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Mount Rushmore campground

Mount Rushmore KOA
Adventures

Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch: Campground Review

Adam and I began discussing a visit to Mount Rushmore several years ago. As this national monument symbolizes so much of our country’s history, we wanted to view the site and explore the region with Emilie. We finally made it out this summer and for our lodging I was excited Read more…

By Christina Wells, 3 years3 years ago
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Saw this adorable calf (along with hundreds of oth Saw this adorable calf (along with hundreds of other bison) on the Custer State Park Buffalo Jeep tour.  We opted for a sunrise tour and would highly recommend it! 
Having seen bison before at Yellowstone and Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve I didn’t expect to be wowed from this experience, but we all thought it was amazing.  Our tour guide shared so many fascinating facts about the wildlife and was able to take the Jeep off roads to parts of the park not normally accessible by vehicle. 
#custerstatepark #custer #custersd #southdakota #sd 
#wildlife #buffalo #bison #jeeptour #buffalojeeptour #adventure #familytravel #familytraveladventures #keystone #hifromsd #discoverblackhills #sharecsp #stateparks #statepark
Continuing our kid friendly fun in Vegas and check Continuing our kid friendly fun in Vegas and checked out the conservatory at the Bellagio.  So beautiful!  I can only imagine how much work goes into creating such an elaborate display.  It amazes me they change it out every season!

#bellagio #bellagiohotel #bellagiolasvegas #conservatory #gardens #bellagiogardens #lasvegas #vegas #vegasstrip #nevada #travelnevada #familytravel #vegaskids #thewanderwells
It’s hard to capture in a photo, but the sand at It’s hard to capture in a photo, but the sand at Coronado Beach sparkles like gold.  The pyrite in the sand makes it shimmer in the sun and it is mesmerizing!

#hoteldelcoronado #thedel #coronadobeach #coronado #california #socal #cali #ilovecalifornia #beach #coast #pacificcoast #pacificbeach #sand #goldsand #ocean #pacificocean #sandiego #lifeguard #sunset #hellocalifornia #sandiegotourism  #happinessiscalling #visitcalifornia #visitcoronado #visitsandiego #travel #explore #thewanderwells
We’re back in the saddle and excited to be explo We’re back in the saddle and excited to be exploring again!  Mount Rushmore and the surrounding areas of South Dakota have been on our list for awhile now.  It’s great to finally experience them.  When looking for a unique family friendly adventure check out the stables at the Palmer Gulch KOA resort.

Palmer Gulch offers three different trail rides through the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve.  It’s a fun way to see this beautiful part of the Black Hills National Forest/Custer State Park.  And the staff is great at teaching the basics of horse riding to beginners and kids. 📸: @howeyeseeitphotography 
#koa #kampgroundsofamerica #koapalmergulch #palmergulchkoa #palmergulchresort #palmergulch #palmergulchstables #horseback #horsebackadventures #custerstatepark #blackhillsnationalforest #norbeckwildlifepreserve #sd 
#southdakota #keystone #custer #hillcity #rapidcity #horsebackriding #adventure #trails #trailriding #southdakotaadventure #familyadventure #travel #southdakotacamping #midwest #thewanderwells
Join as we explore Promenade Park in Fort Wayne, I Join as we explore Promenade Park in Fort Wayne, IN

#visitfortwayne #visitindiana #indiana #indianaparks #midwest #fortwayneindiana #fortwayne #promenadepark #travel #ftwayne #adventure #explore #familytravel #familyadventures #thewanderwells
Badlands is known for its other worldly appearance Badlands is known for its other worldly appearance.  Aside from the beautiful red, white, and pink striated rocks that are so prominent in the park there are also these striking Yellow Mounds.  Found slightly south of the Pinnacles entrance, these golden hills are easy to access from the “Yellow Mounds Overlook” parking lot.  I could not believe that no one else was in the area when we visited!  This was one of the sights I was most looking forward to at the park and it did not disappoint. 
#badlandsnationalpark #badlands #nationalpark #badlandsnps #midwestnps #nationalparks #findyourpark #southdakota #sd #nps #yellowmounds #southdakotagram #landscapephotography #nature #nikon #nikonusa #sunsetphotography #travel #adventure #thewanderwells
L. Frank Baum (my favorite author of all time) wro L. Frank Baum (my favorite author of all time) wrote 3 of the Oz series books while staying at the Hotel del Coronado.  He also designed these light fixtures hanging in the beautiful Crown Ballroom of the hotel. 
#hoteldelcoronado #thedel #meetingspace #ballroom #hotel #luxuryhotel #coronado #crown #lights #lightfixtures #oz #wizardofoz #lfrankbaum #history #design #author #yellowbrickroad #sandiego  #notinkansasanymore #california #cali #socal #coronadocalifornia #coronadoisland #visitcalifornia #visitcoronado #visitsandiego #explore #thewanderwells
We loved having the opportunity to feed these ador We loved having the opportunity to feed these adorable burros at Custer State Park!  We found they are quite fond of carrots and some are better at sharing than others. 😊 It was also fascinating to learn that these are the descendants of the donkeys that used to take visitors to the top of Black Elk Peak.  When the rides were discontinued the burros were released into the park and the herd remains there today.

#custerstatepark #southdakota #southdakotastateparks #sd #stateparks #burros #donkey #beggingburros #blackhills #fairburn #blackhillsnationalforest #wildlife #animals #blackhillsbadlands  #blackhillssd #travel #adventure #southdakotaadventures #custer #custersd #keystone #rapidcity #rapidcitysd #hillcity #hillcitysd #familyadventures #nature #southdakotatourism #naturalsouthdakota #thewanderwells
For such a short boardwalk path, the view at the e For such a short boardwalk path, the view at the end of the Window Trail in Badlands National Park is breathtaking.  Less than a quarter mile round trip, this little stroll offers big views. 
#badlandsnationalpark #badlands #badlandsnps #midwestnps #southdakota #sd  #travelsouthdakota #nps #parks #findyourpark #nationalparks #windowtrail #trails #hiking #travel #naturephotography #landscapephotography #adventure #familyadventures #thewanderwells
The Island in Pigeon Forge is such a fun place to The Island in Pigeon Forge is such a fun place to visit!  We especially loved relaxing in the available rocking chairs while enjoying this spectacular water show!

#theislandpf #pigeonforge #visitpigeonforge #visitsmokies #tennessee #tennesseetravel #visittennessee #watershow #fountains #summerfun #theislandinpigeonforge #ferriswheel #thegreatsmokymountainwheel #smokymountains #thewanderwells
Our first hike to Clingmans Dome. With 360 degree Our first hike to Clingmans Dome.  With 360 degree views of the Smokies and sunsets like this I definitely understand why it’s such a popular spot.  It might be a half mile uphill to get there but it’s worth it!

#gmsnp #nationalparkgeek #findyourpark #visitsmokies #visitgatlinburg #gatlinburg #greatsmokymountains #brysoncity #brysoncitync #lovencsmokies #visitncsmokies #visitnc #greatsmokeymountainsnationalpark #nps #nationalparks #clingmansdome #naturaltennessee #friendsofthesmokies #instagramtennessee #thenationalparkspass #visitmysmokies #national_park_photography #nationalparkphotography #hiketn #thewanderwells
I have dreamed of staying at the historic West Bad I have dreamed of staying at the historic West Baden Springs Hotel for so long.  After such a long wait, this incredible room does not disappoint!  Swipe to see the beautiful view from the indoor balcony!  Keep an eye out, we’ll be sharing all of the beauty and fun at this amazing resort.

#westbaden #westbadenspringshotel #westbadenindiana #indianatravel #travelindiana #frenchlick #frenchlickindiana #frenchlickresort #hotel #hotels #resort #travel #visitindiana #exploreindiana #luxuryhotel #luxuryresort #familyfriendlyhotel #petfriendlyhotel #getaway #localtravel #hotelsandresorts #indianatourism #travelblogger #hotelstyle #vacation #staycation #hotelroom #hotelbalcony #balconyview
One of the things we love about Indiana are the ef One of the things we love about Indiana are the efforts to bring back native prairie lands.  On summer evenings like this, there’s not much better than watching wildflowers in the sunset.

#midwest #indiana #indianaparks #grasslands #wildflowers #carmelparks #carmelclayparks #sunset #prairie #regrowth #summerevenings #onlyinindiana #summer #hiking #hikingadventures #naturalindiana #indiananature #flowers #adventure #explore #exploreindiana #thewanderwells
We had so much fun watching for wildlife around th We had so much fun watching for wildlife around the Black Hills.  I know prairie dogs are supposed to be rodents, but they’re so adorable!  And with over 60 words in their language they’re more advanced in language development than dolphins.  Not only can they warn each other of a snake threat, but even  have specific sounds for different types of snakes. 

#custerstatepark #custer #custersd #blackhills #blackhillsnationalforest #southdakota #sd #hifromsd #wildlife #hifromsouthdakota #mountainbluebird #prairiedog #pronghorn #pronghornantelope #wildlifephotography #animals #parks #park #animalphotography #stateparks #statepark #keystone #rapidcity #hillcity #travel #travelblogger #adventure #familyadventure #thewanderwells
For me the word “summer” brings to mind sunshi For me the word “summer” brings to mind sunshine, beaches, and camping.  Being from the Midwest, camping is easy to come by, but surprisingly so are beaches. 
#puremichigan #silverbeach #stjosephmichigan #lakemichigan #stjoe #stjoseph #michigan #travelmichigan #michigantravel #greatlakes #lighthouse #lake #beach #coast #travel #familytravel #summerfun #adventure #explore #exploremichigan #thewanderwells
Being the 5th largest state park in the country, C Being the 5th largest state park in the country, Custer State Park has so many unique areas to explore.  Sylvan Lake is an especially popular area offering amazing trails, fishing, rock climbing, swimming, and watercraft rentals.  It’s easy to spend a whole day in this beautiful spot!

#custerstatepark #custer #custersd #sylvanlake #lake #lakes #hiking #trails #water #park #statepark #southdakota #travelsouthdakota #nature #hifromsouthdakota #landscapephotography  #landscape #nature #travel #adventure #explore #keystone #rapidcity #hillcity #thewanderwells
Can’t let the Tetons steal all the glory, Jenny Can’t let the Tetons steal all the glory, Jenny Lake is spectacular too!  #jennylake #grandtetons #wyoming #grandtetonnationalpark #lake #stunninggrandteton #mountains #adventure #nationalparks #travel #findyourpark #sosparkly #twinkletwinkle #water #view #thewanderwells
Two years ago we first had the chance to visit Wal Two years ago we first had the chance to visit Wall Drug.  We enjoyed it so much we had to stop by again during this trip.  I was thrilled to  finally try a cup of the 5 cent coffee and Emmy still had fun on the photo props. 😊

#walldrug #sd #walldrugstore #southdakota #hifromsd #travel #hifromsouthdakota #adventure #walldrugsouthdakota #roadtrip #midwest #midwesttravel #familyadventures #familytravel #thewanderwells
The history geek in me was absolutely in awe at se The history geek in me was absolutely in awe at seeing Mount Rushmore at sunrise.  Did you know 90% of this monument was carved with dynamite?  I always envisioned dynamite as wildly unpredictable, but in fact it was so precise workers used it to get within 3 inches of the finished look! 
#mountrushmore #mountrushmorenationalmonument #mountrushmorenationalmemorial #southdakota #sd #nps #midwestnationalparks #nationalparks #nationalpark #findyourpark #nationalparkgeek #departmentofinterior #keystone #custer #hillcity #rapidcity #travelsouthdakota #travel
#familytravel #summerroadtrip #adventure #explore #thewanderwells
We can’t visit Florida without a stop at our fav We can’t visit Florida without a stop at our favorite place...Disney World! 
#waltdisneyworld #disneyworld #disney #magickingdom #wdw #disneysmagickingdom  #cinderellacastle #lakebuenavista #kissimmee #orlando #florida #travelflorida #visitflorida #childhood #magic #familytravel #vacation #summervacation #summerfun #themepark #amusementpark #thewanderwells
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