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Cheyenne Frontier Days & the Black Hills

24 07 2020

Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse, SD

We learned in late May that the 124^th presentation of Cheyenne Frontier Days had been cancelled due to Covid concerns.

Still wanting see friends and support the owners of AB Camping, we’ve kept our original arrival dates, but cut our stay short and added a South Dakota loop to explore the Black Hills. Our cancelled concerts of Thomas Rhett and Blake Shelton have already been rescheduled for 2021, which is already know as the 125th anniversary.

After a couple of nights at Boyd Lake State Park to visit family, we’ve arrived at AB Camping in Cheyenne. We’re parked in the South section, center row, site S10, with friends in S11, S12, S19 & S20. While certainly different than past years, we enjoy the relaxing times and a fun evening at the Accomplice Brewery at the historic Cheyenne Train Station.

Departing Cheyenne, we’ve spent 2 nights at Glendo State Park, a favorite and this year, in electric sites TM46, TM47 & TM48. While these sites aren’t as visually appealing as the cliff-side sites, it’s sure nice to have A/C as temps push up close to 100 each afternoon.

Whistler Gulch RV, Deadwood, SD

After our relaxing time at Glendo State Park, we’ve arrived at Whistler Gulch RV Park in Deadwood, SD. This 100+ site is tight, but affords a unique location just on the outskirts of town. Built up a long gulch, the park offers a (closed) swimming pool, a long row of tiered pull-throughs along with some back-ins where the gulch widens a bit. Along a narrow dead-end road to the front of the park are 10 of the best view sites. It’s about a 20 minute walk into town but the regular trolley service stops at the office and is only $1 for each trip in or out of town.

Whistler Gulch RV, Deadwood, SD

We’re in Deadwood to explore more of the Black Hills after being here at a family reunion about 15 years ago. We’ll see the typical sites of Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial plus make the beautiful drive along the Needles Highway in Custer State Park. We’ll wander through the “old western” town of Deadwood and check out the beautiful painted buffalo statues in Custer. And, we’ll be entertained by a boisterous “pro-Trumper” at the RV park in Deadwood! After Deadwood, we’re headed to Devil’s Tower, WY. More from there…

: Downtown Deadwood, SD

: Mt. Rushmore

: Crazy Horse Memorial

: Whistler Gulch RV, Deadwood, SD

: Buffalo of Custer, SD

: Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse, SD

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Tags: boyd lake, cfd, deadwood, glendo state park, south Dakota, whistler gulch
Categories : Summer Camping 2020

Glendo State Park to the Olympic Peninsula

14 08 2016

Glendo, Custer Cove Site #3

We’ve just departed Lake Glendo, after a very enjoyable 4 nights in Custer Cove site #3. Once again we managed prime lakeside sites #3 & #4 thanks to pre-scouting by Shawn and Dana. The lake is a bit further down than last year when we were here about 2 weeks earlier. With daytime temps pushing in the mid-80’s, the water is quite refreshing.

Instead of heading back to Colorado, this is our first stop of a 30 night trip to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. Tonight we’re headed to Rock Springs, WY. More from there…

: Glendo, Custer Cove Site #3

: Glendo, Custer Cove Site #3

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Tags: custer cove, glendo, glendo state park
Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

Custer Cove, Glendo State Park, Wyoming

25 07 2015

After several attempts to find available walk-up sites at Custer Cove over the years, we’re finally camped at what we consider the prime lake-side sites at Glendo State Park, Custer Cove #3 and #4. These two side by side sites provide plenty of space, privacy and easy access to the lake. We arrived last Thursday to occupy site #4. However, pre-scouting earlier in the week undoubtedly secured this prime spot for us. Thanks Shawn! When we arrived site #3 was occupied, however within minutes of their departure on Sunday we’ve secured that spot for friends that will be joining us later in the week. We also used site #6 for friends and family. #6 isn’t a prime site since it’s located right on the entry road, but works well when paired with #4. It has a fairly easy access pull-through, but doesn’t provide much in terms of shade or privacy. And, with the wrong wind direction, might be a bit too close to the vault toilets and/or dumpsters.

Site #4 is a back-in site with nearby trees curb-side and the rather misplaced fire pit on the opposite side. Allowing safe space for a campfire, we needed to trim a few tree branches to fully deploy our awning. Behind the site is a sand and rock beach area with some nice shade trees and easy access to the water. Site #3 provides either back-in access (down a very long access road) or a side approach that allows an RV to be parked sideways in the site. This side to side orientation might not be easy for longer rigs, but does provide beautiful lake views from the patio/awning area. The tighter trees on #4 also provide a bit better shading, #3 has full sun from early in the morning until at least mid afternoon. The fire pit is much more appropriately located on #3. This site is situated on a point, with sandy beach access to the rear and rocky lake access to the side. Both of these sites are away from all of the other Custer Cove sites and provide the best privacy. Facilities at Custer Cove include a line of 3 or 4 dumpsters and some vault toilets. Drinking water (with threaded taps) is available at nearby Reno Cove, or back to the other side of the lake at Whiskey Gulch.

Arriving on Thursday and not departing until the following Sunday, we’ve spent 10 days dry camping – a new record for off-the-grid survival. The 3G Verizon access is good and about 3 or 4 hours of generator usage each day provides all the resources we need for productive work days. But by around 3pm, with temps climbing into the low 90’s, we’re enjoying the shade of the cottonwoods on the beach and the cool lake waters. Most sites at Custer Cove are occupied by late Thursday evening. Departures seem to occur on Monday or Tuesday when the campground is the quietest until the crowds begin to arrive again on Thursday. We’ve had a great time at Glendo, and look forward to returning next year!

Site CC-6

‘Big Yard’, Site CC-4

Custer Cove Beach

Lake Glendo

Site CC-4

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Tags: custer cove, glendo state park, wyoming
Categories : Summer Camping 2015

A Quick Overnight at Lake Glendo

19 06 2015

Lake Glendo Sunset

We’re waking up in site #8, Two Moon campground at Glendo State Park. We’ve been in this cliff-side site so many times – from back with the boat, to the truck camper and now several times with the 5^th wheel. The news for Two Moon is that it has power! Recently they have added electric pedestals to about 15 sites on the outer loop. These were never premium sites because they have no lake views and are closest to the main road that crosses the dam. But, nearly all of these new power sites are full on this Thursday evening. In fact, there are only about 20% of all sites left, this place is becoming very popular. In addition to the new power sites, they have also added new water faucets scattered through the campground.

This is just a quick overnight on the way to Boysen State Park in central Wyoming – more from there over Father’s Day weekend!

Glendo Electric Sites

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Tags: glendo state park, two moon, wyoming
Categories : Summer Camping 2015

Independence Day at Lake Glendo

4 07 2014

Sticking with a long running tradition, we’re back at Lake Glendo State Park for the July 4th weekend. With the 4th falling on a Friday, we assume things will be very busy at Glendo. However, we’re hopeful that leaving on Tuesday afternoon will still allow us to snag a few nice lakeside sites at Custer Cove MAP.

Arriving at the entrance to Custer Cove around 6pm, we’re greeted with a “Campground Full” sign forcing us rethink our plans and head over to Two Moon campground. Here we’re surprised to find no cliff-side sites available and instead end up at some of the least desirable sites along the main road, #36 #37 & #38. A “busy” 4th of July weekend appears to be an understatement this year! Fortunately after a walk around the following morning, we’re pleased to note that some sites are empty and other campers appear to be packing up. By noon we’ve packed up and moved to site #67, one of our favorites overlooking the dam. We’ve also secured 2 other sites #66 and #68 for friends that will arrive later.

As temperatures approach 100 and without lake access from Two Moon, we pack up chairs, coolers and floats in search of beach access. We end up on the point between Whiskey Gulch and Custer Cove. We’ll try for a campsite at Custer Cove next year!