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Park Review: Lake Thompson State Recreation Area
Time to pack up and head to site number three, the Lake Thompson State Recreation Area in De Smet, South Dakota. This park is on Lake Thompson, a few miles south of Highway 14 in east central South Dakota. Although being a lake in the middle of the country, Lake Thompson has regularly crashing waves and a breeze that will make you think you were near the ocean.
Grounds: Lake Thompson is one of the parks that is a bit off the beaten track, as a paved yet narrow farm road as part of the midwest's famous "grid" is needed to access this place. De Smet isn't too far away if you need to resupply, but don't expect too many largely known brands in this small town. The park is well signed from the highway, as well as within the grounds itself.
Sites: This park boasts 103 campsites, five cabins, and a group lodge within a single campground. As with the other state parks, there is a 14-day limit, back-in sites, and only electric at the site, with a single dump station near the campground entrance and several water spigots throughout the campground and at the dump station. Each site was fine-to-medium gravel and fairly level, although we had to re-hook and adjust our spot due to the winds coming off the lake seeming like they would topple our rig. The 30-amp breaker had its polarity reversed, requiring us to use an electricity alternative.
Staff: The host and maintenance crew were seen now and again, and generally attentive. When we reported the electricity issue to the hosts, they chose a late hour to contact us despite stating in the note to wait until we were gone to fix the plug.
Amenities: Unlike many of the other state parks, Lake Thompson doesn't have as much to offer. There is a swim beach, although the lake is filled with algae to give it a greenish tint, so we had to suffice with long walks while trying to avoid dead fish. There are also walking/biking trails and a few sports court options. Bathhouses and vault toilets were readily available, although the maintenance crew left a sprinkler on in front of the door, leading you to get a shower before and after taking a shower.
Atmosphere: This park had a very friendly vibe, so much to where it was very pleasant to walk the dog around the grounds, or just take a leisurely stroll yourself. The park is relatively family-friendly with kids riding their bikes throughout the area. It's a laid back place where you truly can enjoy yourself.
Overall, Lake Thompson State Recreation Area receives an 8 out of a possible 10 rating. The added entrance fee without annual pass is a usual sticking point. You'd usually expect this to be included as part of the site fees, but given the annual pass and its relatively good deal, it's understandable that the charges are separate, though a bit of "fine print". If there were a couple more amenities or a better kept beach, this would be perfect. We would certainly be willing to return, although we would try to find a site that wasn't on a hill and a little further from the water to protect against the high winds.
WRITTEN Oct 02, 2022 at 11:00 AM
TAGS: park review, trip 10, south dakota
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Park Review: Oahe Downstream State Recreation Area
The second of the several state parks visited as a part of trip 10 was the Oahe Downstream State Recreation Area in Fort Pierre, South Dakota. The park is located on the Missouri River just off Oahe Dam, built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1948 to provide hydroelectric power to the area, while completely blocking off the river into two parts without any sort of canal to access the north, and the greenery of the hill makes the water run underground, avoiding the eye-sore of a concrete walled dam. Visitors can use a state highway to traverse the top of the dam and see the northern Missouri.
Grounds: Oahe Downstream is located just a few miles from the state capital of Pierre, and its sister city Fort Pierre. The easiest access is from the Fort Pierre side on Highway 1806 North. Signage from US 14 will mention "Oahe Dam", but the campground is in the same area. Time is quite a debate, as from Fort Pierre all the way north to the next state, the river serves as the border between the Central and Mountain time zones. One of the park's three campgrounds is in Mountain on the west bank, with the other two campgrounds, camp office, and amenities being in Central on a peninsula. Once you get to the park, the areas are easily accessed and well signed, with self-pay stations to handle entrance fees.
Sites: The three campgrounds boast 205 campsites and a dozen cabins. As with the other state parks, there is a 14-day limit, back-in sites, and only electric at the site, with a single dump station near the highway and several water spigots throughout the campground and at the dump station. The rig parking was on pavement and fairly level, although there was a bit of a drop-off to the spacious grass area with the picnic table and fire pit.
Staff: The staff, although there was a rig and golf cart in the campground host area, was effectively non-existent. This seemed to play a large role in an "anything goes" experience that existed around us. Once in a while, a maintenance staffer was seen to clean a restroom or do lawn care, but the park needed more conscientious attention to what was happening, and if it's going to have regulations, the hosts need to at least attempt to enforce them.
Amenities: Bathhouses are available at Oahe Downstream with showers, however there are curtains at the stalls instead of doors, having to go through one stall to get to another. A swim beach exists with waist-high water all the way to the safety buoys. The park also has a marina and disc golf course, and the nearby dam is a good place to visit and go fishing.
Atmosphere: If you're looking to relax and have a quaint, laid back experience, you will be sorely disappointed. The park was filled with large snooty groups, sometimes numbering almost 20 at a single site, nearly blocking the streets with the overflow of vehicles. Many dogs were let loose without leashes despite park policy, leading to our dog being attacked during his walk. The campers were not the best of character, either, as toiletries were stolen from us during a shower due to the lackluster stall setup, later found to be used and tossed by the same grifter that couldn't be bothered to bring their own. Although this was during a weekend where higher occupancy is expected, the campers and guests had little to no respect for their surroundings, especially with a non-existent staff allowing it to happen.
Overall, Oahe Downstream State Recreation Area receives a 4 out of 10 rating. Apart from the issues we had at the campground, as well as the added entrance fee charge without an annual pass, the flushing hose at the dump station didn't work well. The only saving grace for this park from being a complete disaster was the disc golf course. Needless to say, if our Internal Compass brings us to this area again, another park will need to be found, as we will not return to Oahe without significant changes.
WRITTEN Sep 18, 2022 at 11:24 AM
TAGS: park review, trip 10, south dakota
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Disc Golf Match: Powerhouse Alley
It's a wonderful day back at the park, as we are ready to take to our next disc golf course!
Welcome to Powerhouse Alley, located at Oahe Downstream State Recreation Area just outside Fort Pierre, South Dakota. As with most of the state parks, there is an entrance fee required, whether by a one-day or annual pass. This is an easier course that is good for beginners, but the par number of throws is designed for the player with the strong arm. The course is designed for the player to be able to play the front or back 9 and easily head out for something else, or to play all 18 holes at once. The course is well marked with different tees to suit your difficulty rating, as well as an online map to help guide your way. Be careful of traffic driving around while you play.
We spent a morning playing the front 9. This time, we had the pup with us, and his disc of choice was from our "Can Slam" set that he chased while we played with our starter pack, and not once did he try to pick up our discs. Once again, the handicap was in play, and with such a long course, it made things relatively even. The score ended up as such:
Front 9: His holes: 2 Halved: 7 Her holes: 0
Course Record: Him 1 - 1 Her Holes Record: Him 3 - 3 Her
It was a fairly even game without too much break in number of throws, and only a couple times were the discs "brought out" from the rough with even throw penalty so nothing was lost. On the seventh "green", she was nearly able to pull within one after some difficulty with which goal was to be used, but a successful long putt attempt by him was able to halve the hole. A double-or-nothing was offered on the ninth hole to even up the game, but with it being halved, no change was made. Everything is all even-steven, so who will break the deadlock?
Back 9: His holes: 0 Halved: 7 Her holes: 2
Course Record: Him 1 - 2 Her Holes Record: Him 3 - 5 Her
The next morning was a great day for her on the somewhat more challenging back 9, with plenty more hazards. He tried to hold on as best he could, including long putts to halve holes, but in the end it wasn't enough, as she took the final two targets to seal the win and even up the course as a whole. She remains in the lead overall, with a two hole edge.
Be sure to stay tuned for the next time we Follow our Internal Compass to another disc golf course, and see what happens.
WRITTEN Sep 04, 2022 at 11:38 AM
TAGS: trip 10, south dakota, disc golf
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Eatery Review: Bokujo
Looking for a bowl of ramen? Have we the place for you!
Nestled within Downtown Rapid City, South Dakota is Bokujo Ramen. Bokujo is owned by celebrity chef and Food Network star Justin Warner, along with his lady Brooke Sweeten, and has been open since March of 2021. Bokujo offers a number of ramen choices made to order, along with an assortment of other Asian offerings, using locally sourced ingredients during their brunch and dinner serving times Tuesday through Saturday. Patrons are able to dine in, as well as place a "to-go" order online or in person, with an event room for large gatherings and karaoke.
Our visit took place at the tail end of a weekday brunch service, with her making a quick to-go order while he was circling the downtown area for parking options. The atmosphere was Japanese inspired with shirts and other memorabilia adorning the walls. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the menu offerings are friendly towards those with peanut and shellfish allergies, as confirmed by the staff. The chef recommended a good choice based on our likes, and was happy to customize based on the same. Along with a few Oko buns, a Chilled Bison Shoyu and Bacon Mazemen were an excellent choice. The restaurant includes assembly instructions with each of their to-go orders to keep the integrity of the ingredients while ensuring best experience.
Overall, Bokujo has some of the best tasting food we have had thus far. The menu is a little pricey as is expected with most celebrity chef restaurants, but is well worth the cost at this location. Portions were of a sizable amount that you would expect for the price, even without the name notoriety. Although celebrity restaurants are usually reserved for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and one which should definitely be experienced, Bokujo makes for a great location for a business lunch or dinner. The owners have also opened a second place around the corner, BB's Natural Wine Bar.
So next time your Internal Compass takes you to Rapid City, be sure to check out Bokujo for a great food experience.
WRITTEN Aug 21, 2022 at 11:20 AM
TAGS: trip 10, south dakota, food
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Park Review: Angostura State Recreation Area
Trip ten saw several parks visited within the same trip. The first of these was Angostura State Recreation Area outside of Hot Springs, South Dakota. This state park is located on Angostura Lake in the southwestern part of the state just off US Routes 18 and 385.
Grounds: If you're looking for a way to access some of Western South Dakota's famous landmarks, such as Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, or Badlands National Park, Angostura is a bit off the beaten track. In addition to the winding and hilly county road to merely get to the park entrance, unless you're looking to stay at the lake, you're looking at an hour-long drive each way to other destinations. That being said, Angostura is a beautiful lake with lovely beaches, making it not too bad of a destination in and of itself.
Sites: Angostura sports 169 sites and 12 cabins across four camping areas. There is a 14-day limit to stay, after which patrons must vacate for more than 24 hours. All RV sites are back-in only at about a 45-degree angle, with or without electricity of all standard amperage levels, along with two park-wide dump stations and a couple community potable water spigots at the dump station and in each camping area. Each pad with electricity is medium-to-fine gravel, with the non-electric being grass. A level spot was not able to be easily found, requiring the rig to be kept at a slight angle for the duration of the stay. The grassy areas around the pads were relatively spacious when looking back at some of the places previously reviewed in trips past, however be aware that ticks will welcome you to the spots with long grass.
Staff: The entrance guardsmen (government hired) and campground hosts (contracted for what would assume to be full hookup site only) were friendly and knowledgeable. Their presence was hardly known yet available for any issues that arise. However, they should be trained to check propane levels at their bathhouses, lest the campers be left without hot water for the showers, which did happen during our stay.
Amenities: Angostura has several swimming beaches, boat launches, and a marina across its vast grounds. A disc golf course and volleyball courts may also be found for campers and day use. For the campers at the sites, vault toilets and a bathhouse were found at each camping area, assuming the showers worked and you didn't have to go to another camping area.
Atmosphere: The camping areas were found to be family-friendly. Although many of the adults seemed content with keeping to themselves, you would usually see children riding their bikes around the camping area loop. Being a state park with additional fees for those visiting from out-of-state, many of the campers were in-state residents. Regulations weren't pushy at all, and the environment seemed lax yet under control.
Overall, Angostura State Recreation Area receives an 8 out of a possible 10 rating. Aside from the shower experience, one sticking point was the added entrance fee in addition to the campsite fees. If you stay for multiple nights or visit other state parks, such as Custer and its wildlife loop, the annual pass would easily pay for itself, and allow you to experience many of the other state parks for the rest of the year. In addition, our camping area was the one furthest from the entrance, making for an even longer and hillier drive that could be taxing on the rig. However, we were lucky enough to get our site on the bend of the loop, making for a straight and easy back-in. We would certainly see ourselves visiting this park again, although hoping to find a site closer to the entrance. The park fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays, with a 90-day window for reservations.
WRITTEN Aug 07, 2022 at 11:52 AM
TAGS: park review, trip 10, south dakota
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Park Review: Dakota Sunsets
Trip number five found us visiting the Dakota Sunsets RV Park and Campground in Salem, South Dakota. Equidistant from Sioux Falls and Mitchell, Dakota Sunsets lies within the prairies of the eastern part of the state. We originally elected to stay for a week, but due to circumstances, elected to extend our stay by a couple more days.
Grounds: This park has an easy access off Interstate 90 on US Highway 81, near 255 Road. Although a billboard exists, signage at the park is somewhat blocked by a tree when driving north, meaning you might miss the park the first time through. Never fear, the town of Salem lies just north, with a couple fuel stations making it easy to turn around. Farming fields surround the property, with a clear view of the plain as far as the eye can see.
Sites: Fifty-two sites adorn this park, mostly for RVs but some tent availability, with an assortment of back-in and pull-through sites having full and limited hook-ups. Park your rig on the very level dirt and miniature stone pads, with plenty of room to extend your awning around the tree and personal fire pit area. The sites are well marked with an easy to understand map, along with access warnings for one of the pull-through rows. If you tow, some diagonal parking may be needed to fit your additional vehicle, but it can fit rather decently.
Staff: Hoping that we do not ruin anyone's "street cred", the husband and wife owners of the park are some of the nicest people ever. They are the only workers with their house on the grounds, and the park being small and easy-going enough to handle. They are always welcoming to the human and canine visitors, even giving graham cracker pieces to the pups.
Amenities: Extras the park has to offer are minimal, but sufficient for the visitors finding their own entertainment. Many guests will walk the road loops to visit with the very friendly other patrons. A small playground exists for children, along with a large open grass area in the back to exercise, meditate, or view the sunset. Find peace on the small stone maze as you make your way to the center of the work. A pool was under demolition during our visit, intending to be replaced with a gated dog park. The bathhouses were very clean and well-maintained. Showers are coin-operated, so many RV visitors will choose to use what comes with their rig. A small, reasonably priced laundromat exists on the premises, as well as the opportunity to purchase basic camping consumables. Borrow a DVD or book during your stay if that's your cup of tea.
Atmosphere: When you come to this place, you truly feel like you're at home. You'll want to take a couple walks around the park each day to say hi. Not too many children visit, so that entertainment will need to be done as a family. Everything is easy going; even if you want to sit outside your RV to enjoy the world around you, it's a very relaxing time. Even after just a few days, you'll want to stay forever.
Out of a possible 10, Dakota Sunsets has become the first of our stays to receive the elusive 10 rating. The price was very reasonable, and it justs fits the lifestyle of the full-time RVer. You're just close enough to a small town for everyday needs, and the larger city of Sioux Falls is a reasonable distance away. This park is on the short list of places to return, and the next time your internal compass takes you to eastern South Dakota, this is the place to go.
WRITTEN Aug 26, 2021 at 09:24 PM
TAGS: south dakota, park review, trip 5
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Western South Dakota
"Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam..." That's what you'll be singing when you visit this next destination, a very popular spot at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Western South Dakota brings many tourists to its hills and buttes every year. Many are attracted to the Mount Rushmore national monument. During the 1930's, the likeness of four United States Presidents were carved into the mountain, and continues to stand to this day as a wonderful viewing opportunity. National Park seekers also head a few miles to the east to visit Badlands National Park. Breathtaking views and drives through the buttes (said as with the single letter "U", and not to be confused with a person's backside) may be had by those who enter the park. Even if you don't visit the park itself, take a drive along the northern edge of the park on Interstate 90, or the southern edge along South Dakota Highway 44, an empty yet peaceful stretch through the Badlands, as well as the Buffalo Gap National Grassland.
If you long for the buffaloes, head a little south of Mount Rushmore to visit Custer State Park at an altitude of about 4,000 feet. While there, take a ride on the Wildlife Loop and its side access roads. View the herds of bison, along with pronghorns and prairie dogs in their natural habitat. However, don't be dismayed if you don't see any buffalo in the area, as the buffalo is native to Africa and Southeast Asia, while the bison is native to the United States. Instead, humor yourself with the incredibly awkward yet perfectly legitimate English sentence, "Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo." Many are familiar with the place of "Buffalo" and the animal "buffalo", but there is also a verb "buffalo", meaning "to bewilder or baffle". In other words, set A of animals from a particular place, which are baffled by set B of animals from that same place, also baffle set C of animals from yet the same place.
While in Western South Dakota, if you need to re-supply, stop by Rapid City, the second largest city in the state. When coming from the east, be sure to stop by the world famous "Wall Drug". The town of Wall, South Dakota hosts this old western style mall with novelty stores and small monuments abound, and is advertised throughout the entirety of the state. If you're a motorcycle enthusiast, the beginning of August may call you to head to the town of Sturgis, which hosts an annual 10-day festival that can see over a quarter of a million bikers. Those with connections to the military may also recognize the city of Box Elder, which is home to Ellsworth Air Force Base.
After your visit to Western South Dakota, you'll seldom hear a discouraging word. All you'll likely hear is your internal compass telling you to return again and again.
WRITTEN Aug 22, 2021 at 06:00 PM
TAGS: south dakota, trip 5
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Trip 5: Eastern South Dakota
When most people hear about South Dakota, they think about Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. However, there's another wonderful part of the state to experience.
Extending north from Iowa, the Missouri River valley extends along the border between South Dakota and Nebraska, before turning north into South Dakota alone, and on from there. Along the way, consider stopping in Yankton, SD. Yankton is known for being one of the childhood homes of longtime NBC news correspondent Tom Brokaw, with a boulevard named in his honor. While in Yankton, go to Riverside Park and take a walk across Meridian Bridge, originally built in the 1920's to connect South Dakota and Nebraska. If walking isn't your fancy, head a few miles west to Gavins Point Dam. Built by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950's, the dam provides hydroelectric power to the area, as well as a drivable bridge and several recreational opportunities for visitors.
Head further north towards Interstate 90, and you'll find Chamberlain, South Dakota. Stop by the rest area at the high point of the eastern side, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Missouri River valley. After taking the nature trail, stop inside for a small museum about Lewis and Clark. Back in the 1800's, President Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France, including much of South Dakota. After the purchase, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were commissioned by the American government to explore what was bought. Their route took them along the Missouri River through South Dakota, and is marked as the "Lewis and Clark Trail" along modern day highways. After taking in the views and history, head across the river to the town of Oacoma. Tourists may wish to stop by "Al's Oasis", an old western themed commercial strip.
As the river winds northwest, stop by to visit Pierre. A small city in the center of the state, Pierre serves as the capital of South Dakota. While in Pierre, view the State Capitol building, along with the Governor's Mansion from a distance. Pierre is twinned by Fort Pierre, South Dakota, originally the site for talks with the Lakota tribe during the Lewis and Clark expedition, and today a small city. Two watches may want to be used when in the area, as the two cities are not only separated by river, but by time zone. Fort Pierre is a small inset in the Mountain Time Zone, also used in the western part of the state, while Pierre, along with most of the route from Interstate 90 despite going through Fort Pierre, lies within the Central Time Zone, along with the majority of the eastern part of the state.
The next time you visit South Dakota, remember that the eastern side of the state isn't just drive-by farms and prairies. The Missouri River valley may just be the place where your internal compass leads.