Mountain View Campground, Sundance WY to 7th Ranch RV Camp Garryowen, MT

Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 27, 2025

After several extended trips in our RV, we soon learned that things happen. Things break, minor repairs, chores, and in some cases, medical issues come up. Fortunately, we have not had any medical issues to date but in speaking with our campground neighbors at Mountain View, they do happen. The couple was on a 5-week excursion from Gulf Shores, Texas, and had explored Yellowstone before making their way to Sundance. Sometime after arriving the man started experiencing pains and after a trip to the hospital, learned he had a kidney stone that required surgery. They extended their stay at Mountain View and arranged for surgery the next day, but plan to still continue their travels after it is removed. The few things we experienced now feel quite insignificant. We exchanged wishes for safe and happy travels before going our separate ways.

Today was a long day with nearly four hours of driving. We made a stop at Walmart in Gillette, WY, to grab groceries since they’re hard to find where we’re headed. The scenery along the way was stunning, with rolling hills, wide valleys, and the Rocky Mountains off in the distance. At first, the mountains looked like a mirage, wrapped in clouds and painted in shades of purple and gray, but as we got closer, they became clearer and more massive. Traveling on I-90, we climbed some hills while the Rockies stayed to the south. The valleys stretched wide, dotted with creeks, rivers, and trees lining their banks. The deciduous trees were especially striking, their vibrant yellow leaves adding to the beauty. Before we knew it, the miles flew by, and we arrived at 7th Ranch.

The campground is situated about 3 miles south of the Little Bighorn Battlefield, which we planned to visit on Sunday. Saturday was reserved for a full day of rest and relaxation, enjoying football, and making Dutch oven pizza. The campground is beautifully perched on a hillside overlooking a tranquil valley with scattered trees and pastures. It’s quiet since it’s the off-season, with only about 10 other campsites occupied when we arrived. The hostess welcomed us warmly and offered a free ice cream bar after we got settled, which we happily accepted. The facilities include a centrally located bathroom/shower area and a laundry room as well. The campground is well-maintained, and it’s easy to see why it has such great reviews.

We spent the day watching football, making pizza (so good!), and went to bed early. During the day, temperatures have been in the upper 70s and low 80s, but once the sun sets, the air cools down quickly. Overnight temperatures drop into the 40s, so we had to pull out a couple of wool blankets for the night and use a small electric heater in the morning. We’re convinced that the locals here are tough, thriving in this environment and enduring the winter weather.

Our visit to Little Bighorn was unforgettable in so many ways. Growing up, we had read about the legendary battle, one of those captivating Wild West tales that sparked the imagination. The battlefield and cemetery were solemn, rich with the history of both the American settlers striving to claim the land and the Native Americans fighting to protect their homeland. I could almost picture the fierce clashes and hear the cries of those who fell on these hills. Most of the fighting happened on the highest point in the area, and we were struck by the beauty of the landscape, with grasslands covering the hills and bluffs, and the Little Bighorn River winding peacefully through the valley surrounded by trees and pastures.

There are several monuments there and walking trails to various parts of the battlefield. During one of our walks, Ron suddenly stopped me and said, “Watch out.” He had spotted a rattlesnake just a few feet ahead on the sidewalk, directly in my path. The park has signs warning about poisonous snakes, and we found that to be true. It was a young snake that quickly slithered into the brush before we could snap a photo.

We also drove the loop that took us to other areas of the battle, learning a great deal about how the events took place that fateful day. Partway on the loop, the national park ends, and we travel through the Crow reservation lands before re-entering the National Park. It’s a day to remember at Little Bighorn.

Tomorrow, we head back east with our next stop in Spearfish, SD, staying at the City Campground. The couple from Texas told us how stunning Spearfish Canyon is, so we plan to explore it during our two-night stay. We’re also close to another iconic Western town, Deadwood, and are planning to check it out too.