Rapid City and Custer State Park (Days 31-32)

Hart Ranch

We arrived at Hart Ranch and were assigned space 33.  As soon as we were plugged in and set up, Ben took off on his bicycle to meet some new friends.  He spent the afternoon and evening riding on the BMX bike trail, playing foosball and air hockey at the recreation center and swimming at the pool.  Tom and I walked and rode our bicycles around Hart Ranch before and after dinner.  In the evening Tom and I sat in the jacuzzi while Ben swam.

Custer State Park

Sunday morning we drove to Custer State Park hopping to see bison, donkeys and prairie dogs along the roads within the park (which we didn’t see). We did, however, see a few deer.  We drove The Wildlife Loop with no wildlife sightings other than a few deer and some birds.

We then drove the Needles Highway within the park which had three narrow tunnels that we drove through.  We stopped at several places to hike on the rocks.

Iron Creek Tunnel

Needles Eye Tunnel

We topped at Sylvan Lake where we ate lunch.  Tom walked the trail halfway around the lake while Ben and I kayaked on the lake.