InZane XV Camping

[BudMan]

“Good Morning Campers…”
I started this thread to give those of us that like to camp a place to kind of coordinate and share our camping information.
I’m not in the SD area, so I kind of made my decision in the blind.
I was aided by MP’s recommendation in favor of the Spearfish City Campground and a google earth view of all the campgrounds mentioned earlier.
 Spearfish City Campground, operated by the City Parks and Recreation Department http://www.spearfishparksandrec.com/campground/index.html
Chris’ Camp, a Good Sam Affiliated Campground http://www.chriscampground.com/
Elkhorn Ridge Resort and Cabins http://www.elkhornridgervresort.com/

The reviews for Spearfish Campground were all glowing, including one for our own MP over in the original InZane XV Preliminary Information thread. (Except for the one stating there were no activities for Kids, personally for this trip I don’t see that as a particularly bad thing.)
The reviews for Chris’ Camp were all great regarding the owner and staff, but “less than flattering” about the facilities.
There were no reviews available for Elkhorn Ridge, but the photo album on their site clearly makes it look like a huge parking lot in the middle of a pasture. There are no trees in sight.

Given all these factors, we're leaning heavily towards the Spearfish City Campgrounds.
I'll post back later with details about the registration process at our selected destination.
Anyone from the area or anyone with data on these or other sites in the area please add your comments!

[Valkorado]

Thanks for looking into this for us poor folk.

[Joe Hummer]

Thanks for starting this thread Budman.  Monica and I are campers so we will be very interested in what you find out. 

Joe

[BudMan]

Thanks for looking into this for us poor folk.

That screaming sound you hear is coming from the eagles in my billfold.

[MP]

Elkhorn Ridge is a new, upscale resort mainly catering to high end motorhomes.
Can u say  $$$$$?
Plus, it is farther away.

MP

[BobB]

In my mind, I had already narrowed it down to Chris and the Park & Rec campground.  For my tent without hookups the price is the same.  The Park & Rec campground does not take reservations for such sites, except during the rally (not Inzane), but that may not be an issue.  They have 150 of them.  It's been stated that Chris is closer to GZ. 

It would be enjoyable if we could reach a consensus on one campground.

[Novavalker]

I prefer camping.
I often use motocampers.com as a resource on camping equipment etc.

[Rams]

It would be enjoyable if we could reach a consensus on one campground.

While this may or may not be possible, I wonder if "staff" could or would set up a camp ground similar to the way the hotel is set up.   That would allow all those camping Valkyrie riders to be co-located and staff might be able to get them a better price, pay for the camping reservations along with registration and make a small percentage also.


Just an idea, do what you will with it.  

[fudgie]

Camping dont cost but very little. Seems a little waste of staff time to haggle over a $20 camp site.

[BobB]

I believe the campers among us could reach a consensus right here, without involving the staff.   

[Willow]

The key is agreeing upon a campsite and then contacting them to arrange for VRCC people to be placed near one another.

The VRCC staff has done that in the past but its success depends strongly upon the campers cooperating by participating.

Fudgie is right, the camping fee is so small it's not really to the campsite's advantage to contribute to InZane, but the campers can make up for that by simply buying more raffle tickets  

[MP]

In my mind, I had already narrowed it down to Chris and the Park & Rec campground.  For my tent without hookups the price is the same.  The Park & Rec campground does not take reservations for such sites, except during the rally (not Inzane), but that may not be an issue.  They have 150 of them.  It's been stated that Chris is closer to GZ. 

It would be enjoyable if we could reach a consensus on one campground.

Chris's is closer, but not by much.  I would not let that factor in, as both are mere minutes away.

MP

[Hoser]

Elkhorn Ridge is a new, upscale resort mainly catering to high end motorhomes.
Can u say  $$$$$?
Plus, it is farther away.

MP

So that is where you are going?  Hoser   

[MP]

Elkhorn Ridge is a new, upscale resort mainly catering to high end motorhomes.
Can u say  $$$$$?
Plus, it is farther away.

MP

So that is where you are going?  Hoser   

Absolutely...................NOT!

IF I was camping, I would be at the City Park and Campground!  MUCH more to my taste than a little slot, out in the open, for 4X the money!

MP

[BudMan]

Well, it’s the Spearfish City Campground for us!
Even though I have never stayed there, I feel it is the best place. I really appreciate MP giving us a actual experience review of the grounds. That aided our decision a lot.  I made the reservations for Spot P-4. There are 5 “Premium” slots in an area of the Campground that has so many trees I could not see the slots on Google Earth even while comparing the picture to their map. The trees sealed the deal for us!
The reservation process was quick hassle free. They took my card number and called me back in a couple of minutes with a confirmation number for the slot.  Like most places, they will not charge the card until after check in. There is a one day cancelation fee if the reservations are not used or canceled within 24 hours of the scheduled date. (That’s pretty much standard.)

There were two of the Premium slots already reserved for the same dates.

All the Premium slots have 50 Amp service. I’m not sure if all the sites are 50 Amp or not. They just say 30 and 50 Amp. I think that means they have plug-ins and service for either cord end.  I’ll check on that tomorrow and post back here.

[Rams]

Well, it’s the Spearfish City Campground for us!

The trees sealed the deal for us!

I got a smile on my face when I read this.    I remember Kansas, Oklahoma and Northern Texas vividly.    Not many trees except in the low lying areas where there's water.     I completely understand.  Spent most of my youth in that area.

[BudMan]

Yeah, we miss our trees!
Karen is from Jackson TN and I'm from Memphis. If I were a pioneer in "the great move West", the only way I would have stopped before getting to the mountains is if the wagon broke down and the mule DIED!
Actually, I probably would probably have never crossed the River. (No need in saying WHICH river, I'm sure.)

[BudMan]

I just got word back from the Spearfish City Campground, all full hook up sites are 50 Amp capable and have water, sewer, and cable TV hookups. 
The only downside I see is they don't allow tents at the RV sites. (There goes the guest bedroom.)

[Joe Hummer]

The only downside I see is they don't allow tents at the RV sites. (There goes the guest bedroom.)

Thanks for the information Buddy!  Will make plans accordingly. 

Joe

[BudMan]

Sure thing Joe.
Spot P-4 if up by the front of the park and we will be there all week. If you, or anyone in a tent, needs a place to work on a scooter under a canopy or to recharge a portable device just come on by.
2014 is the first InZane we missed in several years so we are getting ready EARLY this time!
Let's keep this thread active with camping tips and tricks we have learned from Motorcycle Camping over the years.
We can make this the best InZane ever for campers!
I visited and registered on the forum Novavalker posted about:http://www.motocampers.com/ There is a wealth of information there!
I'd be interested in seeing some photos of everybody's camping/camper/tent set ups and how you manage your gear.
Here's a shot of one of my solo trips a few years back.  (Normally the trailer is loaded a little more heavily because the back seat is occupied. (Karen can become quite forceful in her objections to sharing her seat with camping gear.) 

[Novavalker]

Hey Budman nice to see someone else here with so much enthusiasm for motorcycle camping.
Here is a shot of my rig. It was taken at a KOA camp ground during Americade. I just purchased the camper was heading back home.

[fudgie]

Something to think about is refunds if they allow them or not. Most dont cause of 'rally time'. I know a few have cut off dates such as May for refunds.

Also dont forget that you can ship your camp gear. 

[Hoser]

Elkhorn Ridge is a new, upscale resort mainly catering to high end motorhomes.
Can u say  $$$$$?
Plus, it is farther away.

MP

So that is where you are going?  Hoser   

Absolutely...................NOT!

IF I was camping, I would be at the City Park and Campground!  MUCH more to my taste than a little slot, out in the open, for 4X the money!

MP

I was just thinking of  the upscale RV type park remark.  I have seen your toy hauler!      Hoser 

[Black Pearl's Captain]

The ST-Owners forum (Honda ST1300) has used Spearfish City park as the "national meet" for many years. We primarily tent and motorcycle trailer camp at the event. It is a nice campground and will be cool at night. We have enough attendees that we can talk the per person per night price down to $9 bucks. I doubt there will be enough campers for the VRCC to do that. And we use a group area with tents together.

Spearfish is a great choice for the VRCC Inzane location. Lots of great riding and sites to see around Spearfish. Sturgis is neither of those however. The only downside to Spearfish might be a lack of eateries but they are around in town and just down the road.

Raymond

[MP]

Something to think about is refunds if they allow them or not. Most dont cause of 'rally time'. I know a few have cut off dates such as May for refunds.

Also dont forget that you can ship your camp gear. 

But, Inzane is NOT during Rally time!  So, as previous poster said, they have a 24 hour cancellation policy for this time period.  Pretty good.  They do not charge until you get there.  The card is only charged for one night, if you do let them know 24 hours in advance.  Pretty good.

MP

[Joe Hummer]

Made our reservations today.  Monica and I will be in spot 57 at the Spearfish City Campgrounds.    Can't wait!!! 

[fudgie]

Something to think about is refunds if they allow them or not. Most dont cause of 'rally time'. I know a few have cut off dates such as May for refunds.

Also dont forget that you can ship your camp gear. 

But, Inzane is NOT during Rally time!  So, as previous poster said, they have a 24 hour cancellation policy for this time period.  Pretty good.  They do not charge until you get there.  The card is only charged for one night, if you do let them know 24 hours in advance.  Pretty good.

MP

I know its not but some campgrounds have cut off dates. As mine for instance, May. Rally time or not since its a yr round campground. Didnt see the prev post about the 24 hr.

[BudMan]

Here is a shot of my rig.

That’s a neat little unit.  Our buddy Glideman that we have camped with at several InZanes has one. He pulls it behind his Valk that has a Voyager Kit on it.  I really couldn’t believe how such a small package could open up and be that nice!

Anyone else made reservations yet?

How about some pics of recent camping excursions?
Its been an off year for us because of various "real world" issues. Some good; some not so much.

[MP]

Well, it’s the Spearfish City Campground for us!
Even though I have never stayed there, I feel it is the best place. I really appreciate MP giving us a actual experience review of the grounds. That aided our decision a lot.  I made the reservations for Spot P-4. There are 5 “Premium” slots in an area of the Campground that has so many trees I could not see the slots on Google Earth even while comparing the picture to their map. The trees sealed the deal for us!
The reservation process was quick hassle free. They took my card number and called me back in a couple of minutes with a confirmation number for the slot.  Like most places, they will not charge the card until after check in. There is a one day cancelation fee if the reservations are not used or canceled within 24 hours of the scheduled date. (That’s pretty much standard.)

There were two of the Premium slots already reserved for the same dates.

Just made reservation for P-2.  Will be one down from you! They said it was the only Premium site left open for those dates.  I did start mine on the friday night before though. Might have some if start sunday night instead.

She said they still have lots of regular sites left, which will handle large rigs if needed, and lots of smaller sites.

MP

[BudMan]

Well I finally got my vacation finalized and will for sure make it to InZane XV.
I made the camping reservation right after we learned the location.
My last trip to this area was in 1963 and Karen has never been there. We're really looking forward to this trip!
Any tips for things to do and see will be greatly appreciated.

[BudMan]

"Good Morning Campers!"
I got a call from a fellow camper trying to make reservations at the Spearfish City Campground and could not. Their website says the phone number is not available from October 1st through 15 May; however, the campground is open year round.
I was hoping some of you "Locals" up there might drop by and see if they will take reservations from you on behalf of anyone wanting to reserve a powered site.
Do we have anyone from the immediate area of Spearfish?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
After missing last year we're really fired up for this one! Is it June yet? 

[ValkISDan]

I would like to camp with the group but I'm afraid come May 15th we are going to be full. considering making some backup arrangements at Chris's campground.