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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

Rocky Point Recreation Area

8 08 2014

Rocky Point Recreation Area

We’re parked about 10 miles east of Belle Fourche, SD in Rocky Point Recreation Area on the banks of Belle Fourche Reservoir. There are about 50 back-in sites here, all providing electric only. Potable water is available at the dump station between the check-in gate and the campground. We are in sites 12 & 13 just south of the boat ramp. The sites around the point, number 18-20 offer great views of the lake while the sites at the far end (42-48) seem a bit more private. Each site provides shade to varying degrees, a fire ring and picnic table. Belle Fourche Reservoir was created in 1911 when Orman Dam was completed. That that time, Orman Dam was the largest earthen dam in the world. In 1989 Orman Dam was designated a national historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

From Belle Fourche, we’ll continue south into Wyoming. More from there…

: Rocky Point Recreation Area

: Rocky Point Recreation Area

: Rocky Point Recreation Area

: Rocky Point Recreation Area

: Rocky Point Recreation Area

: Rocky Point Recreation Area

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Tags: belle fourche, rocky point recreation area, south Dakota
Categories : Duluth MN 2014

Snake Creek Recreation Area

30 07 2014

Snake River Recreation Area

We’re parked at Snake Creek SRA, a South Dakota state campground right on the banks of the Missouri River on Lake Francis Case. We’re in site #40 which shares a small cul-de-sac with 3 other back-in sites. Site #41 is the only other site occupied on our quiet cul-de-sac. There are about 90 sites here in the North Campground and another 20 or so in the South Campground. Most sites provide 20, 30 and 50 amp electric service only. There’s a dump station and two threaded fresh water fill stations across the highway to the north near the marina.

In 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition passed through this area and noted the famed “Burning Bluffs”. We now know that oil-rich shale can ignite internally and spew smoke and steam from the bluffs along the river creating the look of fire without the flame. Remembered for his uncanny ability to get lost, young Private George Shannon first separated from the expedition in this area and nearly starved to death before being reunited 12 days later.

The campground is nicely shaded, and the tall grasses recently mowed proving a city-park like appearance. The facilities including a shower house and restrooms look well kept although we didn’t use them. There are a few network TV channels available over-the-air in a north-west direction and full 4G T-Mobile service and full 3G Verizon broadband available. Located in between the North and South campgrounds is a large, clean beach area. This quiet oasis in the middle of South Dakota corn country is a welcome retreat – we’d stay here again.