting South Dakota

[overedge]

I was actually more impressed with Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Beautiful country around it, lots of great scenery within the park itself, and a lot less crowded than Mount Rushmore.
https://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm

 

[WildRose]

Years ago I took my kids to the north side of the Grand Canyon and to be honest we were a little disappointed. We drove down from Alberta and camped in parks along the way, including Bryce National Park which we loved. I think the Grand Canyon, and the drive up to it, just didn’t fit with what we had expected somehow. I’ve always wondered if we would have liked the south side of the canyon better, and I’d still like to go back some day.
Last summer I drove down to Yellowstone National Park and I thought it was well worth seeing. I made the mistake of going the week of the eclipse so the park was absolutely jammed, and it was impossible to park at some of the sites, but I still saw most of what I wanted to see. I’d like to go back in the fall when it’s not so busy.

 

[annie720]

Years ago I took my kids to the north side of the Grand Canyon and to be honest we were a little disappointed. We drove down from Alberta and camped in parks along the way, including Bryce National Park which we loved. I think the Grand Canyon, and the drive up to it, just didn’t fit with what we had expected somehow. I’ve always wondered if we would have liked the south side of the canyon better, and I’d still like to go back some day.
Last summer I drove down to Yellowstone National Park and I thought it was well worth seeing. I made the mistake of going the week of the eclipse so the park was absolutely jammed, and it was impossible to park at some of the sites, but I still saw most of what I wanted to see. I’d like to go back in the fall when it’s not so busy.

Ah, definitely go back to Yellowstone. We were there the first 10 days of June last year and it was a great time to go. The falls had so much water and were spectacular! It was crowded at some of the popular places, but if you got to the parking lots early or late enough, you could get in. Can't wait to go back. Hope you visited the Tetons as well.

@WildRose, it sounds like you need to go to the Grand Canyon South Rim and I need to go to the North Rim. We've been to the South Rim twice and I couldn't have been more impressed. We did the trail to Plateau Point the first time. Just about killed us and we were too sore to enjoy Bryce the next day. So many wonderful things to see in the West. We've loved it all, but Moab, UT may be our favorite place of all. Luckily, we're within a days drive of so many beautiful places and can easily enjoy them.

 

[Vash01]

I made a dozen trips to Yellowstone- 10 while I lived in Idaho, and twice with family members to show them this wonderful park. I was lucky to see it in all the seasons, including winter, and I always avoided major holiday weekends. I did many paintings of different points in the park.

I love the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, but I have been to the North Rim just once, so I can't really compare the two. People rave over the N.Rim as 'different' but I may be disappointed. I like the ease of moving around the S. Rim. I think N. Rim may be more attractive to hikers.

 

[Prancer]

The Badlands are interesting. Just be sure that you ignore the millions of billboards and stay far, far away from Wall.

I don't know if you want to spend a day mountain climbing, but Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak) in the Black Hills is the highest point in South Dakota, very close to Mount Rushmore and a relatively easy hike for a mountain climb. When we went, we started off in mild, sunny weather and experienced hot, dry patches, rain, snow, and terrible pockets of humidity on the way up, then were hailed on at the top . It was all worth it for the view. You can see into four states from there. A nice soak in the Evans Plunge natural hot spring pool is nice afterward, provided it's not packed with people.

I also wasn't very impressed with Mt. Rushmore, but it's still a must see. Crazy Horse is much more impressive IMO, but I don't think they are ever going to be done with it. There are a lot of great hikes and some nice little museums in the area; there's plenty to do if you are interested in that sort of thing.

 

[Vash01]

The Badlands are interesting. Just be sure that you ignore the millions of billboards and stay far, far away from Wall.

I don't know if you want to spend a day mountain climbing, but Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak) in the Black Hills is the highest point in South Dakota, very close to Mount Rushmore and a relatively easy hike for a mountain climb. When we went, we started off in mild, sunny weather and experienced hot, dry patches, rain, snow, and terrible pockets of humidity on the way up, then were hailed on at the top . It was all worth it for the view. You can see into four states from there. A nice soak in the Evans Plunge natural hot spring pool is nice afterward, provided it's not packed with people.

I also wasn't very impressed with Mt. Rushmore, but it's still a must see. Crazy Horse is much more impressive IMO, but I don't think they are ever going to be done with it. There are a lot of great hikes and some nice little museums in the area; there's plenty to do if you are interested in that sort of thing.

I am not into mountain climbing at all. (Too scared). I respect those who can do it. The museums sound interesting, but I may not have the time to visit them if I spend a day at Badlands or one of the other scenic places.

 

[Prancer]

I am not into mountain climbing at all. (Too scared).

It's not really mountain climbing; it's just a long uphill hike. Sometimes you have to clamber over a few rocks and parts it are steep, but there's a path all the way.

 

[Vash01]

Unfortunately it seems I have to cancel my SD trip this year, due to some unexpected events this last weekend. It was my mistake (what happened over the weekend) and the only way I can correct it, is by canceling some of the travel I had planned for this year. Hopefully I can visit SD next year because I really like what I am reading about it, and I may even plan a slightly longer trip.

 

[mrr50]

Plan a longer trip. The Badlands and Custer State Park are well worth seeing. Good hiking at both. We spent 3 days at each and saw, burros, buffalo, mule deer, elk, big horn sheep and many new (to me)bird species. Also went to the minutemen missile museum which was absolutely fascinating.