Posted 2012-05-23 2:32 PM (#144179 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Cherokee, Ia
I have camped a few times at Hay Creek Ranch by Nemo SD....great place..yes..the road is narrow coming in, but check with them because they were to get access to highway sometime, which would make it a pretty much straight, short shot into camp. As far as the badlands in SD. my daughter is out there this week...very..very hot...so early spring or fall might be better. It is beautiful, but watch out for sand fleas...we got them hiking there. I live in NW Iowa, and have been to the Black Hills a few times...well worth the trip. Last year, friends rode right up to Mount Rushmore...awesome ride...think they stayed @ Elk Haven. South Dakota is VERY horse friendly, and a great place to ride, no matter where you camp and stay ...French Creek, Custer, Elk Haven, Hay Creek and many others...have heard great things about all of these places from my horse friends. Like others have said, contact South Dakota tourism and you will find a lot of great places!....wave as you go thru Iowa!! Happy Trails!! (and, best to make sure your horse is legged up....lots of climbing! But absolutely fabulous!)
Posted 2012-05-23 2:48 PM (#144180 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Cherokee, Ia
Oh...and the STURGIS BIKE RALLY is the 2nd week in August...so lots of motor cycle and trailer traffic on I 90 then, and all over the area at times....make sure you drive thru Needles Highway (vehicle only) lots of tunnels and tight curves, but beautiful drive!
Posted 2012-06-06 9:45 PM (#144629 - in reply to #144180) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Member
Posts: 26 Location: South Dakota
I'm just going to throw my 2 cents in here. Over the last 18 years, I have stayed at French Creek (Custer State Park), Elk Haven, and Hay Creek. The French Creek trails are my favorites, but the state kept raising the fees so we decided to try other places. I was not impressed with Elk Haven. It is a former RV park. The sites are narrow and difficult to get into with a big trailer. When tied to the trailer, our horses had to stand on a step hill. The trails were okay. The showerhouse was a little "rough". There is a cafe on site which is nice.While getting into Hay Creek is a bit trying, we have never had an issue (24' trailer). I don't like roughing it, so we always get a cabin. You will not find better hosts than Doug and Jody. They add more to the camp every year. No, there aren't any marked trails, but you won't get lost. Plus, you're only 15 minutes from Deadwood.
Posted 2012-08-07 5:28 AM (#146160 - in reply to #143925) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Regular
Posts: 85 Location: Foothills of the Smokeys
will be at Broken Arrow next fri. would love to find more places to ride send me pm if you know of any good trails in area. I have rode to Harney Peak and all trailsfrom Brocken Arrow.Your e mail did not work.Coming from Tn.
Posted 2012-08-09 8:14 AM (#146189 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
We just got back from a camping trip to Montana. On the way out, first of July, they opened the road thru Custer the day before we got there. It had been closed due to fires. Sounds like a lot of Custer was burnt. Be a good idea to check this out before making plans.
We came across the Bad Land in SD going and coming. First time we every went thru there with temps below 100. Going out it was in the 70's coming back it was in the 80's. I was pleasantly surprise. We usually loose at least one tire to the heat going thru that country.
Those of you that have ridden the Bad Lands in the winter. What is it like then?
Posted 2012-08-09 10:20 AM (#146197 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
New User
Posts: 1
Location: lodi , wi
We just got back at the end of July for our 4th trip out to the Black Hills. We have stayed at Hay Creek one year, 3 years at French Creek and this last time we stayed at Willow Creek and Iron Creek. Each one has its advantages. Willow Creek and Iron Creek are primitive so no elec and only water for horses. The trails were great and it was beautiful and not crowded. One has tie lines and the other corrals. It was very uncomfortable without air conditioning this year. French Creek has the elec and sewer and nice bath house. We enjoyed the trails, but I like the trails at Iron Creek the best. However, French Creek has the comfort so we are going back their in 2 weeks and you can ride to Blue Bell to eat and tie your horses up. We also rode at Hay Creek 4 years ago. Doug is very helpful and nice. The trails weren't rocky like Custer, but you don't need weed free hay. If you ride in Custer make sure your horses have shoes on. We like to try different place and found each has its good points. We did stop by Elk Haven and it was a little too crowded for us and our horses would have had to stand in mud. The new owner was very friendly and helpful. It looked like you could meet a lot people there. Whichever you choose you wont' go wrong . we are from Wi. and have stayed at several different places on the way out( aunt Bees, Cabelas, Hobby Horse, Wingmasters and Ashley arena. Just make sure you make reservations early.
Posted 2012-08-19 9:00 AM (#146446 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
Those emoticons are not aimed at Painted Horse! They referred to a post that appeared in the wee hours of the morning by a "new member" d3forsale who keeps writing silly posts but in the end, is just hawking that diablo gold junk.
The post disappearded, so Dave must've caught and deleted it again. Thanks to whoever got rid of the spammer.
Posted 2012-08-21 4:02 PM (#146500 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
Walkin,
Tks for asking. I guess it's not too far off topic since it's horse related. That Diablo Gold spammer is what I consider off topic! My horse is hobbling around. The corrective shoe that he was fitted with at the onset has been lowered. He was fitted with a new and lower shoe. The shoes were to keep his full weight off the injured leg. Once all the scar tissue has set in, we'll see how well he can get around. I no longer have to wrap, hose nor do anything special at this point. I know he will never be sound, but at best, I'm hoping he can enjoy being a horse. He walks out to pasture, and I saw him put weight on both front legs and kick up his hind ones, even though it wasn't the highest kick ever.
Oh, the horse shopping adventures! Now that has been very interesting, but not as good as the lady who insisted my filly was SOLD (to her) and that she was coming Saturday with her trailer. Umm, today is Tuesday, and somehow she must not have followed my directions since she still hasn't showed up. More to that story, but that's the short version. Thanks again for asking about Quiz. I'll try attaching a couple of pics of his orthopedic shoe! Think it's called a "pattern bar".
Posted 2012-08-30 8:12 PM (#146729 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Regular
Posts: 85 Location: Foothills of the Smokeys
Just left the Custer area a week ago. Camped at Broken Arrow. Custer State Park is fine. There is a burned area between Hot Springs and Custer City, but didn't affect our riding at all.
Camping/Riding in the Badlands
