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Tag Archives: American bison

Summer’s End at Custer State Park: The Wildlife Drive

13 October 201817 September 2024

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Dark clouds appeared overhead as a storm began to roll in at Custer State Park. Uncertain if the weather would put a damper on my afternoon, I continued on with my plans to explore the Wildlife Drive.  Known for its amazing animal sightings, I was looking forward to seeing bison, burros or even a mountain goat.

Custer State Park is both a state park and wildlife reserve.  Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, it is named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer providing a home to many wild animals on its 71,000 acres.  The park is most known for its large Bison population of 1500, its prairie dog towns and burros.   Other animals residing in the park include elk, mule deer, white tailed deer, mountain goats, big horn sheep, pronghorn and mountain lions.

Here are some of the amazing sites I had the opportunity to see while exploring the Wildlife Drive at Custer State Park.

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Fisherman Ponds

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Views from the Lookout

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Groundhog

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American Bison

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Prairie Dog Town

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White-Tailed Deer

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Wild Burro

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Spectacular Landscape

Nearby attractions I was not able to visit included the Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park, but one day, I hope to make it here.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Custer State Park?  Did you drive the Wildlife Loop Road?  I would love to hear about your adventure if you kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading my post and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Custer State Park
13329 US Highway 16A
Custer, SD  57730
Telephone:  605 255 4515

Don’t miss the Wildlife Loop Drive for the opportunity to see the park’s wildlife up close in their natural habitat.

  • Admission Fee:   Weekly Park License:  $20 per vehicle, $10 per motorcycle, motorcoach license: $3 per person per visit.
  • Hours:  Open daily, 24 hours;  Visit the website for the hours of the Visitor’s Centers.
  • Amenities:  Hiking, biking, bird watching, camping, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, cross country skiing, horseback riding, rock climbing, swimming, scenic drives; buffalo auction and buffalo roundup
  • Scenic View:  The Wildlife Drive provides opportunities to see a wide variety of animals in their natural habitat.
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Drive slowly through the Wildlife Loop and be cautious of animals crossing the road.  Take the drive early in the morning in the late afternoon for best viewing opportunities.  Do not feed the animals and maintain a safe space between yourself and the animals.

Where to Stay:

Custer State Park Resort
The Blue Bell Lodge
Telephone for Reservations: 888 875 0001

While I spent the night at the Blue Bell Lodge, there are several other properties around the park to book as well.

Where to Eat:

Ruby House Restaurant
124 Winter Street
Keystone, SD 57751
Telephone: 605 666 4404

I wanted to visit a place with an Old West feel that served steak and I came to the right place! The Bourbon Ribeye was fantastic!

So many other options along Mt. Rushmore Road.

What to Eat: 

  • Buffalo:  A meat substitute for beef which is much healthier to eat.
  • Chokecherries are a Native American cherry that is made into jam, preserves, butter, wine, jelly and sauce.  Wojapi is a chokecherry sauce.
  • Dakota Martini is made of three-fourths beer and one-fourth tomato juice
  • Fleisch Kuchele is a meat pie originating from Germans who lived in Russia.  The dough is filled with meat and onions, then deep fried until the pastry is hot and flaky.
  • Hot Beef Commercial, also known as hot beef sandwich, beef combination, hot beef combo and hot beef combination.  This is a sandwich made of real mashed potatoes and chunks of seasoned roast beef sandwiched between two pieces of white bread and smothered with homemade gravy until it floods the plate.
  • Indian Fry Bread is the state bread of South Dakota, a recipe of the local Indians.
  • Indian Tacos are made with a specially spiced beef and beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, onion, black olives and house made picante sauce on the top.
  • Kolache is an amazing Czech dessert made from pastry and filled with fruit filling such as apple, cherry, lemon, apricot, prune and strawberry.
  • Kuchen is German for cake and in South Dakota, visitors can enjoy this pastry filled with custard and fruit.
  • Lefse is a flat potato bread coming from Norwegian-American origin and served with butter
  • Mocha Cakes, also known as Blarney stones, are square or rectangular blocks of light and airy white cake.  Frosted on all sides with vanilla buttercream, they are rolled in lightly salted crushed peanuts for ideal flavor and texture.
  • Pasties are savory hand pies.
  • Tiger Meat is South Dakota’s answer to steak tartare.
  • Wasna is a buffalo and berry dish passed down by the Lakota Indians.
  • Zebra Donuts are marbled chocolate and vanilla donuts that is fried, dunked in sweet glaze and hand-dipped in homemade chocolate frosting which feeds 15.

Photo Guide for Custer State Park, South Dakota: 

  • Use a telephoto lens for capturing animals far away in the distance.
  • Explore the Wildlife Drive for opportunities to see wildlife
  • Take a Jeep Safari tour to gain closer to access to the amazing wildlife in the park
  • Take your photos at dawn and dusk for excellent time to see wildlife.

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

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Yellowstone National Park: Mammoth Sights and Loyal Attractions

6 October 201817 September 2024

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As I continued to explore Yellowstone, I drove north of the park.  Departing the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the perimeter drive brought me to the areas of Canyon Village, Mount Washburn and Tower Fall where I finally reached Mammoth Hot Springs for the night.

It was early evening and the light penetrated through the trees leaving unwieldy shadows becoming visible within the clearing.  A large bull elk and his harem were feasting on lush grass within the square.  Soon, a crowd began to form taking selfies with the gang and the bull elk clearly became a little agitated.  It was at this time a park ranger pulled up to break up the crowd.  She explained that visitors should maintain a safe distance between themselves and the elk and if anyone could not adhere to these rules, they could face fines and jail time.  The crowd scattered and I decided to continue north towards the town of Gardiner in hopes of viewing more wildlife.

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Only five miles away from the North Entrance and the town of Gardiner, I decided at the last minute to drive through the entryway made famous by the dedication of President Theodore Roosevelt.   This land, set aside “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people”, became the first national park created for the county.

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The hot springs are one of the most popular attractions in Yellowstone National Park and laden with a variety of geological features.  A succession of boardwalks allows visitors access to the sulfuric smoke and bubbling pots, where fearless elk and local wildlife seemed oblivious to their beauty.

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Sunset was quickly approaching and I had one last stop on my itinerary for the day which was Geyser Country where I would be spending the night.  There was a somewhat of a delay while a wandering, rugged bison appeared on the roadside heading towards traffic. He definitely had the right of way as if he felt a safety in his passage, knowing he was of high regard and protected here.

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The lodge at Yellowstone was a grand sight with the vintage cars parked along its entryway.  The rustic exterior was the perfect setting for viewing Old Faithful and exploring the nearby geothermal attractions of Geyser Country.  I was most certain that it would have been a royal experience to stay at the lodge, but I was happy to have rented a cabin just around the corner.  It was the perfect size and space for my one night stay, so after checking in, I unloaded my car and made my way to the most iconic and loyal geyser within the park, Old Faithful.  A wonderful way to end my day.

What was your experience at Yellowstone National Park?  Did you hike, check out the attractions and admire the wildlife of the park?  I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my day in Yellowstone!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Telephone:  307 344 7381

  • Admission Fee:   Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry.  Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle:  $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20  which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc.    An annual Pass for Yellowstone National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Yellowstone National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase.  Check out their website for more information:  https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
  • Hours:  Open daily, 24 hours;  Refer to the Yellowstone National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
  • Amenities:  camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding and llama packing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
  • Scenic View:  Take in the view of Grand Prismatic Spring from the Overlook off of the Fairy Falls Trailhead.  For the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, you can see this beautiful waterfall from several locations offering different views of the falls:  Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point. Check out the stadium seating at Old Faithful for a front row seat of this geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes.  The park’s Twitter account, @GeyserNPS, the Geyser Activity Page on their website or the Geyser App lists the predicted times for Old Faithful.
  • Length of Visit:  Three days is recommended to see all of the attractions at Yellowstone.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate.   Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies.  When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park.  For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.

Where to Stay:

I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the lodges at Yellowstone.  I absolutely loved staying at the park and have Melba Coleman to thank for assisting me in my reservation.

Where to Eat:

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Yellowstone Park, WY  82190
Telephone:  307 344 7311

For a light lunch, I ordered the charcuterie plate which included meats, cheeses, olives, walnuts and whole grain crackers.  It was the perfect location to enjoy the park sitting by a large viewing window, mesmerized by the spectacular view.

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The Exit Sign as Leave the Park Towards Gardiner, Montana

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Cabin at Yellowstone National Park

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Inside my Cabin at Yellowstone National Park

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The somewhat dormant Old Faithful at Sunset

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First Wild Animal Sightings in The Badlands

25 August 201821 September 2024

1 The Road to the Badlands

Approaching the Badlands on Interstate 90, I began to notice the fascinating geological formations that makes up this unique region of the United States.  I realized soon that I would be reaching the highway exit to the entrance of Badlands National Park, one of the several national parks I would be visiting on my ten-day vacation.

2 Typical Badlands Photo

The exit to access the Badlands heading west on I-90 is Exit 131 (Interior) which leads to Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), one of the country’s most beautiful drives.  My plan was to purchase the annual National Park Pass which would allow me entrance to several of the national parks I had scheduled to visit on this trip.

Within minutes upon entering the Badlands National Park, I noticed the scenic trail providing 180 degree views of the Badland’s geology.  A fairyland of soaring spires and pinnacles, the landscape is layered in spectacular color as a result of years of water erosion and is best viewed from the White River Valley Overlook.  Running more than sixty miles in length, I had come across “The Badlands Wall”.  Dividing the upper and lower prairies, the wall is in a state of attrition, washing away into the White River Valley.  I followed this wall along The Loop Road making frequent stops along the route and taking in the magical scenery and enjoying its short hikes.

3 The Badlands and its vegetation

The temperature continued to drop, and with a mist in the air, the park gave off an eerie vibe.  The boardwalk to the first overlook had a thin layer of ice and I noticed tourists sliding along the wooden planks careful not to lose their balance.  I had expected more visitors at the park by mid-morning, but realized that the weather may have kept them away and although the weather was to reach a high of 70 degrees, there was a threat of thunderstorms ahead.  The Badlands are known for its unpredictable hailstorms and sudden rain during the summer.

Taking in the view, I imagined the region during prehistoric times when the area was submerged beneath an ancient sea.  Over time, the sea receded and the land would become inhabited by saber-tooth tigers and three-toed horses.  Today, its rolling, rounded hills look like the perfect backdrop for a Star Wars movie with its colorful hues and sparse vegetation.

4 Getting a Perspective

Looking out onto the horizon, I could hardly see the group of hikers relaxing on one of the Badlands’ formations.  The contrast between man and rock provided a new perspective of my surroundings where everything looked miniature. This view brought about a realization of just how small I was against this vast, amazing landscape.

I had planned on spending at least three hours touring the park and hiking some of the trails.  I estimated that it would take about an hour to drive the loop road while most of the hikes were no longer than a mile, ranging from easy to moderate in level of difficulty.

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As a result of years of erosion from wind and rain, the Badlands contain a large number of spires, hoodoos, canyons, bluffs and other interesting formations.  Once inhabited by the Lakota Indian tribes, it was the French Traders who gave this area its name,  “mauvaises terres”, which translates to “Bad Lands”.

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Scientists have found fossils of prehistoric mammals throughout the park, many of which were displayed on the Fossil Exhibit Trail.  Several other trails lead into the interior for an up close exploration of the Badlands ecology and ecosystems.   My favorite trails included the Door Trail, a .75 mile boardwalk path leading to a break in the Badlands Wall and the Window Trail departing from the same trailhead passing a natural window in the Badlands Wall opening up for a view of the canyon.

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I enjoyed the short jaunts and continued my drive on Dillon Pass where I noticed several cars pulled over to the side of the road.  I was so surprised to notice a bighorn sheep resting a short distance from where we had parked and it was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen.  Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is exhilarating, but I knew I had to keep my distance.

Bighorn sheep are not the only animals that make the Badlands their home.  According to the National Park Service, there are coyotes, porcupine, bobcat, black-tailed prairie dog communities, herds of American bison, pack of red wolves, prairie rattlesnakes, mule deer, black-billed magpies, swift fox and black footed ferrets.

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I found it difficult to break away from the bighorn sheep, but the Yellow Mounds Overlook was just around the bend where I would be able to see the spectacular striations of colors on the Badlands formations.  From blue coal to red scoria, my favorite colors among the stria were pink and gold.

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Located off of Sage Creek Rim Road, I looked forward to visiting Roberts Prairie Dog Town.  I immediately fell in love with the active prairie dogs and their cute little mannerisms.  They were energetic, hopping in and out of their dens, mounds of dirt with entrances on the top.  Kicking up dust while digging holes, these little critters would pause only for a moment to let out a little chirp to warn of danger.  Posted signs warn humans that these seemingly docile little animals carry disease and touching them is prohibited.

It was an exciting visit to Badlands National Park and I was most excited about seeing all of the wildlife and ecological formations. Geologists predict that, in a half a million years, the Badlands will be gone.  I was so glad to have the opportunity to explore this spectacular park and overjoyed with the animal encounters.

For more information about the park, visit the Badlands National Park website and stop by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to browse the displays.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Badlands National Park?  Did you hike or see any of the wildlife that live here?  I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading my post about my day at Badlands National Park and wishing you many and Happy Travels!

Badlands National Park is located in the state of South Dakota.  Entering the Badlands from the East, I was able to program the following address into my GPS:  21020 SD Highway 240, Interior, South Dakota 57750.  For more information about the park, visit the National Park Service website at www.nps.gov and search for the Badlands National Park.

What to See and What to Do: 

Badlands National Park
25216 Ben Reifel Road
Interior, SD  57750
Telephone:  605 433 5361

  • Admission Fee: All fees are valid for 7 days which includes a $20 fee for private vehicle, $10 for motorcycle, and $10 per person for individuals hiking, biking, etc.
  • Hours:  Open daily, 24 hours; The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 8AM – 4PM during winter hours; open from 8AM – 5PM April & May; open from 7AM to 7PM during the summer hours and open 8AM – 5PM early September to late October. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
  • Amenities:  visitor center, scenic drive, ranger programs, guided hikes, exhibits, campground, scheduled tours, audio guides are provided in 10 languages, special exhibitions, restaurant, cafes, shops
  •  Scenic View:  The incredible geological formations throughout the park are incredibly scenic along the 38-mile Badlands Loop Road (Hwy 240) as well as the wildlife.  For a panoramic view of the White River Valley, hike the mile and a half Notch Trail.  Climb the log ladder up a cliff which leads to the top of a butte.  A notch in the canyon allows photographers the opportunity to capture the perfect photo.  Stick around for sunrise or sunset to photograph the beauty of the Badlands’ strata of color.  Other trails include the Fossil Exhibit Trail and the two-day Sage Creek Trail.
  • Length of Visit:  At least 2 hours but up to 2 days to explore the whole park.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The best time to visit the park is during the spring and fall months when the number of visitors is much lower than summer.   The South Unit’s White River Visitor Center is only open during the summer months, so check its hours of operation at the Ben Reifel Visitor’s Center.  Wear comfortable shoes for hiking and be on the lookout for rattlesnakes.  The restrooms are scattered, so use them when you can.  Stay on the trails and be careful when walking out into the formations.  Trails can be slippery after rain or snow, so proceed with caution along some of the park’s sheer cliffs.

Where to Stay:

Days Inn, Sioux Falls Airport
5001 North Cliff Avenue & 1-90, Exit 399
Sioux Falls, SD  57104
Phone:  605 331 5959
Rate:  66.56 (AAA rate) + tax = 76.88  (includes $2 lodging tax)

Hotel Rating:

The hotel is acceptable for a short stay.  Although the rooms are very dated and the furniture is stained, the rooms are clean.  Smelled like cigarette smoke, but the air conditioning worked great.  It is close to Falls Park and various fast food and dining in restaurants.   Did not stay late enough for breakfast.

Badlands Inn, located at the park near the Ben Reifel Visitor’s Center, is the perfect front row seat for Badlands sunrises and sunsets.

Where to Eat:

Red Rock
506 Glenn Street
Wall, SD  57790
Telephone:  605 279 2388

A steakhouse with specialties such as Buffalo Steak, Prime Rib and Walleye Dinner.  A little on the pricey side, but there are several options.

Badlands Saloon & Grille
509 Main Street
Wall, SD  57790
Telephone:  605 279 2210

I hear the steak with whiskey glaze is worth a try and the Angus burgers come highly recommended.

What to Eat: 

  • Buffalo:  A meat substitute for beef which is much healthier to eat.
  • Chokecherries are a Native American cherry that is made into jam, preserves, butter, wine, jelly and sauce.  Wojapi is a chokecherry sauce.
  • Dakota Martini is made of three-fourths beer and one-fourth tomato juice
  • Fleisch Kuchele is a meat pie originating from Germans who lived in Russia.  The dough is filled with meat and onions, then deep fried until the pastry is hot and flaky.
  • Hot Beef Commercial, also known as hot beef sandwich, beef combination, hot beef combo and hot beef combination.  This is a sandwich made of real mashed potatoes and chunks of seasoned roast beef sandwiched between two pieces of white bread and smothered with homemade gravy until it floods the plate.
  • Indian Fry Bread is the state bread of South Dakota, a recipe of the local Indians.
  • Indian Tacos are made with a specially spiced beef and beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, onion, black olives and house made picante sauce on the top.
  • Kolache is an amazing Czech dessert made from pastry and filled with fruit filling such as apple, cherry, lemon, apricot, prune and strawberry.
  • Kuchen is German for cake and in South Dakota, visitors can enjoy this pastry filled with custard and fruit.
  • Lefse is a flat potato bread coming from Norwegian-American origin and served with butter
  • Mocha Cakes, also known as Blarney stones, are square or rectangular blocks of light and airy white cake.  Frosted on all sides with vanilla buttercream, they are rolled in lightly salted crushed peanuts for ideal flavor and texture.
  • Pasties are savory hand pies.
  • Tiger Meat is South Dakota’s answer to steak tartare.
  • Wasna is a buffalo and berry dish passed down by the Lakota Indians.
  • Zebra Donuts are marbled chocolate and vanilla donuts that is fried, dunked in sweet glaze and hand-dipped in homemade chocolate frosting which feeds 15.

What to Read: 

  • Death Where the Bad Rocks Live, by C.M. Wendelboe
  • Badlands, by C.J. Box

Photo Guide for the Badlands: 

  • Photograph the sunrise at Badlands Overlook
  • Hike the short trails for beautiful views
    • Badlands Wall on the Door Trail
    • Notch Trail:  climb the ladder for outstanding views
    • Natural window on the Window Trail
  • White River Valley Overlook
  • Panorama Point for the sunrise
  • Yellow Mounds Overlook for phenomenal colors

Stay tuned as I explore Mount Rushmore, Custer’s Wildlife Loop Road and the Peter Norbeck Scenic Highway!

Entrance to Badlands

Entering Badlands National Park

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I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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