Wild West Adventure: Exploring Bighorn National Forest, Devil’s Tower, and Mount Rushmore
What a stretch of our Wild West Adventure! After Yellowstone, we rolled through scenic drives, camped by beautiful lakes, spotted wildlife, and capped it off with a 4th of July celebration at one of America’s most iconic monuments!
Table of Contents
- Bighorn National Forest and Lakeview Campground
- Devil’s Tower National Monument
- KOA Palmer Gulch Resort
- Custer State Park
- Mount Rushmore on the 4th of July
Bighorn National Forest and Lakeview Campground
With Yellowstone in our rearview mirror, we left through the East Entrance and made our way toward Cody, Wyoming. That drive alone was worth the trip—jaw-dropping cliffs, winding roads, and endless mountain views. From Cody, we continued toward Tensleep, Wyoming. The route, known as the Cloud Peak Skyway, delivered one of the most incredible scenic drives we’ve experienced. Tensleep itself gets its name from the Native American practice of measuring distances by the number of nights or “sleeps” between camps.
We spent two nights at Lakeview Campground in Bighorn National Forest. The view from our campsite overlooked a pristine mountain lake that seemed to glow in the morning light.
After so many days of busy sightseeing, we took a well-earned break. We slept in, soaked up the peaceful surroundings, and let the kids just be kids in nature.
Later that day, I went on a solo hike to the top of Meadowlark Ski Lodge, where I stood at the top of the ski runs, gazing out over Lake Meadowlark and the surrounding forest.
That evening, we gathered for a classic campfire with our young scouts. The kids learned to chop wood safely, start a fire, and—most importantly—how to fully extinguish it. Of course, we wrapped up with gooey s’mores and stories under the stars.
Lacy and the boys even spotted a moose and her two calves down by the lake’s edge, a magical wildlife encounter we won’t forget.
Devil’s Tower National Monument
Leaving Bighorn behind, we made our way toward Devil’s Tower National Monument (NPS site). Known as Bear Lodge by the Native peoples, the tower is steeped in legend. As the story goes, the rock rose from the earth to protect children from a giant bear—its massive claw marks still visible in the striations of the tower’s walls.
Geologists tell a different story: about 50 million years ago, magma pushed up into the surrounding rock and cooled into this stunning formation. Over time, rivers eroded the softer rock, leaving behind the dramatic column we see today.
We hiked the 1.5-mile loop trail around the base of the tower. It was a scorcher—almost 100 degrees—but worth every step. Along the way, we saw the path left by an EF3 tornado that tore through the area in 2024, leaving a remarkable line of downed pines.
We paused where Native Americans leave prayer flags in honor of their ancestors. It was a moving reminder of the spiritual significance of this place.
KOA Palmer Gulch Resort
Next stop: KOA Palmer Gulch Resort (KOA site) near Hill City, South Dakota. This is no ordinary KOA—it’s the largest in the world, and it feels like a mini town. The resort has everything: two pools, a waterslide, kids zone, horse stables, shops, restaurants, and even a rodeo arena!
The boys spent hours splashing in the pool and exploring the kids zone. And the $3.50 all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts? Let’s just say we got our money’s worth every morning!
Custer State Park
Our scenic drive through Custer State Park (official site) took us to Sylvan Lake, where we picnicked and let the kids play in the sand. Then, we tackled the famous Needles Highway, weaving through the Needles Eye Tunnel and Iron Creek Tunnel, marveling at the rock spires.
We stopped at the Peter Norbeck Education Center, where the kids dove into naturalist programs and activities, including archery—which I couldn’t resist trying myself!
Another highlight was visiting the Gordon Stockade, the site where gold prospectors set up camp in violation of treaties signed at Fort Laramie.
Mount Rushmore on the 4th of July
We wrapped up this leg of our adventure at Mount Rushmore National Memorial (NPS site). There’s no better place to celebrate America’s birthday! We were treated to a performance by the Air Force Band, playing beloved patriotic tunes, including God Bless America and military service ballads.
While waiting out a passing rainstorm, we enjoyed a surprisingly decent meal at the Mount Rushmore cafeteria.
As night fell, we reflected on the contributions of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt—four presidents who helped shape our nation’s destiny.
Cross-links to previous posts:
If you missed it, check out our adventures at Indiana Dunes and beyond or our Yellowstone National Park experience.
As we hitch our trailer East, we look forward to making unforgettable memories on the way home. Stay tuned!
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