/out/ - Outdoors » Thread #484981

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Anonymous Tue 24 Mar 2015 22:55:21 No.484981 View View Reply Original Report

Quoted By: >>485017 >>485030 >>485046 >>485084 >>485701

I'll summarize in green text for accessibility

>Second road trip ever
>Bringing one other person
>Driving from Chicago to South Dakota Badlands & Black hills
>Planning on hiking for 3 days, and then driving back
>No camping equipment
>Driving toyota corolla

What is the cheapest way to do this trip? I was planning on getting a hotel for the first night, and then sleeping in the back of my car for the rest of the time.

Has anyone slept in the back of their car for long periods of time on a road trip? Did you get any sleep?

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 24 Mar 2015 23:05:43 No.484983 Report

Quoted By: >>485008 >>485015

generally it's against the rules to sleep in your car in a national park unless you're in a proper campsite. and yes it's enforced, and it's ~$150 if you get popped. so not the most cost effective...

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 24 Mar 2015 23:53:36 No.485008 Report

Quoted By:

>>484983
What? Why would it be illegal to rent a campsite and then sleep in your car? That's is odd, I'll call ahead and check though.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 00:14:29 No.485015 Report

Quoted By:

>>484983
>against the rules to sleep in your car in a national park unless you're in a proper campsite.
>>unless you're in a proper campsite

re-read that post

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 00:15:35 No.485017 Report

Quoted By: >>485018

>>484981

perfectly doable OP. go for it and report back wit pics and stories

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 00:17:32 No.485018 Report

Quoted By: >>485025 >>485037 >>485044 >>485097

>>485017
Do you think it's possible to spend less than $120, if split between two people?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 00:36:17 No.485025 Report

Quoted By: >>485026

>>485018

$120 for a total budget? idk you could probly spend that much in fuel expenses.

and one nite in a hotel is got to be around $75.

If i was planning this trip i would overbudget it.
for the hell of it and for buffer money I would plan on being able to spend half of my nites on the road in a hotel room.
I also budget food as if I *may*eat at restaurants for every meal.Not that I would, but I want to have the funds for it.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 00:37:49 No.485026 Report

Quoted By:

>>485025
P.S.

I guess im not very good at stretching money in a budget for something like this.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 00:52:11 No.485030 Report

Quoted By: >>485051

>>484981
I've slept in my truck on a cross country road trip (and during a short , umm, housing crisis).

I do have a crew cab so probably a little more spacious than a Corolla but I just slept crossways in the back seat (all my possessions were in the bed). If you have two people and have to recline the front seats, yeah, thats gonna suck. I just can't get comfortable like that and have horrible sleep. Even though I couldn't stretch out completely in the back seat, I think its way more comfortable than a reclined front seat.

As far as where, I just slept at truck stops and rest areas - never got hassled by the police. I saw a ton of people doing that actually. If you do get hassled, just tell them you were too tired to continue driving. There's not much they can say to that.

Just make sure you can find a shower sometime. Sleeping in a vehicle can get mighty humid and leave you pretty nasty.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 00:59:30 No.485037 Report

Quoted By: >>485051 >>485052

>>485018
840 miles each way at 30 mpg = 56 gallons of gas x $2.50/gallon = $140.

And that's assuming all you do is drive direct Chicago-Badlands-Chicago with no tooling around once you're there.

add another ~$45 for 3 nights camping.

you can probably get by on <$20/person food for the whole trip, if you're frugal.

but you'll still be over $200, best case scenario.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 01:07:13 No.485044 Report

Quoted By: >>485051

>>485018
No way. Custer is 1000 miles from Chicago. You will spend close to that in gas alone if you do some exploring via vehicle once you get there.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 01:08:51 No.485046 Report

Quoted By: >>485055

>>484981
Are you sure 2 people could even lay down in that car?

You could buy a cheap tarp at walmart, learn how to pitch it as a shelter, and have one person just sleep under it with blankets and a ground sheet. Its probably not going to rain while your there anyways. Im not sure if theres any poisonous things to look out for in that area, though

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 01:14:19 No.485051 Report

Quoted By: >>485056 >>485163

>>485044
>>485037
I was thinking if we divided all expenses by two, since there's two of us.

So if we spend $20 on canned food at the grocery store, spend $18 per night at a campsite, I figure that will come out to around $120 each including gas. Maybe $135 each for random expenses.

>>485030
>slept crossways in the back seat (all my possessions were in the bed). If you have two people and have to recline the front seats, yeah, thats gonna suck. I just can't get comfortable like that and have horrible sleep. Even though I couldn't stretch out completely in the back seat, I think its way more comfortable than a reclined front seat.
>As far as where, I just slept at truck stops and rest areas - never got hassled by the police. I saw a ton of people doing that actually. If you do get hassled, just tell them you were too tired to continue driving. There's not much they can say to that.

>>485030
In my corolla, I would lower the rear seats and put my head against the back of the front seat, and my legs would stretch into the trunk.

How does that sound?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 01:16:24 No.485052 Report

Quoted By:

>>485037

this sounds about right OP. and about as tight as you can get for a budget. But since I want more than $20 for food. I would take this dollar amount of $200 and double it. then throw in an extra $100 for an extra cushion.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 01:17:37 No.485055 Report

Quoted By:

>>485046

its still pretty cold at nite in the dakotas right now.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 01:19:38 No.485056 Report

Quoted By: >>485063

>>485051
ah, i was thinking $120 total. each could do it, if you're careful.

but you're trying to do this in a sedan? gonna suck big time. i was assuming t was a wagon.

fuck sleeping in the front seats, you'll be better off getting a couple yoga mats (each) from a thrift store and using them as sleeping pads outside.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 01:27:52 No.485063 Report

Quoted By: >>485069 >>485603

>>485056
Okay, that makes sense.

One more thing, My mother is FREAKING OUT about hiking in the Black Hills and the Badlands, because she believes that mountain lions are eating people, constantly.

She used to live in the mountains of Colorado, and says that there are mountain lions everywhere, and they're extremely aggressive.

I don't have access to any of my guns. All I have is a knife. Does anyone know if mountain lions are a serious problem in the Dakotas? Or in mountain hiking in general?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 01:39:46 No.485069 Report

Quoted By: >>485070

>>485063
google says you're mom's an idiot

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 01:43:28 No.485070 Report

Quoted By:

>>485069
>you're
>mom's an idiot

Anyone else?

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 01:51:57 No.485075 Report

Quoted By: >>485083

I've slept IN the Badlands at night IN my car multiple times. Never was talked to ever.

I've also never seen a Mountain Lion and I've hiked roughly 25% of the park multiple times through 10 years. Deer yes, Bison yes, Goats yes, Prairie dogs yes, Rattle Snakes yes, Cougars no...

There are Bears and Cougars in the black hills, I've found Cougar prints in custer state park a couple of times.

If you have any general questions about that area ask. I've lived there for a good 10 years and moving back again soon because I missed it a lot.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 02:00:58 No.485083 Report

Quoted By: >>485109 >>485113

>>485075
Great!

What are the best trails at the Badlands? I saw that there are like 6 different trails, but they're all only around 1-4 miles long.

The Black Hills are huge, which one should I choose?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 02:01:34 No.485084 Report

Quoted By:

>>484981
Cheapest way to do this
> Travel during the non-touristy seasons, priced are inflated like crazy starting end of May - August.

Driving from Chicago to Wall South Dakota
> Thats a good 12+ hour drive. It takes me 8 hours from MN/WI border traveling on I-90 and not stopping other than for 2 piss breaks and one small fast food break. My recommendation. Leave at 7pm at night from Chicago. Arrive at 7am for the Badlands early morning sunset (Its gorgeous)

Hiking 3 days then driving back
> 1 day will be used driving to and back.... You're going to spend 1 day Hiking the Badlands which are DRY/HOT as FUCK with no equipment?

>1 Day hiking the black hills is not enough time to see anything. Custer state park has some of the best hiking around and I literally spend 4 days in the park when I go. You'll be pushing yourself to see everything and you won't enjoy it.

No camping equipment.

> Do yourself a favor and get camping equipment. A tent site averaged around $27-35 during tourist season. Motels/Hotels $80-120.

>The KOA campground just south of Interior in the Badlands is my favorite campground in the world. Cheap, scenic and they have a wonderful all you can eat chuck wagon pancake breakfast.

>Motels in Custer SD, are cheaper than all the other tourist trap cities, but not by much.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 02:12:24 No.485097 Report

Quoted By:

>>485018

$120....
>LOLOLOLOLOL..... no

>Gas will be Around $200 total with all the driving in the black hills included.

>To get into national and state parks, they also have a fee.

>You need to have money in case you have auto problems. TRUST ME, the I-90 stretch from Rochester MN - Wall SD is boring as fuck and the interstate is in fairly poor condition. If you were to have mechanical issues anywhere along this stretch, the tow truck is going to be pricey, the repair is pricey, the parts are pricey. Because the shops are all in bum fuck no where and it costs a lot to stock parts etc.

> Lodging / Camping. As I said in other post, during touristy season, everything is inflated. You'll be looking at $18-$50 per person for a camp site / dive motel.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 02:17:32 No.485109 Report

Quoted By:

>>485083
Castle trail is the best trail. Most scenic and longest, you can stop mid way through at Saddle pass or Medicine root trail.

I recommend Castle though if you walk it in full. Start at one end and walk to the other and back. Restrooms and water on each end.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 02:25:27 No.485113 Report

Quoted By: >>485155

>>485083
http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/trails/hiking-biking.aspx

Heres a good idea for trails.

Note that Cathedral Park is red. That one is breathtaking though. The Prairie trail is fucking awesome for nature. Scary as fuck though if you come across a Bison or a heard.

(Pic is from when I was sleeping in my vehicle in the Badlands btw)

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 02:46:14 No.485129 Report

Quoted By: >>485165

After reading all of this about the black hills, I'm wondering if the badlands are even worth going to? Are the badlands worth it if I could be at Custer state park instead?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 03:11:36 No.485155 Report

Quoted By: >>485167

>>485113
>Grizzly Bear Creek Trail
Is it unwise to go off trail in black hills? Are rattle snakes out in April?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 03:21:36 No.485163 Report

Quoted By: >>485201

>>485051
>In my corolla, I would lower the rear seats and put my head against the back of the front seat, and my legs would stretch into the trunk.
That might work depending on how much tall you are and how much space you have. But that also doesn't leave much room for your gear.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 03:23:34 No.485165 Report

Quoted By: >>485169

>>485129
Badlands are better driven through if you don't have a lot of time tbh. They're fun to get out and explore for a few hours, but if you want to see them in their grand scale, its better to go on the reservation thats not part of the national park. Those trails are longer, but more dangerous, yet also more beautiful.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 03:26:27 No.485167 Report

Quoted By:

>>485155
They're out, but where its warmer up in the hills. I never had an issue with them tbh.

> staying on trails is recommended, but don't let the Grizzly Bear name of that trail scare you, there hasn't been a grizzly sighting in the Dakotas for YEARS. There are tons of black bears though.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 03:27:54 No.485169 Report

Quoted By: >>485180 >>485607

>>485165
>but if you want to see them in their grand scale, its better to go on the reservation thats not part of the national park. Those trails are longer, but more dangerous, yet also more beautiful.
Where is the reservation? Does it have a name?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 03:50:15 No.485180 Report

Quoted By: >>485607

>>485169
Pine Ridge Reservation. Its just south of the national park. Its one of the poorest reservations in America.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 04:33:15 No.485201 Report

Quoted By: >>485352

>>485163
I'm only bringing clothes, a backpack full of water and food, and a knife/baseball bat.... Is this under-prepared for some day-hikes?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 25 Mar 2015 14:09:32 No.485352 Report

Quoted By:

>>485201
Bring at least a Tarp, Paracord, first aid kit. Incase of emergency shelter or medical emergency. You also need some way to start a fire for warmth. Badlands get cold at night.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 00:40:27 No.485603 Report

Quoted By: >>485661

>>485063
Hey, I'm out in Rapid City SD. I spend quite a bit of time out in the hills. Mountain Lions are pretty much a non issue. I've seem mountain goats, big horn sheep, and all sorts of deer. No traces of lions. You'll be fine. It's still cold AF out here at night and we expect at least one more snow storm before summer is here.

In your budget, don't forget entry fees at the Badlands and Custer. Black hills is open though. Check out Spearfish Canyon and Harney Peak, great areas.

When are you coming through?

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 00:44:45 No.485607 Report

Quoted By:

>>485169
>>485180
Pine Ridge ain't no joke though. The people on there are fond of the white man. It's the wild fucking west out there. Self ruled and self contained, they are known to take potshots at white folk and shit. If you go that route, be careful, it's injun territory.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 02:04:44 No.485661 Report

Quoted By: >>485673

>>485603
I'll be out there soon. So Spearfish and Harney are the best places in the Black Hills?

Anonymous

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Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 02:29:02 No.485673 Report

Quoted By: >>485679

>>485661
I can't say the best, but they are up there. Harney Peak is about 7200 feet and the highest point I'm the area, it's also near the Needles Hwy. I don't know if it's open up yet, but if it is when you get hear, check it out.

Spearfish has a whole lot of areas to hike around as well. It offers a lot of day hikes and some of the most scenic views of the area.

If feel obligated to say that you shouldn't free roam out here. People underestimate the vast region and the unforgiving terrain. There are so many established trails that you're better off sticking to. I don't want to hear about some anon from Chicago going missing out here.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 02:38:48 No.485679 Report

Quoted By: >>485695

>>485673
Former SoDak fag here. It seems like when I was growing up there were always two stories that happened pretty regularly.

1. Dumb out-of-towner gets gored by a bison because he tried to pet it.

2. Dumb out-of-towner gets lost in the Badlands without enough water.

Anyway, yeah, the Black Hills are gorgeous, but don't underestimate them because they're not a "big" range like the rockies or cascades.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 03:13:10 No.485695 Report

Quoted By: >>485697 >>485699

>>485679
Yeah, this area will eat you up if you're unprepared. It's amazing how rugged it can be out there and you don't even know until your here and in the thick of it. Im still amazed every time I explore a new area, just how great this area is.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 03:15:44 No.485697 Report

Quoted By: >>485701

>>485695

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 03:18:30 No.485699 Report

Quoted By: >>485703

>>485695
And it's so dry.

I live out in Seattle now, so I'm spoiled by all the fresh water in the cascades and olympics.

Of course it doesn't help that I'm an old fag and when I was hiking out there, you couldn't trust a lot of the water sources because of mining run-off.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 03:22:34 No.485701 Report

Quoted By: >>485731

>>485697
>>484981
Also, forgot to mention, the weather out here changes frequently. I mean, blue bird skies one minute, and next thing you know it'll start pouring on you. At this time of year, prepare for all weather ranging from snow one day and 70+ the next.

In addition to all of that, the wind rips through here like nothing. So when your your camp, secure your junk so it's not blown away.

Best of luck. I'll check back often while the thread exists for any questions you have.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 03:24:38 No.485703 Report

Quoted By:

>>485699
Yeah, we're already in extremely high fire danger out here. Still some snow runoff in some areas, but nothing I'd willingly drink from.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 04:56:36 No.485731 Report

Quoted By: >>485864

>>485701
Okay, thanks for the advice. I'm just doing day-hikes at all these locations. I'm planning on just putting 4 water bottles in my backpack for each hike. I read that each trail is mostly 1-4 miles long, 7 miles at the longest.

That's enough water for something like that, right?

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 26 Mar 2015 13:46:32 No.485864 Report

Quoted By:

>>485731
Should be fine. When I did harney two weekends ago, my wife and I used 2L plus a normal 16oz water bottle. It was in the 70s at the time. But 4 bottles should be good. Even if you run out, unless you're completely lost, you can make it back to the trail head.

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