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Post by aDave on Jul 5, 2017 22:33:47 GMT -5
Hi all,
My wife and I are looking to plan a vacation, and South Dakota is on the radar. We've never been there, and we are just starting to plan. We have some of the obvious on our potential itinerary, but I'm looking for advice as to what to see. We have not yet decided if we are going to make it an extended trip (and drive from Southern CA) or a short trip and fly. Unfortunately, this will not be a 'hounding trip...with the exception of visiting the Rock Shed.
We are looking at making our home base Rapid City. We've tentatively set as things to see:
Mount Rushmore
Crazy Horse Monument
Badlands National Park
Devil's Tower
Area around Custer
Any advice about things to see or visit? We've already done the Google thing with places to see, but I'm curious to see what folks like in the western side of the state. As much as I'd like this to be a hounding trip, it's probably not going to happen. Thanks in advance for your help.
Dave
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718 
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Post by Fossilman on Jul 6, 2017 9:59:08 GMT -5
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Post by fantastic5 on Jul 6, 2017 12:48:37 GMT -5
If you get into Rapid City you need to visit the South Dakota School of Mines museumJust 'cuz you can't rock hound, doesn't mean you can't look at the pretties they have there.  And when you are at the Rock Shed collect a pocket full in the parking lot. The only time we were there they had recently unloaded a truck and I filled a gallon ziplock bag of great tumble material. |
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 6, 2017 13:06:12 GMT -5
S.W. South Dakota without rockhounding ? Maaaaaaaaan, that's sick. There's a Fairburn out there in the grasslands calling your name.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2017 14:32:19 GMT -5
When you visit Sean at the rock shed bring him a bag of tootsie rolls. He loves that.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2017 14:33:26 GMT -5
S.W. South Dakota without rockhounding ? Maaaaaaaaan, that's sick. There's a Fairburn out there in the grasslands calling your name. No biggie He will just tumble it.... |
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Post by aDave on Jul 6, 2017 18:52:45 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the info thus far folks. We're still in the planning stages, so the information is helpful and very much appreciated. S.W. South Dakota without rockhounding ? Maaaaaaaaan, that's sick. There's a Fairburn out there in the grasslands calling your name. With my luck, also a buzz tail snake.  I'm not going to say that there will be absolutely no hounding, but it's not the primary focus. I'll probably end up seeing what I can work in. When you visit Sean at the rock shed bring him a bag of tootsie rolls. He loves that. Thanks for the heads up. Good tip. S.W. South Dakota without rockhounding ? Maaaaaaaaan, that's sick. There's a Fairburn out there in the grasslands calling your name. No biggie He will just tumble it.... Naw. I actually paid attention to the thread that indicated not to tumble them. Thanks again folks! Regards. Dave |
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Post by drocknut on Jul 7, 2017 10:06:28 GMT -5
Hope you have a great trip and safe travels to you.
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Post by MrP on Jul 9, 2017 8:27:44 GMT -5
aDave We just got back from a Black Hills trip. We have a Motorhome so hauled the bike and pulled the Rubicon as well. We did all of our hounding in the shops this time. Most days were so nice we just rode motorcycle all day, 1330 miles worth. It is so much fun riding and enjoying the scenery out there.
Anyway I bought way too many rocks. The Rock Shed is a great place to shop and there is another small shop close to it. Earth Treasures is small and she doesn't have a lot but I always find something different to buy there. It is close so worth the stop.
Dakota Stone Mining is on the North side of Hill City and they have a good selection most times.
Daves Rock Shop is on the east side of Custer and he is the one that ends up with most of my money. I did good the first time we stopped but the second time it was raining so the rocks were showing off and it cost me a fortune.
Ken's Minerals is just east of Daves and has a good selection also.
Just North of Custer on Hwy 89 is Wild Bill's Antique Mall and he has some rocks. Not a large selection but I always find something. He does have fused Quartz if you are into doublets.
There is a rock shop in downtown Custer that is mostly tourist but I did find a very large piece of Grape Opal that was way under priced.
There is a Rock Shops of the Black Hills pamphlet that can be found at most stores with many more shops listed but the ones I listed you really don't want to miss if you have the time.
Enjoy and make sure you do Needles Hwy and Iron Mountain Hwy. We rode Iron Mountain 10 times and Needles 8. Never get tired of riding in that country. Got caught in 3 Bison, 1 goat, and 2 donkey heards. Bison can be a little scary when a person is on a motorcycle......................................MrP |
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Post by aDave on Jul 9, 2017 20:39:10 GMT -5
To the group...
Is Sturgis worth a visit even though we'd be there after-the-fact? I'm not into bikes, but I'm just wondering if it's one of those places to say I've been there. Thanks.
Dave
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Post by MrP on Jul 10, 2017 3:24:15 GMT -5
There is not all that much to see there. Go to a few more rock shops instead................MrP
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Jul 12, 2017 22:31:18 GMT -5
South Dakota, Custer state park is one of our favorite camping destinations. Their is the wood carving museum forget the name but it is unreal! And the needles highway is a sight to behold. Railroadbuttes is easy to get to.if you need a little hounding fix, also the wells drug store shop is neat. If your up to the drive you got to see Deadwood super neat western looking casino strips fun just to walk the strip. Find where the buffalo roam, we where stopped at a stop sign waiting on a big ol' bull walking right next to my wife's side with her window down he gave us a look like try me, I felt tiny compared to him even in my truck. I swear he was several inches taller the my F-150, one time when leaving South Dakota we seen a moutain lion cross a four lane highway with a rather large median in 4 strides,really scary looking made me glade i was going 70 mph in the opposite direction, oh yeah you can check out the rockabilly town south of Rapidcity, when you go to crazyhorse plan a late trip so you can stay for the lazer show at night. you my wish you had more time. Have fun and be safe. Planing on a trip up in August my split the time up between SD, and Wyoming.
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Post by aDave on Jul 30, 2017 23:59:59 GMT -5
OK folks. Appreciate the input thus far. We just got done booking our trip. We'll be staying 3 nights at the Powder House Lodge in Keystone and using that as a base for the initial part of our trip. After we check out from there, we'll be going back to Rapid City and staying on the east end of town near the Air Force Base. We are going from Tuesday 9/12 to Sunday 9/17.
You've offered up a bunch of great ideas, so the help is tremendously appreciated. Don't know how much hounding will be done, but I'll be sure to check in with Shawn at the Rock Shed to get some ideas. Thank you all again.
Dave
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Post by orrum on Jul 31, 2017 5:37:01 GMT -5
Must see Sean at The Rock Shed! Lovell Wyoming is on the Montana border. Drive up into the National Forest there to see the Bighorn River Canyon from the edge. It's not as colorful as the the Grand Canyon but the range of color in the Browns is awesome and it's as deep and just great!!! Plus there are the mustangs!!! Plus there is a old style preserved ranch headquarters there you tour for free! Walk behind the ranch house to see the wster reservoir, it's so clear with cold water that you can see to the bottom, amazing!!! Plus the Ranger headquarters in Lovell has a pretty good display and series of videos in their mini thrater. Google the Pryor Mountain mustangs. There is a children's book and movie about a stallion named Cloud. He was still alive 3 years ago, at a advanced age too! Teepee Canyon was mined there too. The National Park stopped the claim.
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Post by tims on Aug 2, 2017 1:00:59 GMT -5
Teepee Canyon quarry is about 20 miles west of Custer on Hiway 16, and it's just a few miles past Jewel Cave National Monument (worth a look if you like caves). I should have the mile marker memorized but could get it if you'd want to hunt teepees. Also good garnet picking just a couple miles west of custer ... drive in on good gravel off the highway a couple miles, pull off on a dirt turnout, get out of the car and pick garnets out of the road. East of Custer 60 miles or so and you're into Buffalo Gap NG, fairburn country. Even if you don't find a fairburn the drive through Custer State Park is gorgeous (don't pet the buffalo).
For more touristy stuff it sounds like you have the basics covered, and staying in Keystone you're right on top of Rushmore and Needles Highway. Hill City has the 1880 train ride which is fun if you don't mind coal soot. Custer is pure tourist trap but charming, and there are several rock shops. IMO Sturgis is worthless except during rally week (when it's a total nightmare). Spearfish Canyon is a gorgeous drive with some nice waterfalls (Bridal Veil and Roughlock). Deadwood is touristy but fun, and its Mt. Moriah cemetery boasts some venerable names (Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, etc). Lead, directly adjacent to Deadwood, has the massive open-pit Homestake Mine. Belle Fourche is the geographic center of the US and has a small but interesting museum.
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I'm not going to say that there will be absolutely no hounding, but it's not the primary focus. I'll probably end up seeing what I can work in.
