Stay all week in Custer State Park?

We are going to Custer State Park for the first time for a week this summer. We are trying to decide if we should stay all week at one lodge in Custer State Park, stay 2 different places in the Park or stay in a nearby town for a night or two. We are flying in and out of Rapid City....want to go to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, caves, hike....most of the time in Custer State Park. Thanks in advance to all for inputs!

Stay all week in Custer State Park?

The Black Hills region of South Dakota is a relatively compact area. From Devils Tower in Wyoming to Hot Springs in the southeastern corner is only 145 miles. You could certainly stay at a central locations for the entire time. Don%26#39;t forget the trip to the east of Rapid City to tour the Badlands National Park or the short jaunt down to Hot Springs to visit the Mammoth Site.

http://mammothsite.com/

The Mammoth Site is less than 15 miles from Wind Cave National Park.

Stay all week in Custer State Park?

You would be fine staying in one location. As RM said, the attractions are relatively close together. Since it sounds like you want to spend a lot of time in Custer State Park, I think you would probably enjoy staying there.

What some people do is split their time between the northern and central Black Hills regions. For example, if you are looking to drive out to Devil%26#39;s Tower, you might want to stay in the Deadwood/Spearfish area for a night or two. For most of the main sights of the area, Custer would be a fine base.

Have a great trip.

Staying in Custer State Park is a great idea. It is kind of expensive, though. The best hiking in the park is closest to the Sylvan Lake Lodge. While Sylvan Lake is not centrally located within the park, you%26#39;ll find it%26#39;s a somewhat convenient location for Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Hill City.

Instead of staying in two different places in the park, I%26#39;d take a couple nights and stay somewhere like the Spearfish Canyon Lodge in the northern Black Hills. From there you can see Spearfish Canyon and Devils Tower among other things. Hiking in Spearfish Canyon is good. For a little adventure, drive to the top of Cement Ridge just into Wyoming west of Savoy.

Try staying a night or 2 in Sundance. The rates are better ($80 for a cabin with a full breakfast).

Access to the northern hills is great. Deadwood about 50 minutes, Devil%26#39;s Tower about 40 minutes. You can see the manned fire tower, Vore Buffalo Jump, museum where there is a lot of information on the Sundance Kid and explore lots of hiking trails. Check out www.sundancewyoming.com

Thanks to everyone for all of the info. Looking at Blue Bell Lodge in Custer State Park and Spearfish Canyon Lodge. Has anyone ever stayed at High Prairie Lodge around Spearfish? Appreciate all the input!