Help with routing a trip

[antiqfreq]

Hi,

We will be going to Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park next week for 3 nights,
then heading south to Custer State Park.

My mapping takes me to an entrance on the west side of the park -
our campground reservationis for Stockade North Campground.

But my program says take 16A E towards the park; but there are 2 tunnels on 87 that we can't fit through.

Does 385/16 go further south INTO/WITHIN the park to get to the campground we are booked at?

No map program shows this, BUT, then I downloaded the tunnel map for the park it appears that if I don't turn onto 87 and continue south, then 16/385 DOES go further south INTO/WITHIN the park and then I CAN get to the campground.

Oh, this is SO frustrating! Need some help please........

Jo

[Jim W]

We camped in SD two years ago and I drove on the Needles highway Rt 87 and no way can you pull a 5er on that road. I drove my 2008 Mega Cab on that road and had to take the center lane to get through the tunnels with the mirrors folded in. The highway in Custer State park RT 87 is full of sharp hairpin turns and I had to drive this is first and second gear on some of the turns, no way will a 5er travel on this road in the park.
You might be able to go to Custer and enter the park from RT 89 according to their map. Don't know for sure? Might be able to ask a ranger when you get there.
I would also suggest that you try another camp ground if possible. I stayed at Rafter J Bar Ranch in Hill City SD. This is less then a 30 min drive to Custer state park and Crazy Horse. It was a 45 min drive or less then that to Mount Rushmore.
Here is there Web Site if you would like to review it. http://www.rafterj.com/
Good Luck.

Jim
P.S. MY DW wants full-hookups, Rafter J bar has them.

[antiqfreq]

I know I can't go on 87 due to the tunnels, I saw that on their tunnel map.

I haven't checked 89 yet.

Also, I already have 7 days booked at Custer & we don't want to change that.

Guess I'll be calling the ranger for info before we head in there.

Thanks,

Any other suggestions out there???

Jo

[campingcpl]

We where just down there in May. We went down US 85 and caught US 385. We stayed at the Rafter J also but did a lot of driving down in that area. You can take US 385 down to Custer and then take US 16A East out of Custer. St. Rd. 89 isn't bad but wounldn't recomend trying to pull anything on St. Rd. 87. If you take US 16A on the east side of the park you will find it difficult. There are a lot of switch backs on that side of the park plus a couple of tunnels that you wont be able to get through and there are no by-pass's.

[KanTC]

Here's a Park Map that shows the tunnels/roads/campgrounds, etc.

http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/docs/custer-map.pdf


And, info about the area:

http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/docs/tatanka.pdf


Beautiful..... I hope we (too) can visit SD, someday!


Terri C [& DH Kevin] :)

[campingcpl]

We love it out there. My fiancé has family that lives there (SD) so we travel out there at lease once a year and then I have family in Colorado. Both places are great vacation places. We are looking to do a trip to Branson this next summer if we can afford it along with our Reno trip. It will be her first trip there (Branson & Reno) and my secound to both.

[heavyram]

I agree with campingcpl. Take 16/385 south to Custer then 16A East. DW and I were there in 2003. Lots to see and do in that area. If you have time suggest you visit the Mamoth dig site in Hot Springs