First Trip to South Dakota and Wyoming

**Benny&Vickie** · 07-02-2018, 02:33 PM

Planning on being in Parts of South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming from August 16 until September 23. I know it is impossible to predict but was wondering about the possibility of wildfires this time of year and if there is a better time to visit. will be travelling from South Ga. Thanks for any and all info

**D2Reid** · 07-03-2018, 08:03 AM

Wildfires are certainly a concern while traveling. We re-routed the year Yosemite had the ridge fire. Last summer we were up in Canada when all those fires popped up, some roads got closed for a while and there was a lot of smoke around, but we got to visit the places we had planned on visiting.

If you google wildfire maps you will see several organizations that report fires. This makes it pretty easy to monitor fires. I have found them to be relatively localized and easy to avoid. It's a bummer if the place you want to go see is fighting a fire, but that is part of life. Right up there with getting your s'mores drenched in a sudden rain shower.

As far as time of year goes, anytime the ground is not covered with snow. Areas that are experiencing a drought are more prone to wildfires.

I never consider wildfires when I am planning a trip. But I do watch the local alerts during travel.

**2rr2nv2018** · 07-03-2018, 10:31 AM

Welcome to our neck of the woods. Yeah, we can get wildfires, but the fire crews are pretty dang good. There are plenty of places to stay in and around The Hills that you could avoid areas that might be on fire. If nothing else, hang out in the Badlands or go into WY.

Scot "Zee"

**Benny&Vickie** · 07-03-2018, 11:32 AM

Thanks so much for the info. Looks like trip is still on . Looking forward to seeing your part of the country. Happy and Blessed travels to all

**2rr2nv2018** · 07-12-2018, 06:39 AM

Hope your trip is going well and safe. We're getting lots of rain these days. (Amazing). lots of flooding. We just got 1.4 inches in a lil over an hour a few days ago. THAT is NOT the norm. this summer has been WEIRD!!! If you have any questions, let us know.

Scot "Zee"

**Canyonlight** · 07-12-2018, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Benny&Vickie

Planning on being in Parts of South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming from August 16 until September 23. I know it is impossible to predict but was wondering about the possibility of wildfires this time of year and if there is a better time to visit. will be travelling from South Ga. Thanks for any and all info

Would not let the very remote possibility of fires in SD affect your trip planning. I have lived in SD nearly my entire 6 + decades and never had camping/travel here impacted by fire. Most of the state is farm and ranch land with the Black Hills and a few other areas more forested. Yes, the late summer/early fall season can be quite dry and thus more susceptible to fires but even small fires rarely happen.

Enjoy your trip and time here (as it will be a great time of the year to visit SD) and your travels all around the country.

Dan

**Airrace** · 07-12-2018, 08:42 AM

X2 what Scott Zee said. Just made a trip though MT,SD, and WY to see the kids, grandkids and mom and devil's tower. Lots of things and places to do/see. Plan on being back in MT around Sept 20th for step father's 90 BD and more fishing with the grandson. Have fun on your trip. Have rerouted due to fires but normally do it on the fly. Watched a fire in Likely, CA a few years ago, was something to see

**Benny&Vickie** · 07-13-2018, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Airrace

X2 what Scott Zee said. Just made a trip though MT,SD, and WY to see the kids, grandkids and mom and devil's tower. Lots of things and places to do/see. Plan on being back in MT around Sept 20th for step father's 90 BD and more fishing with the grandson. Have fun on your trip. Have rerouted due to fires but normally do it on the fly. Watched a fire in Likely, CA a few years ago, was something to see

Thanks so much to everyone for their encouragement and advice on our upcoming trip. We are really looking forward to our time in this part of the country. Sometimes you have mixed feelings on going places you have never been, but after responses we have received it is easy to see RVr's are just one big family and always there
to help. Safe and Blessed travels to all. if anyone ever heads to Georgia let us know if we can help

**JCZhome** · 07-13-2018, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by D2Reid

Wildfires are certainly a concern while traveling. We re-routed the year Yosemite had the ridge fire. Last summer we were up in Canada when all those fires popped up, some roads got closed for a while and there was a lot of smoke around, but we got to visit the places we had planned on visiting.

If you google wildfire maps you will see several organizations that report fires. This makes it pretty easy to monitor fires. I have found them to be relatively localized and easy to avoid. It's a bummer if the place you want to go see is fighting a fire, but that is part of life. Right up there with getting your s'mores drenched in a sudden rain shower.

As far as time of year goes, anytime the ground is not covered with snow. Areas that are experiencing a drought are more prone to wildfires.

I never consider wildfires when I am planning a trip. But I do watch the local alerts during travel.

It's about how I do it. You can leave today with clear roads and have a huge fire and roads closed within 24 hrs. I can tell you, having spent the past 2 1/2 months in the Black Hills that all the locals are hyper sensitive to fire protection after that big fire that they had last year. It seems like they're doing a lot more "safe space" clearing than I've seen in the past.

**Gold Country Livin'** · 07-13-2018, 03:59 PM

You might add this one to your computer or phone. It's a government website covering many agencies and easy to use. My son is a CDF (Cal-Fire) firefighter. You never know when something will break out, but here in the West, it's happening very often. Hope that helps.

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

Originally Posted by Benny&Vickie

Planning on being in Parts of South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming from August 16 until September 23. I know it is impossible to predict but was wondering about the possibility of wildfires this time of year and if there is a better time to visit. will be travelling from South Ga. Thanks for any and all info