Pathfinders Trip 2025!
Black Hills!
Camping, Hiking, Wind Cave Tour,
Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa
(This trip is exclusive to members of the Pathfinders Club in affiliation with the Great Outdoor Store)
July 25-27, 2025
Trip length: 3 Days, 2 nights
What's included:
Transportation
Park entrance and camping fees
Cave tour admission
Moccasin Hot Springs admission
What's available to borrow if needed: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, chairs, etc.
Cost: $175/person. This covers reimbursement for all inclusions.
$50 deposit due upon sign-up. $125 final payment due July 1st.
Difficulty rating: Easy Active (level 2) Rating System
Group size: Up to 17 guests plus your guides, Sam and Anna.
Summary:
Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and rejuvenate your spirit on this 3-day, 2-night trip to the southern Black Hills. Enjoy camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, stargazing, a cave tour, a natural swimming hole, and soaking in hot springs!
Itinerary
Day 1
Friday, July 25
7:30am meet at the Great Outdoor Store
Stop at the Missouri River Rest Area near Chamberlain
Enjoy scenic views, Lewis and Clark exhibits, and the magnificent 50-foot-tall "Dignity" statue
Enjoy a stop at Wall Drug. Feel free to get lunch or enjoy the packed lunch you brought.
Day 1 afternoon
Set up camp at Elk Mountain Campground in Wind Cave National Park.
Day 1 Evening
Enjoy Cascade Falls for for a refreshing swim. Cascade Falls is a swimming hole south of Hot Springs along Cascade Creek. We'll also stop for a quick dip in nearby Cascade Springs, marveling at how clear the cool water is.
We'll have dinner in the town of Hot Springs then we’ll head back to camp to enjoy fellowship, stargazing, and shenanigans around the campfire.
Day 2
Saturday July 26
Sunrise hike! It's a short drive to Rankin Ridge Trail for a morning hike and sunrise picnic at the Rankin Ridge Lookout Tower.
Mid-morning enjoy another hike in the park followed by lunch back at the campground.
Afternoon: “Fairgrounds Tour” of Wind Cave
“Explore both the upper and middle levels of Wind Cave. This tour offers plenty for those wanting to see a variety of features on their tour with abundant boxwork in the middle level of the cave and larger rooms, popcorn, and frostwork in the upper level. This 1.5-hour strenuous tour enters and exits the cave by elevator. Navigating 450 stairs, including one flight of 89 steps going up along the 0.6-mile route, it’s not just the features that will leave you breathless.”
Early dinner in the town of Hot Springs.
5:00-7:00pm soak at Moccasin Hot Springs!
Moccasin Springs is a natural mineral spa in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The spa is located on the historical ruins of the Hot Springs Hotel. In 2014, the name of the site was changed back to the original name, Moccasin Springs. All of the historical ruins on site have been taken into consideration; maintaining the ruins and building around the original site, keeping as much history as possible for your mineral springs experience.
https://www.moccasinsprings.com/
Return to camp to enjoy the fresh air, a beautiful sunset, and the amazing night sky. Evening fellowship, stargazing, and shenanigans around the campfire.
Sleep in your tent or try “cowboy camping” out under the stars while viewing the Milky Way!
Day 3
Sunday, July 27
Enjoy a leisurely morning.
Optional morning hike in the park.
Drive the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park on our way out of the Black Hills
Head home to Sioux Falls, arriving early evening.
What’s Included and provided:
Round-trip transportation in a large rental van.
Planning and guiding throughout the entire trip. 3 days, 2 nights
Campsite and park entrance fees
Moccasin Hot Springs entrance fee
Cave Tour admission
Camping Gear if needed:
Tents (2-person tents unless otherwise noted)
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping pads
Cooking gear (stove and fuel)
Group first-aid kit
Requirements
Sense of adventure! Cheerful and flexible attitude :-)
Willingness to sleep outside in a tent
Able to hike moderate distances through rough, uneven terrain
Able to do all 450 stairs in the cave tour
Guest packing list:
Bring a packed lunch for the first day, snacks , breakfast of your choice for two days (oatmeal, granola bars, etc.), 2 meals to enjoy at the campground (could be sandwiches or freeze-dried backpacking meals, etc.) and money for 3 meals.
Small backpack to carry water, snacks, and a jacket for the morning hike. This can be the same bag as you use for personal items in the van.
Hiking shoes/boots
Sandals
Hat to protect from the sun
Clothing
Clothes to hike in
Clean clothes to sleep in
Swimsuit
Sunscreen
Toiletries, personal items, medications
Portable cell phone charger (power bank)
Camping gear: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. We have extras if you'd like to borrow!
Cascade Springs
Optional items:
Pillow (I have some you can borrow if needed)
Headlamp or small flashlight (I have some you can borrow if needed)
Lightweight camp shoes/sandals
Small camping chair (I have some you can borrow if needed)
Mug
Sunglasses
Insect repellant
Lightweight rain jacket
Hiking stick or trekking poles
Camera
Hammock
Not Included
Insurance of any kind
Items of a personal nature
Payments:
Payment link here: Deposit link (coming soon)
Questions? Email Sam Anderson sam@605adventure.com or Anna Gette events@greatoutdoorstoreonline.com