We enjoyed the Black Hills area of South Dakota so much last year, and specifically the area of Hill City and Custer, that we decided to stay here again for four nights.
Here’s why we like this area:
First, we really like the Rafter J Bar Ranch Campsite. It’s located on the outskirts of Hill City, and it is just lovely and relaxing with a good pool.
Second, the town of Custer has the Black Hills Burger and Bun restaurant which had THE best burger of our entire nine-week camping trip in 2016, and we enthusiastically agreed with our decision when we ate there again this week.
Third, Custer State Park, at 73,000 acres, is the second largest state park in America, and encompasses prairies, pine trees, unique slender granite outcroppings called ‘Needles’ for rock climbers, and 1,500 bison who roam the area.
Fourth, Hill City is right on the path of the Mickelson Trail which rolls for 114 miles through the scenic Black Hills in South Dakota. So we are here to ride bicycles, visit the Needles, gaze at bison, read books, and relax.
On Wednesday, we biked 15 miles on the Mickelson Trail, and on Thursday we rode 25 miles and went to the micro town of Rochford, which only has a small general store to support the bike trail, a bar called the Moonshine Gulch Saloon which serves sandwiches, and a volunteer Fire Station. We visited two of those three, and you can guess which ones!
The trail is beautiful beyond description. We passed through three abandoned train tunnels and over a dozen bridges. The trees, granite outcroppings, meadows, and streams made for a great ride.
Warm regards,
Ted and Sue
PS: As a side note for those who read my blog from last year about Randy, the tea-party-barber from Custer, South Dakota. I chose NOT to visit his shop again this year, although, I was thinking about congratulating him on Trump getting elected and wanted to see how he felt it was going! LOL