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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.