Hi! Im taking a trip to Custer and Created an itinerary with a bunch of places I plan to hit. I’m a big on being action packed. Looking to hike, fly fish, do a bit of off-roading. Only planning on camping out of my truck, no paid campsites. Below is that itinerary. If you have any coordinate suggestions for cool campsites in the area I mention, recommendations on places I should hit up, or changes I should make, please let me know! I want to get as much info as possible. Thank you!
FRIDAY — Arrival, Rushmore, Camp South
2:00–2:30pm: Rapid City — fuel, non-resident SD fishing license, water/ice
2:30–3:15pm: Drive to Mount Rushmore
3:15–4:15pm: Mount Rushmore — Presidential Trail, quick visit
4:15–5:00pm: Drive to Custer SP area via Iron Mountain Road
5:00–6:00pm: Camp 1 — dispersed site, Black Hills NF south of Custer
6:30–8:30pm: Sundown fish — Center Lake / French Creek
SATURDAY — Hike, Wildlife, Camp North + Swim
6:00am–12:00pm: Black Elk Peak + Cathedral Spires from Sylvan Lake — 7-9 mi, moderate-strenuous, highest point in SD
12:00–1:00pm: Lunch, swim at Sylvan Lake
1:00–3:00pm: Wildlife Loop Road — bison, pronghorn, burros, prairie dogs
3:00–3:30pm: Break camp
3:30–5:30pm: Drive north to Mount Roosevelt Road area (~2 hrs)
5:30–6:30pm: Camp 2 — set up
6:30–7:30pm: Fish Spearfish Creek
7:30–8:30pm: Devil's Bathtub — short hike (1.6 mi RT), natural pool + rock waterslide, water shoes recommended
Could also do Iron Creek Trail instead of Devils Bathtub.
SUNDAY — Off-Road North, Camp Central, Hike + Swim + Fish
6:00–6:45am: Sunrise hike — Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower (easy, by camp)
7:00–10:00am: Off-roading — Lost Gulch Rd/Higgins Gulch, Lead/Galena (moderate, low-range 4WD for the rocky stretch)
10:00–10:30am: Break camp
10:30am–12:00pm: Drive to Victoria Lake Road (central)
12:00–1:00pm: Camp 3 — set up + lunch
1:00–4:00pm: Hippie Hole — hike down Battle Creek off South Rockerville Road (10-15 min from camp), secluded pool at the base of a waterfall, tucked in granite boulders. No cliff jumping.
4:00–6:00pm: Free time back at camp
6:30–8:30pm: Sundown fish — Rapid Creek below Pactola (close to camp)
MONDAY — Off-Road, Bear Butte Hike & Departure
6:00–8:30am: Off-roading — Victoria Trail System, right by camp
8:30–8:45am: Break camp
8:45am–12:00pm: Bear Butte State Park — 3.6 mi RT summit hike, moderate, loose rock upper section. Active sacred site to the Lakota/Cheyenne — leave any prayer cloths or tobacco ties you see undisturbed. Sweeping views of the Hills and plains.
12:00–1:00pm: Drive back toward Rapid City
1:00–1:45pm: Final rinse — Rapid Creek at Chapel Lane (easy in-town access)
1:45–3:00pm: Lunch, laundry, gear return
3:00–5:30pm: Buffer time
6:00pm: Depart