Alex Thompson

There are no designated sites in this first come-first serve campground managed by NPS. There are pit toilets available for campers and covered picnic tables. A nearby creek makes for a nice walk. Buffalo roam on the other side of the creek and have been known to enter the middle of the campground from time to time. When we stayed here in July, a massive thunderstorm came through during the nig...

The Custer State Park Wildlife Loop runs for 18 miles across beautiful grasslands and pine-speckled slopes that are home to much of the park's wildlife. Bison, pronghorn, whitetail, mule deer, elk, coyotes, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, and a variety of other birds may be spotted along the way. Depending on the time of year, the road may be surrounded by beautiful, colorful wildflowers a...

The South Dakota State Park system has several tent sites on the north side of the lake. Nice lake for boating during the day. We stayed here for the night on our way to Badlands and enjoyed the outdoor feel of the campground.Make your campsite reservation here: http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/...

This loop is a very flat trail that is 7-miles round trip from the Castle Trailhead to the Fossil Exhibit Trail and back. There is also parking along Old Northeast Road. Trail connects with the Saddle Pass Trail.  Hiking in the summer can be very hot and the trail offers no shade. Beautiful views of the badlands with the chance to escape the crowds during the summer. Wild flowers can be seen o...

You can launch from many points along Argo Pond (which is the name of this dammed portion of the Huron River), but the most abundant parking is located at Argo Park, Bandemer Park, or Huron Bridge Park. This is a popular place for paddleboarders, kayakers, canoers, and rafters during the summer. Stay away from Argo Dam - it is marked with buoys. One-way trip from Argo Park upstream to Barton Da...

Approximately 2.5 miles from the Antelope Point Marina docks to the end of the submerged portion of Antelope Canyon with the option of hiking further up the canyon once the water runs dry. I did not make it all the way to the end of the canyon, but the adventure was still absolutely worth it! There is plenty of parking in the marina parking lot. Entrance requires paid access to Glen Canyon Nati...

Medium-sized campground across the road from Sylvan Lake. Run by Custer State Park - reservations can be made online. Several individual sites are available for walk-in camping, which makes for a backcountry experience.Make you campsite reservation here: https://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks...