http://custersd.infoRSS feeds for Custer South Dakota - Black Hills South Dakota - Hotels, Real Estate, Cabins60http://custersd.info/Home/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12/Campgrounds-in-South-Dakota.aspx#Comments0http://custersd.info/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=301&ModuleID=1146&ArticleID=12http://custersd.info/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12&PortalID=10&TabID=301http://custersd.info/Home/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12/Campgrounds-in-South-Dakota.aspxCampgrounds in South Dakota may not sound like a luxurious vacation, so why is it that so many crazy parents tote their picky yet lovable children along for family road trips to just that destination each and every year? It could be that though the campgrounds of South Dakota aren't exactly like sleeping on the beaches of Maui, there are enjoyable family experiences tucked snuggly in the Black Hills where you least expect them. Trust me, grab your kids, make sure they have their portable DVD players, and promise, no pinky swear, that they will have the time of their lives on your family vacation!Custer South DakotaWed, 25 Mar 2009 12:30:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12http://custersd.info/Home/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7/Visiting-Custer-ParkCuster-State-Park-in-the-Black-Hills-of-South-Dakota.aspx#Comments0http://custersd.info/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=301&ModuleID=1146&ArticleID=7http://custersd.info/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=7&PortalID=10&TabID=301http://custersd.info/Home/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7/Visiting-Custer-ParkCuster-State-Park-in-the-Black-Hills-of-South-Dakota.aspxHave you ever wanted to roam with the buffalo? Then come visit Custer State Park in South Dakota’s Black Hills just 25 miles south of Rapid City on US Hwy 16A. The Park offers four distinct resorts, each with its own personality and packed full of things to do that the whole family will enjoy. One resort is the State Game Lodge nestled in the ponderosa pines. Built in the 1920’s, it served as the “Summer White House” for President Calvin Coolidge. Grace Coolidge Creek, known for its excellent fishing, meanders nearby through the valley of birch, oak and aspen trees. Accommodations range from cabins to stately lodge rooms to a modern motel. While you are there, book a buffalo jeep safari and observe the mutli-ton animals in their natural habitat. The famous Frank Lloyd Wright designed Sylvan Lake Lodge on Hwy 87, was built after the original Victorian lodge burned in 1935. Located at the base of Harvey’s Peak off the Needles Highway, this resort connects with many hike and bike trails and access to the beaches of the lake for fishing, swimming or just relaxing.  The Lakota Dining Room features tasty game dishes.  For the more rustic in nature, cabins situated in the spruce and pine forest are also available The Blue Bell Lodge, also on Hwy 87, offers visitors a more rural Western flavor with trail rides and chuck wagon cookouts as some of the activities. The facilities are in a guest ranch style.  Each cabin has its own fire ring for telling ghost stories or playing the harmonica at the end of the day Legion Lake Lodge, located on Hwy 16A, sits directly at the waters edge of Legion Lake. It boasts comfortable sized family cabins and recreational sports such as swimming, boating and fishing.  Named because it one hosted the American Legion, this site has access to the Centennial Trail right from the Lodge’s back steps. Be sure to include a hike along the Badger Clark trail in your list of things to do. There are many attractions in Custer State Park.  Wildlife Loop Road allows visitors to view animals such as bison, prairie dogs, burros and deer from the convenience of their cars. The best times for viewing are early morning and early evening when the animals are most active. Don’t forget to look up. You may spot an eagle.  Custer South DakotaFri, 06 Feb 2009 08:01:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:7http://custersd.info/Home/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6/Caves-in-the-Black-Hills-near-Custer-ParkCuster-State-Park.aspx#Comments0http://custersd.info/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=301&ModuleID=1146&ArticleID=6http://custersd.info/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6&PortalID=10&TabID=301http://custersd.info/Home/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6/Caves-in-the-Black-Hills-near-Custer-ParkCuster-State-Park.aspxThe Black Hills of South Dakota offer breathtaking views, and not all are above ground. Out of the 72 calcite crystal caves in the world, 68 of them are located in the Black Hills. Circling the Black Hills like a moat, these caves comprise the second longest chain of cavern systems on the planet. The whole family will marvel at how stone mixed with the cool dampness can over eons of centuries make such wonderful and varied shapes. Young and old alike can learn much from a tour under the earth, then rest above and watch eagles soar and antelopes romp in their natural habitat. Easily planned as a day trip, the caves are just minutes from Rapid City. For vacationers, there are many facilities from campgrounds to lodges in the State Parks nearby. Many of the caverns are “ wild caves”, still being explored and plotted by professional spelunkers and geologists Cave tours are available at eight “show” caves, designed with stairs, railings and lighting systems so tourists can experience the crystal formations, cool 50-degree temperatures and dripping ponds. Expect to find unusual formations of limestone stalagmites in shapes of helicopters, ribbon-like draperies and even popcorn. Tours generally take about an hour or two and are approximately a mile to a mile and a half in length. Please note the tours vary in physical difficulty.  One of the most popular caves is Jewel Cave National Monument. Discovered in 1900, its majestic underground scenery urged President Theodore Roosevelt to declare it a national monument just eight years later.  Over 133 miles of the cave have been surveyed by spelunkers, making it the second longest cave known to man. But don’t worry. The public tours are geared to accommodate all types of visitors with a variety of physical capabilities.  The most popular tour is held in one room with only fifteen steps and still provides ample sights and wonders. The Scenic Tour is a half-mile loop comprising of 723 steps scattered throughout the cave. Lasting about an hour and twenty minutes, it is offered year round by expert guides. A Lantern Tour is offered for those who do not mind a more strenuous tour involving a lot of stooping, bending and walking on steep wooden steps. Carrying 1930-style lanterns, the tour is limited to twenty participants at a time from 6 years of age up and is offered from June to September. It lasts just under two hours. Finally, spelunking tours lead hardhat, headlamp treks crouching and belly crawling through rooms such as the Brain Drain and Martha’s Kettle. Cavers squeeze through about two-thirds of a mile for about 3-4 hours.Custer South DakotaFri, 30 Jan 2009 08:01:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6http://custersd.info/Home/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1/Custer-South-Dakota-is-a-Great-Place-to-Visit.aspx#Comments0http://custersd.info/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=301&ModuleID=1146&ArticleID=1http://custersd.info/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1&PortalID=10&TabID=301http://custersd.info/Home/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1/Custer-South-Dakota-is-a-Great-Place-to-Visit.aspxCuster, which is tucked away in the magnificent Black Hills of South Dakota, is one of the best vacation destinations in the Midwest United States.  Since Custer is located in the middle of the Black Hills, it is the perfect gateway to all that the Black Hills have to offer, including Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore National Monument, Jewel Cave, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. There are National and State Parks with miles of roads and trails trails that give you direct access to the incredible beauty of the mountains and wildlife in the Black Hills.  The dense forests of pine trees, thundering waterfalls, and lofty river bluffs enchant visitors with indescribable beauty.Custer South DakotaWed, 21 Jan 2009 18:12:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1