KOA Journey campgrounds offer the perfect oasis after a day on the road. Whether it’s along the way or a quick getaway, they’ve got you covered. Located near the highways and byways of North America with long Pull-thru RV Sites, they deliver convenience to the traveling camper. Pull in, ease back and take a load off.
KOA Journey campgrounds offer the perfect oasis after a day on the road. Whether it’s along the way or a quick getaway, they’ve got you covered. Located near the highways and byways of North America with long Pull-thru RV Sites, they deliver convenience to the traveling camper. Pull in, ease back and take a load off.
KOA is located (east or west) on I-90 at Exit 170. Turn north, proceed 1/2 mile. Campground is located on the left-hand side of the road.
Watch for the Belvidere East / Exit 170 KOA signs. KOA is at the same exit as the famous 1880 Town.
This campground is located in Mountain Standard Time zone.
Our address is not GPS friendly. GPS: N43.89120, W101.14810
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Hikers follow dirt trails and gravel work roads up to the Crazy Horse Mountain Carving. The turn-around point is on the Arm of Crazy Horse directly in front of the nine-story-high face, which was completed June 3, 1998. Hikers get an up-close view of the mountain. Work continues on the rest of what will be the largest sculpture in the world. The Memorial partners with KOTA Territory's Care and Share Food Drive - Admission to Crazy Horse Memorial® will be waived with 3 cans of food per hiker. The American Volkssport Association's hike fee is $4 (cash or check, no credit cards accepted) for each participant regardless of age. Regular admission applies to non-hikers or hikers without food.
Free Parking
Due to the popularity of the event, parking can be some distance from the starting point and not on paved or gravel surfaces. Shuttle buses operate between these outlying parking lots and the start/finish area.
No Advance Registration
Hikers must check in at starting point, which is at the Memorial's upper parking area. Registration will begin at 7:00 am. Hikers must register before 1 p.m. and be off the trail by 4 p.m. No late starts..
The hike averages two to four hours to complete. Hikers should pace themselves due to the terrain and peak elevation (nearly 6,500 feet above sea level).
The route is a 5K or 10K (6.2 miles round trip) on hilly, rough terrain with some steep inclines. The rugged woodlands path is not suitable for infant strollers. From the valley at the Memorial's visitor center, the trail rises about 500 feet up to the mountain. You will see views of Crazy Horse Memorial® and its 1,000-acre campus not otherwise available to the public.
What are some hiking tips?
Travel light! Water stations and port-a-potties are available along the trail. Roving trail monitors and medical professionals will be available for those needing assistance. Watch the weather, dress appropriately and anticipate taking layers of clothes. Sturdy footwear is recommended
Hikers follow dirt trails and gravel work roads up to the Crazy Horse Mountain Carving. The turn-around point is on the Arm of Crazy Horse directly in front of the nine-story-high face, which was completed June 3, 1998. Hikers get an up-close view of the mountain. Work continues on the rest of what will be the largest sculpture in the world. The Memorial partners with KOTA Territory's Care and Share Food Drive - Admission to Crazy Horse Memorial® will be waived with 3 cans of food per hiker. The American Volkssport Association's hike fee is $4 (cash or check, no credit cards accepted) for each participant regardless of age. Regular admission applies to non-hikers or hikers without food.
Free Parking
Due to the popularity of the event, parking can be some distance from the starting point and not on paved or gravel surfaces. Shuttle buses operate between these outlying parking lots and the start/finish area.
No Advance Registration
Hikers must check in at starting point, which is at the Memorial's upper parking area. Registration will begin at 7:00 am. Hikers must register before 1 p.m. and be off the trail by 4 p.m. No late starts..
The hike averages two to four hours to complete. Hikers should pace themselves due to the terrain and peak elevation (nearly 6,500 feet above sea level).
The route is a 5K or 10K (6.2 miles round trip) on hilly, rough terrain with some steep inclines. The rugged woodlands path is not suitable for infant strollers. From the valley at the Memorial's visitor center, the trail rises about 500 feet up to the mountain. You will see views of Crazy Horse Memorial® and its 1,000-acre campus not otherwise available to the public.
What are some hiking tips?
Travel light! Water stations and port-a-potties are available along the trail. Roving trail monitors and medical professionals will be available for those needing assistance. Watch the weather, dress appropriately and anticipate taking layers of clothes. Sturdy footwear is recommended
America 250A South Dakota Celebration 250 Years in the Making From its earliest Indigenous peoples to the trailblazers & storytellers shaping it today, there's a reason South Dakota is known as the land of infinite variety. Come embrace it all in 2026 as South Dakota celebrates the 250th founding of the USA.The state's premier event in 2026 will be the fireworks display at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Friday, July 3. From a partnership between the State of South Dakota, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, this patriotic display will be one of the most talked-about events of the year. Check back in early 2026 soon for updates about how you can be part of this historic celebration!The Mount Rushmore Fireworks is an America 250 signature event, and one of 25 great events we're highlighting across South Dakota throughout 2026. See the list below – and note that there are countless other must-see events taking place all year long, some with decades-long traditions and others created just to help celebrate America's birthday.Leading South Dakota's efforts is the America's 250th South Dakota Commission. They are planning, encouraging, developing, coordinating and promoting the observances and activities being held in South Dakota in commemoration of the 250th anniversary. For more information, be sure to visit their website: Americas250th.sd.gov.https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/america-250
Your Guide to Rapid City Firework Celebrations In 2026, it will be even bigger and better to celebrate America's 250th birthday! Fireworks at Mount Rushmore Celebrate America's 250th birthday with a bang. Stay tuned for all the birthday bash details! In the City In the Black Hills
We infuse patriotism into every day of the year, and come Independence Day, we go all out.
We've not only got one, but five firework shows within the city ready to light up the night sky. There's enough to keep you busy all weekend. No shortage of celebrating here!
Fireworks at Rapid City Elks Golf Course | TBA
Official Rapid City Fireworks Show at Executive Golf Course | TBA
Arrowhead Country Club Fireworks Show | TBA
Black Hills Speedway Fireworks Show | TBA
Post 22 Baseball Firecracker Tournament Firework Display | TBA
Feeling extra patriotic? Check back for other 4th of July happenings at surrounding communities within the Black Hills.
Spearfish Sasquatch Baseball Fireworks Game | TBA
Belle Fourche Fireworks Show Following the Black Hills Roundup | TBA
Custer's Fourth of July Celebration | July 4
Deadwood's July 4th Celebration | July 4
Devils Tower Fireworks show at Devils Tower KOA | July 4
Fall River 4th of July (Hot Springs) | July 4
Interior 4th of July Celebration | July 4
Lead Fireworks over the Open Cut | July 4
Piedmont Park Fireworks | July 4
Sturgis Fireworks Display | July 4
Wall Fireworks @ Community Golf Course | TBA
Custer, SD - The Patriot's Parade honors military members, auxiliaries, and emergency personnel through a public procession in Custer. The Custer Chamber of Commerce presents the event along Mt. Rushmore Road from 8th Street to 2nd Street. Streets fill with color, motion, and sound as units move through downtown. Expect a clear focus on service, respect, and community pride. The parade opens with B-1 flyover and continues with family participation before the main procession. Activities and Highlights:
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A Community Tradition with Purpose: The Custer Chamber of Commerce continues a long-running community parade that centers on public service and shared civic values.
Ranch Rodeo, with events such as Trailer loading, Mini Bronc Riding, Stray gathering, Hide Race,and the Range Ride. For the kids we have a Boot and Candy Scramble. Fun time for spectators and contestants alike!
Courtesy of: South Dakota Department of Tourism.
The Annual Badlands Astronomy Festival brings together space science professionals, amateur astronomers, educators, youth groups, and park visitors for a stellar experience. Celebrate the beauty of a dark night sky and the wonder of space exploration. Novices and experts alike will enjoy daily family-friendly activities and evening presentations with special guest speakers. In the past, activities have included planetarium visits, solar telescope viewings, technology demonstrations, and more. Nightly telescope viewings will be sponsored by the NPS Night Sky Program and Celestron. This three-day celebration at Badlands National Park will support the continued protection and enjoyment of our incredible night skies as a precious natural resource. Although light pollution threatens dark skies across the globe, the Badlands are nestled in a corner of the Great Plains where light pollution is not a prevalent issue. Come celebrate the dark skies of the park with us! The festival schedule and activities vary year-to-year. Stop by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to pick up this year's schedule when you visit or check out the schedule below. Most events and activities are located in wheelchair-accessible areas. Astronomy Festival events do not require advance registration or tickets. Badlands National Park has partnered with the NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium to co-sponsor the 2025 Badlands Astronomy Festival, July 18th-20th. The festival brings together space science professionals, amateur astronomers, educators, and visitors for a three-day celebration. Novices and experts alike will enjoy the spectacular dark night skies of Badlands National Park at public star parties each evening. During the afternoon each day, a variety of family-friendly activities will provide opportunities for visitors to learn about the night sky, the sun, and space exploration. Telescopes will be provided by astronomers from the Black Hills Astronomical Society, Badlands National Park, Dark Ranger Telescope Tours and the University of Utah for day and night observations. The schedule of events includes a scale model solar system tour and walk, solar observing opportunities, special guest speakers, public stargazing activities, static displays, as well as equipment demonstrations by professional and amateur astronomers. This free event is made possible through funding and support from the Badlands Natural History Association, NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium, Dark Ranger Telescope Tours, Black Hills Astronomical Society, The Journey Museum and Learning Center, International Dark Sky Association, University of Utah, Badlands National Park Conservancy, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, and Badlands National Park.
The 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is scheduled for August 7 – August 16, 2026, a ten-day event celebrating its rich history in the Black Hills of South Dakota, with free general admission though some specific events and camping have costs, and attendees can expect a huge gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts with parties, concerts, and rides.
Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. Feel the ground rumble. See the dust fly. Relish the spectacle as one of the last great traditions of the Old West unfolds before your very eyes. On the last Friday in September, cowboys, cowgirls and park staff saddle up to bring in a herd of more than 1,300 bison through Custer State Park. Located in the beautiful Black Hills of western South Dakota, the park is home to one of the world's largest publicly owned bison herds. Adding to the festivities is the annual Arts Festival, held Thursday through Saturday. Find out everything you need to know about attending this awe-inspiring spectacle or tune in from home.61st Annual Buffalo Roundup:
Friday, September 25, 2026. The next Buffalo Roundup will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026. This event is free and open to the public. Be sure to determine which viewing area you will be going to prior to arriving at the park on Friday morning. More on that below!Event Details
That doesn't mean this area has to always be empty. When you start reviewing camping options, your history will display here to help compare sites and find the best stay. You will be able to share your stay information with friends or family and save it for a later time if you have a KOA Account.
Make checkout easy by booking all your reservations at once. Add your sites from different campgrounds into your shopping cart* and then choose checkout.
