Hidden Valley Campground

The Great Outdoors

One of the advantages of staying in Lawrence County campgrounds is proximity to some of the most renowned national parks in the United States. Gaze up at the imposing heads of four U.S. presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln – at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The sculptor behind this massive undertaking may not be as well known, which makes a visit to the Sculptor Studio all the more essential to learn about Gutzon Borglum. A generally easy walk along the Presidential Trail rewards you with occasional glimpses of wildlife while a ranger-led Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota heritage village program acquaints you with Native American traditions.For a more adventurous journey into the stark beauty of South Dakota, drive your rental RV from Deadwood and set your sights to the colorful striated rocks of the Badlands National Park less than two hours’ drive when RV camping at Hidden Valley Campground. Encompassing more than 240,000 acres, the park is home to rich fossil beds and also to iconic wildlife of the area like bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. If you wish to take in the scenery with only the wind in your face, saddle up and follow the various bicycle trails (like the Sage Creek Loop and the Northeast-Big Foot Loop) that wind through the park.About two hours’ drive away in your campervan rental, the Devils Tower National Monument, despite its unsavory name, is held sacred by Native Americans in the area. While the imposing monolith that stands out of the prairies captivates the visitor’s attention at first glance, the vegetation of the area harbors small mammals, birds, and reptiles, among the many animals that call the national monument home. Birds and small rodents are even found on the tower itself, so keep your eyes peeled for these critters.

Exploring the Area

Camping in Deadwood puts you right in the heart of Wild West history. You simply have to see the names on tombstones at the Mount Moriah Cemetery, where Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Seth Bullock were laid to rest. Digging deeper, you’ll discover that the town is also home to other Black Hills treasures like the Potato Creek Johnny gold nugget (weighing more than seven troy ounces), and a plesiosaur fossil, both housed in the Adams Museum.A step inside the Queen Anne-style Adams House will take you back to 1892 when it was built with "modern" 19th-century plumbing, electricity, and original furnishings. The house is like a time capsule, as little has been changed since the owner left it intact in the 1930s.Around that time, the Days of '76 was already celebrated for a few years, a tradition that continues to this day. Commemorating the wave of settlers who came into the Black Hills region in 1876, this annual event held in July is marked with a historical parade and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo. Rent a camper near Hidden Valley Campground and jump into the thick of the action. Also check the museum to see a stunning collection of horse-drawn wagons, stagecoaches, and carriages used in association with the celebration.Motorcycle enthusiasts should circle their calendar in August when the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicks off. Demo rides roar through Deadwood's Main Street while live entertainment takes place all throughout the town's bars, saloons and casinos. With attendance in the hundreds of thousands, booking your campsite at Hidden Valley Campground is a must if you wish to revel in the fun at one of Deadwood’s biggest parties of the year.With popular national parks surrounding Deadwood, and some of South Dakota’s most exciting events nearby, you’d likely be overwhelmed as to where to begin. Get your tires rolling by searching for an RV rental in Deadwood, South Dakota today, and mapping out your journey.