What to Bring
Whatever time of year you plan to travel to the Black Hills/Badlands area of South Dakota, you will be treated to wonderful adventures, scenic wonders, and man made attractions. Everyone headed this direction makes a point of seeing Mount Rushmore and the continuing work on the Crazy Horse Monument. In addition, the area has thirty campgrounds, eleven reservoirs, thirty-two picnic areas, 1,300 miles of streams, 2 scenic byways, and 13,000 acres of wilderness and at least 353 miles of trails. The biggest issue will be deciding what to bring.
No one wants to spend their entire vacation, packing and unpacking their suitcase. The tendency is to take far more clothes and gear than you will ever need. Therefore, when planning your vacation in the Black Hills/Badlands area, the first step is to determine your preference of activities. Obviously, different clothing is needed for each season of the year and the type of clothing also differs depending on the activity.
To really experience much of the area, it is a good idea to plan on doing some hiking – for the summer – and cross country skiing – for the winter. In the summer, the most important items will include sturdy/comfy hiking boots or shoes, insect repellent, sufficient water and snacks, sunscreen, rain gear, sunglasses and a hat. In the winter, warm boots, gloves, a hat and a coat should be brought along.
If you are planning on a particular activity such as horseback riding or river rafting, check with the local guides and outfitters to determine what you should bring. Most of the gear for these types of adventures is supplied by the outfitters, but they can recommend what type of clothing to bring.
If you are traveling with a crowd and have limited space – one good rule of thumb regarding clothes is "one to wash, one to wear and a spare".
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