sneekyjesus

I created this route https://tinyurl.com/5npaqh earlier this spring with the help of an experienced local tourist. It mainly uses us-18/sd-44 in south dakota, the michelson trail (replaced in the link with a highway), us-14/us-85, and us-16 across wyoming into yellowstone, and us-89 to glacier national park. Could anyone with experience comment on the availability of food, water, and possibly even camping along these roads? Camping options look sparse in south dakota. We're in western Virginia right now, hopefully we'll be in south dakota by mid-August. Any tips on warm weather clothing, such as when to get some, or any other general advice? Thanks

ricohman

I've toured the Black Hills many times.
You will find an abundance of camping, water ect from Bell Fourche to Rapid City. Spearfish has a nice campground by the Trout hatchery. There are camprounds just south of Deadwood. But be prepared for some big hills!
To many to list but take your time through here. There is lots to see.
I just got back last week and it was very cool at night with hail storms.

bicycleboy

Your route from Yellowstone to the Badlands looks nearly identical to part of my trip that I just finished last week. The climb between Ten Sleep and Buffalo, WY was quite steep but was absolutely beautiful. Not much in between but a bunch of ski places that were not open when I went through so make sure to carry extra food/water there. Nearly every town i went through in Wyoming seemed to have a campground. As for SD, camping all over the Black Hills. Almost nothing and I mean nothing between Rapid City and Interior (HWY 44) so be careful with food/water there as well. After the Badlands I headed East to Mitchell, either on I-90 or a road parallel to it and that was not bad at all. Huge shoulders on I-90 and most of the way I had a side road that had nearly no cars. Again, most towns along I-90 had campgrounds so that could be a possible route for you. After Mitchell I went straight South (HWY 37) and then to HWY 50 and across HWY-3 in Iowa. Let me know if I could be of any help.

sneekyjesus

Its great to hear from someone who successfully accomplished what we have planned. A few questions I can think of now: think it possible to find a hose or something between Buffalo and Ten Sleep, or creeks/rivers we could fill up at? What was the farthest you went without refilling water, and how much did you carry? Why take I-90 instead of 44 across SD? Any houses between Interior and Rapid City? I'd ask more but I'm just about out of time on this computer... How did you like your time in those states?

jamawani 

Sneeky -

I live in Buffalo and have biked over the Bighorns lots of times.
There are plenty of places to get water.
Since you are heading east to west -
Campgrounds and lodges:
The Pines Lodge (Sold/closed)
Middle Fork Campground
South Fork Lodge
South Fork Campground
Crazy Woman Campground
Lost Cabin Campground
Meadowlark Lake Lodge
Lakeview Campground
Deerhaven Lodge (Closed)
Boulder Park Campground
Tensleep Creek Campground

Not to mention that there are creeks every mile or so.
But you need to filter the water.

You should stop at the Forest Service office on the west side of Buffalo and verify if the water is on in the various campgrounds. Sometimes they have a problem with a well. Also, you can pick up a free travel map in B&W that gives you a more detailed view.

The climb out of Buffalo is steep for 10 miles to the overlook
then it has a series of seven roller coasters to Crazy Woman
then a gradual climb to Powder River Pass.

I suggest that you plan on staying at one of the mountain campgrounds to break up the climb.
South Fork is just across from the lodge with a lovely trail heading down the creek.
Crazy Woman is off the highway a half mile or so it is pretty quiet.
Of course, it's legal to camp anywhere on forest service land.


Sorry, but wildflower season is over

eofelis 

Beautiful!

A flashback for me! I lived in Sheridan for several yrs (94-01) and spent a summer doing field work in the Cloud Peak wilderness.

Robbykills

I'm actually riding in Cody, Wyoming now. Gillette has this strange campground called Crazy Woman campground. It cost me $21 but theres a laundrymat showers and tv and the building is open all night. the kids who work it are nice too.

I camped at Crazy Woman campground (unrelated) in the Big Horns too between Buffalo and Ten Sleep. The water was working on saturday night. The climb wasn't too bad, took all day to get up to the campground (7 hours), but I feel it was a lot less steep then mountains in PA, and there is a lodge at South Fork with a little restaurant. Once you get over the pass you have about a mile to go before you have a good 20-30 miles down through Ten Sleep canyon which is amazing. Took me forever to get through cause I kept stopping to take pictures.

also I actually just camped in Basin, WY last night. If you get on the road towards Burlington (30 I believe) from right out of downtown Basin there'll be a church on your right and across the street there is a football field. Go talk to the church people and inquire if you can sleep over next to the field. The pastor (who I think is also the coach) was cool with it. Its not really the church's property but he told me if the police came to tell them he said I could. Theres a bush and some trees and I put my tent behind that. I waited till about dark to put it up just to make sure in case any police drove by. The view is amazing too. Tell 'em some kid from Delaware told you about it if the church people come by. Hell, tell them that if the cops come by too. Just be warned, there are sprinklers and in the sandy dirt off to the side lots of things that can give you flat tires. I learned both those things the hard way this morning... but Basin is good to stop in. Otto doesn't have much but you might be able to camp in Burlington. Theres nothing but open space between Cody and Burlington though.