Some friends and I decided to roadtrip from Chicago to Banff this summer with stops along the way a few of the American National Parks. We hiked and camped and stayed in hotels all the while basking in the changing landscapes we were surrounded by.
At the beginning of the trip, we camped at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park for two nights staying in SL 18, 19, & 20. Our campsites were somewhat secluded which we enjoyed and up a small hill which we didn’t mind. While there, we swam in the lake and hiked the Sunday Gulch trail. The trail was more difficult than I was expecting but it was a rewarding hike. I would recommend doing this loop hike clockwise as one end can be a bit wet and you would end up hiking down boulders with rushing water if you hike counter-clockwise.
We visited Mount Rushmore while in the area. The monument is free to visit but you must pay a $10 per car fee to park. I, personally, was disappointed with our visit. There were far too many people and part of the viewing area was under construction.
We also visited the town of Custer, WY. On a rainy afternoon, we popped into the local VFW (which is open to the public) for a few drinks. There was a food truck out front with Mexican food so we grabbed a bite to eat and enjoyed the covered outdoor seating for as long as we could (before the rain became too heavy).
frugaltravelbug 