Posted 2012-05-12 8:28 PM (#143906 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
We've camped at Custer summer of '09 and again September of '11. Both times we stayed at Broken Arrow Campground. It's a super nice place with plenty of trails right out of camp. If you like cleanliness and friendliness, then it's hard to beat. I'd highly recommend staying there.
We live in east central IL and have overnighted in Mitchell, SD at Hobby Horse Motel at least 6 times while traveling west. It's right off the interstate, nice large covered runs with water and electric for plugging in your LQ trailer. There is a huge Cabelas, fast food and fuel with a mile. If you're on the west side of Indy, it might be a consideration.
Last year coming home, we stayed at Country Cottage Bed and Breakfast in Brayton. The little cottage our friends stayed in was adorable! The owner gave us a grand tour of his home, too, which was a work of art. Super nice folks.
Posted 2012-05-12 9:39 PM (#143907 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Veteran
Posts: 170 Location: Minnesota
Did I miss something? Aceliberty is talking about the Black Hills of SD and I understood the question was re the Badlands. The question should be are we talking the Badlands of SD or the Badlands of ND?
Posted 2012-05-13 9:27 AM (#143912 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Elite Veteran
Posts: 658 Location: Rayne, LA
It appears there are Badlands in both North and South Dakota? Is this correct? I was told a nice place to ride is from the Elk Haven Horse Ranch which is in the Black Hills of SD. It is a short saddleback ride to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park. We also are planning a trip to this area and have been told to check with the motorcylce peoples schedule or you may be suprised.
Posted 2012-05-13 10:43 AM (#143915 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Elite Veteran
Posts: 658 Location: Rayne, LA
I was told two of the best places to camp and ride from in this area are Elk Haven Horse Camp and Hay Creek Ranch. This came from two guys who claim to have ridden in this area several times.
Posted 2012-05-13 6:48 PM (#143924 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Veteran
Posts: 170 Location: Minnesota
I have riden in this area and agree that Elk Haven Horse Camp and Hay Creek Ranch are excellent places. Both camps are well run and you'll enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills. Make sure your horses are in shape.
Posted 2012-05-14 7:22 AM (#143933 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Veteran
Posts: 174 Location: Missouri
I doubt he/she works for any camp. We've ridden many many times in the Black Hills and have stayed at about all the horse camps there and ridden many other trails in the area. Haycreek was the least favorite place we have camped at. Long narrow road into camp, we barely got our trailer around the curves and the trailer we now have wouldn't make it in. Campground is ok but riding was not that great. Mostly forest roads, no water crossings and no real trails, nothing marked. Might be different now. Elkhaven is ok. Campsites hard to get a big rig in. There are some nice rides from there. Broken Arrow is by far our favorite. Clean nice campground, covered pens for horses and easy to get to. There are miles of trails in every direction and most are marked. They have a trailer you can rent to trailer to other trailheads such as Harney Peak, Mt. Rushmore and Custer Park. Do a search on here there should be pics posted.
Posted 2012-05-14 8:27 AM (#143937 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Veteran
Posts: 174 Location: Missouri
Trax, Your very welcome. If you don't mind would you mind me emailing you. We are going to come up in a few weeks and just primitive camp this time. Looking for some ideas on good places with a few days riding and that a big trailer can get into. Got a few ideas but always open to other suggestions.
Posted 2012-05-14 8:18 PM (#143952 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
Keeping it friendly~but we all come away from experiences with varying opinions. We had good friends who didn't like a favorite campground, but their noses were out of joint due to the dog leash rule.
Back to SD~friends who stayed at Hay Creek before joining our huge group at Broken Arrow really liked the rustic atmosphere there. However, they did report that the road to the camp was very narrow when pulling a trailer. They were told to arrive into camp after noon and depart with their rig before noon. That was 3 summers ago, and maybe things have changed.
But it's nice to know some of these things, and I applaud cssebs of IN to do some checking beforehand.
p.s. Our trip of '09 was during Bike Rally Week. It was great! There were tons of roadside eateries set up all over. The bikers were all friendly. I bought a cute t-shirt in Bandera, TX last month printed with "Harleys and Horses". We all like our "horsepower" and bling.
Posted 2012-05-16 8:13 PM (#143992 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
There's a HUGE difference between the Black Hills and the Badlands. Do a quick google search for photos, and you'll visually see the difference. The Badlands are open, sunny, desert-like, while the Black Hills are wooded and mountainous. Both are beautiful and worth spending time in. You should really grab a guidebook and read about both of them, or do some research online.
Custer State Park, is in the Black Hills.
Which one are you interested in. No way I'd want to ride the Badlands in the summer time. Every time we've gone thru there in the summer, the temps were terrible. I would like to ride them in the winter. The do look like a neat place to investigate..
Posted 2012-05-18 10:26 AM (#144029 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Member
Posts: 5
Location: RR Valley of the North
Also, please do not overlook the Badlands of North Dakota. They are also so very beautiful located in the Theodore Roosevelt Natl Park with the wonderfully groomed Mah ha Dey Trail stretching 80 miles from the South unit of the park near Medora to the North unit. The views here are truly awe inspiring, Medora boasts the Cowboy Museum, Medora Musical in a canyon, Pitchfork fondue, gorgeous Badlands, wildlife galore, open range horse camping in the TRN Park for under $10 a night right near herds of buffalo, the Missouri River National Grasslands and some of the most wonderful riding around over plains, buttes, canyons, grasslands, and in/around petrified forests. I also highly recommend Buffalo Gap Ranch right on the trail head of the Mah Ha Dey Trail - each camp spot has its own corral for your horses or you can let them loose on the "range" area at the trail head, they also have corrals for guests with horses staying in the lodge and hitching posts in front of each room. LOVE that place. North Dakota Badlands - some of the best riding and views in the world (we do not work for anyone there or live out there, just been there many times because its great)
Posted 2012-05-18 5:11 PM (#144037 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
RedParrot~I'm copying your post for future reference. We're always in search of new adventures. We met some awesome folks while riding down in TX last month. The rancher was telling me about a beautiful spot to ride in ND, and of all places, Medora. In fact, he sent me a small article about the town that he'd clipped out of one of his "cowboy" magazines. You have really further my interest in making it a possible destination ride. Tks for the info.
Posted 2012-05-18 8:46 PM (#144040 - in reply to #143935) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Veteran
Posts: 170 Location: Minnesota
traxarlo,
You stated "so far the information that has been given hasn't been very accurate". To that point only a couple of camps had many mention and the condition of a camp is ones own opinion.
I ask what was not accurate which you did not reply to.
Say what you will but I have been at both camps and found both to be well operated - MY OPINION.
Posted 2012-05-18 8:53 PM (#144041 - in reply to #144040) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Veteran
Posts: 170 Location: Minnesota
I have also been at TRNP Round Up camp which is the only horse camp in TRNP. You have to apply for the Camp via application for a drawing in March. Slim chance of getting the Camp as they receive hundreds of request. You can trailer into the Park and ride at will. I am told by friends in Medora that Buffalo Gap is full of oil field workers - - which has become a bg problem in Western ND.
We'll be there for two weeks this year - 1 in the Park and one trailering in. Great place to ride. Love the rattlesnakes!
Posted 2012-05-19 11:26 AM (#144052 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
MBI holds their training classes in Mendora every week. There are around a 100 men attending those classes each week, they basically fill any available motel rooms. The camping is usually not as big of a problem from the oil field workers.
Posted 2012-05-19 7:32 PM (#144068 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Never found the rattlesnakes to be a problem. If you come across one. Give it a little room and minute and it will slither off into the grass someplace else.
Posted 2012-05-19 9:37 PM (#144071 - in reply to #143902) Subject: RE: Camping/Riding in the Badlands
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
Came across copperheads in southern MO. Tiny little things but worthy of respect and distance.
Aside from bushwhacking through scrub oak riding offtrail in southern CO, the most "treacherous" obstacles I've ever encountered on the trail were the "jumping cholla" cacti in the Superstitions. Luckily, in the month of riding my steady trailhorse never brushed into one. I did while filming a clip for a classroom presentation, and they really do "jump" if you get close enough. OUCH!