Making a whole vacation out of this with my wife and 3 oldest boys- 7,5, 3. I’m thinking probably 10 days total including drive time from Mankato.
Anyone have any suggestions for stops and sights for young kids??
1. The FCS was the Best option for NDSU for a very long time.
2. As a general rule- the FCS sucks at football and has proven that is not committed to football at all.
3. It's time to go FBS
Hairpin turns.
This winter and spring make kids listen to Little House on Prairie books. Hit Walnut Grove, MN (1/4 day) and De Smet, SD (1/2 day) on way west. Badlands National Park is cool but more of a drive through park with a few short hikes so half day there. Black Hills has lots of family stuff between Rapid City and Mt Rushmore and town of Custer including Bear Country, Reptile Gardens etc. Custer State Park is awesome and the Chuckwagon At Blue Bell Lodge is the best in the area and super unique as will see lots of animals and enjoy some live country music performers. Needles Highway is cool to drive through on way down to chuckwagon and take a few pics. Lots of places to do horse trail rides, hike or UTV in the Black Hills. Wind Cave is cool and accessible to kids (1/2day). Not sure if campers but many campgrounds in the area (Palmer Gulch KOA is great location and has UTV rentals and horse trail rides on site and is right by Mt Rushmore) if want to rent a basic cabin from them or even rent a camper and have it setup before you get there (via some newer service providers). Deadwood not worth it with kids at all.
Or could drive hard to get out to Cody, WH and then hit Yellowstone and spend 4 days there as it takes about 1 day to explore each of the 4 main areas. Exit south to Jackson Hole/Tetons and spend 1 day there but after Yellowstone, JH isn’t as impressive. Hit the game and then do a few of the Black Hills on way home before deciding to drive home.
They are neat if river levels are up. Very uninspiring with average or below water levels.
I would highly recommend visiting the Royal Gorge.
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