Rapid City, SD / Mount Rushmore & Custer State Park
We headed to Rapid City instead of staying longer at the Badlands as we needed some repairs done on our RV before we could go any further. Luckily for us, it was a beautiful decision.
Site:
Rapid City SD KOA
Site: 190 & 194
Wifi: Verizon - 26.4 down, 20.7 up / ATT - 37.1 down, 9.8 up
Cost: $89/night for the premium site, and $69/night for the normal site
Noise: Nothing. Even though we were surrounded by people, we never heard anything.
The KOA in Rapid City is a sprawling campsite on top of a hill right off the highway. It was very easy to access, and almost all of the sites are pull through. The prices were insanely high due to Sturgis still taking place, and after the rally was over the campsites went from packed to maybe half full. The attendants were friendly, though I didnt like the bathroom setup much of single shower rooms and small bathroom stalls. There was also a weird smell in the shower rooms. However they had a breakfast special going on where you could get all you could eat pancakes for $2.99, which is hard to beat. The man making the pancakes to order made me a pancake shaped like a rose, so clearly I have a new boyfriend who is retired and living in an RV park.
Rating: Can’t beat the wifi signal, but something about it still feels off. 7/10
City:
Rapid City, SD
Rapid City looks like a kid started Sim City and just went crazy with the terrain brush. Some parts are so hilly they border mountainous, and other parts are flat grasslands as far as the eye can see. It’s a medium sized city at around 70k residents, but because it such a sprawling town it doesn't feel metropolitan at all. It has all the amenities you need without any of the charm. Its saving grace is that it’s an access hub for amazing sites like Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore, with scenic drives that will take your breath away.
Rating: Drive through and keep going.
Restaurant:
Though Ron had his heart set on Burger King, we went to a local grill called Shooters. The entrance door handles are shaped like single shot rifles, so you know they’re going for a “lewk”. It was almost empty, but we were there at 3pm on a weekday, so I’m sure it gets busier at normal eating times. Our server was both attentive and friendly, and we got prompt service without it being overbearing. We started with the chislic (this time deep fried) and it was tender with a very sweet house bbq sauce. Ron ordered the burger he had been craving, and I ordered a french dip. While neither blew our socks off, they were filling and not overpriced.
Rating: Give Shooters a shot
