Black Hills area?

[superpowerdave]

Anybody here from the Black Hills area? We're staring at an assignment to Rapid City and was wondering if this is something we should be looking forward to or not. Particularly interested in the off-roading aspect, but would take anything folks might have to offer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Onionman]

Go for breakfast at the Latchstring Inn in Spearfish Canyon. Mmmm!! Best breakfast I've ever had!

:drool:

 

[Levi]

There is quite a bit here from light up to 5+ trails, although I haven't had time to find too much myself because I spend most of my time east out on the pierre shale. But in the hills any trail marked is open. Lots of area will be opening early in May that is currently closed. I think on the natl grasslands you can drive anywhere.
East of the hills three is a place called railroad buttes (south of Farmingdale) that is the same as the badlands but on natl grassland, but it can get really slick if it rains.
Sorry I'm not more help, When do I get a chance to go out I usually just take whatever looks good.
Here is a link to a local 4x4 page that should be able to help you more. Lots of jeep and toyota people around here.
http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/external.asp?url=www.bh4heelers.com/mission.htm

and forest service maps
http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/external.asp?url=www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/maps/

Other than wheeling there is good mtn biking, hiking, climbing, fishing and you can drink in state parks.
Most if not all of the attractions are tourist traps, the badlands and Spearfish canyon are worth seeing, the needles hiway is a nice scenic drive, as far as Rapid City goes, not the coolest place but its okay.

 

[Levi]

Here is that first link again, it didn't work for me.

http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/e... to mention the firehouse brewery, good beer.

 

[TNROVERS]

I almost forgot to mention the firehouse brewery, good beer.[/QUOTE]

And the best Gumbo you are going to find in that part of the country. I am a firefighter in Hill City for the Forest Service, so if you are still there in a month I will take you out on all the good FS roads. Levi, I can't believe I found someone from around there on here.... I thought it was hopeless!!

 

[az_max]

I'm usually there the first week in Aug. I've driven a rental car all around the area. Looks like there'd be some decent trails in the Deadwood area, maybe toward mt rushmore if it's not all off-limits. Can't really recommend any restaurants, as every place I eat fold up the tent at the end of the week.

Somewhat related: One of these years I'm gonna take the Rover up there and drag my friend's drop down trailer. Spend part of the week making money rescuing bikers on the side of the freeway. There's more greasy spots on the side of the road than in my driveway!

And WTF is it with your airport 30mi from town? The first time I kept driving wondering if I took the wrong road.

 

[BentAxel]

My inlaws are near Custer. We drove the RRC up there and I was usually asked "what kind of outfit you got there...a Toyota?" Beautiful area and great people. Last visit, last year we ate at The Alpine in Hill City. -Drove the Subaru that time.

Inlaws always try to convince us to move there. Great place but I need a city; not Rapid City.

 

[Levi]

.... I thought it was hopeless!![/QUOTE]
yeah, I don't think many rovers around here see any dirt. I am leaving in a couple weeks and won't be back until the beggining of June but you should pm me and maybe we can hit up some trails sometime.

I think the airport is out there because of trouble with slumping in the shale around here, that area has a lot of alluvium on it.

 

[TNROVERS]

Charlie Rupp @ Chimney Canyon did my lift last summer, he said it was the first one in the area he had ever seen with a lift on it. I will pm you, fire season does not start until May 29 but I will be there all summer.