roadtripper2537442

Update 9/2022... Huge price increase from $30 during peak season to $54 per night !!! Not sure how the civilian management is getting away with this? Always thought that the Air Force Base Famcamps were supposed to benefit Active Duty, Retired and Disabled Vets. No way in the world does almost doubling the price benefit this sector. Following is my original review...

I truly wish they had such a facility in or around every city! Cannot beat the rates, even though the weekly discounts have been discontinued. And the rates vary depending on the season, and if you are in an overflow area.

This is my third day here and have not ventured off post, mainly due to unseasonably raw weather that has moved in. And still, the high winds will rock you to sleep most nights. All the sites are very nice, including the new area with long concrete pads, picnic tables, and grills. No fire rings, so no open fires.

So far, the mighty roar of the B-1's have not been heard past 9pm., and when you do hear them, you will be awestruck! The staff have been exceptionally nice.. even when I went over with a question almost an hour before they opened at 9am (my time change messed me up).

There is a bathhouse and laundry in the same building, located in the older section of the campground. I've seen several reviewers' making harsh remarks about the laundry facility. While it could be better, remember that it is FREE! True, they mention having four washing machines, and six dryers.. and only three dryers work. Two of the dryers were older coin models that have been taking up space for a very long time, and one other marked out-of-order. And the laundry room is so small that there is no folding table, and if more than two people are in there, you will be bumping butts! But, it's FREE.

and Free Wi-Fi that is basic, 6-7Mb download, but it works. Peak usage periods make it difficult for basic streaming, like the news channels on Pluto.

The well-rounded commissary is nearby, and to the best of my knowledge, the only place to buy packaged beer is a convenient store right down the street, but prices are high.

So much to do and see in the area, and right here at the base as well, just waiting for better weather.

$ 1620 for a 30-day Stay ! Be prepared to empty your wallet..
This is not a commentary that reflects upon the Staff at Ellsworth FamCamp. It is a very sad commentary on the Civilian Powers that be, to raise seasonal rates 1 May - 30 Sept, from $30 daily to $54 daily ! ($39 daily for active duty).

$54 daily ! The Campground itself is basic, but nice. Free showers and laundry is a good thing. (the free Wi-Fi is all but useless)But it is located directly across from a child-screaming Daycare, and next to a very noisy, ongoing construction site.. not exactly $54 per day Resort quality!

Due to affordability on my disability income, I have typically made use of the Over-flow sites, (electric only) which are only $15 daily. Now told that I can no longer use overflow, that the Powers that Be want their $54 daily !

Well guess what.. I found a much nicer Campground nearby with a monthly rate of $550 ($18 per day), with full hookups, free showers, paid laundry, no screaming daycare or load construction noise.

It's a shame really.. a Campground on a Military base supported with Tax Dollars, pricing itself out of range to Military and Vets.

Would have been 5-stars, especially since it's free, but the long dirt road getting to Sunset Reef was quite rough, i.e. large stones/rocks, washboarded,etc, and hard on the equipment. The 5-8mph drive takes awhile to arrive.
Once there, it's quite nice (no outdoor fires/grilling) due to fire danger. Fairly new area.Close to the Caverns, and it's FREE!

WTH is wrong with People ??? Walmart has long been the bastion of RV travel by providing a resourceful spot to overnight while traveling with you RV. <> But it is most unfortunate that KNUCKHEADS will be the cause of it's demise!

It is Common Knowledge and basic etiquette that you park your rig in an area usually designated by Store Management. This is generally on the perimeter of the parking, on one end or the other. Pretty easy to find because that is where the respectful folks will be parked. <> But look at the photos I included with this review.. a whole bunch of Knuckle-Heads are parked smack dab in the middle of the parking lot, taking up 6-12 spaces or more, meant for regular customers!!!

<> Yes, most of us will go inside and spend money, but that does not give anyone the right to be a Disrespectful Knucklehead and Ruin it for everyone else ! Get Right People, or loose the opportunity!

It had been between 95 and 103 degrees in the Rapid City,S.D. area for weeks before heading about 4 hours West to the Bighorn National Forest. Once I started the 38 mile trek from Buffalo,Wy., along hwy 16, I watched the ambient temperature reading in the truck steadily drop all the way down to 51 degrees once reaching the 9500' elevation area! A cold front with some rain was moving through, so a bit cooler. Within an hour of the front going through, the temp came back up to about 65... so comfortable!

The specific location given is about a mile in from hwy 16, and there are numerous areas to set up your camper on the way in. The farther you go, the more private it is. The dirt roads are well maintained, but still a fair amount of rock, so slower speeds are safer. The entire Bighorn NF area is saturated with dispersed camping. The limit is 2 weeks, and Ranger request that you move about 5 miles, if you want to stay longer.

There are locals who come to ride their dirt bikes and ATV's in the area, more so on the weekends, but has not a nuisance. There is plenty of deadwood in the areas to gather as firewood, and Canyon Creek has a brisk stream of water flowing. Satellite images show it dry. Very dark and clear night sky is great for star gazing. And there is a park dump/fresh water station a very short distance away. Not sure about other cell services, but Zero T-mobile signal, but I had just purchased the Starlink system before heading this way and I'm getting high-speed internet and Wi-Fi calling, in the middle of nowhere! This is my favorite boondocking area so far.

Note, this area is suitable for most Big Rigs

Pulling into my chosen spot and doing a 180 at the beauty and serenity of this area ( stayed at 40°59'20.4"N 109°32'13.7"W, not all the way out), made me feel a little bit better regarding the trip in. <><> Jug Hollow Road should be renamed: Rough Hollow Road! <> Had I known how bad it would get, I would not have made the journey with my 40' Toy Hauler.

Many have mentioned the 5+ miles of Washboard road, but there is a long section that has been washed out, rutted and very hazardous! Far worse than any road I've been on. And as some folks do, there is no exaggeration involved here to keep the area from becoming "too popular". Making things worse is that most of the road in is very narrow. Thank goodness I did not meet an outgoing camper! Not sure what would happen if I had? And there is no going off the side of the road, as the road is dug in pretty deep from years of grading (which BTW, is in dire need of a re-do!

Again, a beautiful area with lots of water, fishing, kayaking, ATV's and Dirt Bikes. But you have to ask yourself whether potential damage to your rig and it's contents are worth risking. <> And let us not forget.. if you come down Route 191 from I-80.. be prepared for a "White-Knuckle" experience !!! Especially that 2-1/2 mile, 9% grade to go down. Would I camp here again? Not unless the USDA Dept of Forestry improves the roads in.

One of the remaining Walmart's that allow overnight parking. Convenient location, and relatively quiet until darkness set in. Unfortunately, the parking lot was in very close proximity to not one, not two, but three different firework shows. Two of them lasted about 1-1/2 hours, the third and loudest, seemed to go on until the wee hours! My bad.. not sure what I was thinking. And thank you Walmart for your gracious hospitality!

I absolutely LOVE the Bulldog Creek Campground ! Nestled against the Black Hills National Forest, it is scenic, relatively quiet, peaceful and entertaining! First, the Rates... $40-50 per night with full, 50a hookups, $30 for 30a full hookup, $10 for tent camping, if you're just going to stay a night or two. If you just want a safe, quiet place to dry camp overnight, it's $20.

Now the really good part; if you want a base camp for a month or more and enjoy exploring the Black Hills, Custer State Park, Sturgis and Rapid City, you can get 50a full hookup, pull-through site for just $550 per month plus electric! That's a bargain in this area. I was at the Ellsworth AFB famcamp who had just raised their rates to a whopping $54 per day, with no discounts available for long-term stays.

The campground is just off I-90, but set back farther than most, so not a distraction. There is an active rail line along the highway, but so far, I've not seen more than two trains in a day, and none at night.

So even if it's for just a week or two, and not a month.. call Aaron, the owner. I'm sure he'll work the numbers a bit, just to have your business! And as for entertainment, on my first night here, there was a heard of at least 2 dozen deer grazing through the campground. Several of them came within a few feet of my door as I talked to them!

This mornings sunrise, accompanied by a hot cup of coffee, was exceptional. You just have to come visit!

You can overnight here is peace and quiet, as long as they are not having a special event. You MUST check in at the Customer Service Desk and ASK permission to overnight. The staff is very nice, and will "register" you. You will need the make,model and license plate # of your rig, and they will direct you to the South parking (employee),lot.

Obviously, any for profit business appreciates your patronage. I purchased a $60 rain jacket, probably paying $15-20 more than other outlets, but hey, that's a lot less than a $40-50 overnight at a campground, and it difinetely beats an interstate rest area (did that last night, and did not get much sleep).

No one is suggesting how much to spend, but even if you walk up with a few odds and ends, they know that allowing free overnights makes good financial sense.

I wish my home State of North Carolina had Rest Areas half as nice as Iowa's. So beautiful and well-kept. Sheltered picnic areas with grills, plenty of grassy areas for the pets and kids. And a dump and rinse station to boot.

But, unless you simply exhausted and cannot drive anymore, it is not a good spot to over night. As you enter the area, there is a sign directing trucks to the left, and cars, campers, to the right. On the right side, there are six spaces marked for RV's/Campers. But truck drivers ignore the sign, and by dusk, every spot but the one we were in was occupied by a truck, with the motors running all night.

There was a truck in the left (correct area), parked along side our rig, with the Reefer unit running all night. The truck drivers totally ignore the 15mph speed limit in the area and barrel through at high speeds, many using their loud engine brakes as they come through. Needless to say, not much sleep that night!