I'd like to do a trip and camp in the badlands soon (next few weeks). Any recommendations on where to land, logistics? I'd prefer not to drive from IL to SD if I can avoid it. My goal would be a 2-3 day camping/hiking trip.
Camp in the bad lands SD
- Thread starter ArrowFlyer86
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Fly into KRAP, rent a car for the short drive east. If you’re planning on camping in the park, check the NPS page for details.
Yes, you’ll want wheels.
Since you’ll pass it on the way, make a stop at the Minuteman Missile National Historical Site(s). Well worth the capsule presentation and looking down the silo.
Yes, you’ll want wheels.
Since you’ll pass it on the way, make a stop at the Minuteman Missile National Historical Site(s). Well worth the capsule presentation and looking down the silo.
So a car is unavoidable ya think? Not a huge deal but helps for planning!
Yeah, the NP is pretty remote. We did a week in-around Rapids City two years ago. An hour west and you’re at Mt Rushmore, an hour east and it’s the Badlands.
Wall (6V4) is likely closest to the park itself.
There's a whole bunch of nuthin' out there. Rapid City is awesome though. We spent nearly a week there, driving out to the Badlands in one day, hitting Wall Drug on the way back. I see there is an airport in Wall, which would be pretty close to the park , but I don't know how to get from there into the park. There's not much in that town besides the "drugstore" (which is worth a stop, BTW).
I'm mainly tagging in for updates because this sounds amazing. I was blown away by the Badlands. I wasn't expecting much, but it is really amazing. Otherworldly. I wish we had planned another day and been able to do some more hikes.
I'm mainly tagging in for updates because this sounds amazing. I was blown away by the Badlands. I wasn't expecting much, but it is really amazing. Otherworldly. I wish we had planned another day and been able to do some more hikes.
Renting a car from KRAP would be no big deal. They have an awesome FBO. We used Turo, which also worked great there. Don't forget Ellsworth, home of my favorite plane, the Bone! Small museum there.
6V4 is in Wall, SD...the gateway to the Badlands NP but finding a rental car in Wall might be really tough. KRAP is in Rapid City, 45 min to an hour west of Badlands NP. I second the recommemdation of the Minuteman site.
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Forgot about that. Outside the gate with a great coffee shop nearby.
Alright, well this makes it simple.
You guys recommend going thru the FBO for the car rental or talk to local car guys myself?
Sometimes it matters....
Edit: re-reading answers everything. Thanks!
You guys recommend going thru the FBO for the car rental or talk to local car guys myself?
Sometimes it matters....
Edit: re-reading answers everything. Thanks!
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Llewtrah381
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I’ve been there a few times and rent from the terminal. The FBO will typically take you over or pick you up when you drop the car off but I’ve also walked - not far.
And since your rental car will be out of Rapid City you might want to allow a day or two to roam the Black Hills. Rapid City is not a part of the Black Hills but it's just a short drive to Custer (home of Custer State Park) and Keystone (Mt. Rushmore).
I don’t have much beta on the badlands, but there are also fantastic hikes and sightseeing to do just west of KRAP in the Black Hills. If nothing else, fly over the Rushmore faces and the needles. 20-ish miles west by air? And if you have time the loop drive through Custer state park is great. Plus tons of cool hikes. The hike to Harney Peak is a classic. Worth an extra day if you haven’t been for sure.
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I had the FBO arrange a rental car for me once and it went perfectly. The museum at Ellsworth is worth a visit, even if the Bones are all in Grand Forks while they set the place up for the B-21. Grab a caramel roll at Colonial House in town and thank me later. If you get rained out in the park, dry out at the #10 Saloon in Deadwood. Enjoy the 5-cent coffee at Wall Drug if you can find it. I think that covers it for a springtime visit.
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Llewtrah381
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Oh - renting e-bikes in Hill City to go on the Mikkelson Trail is a great experience as well. From there I’d go north; going south follows the highway more and is less scenic. Even the train ride in Hill City is fun
CJones
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When we flew in there in 2019, I just rented from the terminal (all the major rental companies are there) and the FBO shuttled me over there no problem. Landed in the stiffest crosswind I've ever landed in there - I actually felt the rudder and ailerons hit the stop a couple of times on short final. It was gnarly. We made it as far as Wall on that trip, but didn't make it into Badlands. IIRC, Wall was pretty much a crop duster strip, and I would be very surprised if there was any hope of snagging a rental car there.
I've driven past Badlands 4-5 times on the interstate and have never been able to stop. Really interested in hearing how your trip goes - everyone I've talked to that's been there says it's amazing, but I've only seen glimpses of it from the interstate.
I've driven past Badlands 4-5 times on the interstate and have never been able to stop. Really interested in hearing how your trip goes - everyone I've talked to that's been there says it's amazing, but I've only seen glimpses of it from the interstate.
Gary Ward
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A few years ago we drove through the Badlands driving west toward Yellowstone in the morning on a sunny day in our RV. It was awesome. 7 days later we are driving back toward the east coming home. We drove through the Badlands again only this time it was later in the afternoon on a sunny day heading east. It looked totally different with the sun on it from the west and us heading east. And the best part was our pass was still good for 8 more hours since it was 7 days later. Passes are good for a week.
We were thinking about boondocking/camping in the park in our RV since there was another camper all set up. We parked nearby but it wasn't long until the park rangers showed up and chased them out of the park. No over night camping in any national parks unless they have a campground I believe?
Pictures does not show the beauty.
Our RV, have had it for 22 years now. Many memorable trips in it. It towed a 50' enclosed race trailer early in it's life. C12 cat engine with 505HP. Double overdrive full auto transmission. A dream to drive.
We were thinking about boondocking/camping in the park in our RV since there was another camper all set up. We parked nearby but it wasn't long until the park rangers showed up and chased them out of the park. No over night camping in any national parks unless they have a campground I believe?
Pictures does not show the beauty.
Our RV, have had it for 22 years now. Many memorable trips in it. It towed a 50' enclosed race trailer early in it's life. C12 cat engine with 505HP. Double overdrive full auto transmission. A dream to drive.
Gary Ward
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You get to see things you wouldn't normally see because we are sitting up high in the cab.
We visited Mt Rushmore, Badlands, Wall drug, Black hills, Yellowstone and more on this trip. Also the world's largest truck stop! lol
We were at the Badlands in July 2014 and July 2012. We also did Sturgis on both trips.
Sturgis.
We visited Mt Rushmore, Badlands, Wall drug, Black hills, Yellowstone and more on this trip. Also the world's largest truck stop! lol
We were at the Badlands in July 2014 and July 2012. We also did Sturgis on both trips.
Sturgis.
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Badlands has two campgrounds and Backcountry camping is allowed. NPS (to my knowledge) doesn’t allow camping outside designated areas.
Gary Ward
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That is good to know, thank you. I will do some research on that since we are seriously considering going back this summer.Badlands has two campgrounds and Backcountry camping is allowed. NPS (to my knowledge) doesn’t allow camping outside designated areas.
Either Grand canyon again or the northern trip to Yellowstone.
We got booted out of the Grand Canyon one night since our RV does not fit in the small campground. A couple years before that we stayed overnight in the Grand Canyon and woke to watch the sun rise from the south rim. That was memorable. But when tried it again a different year a park ranger kicked us out around midnight. That was fun driving out of there in the dark with a few drinks in me. We went to a truck stop an hour or so away. It sucked, lol. Still fun looking back at it.
Oh yea, the Grand Canyon was the darkest I have seen. Could not see your hand right in front of your face on a moonless night. It was awesome.
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CJones
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If you've already done Yellowstone, you might want to head farther north and give Glacier NP a try. It's pretty awesome as well. We took the 24+/- train from Minneapolis to Whitefish in June 2018. Unfortunately the Going to the Sun road wasn't clear from snow yet, so we only saw <1/2 of the park other than the train ride through (which most of my family SLEPT through! ugh!). The part that we did see, however, was amazing. It's definitely on our list to visit again.
GaryM
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Yep, the Going to the Sun Highway doesn't open until July most years, and may close again in October. They get a bit of snow on that route. Opening day is usually covered by the news outlets in Idaho/Montana.
Glacier also has the benefit of being like... the most probable place in the country to get mauled by a grizzly!
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Badlands are amazing. Stealing a line from Buzz Aldrin, "Magnificent Desolation". Take sun screen rated to go into a nuclear reactor. Take long sleeve sun shirts, hat, ChapStick, and lots of water. We set up camp in the evening. Middle of night a gale (normal for area) wind came up, knocked tent down over us. Then Sun came up and with the wind it dehydrated the life force out of us inside of an hour (we weren't prepared). But it was all worth it.
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CJones
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Our trip was a logistical nightmare - we flew up to MSP from ATL to meet up with my wife's family driving from Iowa (parents + sister's family + brother's family) to board the train. Trying to get 4 family-groups' schedules to align was darn near impossible and somehow we settled on the last week of June. I kept watching the forecast and update reports and it actually looked like they were going to get the road cleared early that year, but they had a late storm (or slide, can't remember exactly what happened) that closed it back down until about 4-5 days after we left. Just based on the train ride through the park, I DEFINITELY want to go back to see what we missed.
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flyingcheesehead
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I've flown to the Wall airport (6V4) several times - It's almost a required stop going out west because there aren't many airports out that way with food in proximity to the airport. Wall Drug is walkable from the airport, but it also has resulted in quite a variety of forms of transport for me over the years - The "airport geezer" lent me his motorcycle once, I've been picked up in various "vehicles" during the walk by friendly locals, and even when I do manage to complete the walk it's not overly long or dangerous, and is a really nice way to break up a long trip.
However...
I wouldn't just call it a duster strip (it's at least paved lol) but it's not much more. There's a tiny terminal with a restroom that's accessible, but we generally just make use of the facilities at Wall Drug.
And yes, there's definitely no rental cars based there, though I wouldn't be surprised if you called the airport manager and he scrounged something up from his backyard or something! Super nice guy.
Random update:
Thank you all for suggestions!
The trip is slightly delayed (plane went in for annual 6/1). After I get I back the trip is happening. Will post updates as I have them.
Thank you all for suggestions!
The trip is slightly delayed (plane went in for annual 6/1). After I get I back the trip is happening. Will post updates as I have them.
NealRomeoGolf
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Sorry I missed this thread, although you haven't gone yet. I fly through Rapid City regularly. Flying there tomorrow. It's the only place to get a car. Wall is recently repaved and lengthened. Philip is under construction with a repavement. Go to KRAP and drive from there.
I just stumbled on this thread. I’m planning to make the krap trip this summer. Lots of great tips everyone shared so far
NealRomeoGolf
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It is a very beautiful place
Beautiful
<sarcasm>And look at all those landing places </sarcasm>
<sarcasm>And look at all those landing places </sarcasm>
NealRomeoGolf
Final Approach
NealRomeoGolf
Final Approach
From 10,000 feet today. Much better on the ground.
kaiser
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I'm in
Would take 0 convincing to get me onboard with that
