Posted 2014-06-04 5:44 PM (#159349) Subject: camping the Black Hills
Regular
Posts: 99 Location: Pleasant Plain, Ohio 45162
Wanting to know some views about camping/trail riding out of Broken Arrow and Elk Haven in the Black Hills - was wondering which one had the most riding and how many various trails out of their camps. Pulled up the reviews but sometime people really don't submit anything too negative. Basically wanted to know which one everyone preferred. Also thought maybe about staying 4 days at each of them. Appreciate any thoughts.
Posted 2014-06-05 8:38 AM (#159357 - in reply to #159349) Subject: RE: camping the Black Hills
Member
Posts: 20
Location: Lake Mills, Iowa
We have stayed at Broken Arrow for several years. The camp is very clean, they have nice pens, and the hosts are very nice. There are alot of trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Last year we stayed and Broken Arrow a week and Elk Haven for 5 days. Elk Haven camp was not kept up very well. When we were there, the grass was tall, garbage laying around, fire pits were full, and the pens were aweful. The owners do not provide you with maps so you are on your own. Their main attraction is that you can ride to Mt. Rushmore from there, and that they are on the north border of Custer State Park. The problem is that they are surrounded by private land, and you do not know what you can ride or not. We would not go back. I would just rent a trailer and park at the trail heads next time.
Posted 2014-06-05 9:19 AM (#159358 - in reply to #159349) Subject: RE: camping the Black Hills
Veteran
Posts: 113 Location: Wi
I have not ridden at either of those. If you are ok with "rustic" camping, there is Iron Creek. You can ride to Mt. Rushmore (not all the way there but up to the road by it) and Harney Peak. Iron Creek has out houses, horse water and Pens
Posted 2014-06-06 8:16 AM (#159364 - in reply to #159349) Subject: RE: camping the Black Hills
Veteran
Posts: 174 Location: Missouri
I would pass on Iron Creek this year. They had a devastating blizzard in October and there are tons of dead and falling trees in that area. Most of the trails are not open. Here is a description copied from Custer search and rescue site: Trails in the Norbeck & Black Elk Wilderness are in very poor condition due to dead and downed trees on the trails. Most are impassable to horses and very difficult for hikers.I would suggest Broken Arrow. Very nice clean campground. Covered roomy pens for horses, which is really nice to have when it hails or storms in the afternoons. Plenty of riding right from camp and have trailers you can rent to explore other places such as Custer park, centennial trail, etc. It is easy to get to and close to all the attractions in the Black Hills.
Posted 2014-06-06 8:40 AM (#159366 - in reply to #159349) Subject: RE: camping the Black Hills
Member
Posts: 20
Location: Lake Mills, Iowa
Last year the website said the same thing. We camped at Broken Arrow, and drove to the forest service office in Custer and asked the rangers. They reported clear trails to us. We rode Black Elk and Peter Norbeck and the trails were great. The ranger said that the website does not get updated in a very timely manner, so it is better to call and ask.
Posted 2014-06-07 6:34 AM (#159372 - in reply to #159349) Subject: RE: camping the Black Hills
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: Croswell MI
I have reservations at Broken Arrow for the 17th to the 27th.The owner told me that Harney Peak and Mt Rushmore trails are closed due to a very bad winter.We are bummed but are going anyway as we have planed this trip for a year.We ride mules and saw an article in Mules and More magazine on Broken Arrow.It sounded great. So off we go.I will take my i pad and check in to HTW. I will keep you up to date on the grounds and also the trails. src=HTTP://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/emoticons/icon_mad.gif border=0>
Posted 2014-06-07 6:52 AM (#159373 - in reply to #159349) Subject: RE: camping the Black Hills
Veteran
Posts: 174 Location: Missouri
We'll be at Broken Arrow June 23 thru July 6. Lots of good trails there and if you want to haul out I know lots of great places to ride besides the Black Elk wilderness. Everybody only thinks about riding Mt Rushmore and Harney but theres so much more to see out there.
Posted 2014-06-10 9:27 PM (#159412 - in reply to #159373) Subject: RE: camping the Black Hills
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Lyle,mn
Originally written by pooperscooper on 2014-06-07 6:52 AM
We'll be at Broken Arrow June 23 thru July 6. Lots of good trails there and if you want to haul out I know lots of great places to ride besides the Black Elk wilderness. Everybody only thinks about riding Mt Rushmore and Harney but theres so much more to see out there.
Hi Dawn from Minnesota! How are you and your hubby? Doesn't look like we are going to make South Dakota this year. We had some extra expenses this winter plus sending a young filly of for 2 months to get started. We were so looking forward to going again and riding that canyon again that you told us about last year. Have a safe trip!
Posted 2014-06-12 7:07 AM (#159438 - in reply to #159349) Subject: RE: camping the Black Hills
Veteran
Posts: 174 Location: Missouri
Hi Dawn, Sorry you guys won't be going this year. We are trying to go as much as we can because never know when Carroll won't be able to ride. Last years ordeal with the collapsed lung really took its toll but he still loves to ride. cin we'll be parked in front of the office in a big big trailer with hay pod and red gmc. Happy Trails everyone!
Posted 2014-06-19 2:48 PM (#159550 - in reply to #159349) Subject: RE: camping the Black Hills
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: Croswell MI
At Broken Arrow now.It is Awsome.The nicest bath house ever.Super clean and so cute.Today we did a 10 mile ride to Heaven.Amazing.I would highly recommend this camp.The owners bend over backwards to help and are very nice.This one ride was worth the LONG drive from Michigan.And we still have a lot of days left.
Posted 2014-07-25 12:47 PM (#160151 - in reply to #159349) Subject: RE: camping the Black Hills
Member
Posts: 17
Location: Crandon, WI
My wife and I stayed at Elk Haven for 10 days in June 2014 and had a wonderful time. The grounds were clean and the facilities met our needs and were also well kept. We have a lq 3 horse KB and our site was equipped with water, electric and sewage. Horse corrals were covered with rubber floors and in good working order. I wouldn't put more than 3 horses per corral however. Prices were reasonable, good food and small general store. Thursday nights they do an awesome rack of ribs bbq. Beautiful riding all around the area as Custer and Black Hills parks are at the doorstep. No trail maps, however, it is practically impossible to get lost. You can ride for as long as you like and go as far as you like also. Most we did was 18 miles in one day, you can ride and never go over the same spot twice. It was beneficial however to bring a small handheld GPS so you can track your daily rides and follow the same route back to camp as you rode out if you wish. We were nervous of getting lost at first too, however, after riding with some friendly people we met the first day and talking with the oweners about the landscape, it was evident that its very difficult to get lost. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back next year. Best riding I've ever been on.
camping the Black Hills
