I'm so glad you came back today. As I promised last time, I'm going to let you in on the best kept secret in the Black Hills. Shhh...lean in close. I don't want too many people to catch wind of this. It could make it hard to get reservations next time.
Have you ever wished you could go to a really great resort, but never thought you could afford it? I am here to tell you, you CAN! (Shhh! Keep it down!) No, no no, it's NOT a time share! I promise! Here's the deal. The name of this place is Palmer Gulch Lodge, Cabins and KOA Kampground. It is just a few minutes from Mt. Rushmore, right smack in the middle of everything to do in the Black Hills. It is gorgeous. And they have everything from tent and RV sites to a lodge for accommodations. Our digs of choice are a 2-room camping cabin--a room with two bunk beds for the kids (our two kids each get a top bunk, wuh hoo!), and a room with a double bed for us. A roof over our heads to be thankful for when it storms at night, and a place to put our stuff. PLUS a fire pit for making s'mores, and a front porch with a swing. Just a little rustic, and OH SO cozy! And for about $70 per night.
But wait, there's more! Stuff to DO!! Holy buckets. Included in the cost are two pools (plus hot tubs and wading pools), a splash pad and a water slide, and mini-golf course. (Ben played over 15 nine-hole rounds in the three days we were there. Seriously.) There's also a huge playground, a jumping pillow, and scheduled activities and entertainment. (See Bethany WAY back on the stage singing karaoke? She gradually inched forward little by little.) And did I mention hayrides? With real horses? I'm telling you, we had to bribe the kids with ice cream and promises of more swimming and mini-golf later to get them to go ANYWHERE with us. And because of that, we have yet to do half the stuff that there is to do in the Black Hills. AND we have a little change jingling in our pockets. So I suppose we'll probably have to go back some other time. Oh bummer. ;-) (There is much more, but you will have to check it out for yourself.)
Just one thing. Before you jump in your minivan right this minute to head on over, you should know that every year during the second week in August, they hold the Sturgis Bike Rally (as in motorcycle) that brings like a million bikers to the area. Not the quietest time to go. You might want to wait a couple of weeks.
Good grief. I don't even work for these people, but they should pay me. I could be their poster girl.
How about you? What are your best-kept vacation secrets???
Out West Road Trip, Part 1: On the Road
Out West Road Trip, Part 2: Yellowstone
Out West Road Trip, Part 3: Black Hills
Out West Road Trip, Part 1: On the Road
Out West Road Trip, Part 2: Yellowstone
Out West Road Trip, Part 3: Black Hills
6 comments:
looks like a very nice vacation time. hope you have a great week.
Wow! That seems too good to be true. Your pics are great!
I might have to check that out for when Z gets a little older.
Thanks for stopping by today!
That sounds like an awesome place and a sweet deal. The pictures from all the posts are absolutely awesome. God is such a wonderful creature. The beauty is just breath taking.
Still blogging from the road? I'm sooooooooo impressed! And LOVE the photos, too. Your Road Trip Tales should be printed and bound into a book, at least for your kids to read when they grow up! If you have time, BTW, Uncle Lynn is being pretty generous, and is hosting another Great Pop'rs Giveaway, so come on by!
Oh my word Tracy⁄!! We just got back from our 3rd trip to the Black Hills!! We LOVE it out there. I've always wondered about Palmer Gulch - seen it, just never stayed there. We're stuck with Custer State Park being the place for us to sleep. A cabin, but a little more than $70. and no "activities" - aside from climbing on lots of rocks, swimming in lakes and streams and horse-back riding of course.
I found your blog via Mary D.'s blog and I love it! Glad you had a good trip! Thanks for sharing your pictures - they made me smile!!
Liz Holst
Hi Liz! Thanks for stopping by! The cool thing is that there was a group of Christian college students called "Summershiners" running all the activities--good clean fun and one song/testimony night each week. Awesome example for our kiddoes. I hope they're there the next time we go.
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