Chicago-Minneapolis-Dakotas

[axpmaluga]

Going July 4th weekend so I can pick up 3 new states (trying to hit all 50, this will bring me to 45). Spending July 4th in Minneapolis then heading to Bismarck-Montana-Devils Tower-Mt. Rushmore/Badlands and back. Any suggestions on things to do in Bismarck, the Badlands as well as where is a good place to stop halfway between Rapid City, SD and Chicago? Rochester maybe? or camping somewhere? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

I've only been to Bismarck once, and I camped at Abe Lincoln State Park. It was a pretty nice place, but to be honest, it was just a quick overnight stop so we didn't explore the area too much. Working over towards Montana, I've always enjoyed the northern badlands of Western ND and Eastern MT, around Teddy Roosevelt National Park. Very cool area, and a little more quiet than the Badlands in South Dakota.

If you're looking for a place to camp about halfway from RC to Chicago, I'd look at Myre-Big Island State Park, near Albert Lea, MN. I've never stopped there myself, but it is fairly close to I-90 and closer to the halfway point than Rochester.

[axpmaluga]

thank you for the reply...we will basically be pit stopping in bismarck for the night so i'm not too concerned about it...i should mention we're donig the whole trip in 6 days so there will be some long driving days, i will do some reasearch on the park in ND