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Joined: 10 Jan 2013
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Posts: 65 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Mt. Rushmore
    Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 10:51am
Smile Hawkeyes,

Always tried to leave around 8 to 9am. This let us beat the heat and have time to see things after we dropped the rig. We never went more than 250 miles per day, usually 200 at most. That schedule will get you through to west gate of Yellowstone from Cody in plenty of time to set up, relax, get your bearings, and set for the park the next day.
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Posts: 454 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 10:26am
Originally posted by Hawkeyes

I need some advice for traveling from Custer State Park to Yellowstone. I have been told you have to be careful which route to take or you are going through mountains with a camper.  I would appreciate advice.  Thanks!
We did our trip a couple years back, and you'll be going through some mountains regardless of which way you go.  From Custer you need to get up to I-90 and you have 2 options ... Hwy 16 to Rapid City and hop on I-90, or take a more scenic route through Deadwood on Hwy 385 which is the way we went.  Stay on I-90 headed west into Wyoming.  If you have time and the inclination take the Hwy 14 loop from Sundance up to Devils Tower.  
We stayed on and took the Hwy 14 route across from I-90, and it was fine for us but from what I have heard and read many believe the Hwy 16 route to be the easier of the two.  Of course, if you truly are worried about it then the easiest (but longest) way would be to stay on I-90 all the way to Livingston, MT, and take Hwy 89 south into the park.
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Posts: 99 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 10:16am
That is so helpful.  Can't thank you enough!  What time of day did you leave Custer?  Just curious.  We are camping at Game Lodge for 3 nights and then headed to Yellowstone.  We have two nights of no reservation between the two.
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Posts: 65 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 1:43am
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Carl and Sandee,

Sturgis is August this year. Stopped by One-Eyed Jacks for beer and tee shirt. Town prepping for MC Rally. Glad we left before they hit the area. Stayed in Hill City KOA, middle of everything.
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Posts: 65 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 1:37am
Smile

Stayed in Hill City KOA. Did Rushmore and Custer, you were right, beautiful.
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Posts: 65 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 1:33am
Smile

Did the trip plus more and just got back last week, gone for 3 weeks, 4233.1 miles, wow. Did Rushmore, Custer, Craters, Yellowstone (Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon). A really fine trip.
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Posts: 65 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 1:25am
Wink Hawkeyes,

Just finished Yellowstone trip, 3 days driving around the park. Hope these hints help.
Southern loop (Old Faithful) is most crowded, hit old faithful by 8am (blows about every 90 minutes now) then get out of the area. Most beautiful is northern loop, less crowded, too. Drive center road east to west entrance as soon as you get there and drop rig at campground, don't try sightseeing with rig, you'll miss a lot of side road stuff and parking is hell with a rig. More animals, less people, more beauty on northern loop. Be sure to see Fort Yellowstone, 15 elk on ranger quarters lawn within 10 feet, wow.Stream above Virginia Cascade on Northern Loop is a great place to get your feet wet. Have a great trip.
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Posts: 65 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 1:08am
Glad you asked! Just finished that trip (plus more) and be happy to help.
Left town of Custer on Hwy 16. Stayed on 16 till I hit around Moorcraft and tied into Hwy 90. Then stayed on Hwy 90 till I hit the town of Buffalo where we stopped for the night.
Left Buffalo on Hwy 16 West and stayed there till Worland where I tied into Hwy 20 and headed North to Greybull, there I joined Hwy 14 West to Cody where I stopped for the night. From Cody it's Hwy 14/16/20 West to Yellowstone. Suggest you go thru to West gate to camp. Good Luck.
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Posts: 99 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 12:42am
I need some advice for traveling from Custer State Park to Yellowstone. I have been told you have to be careful which route to take or you are going through mountains with a camper.  I would appreciate advice.  Thanks!
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Posts: 75 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2013 at 12:02pm
One thing to consider when traveling in that area is the date(s) of your visit. Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held in June (this year I think it starts 13 June runs for a week). Thousands of folks are looking for a place to stay, many camp.
The Black Hills National Forest has enough camp sites to accomadate 25,000 per night. This is an option if Custer State Park is full. Another option is but limited to 75 sites is Wind Cave National Park, there is 75 sites here. There are also a number of non government type camp facilities in the area as well such as KOA's ect. I just do not know much about these as we have never stayed at one.
One other place which is not too far away is the Badlands National Park. There is campgrounds and lodges in this park.
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