I booked a room a few days after the rally for about $300 for three nights.

Of course, if you have to be there during rally time (and yes, every rider/biker/motorcyclist should do it at least once), camp or rent a house if your in a larger group. Otherwise, as the old saying goes-- ya gotta pay to play.

Honestly, I don't know how people justify $2000 - $3000 for 1 weeks lodging!

 

You can ship gear to any of the camp grounds. And ship it back from them.

You can also rent already set up gear at all the major campgrounds. I think it is stupid expensive but still way less than a hotel room. It is called EZ camp or something like it.

Two thoughts you can rent one of the cabins at the camp ground or a RV/ trailer which you can rent. They are less than a hotel room and you would have bedrooms and you own bathrooms.

Or you can rent a hotel BUT you will PAY for it. Or you will be far away ans still pay A LOT.

 

Ok so far now we are leaning towards the Buffalo chip campground, but one big concern for one of our party is the beer policy.

Do I understand correctly that you can not bring your own beer into the campground in your camper?

How bad is the cost of beer there for carryout back to your camper?

 

That is correct. They even search some of the campers and if they find booze take it. Don't know how much beer costs. I am sure some find a way to sneak it in but it is sneaking so might get caught.
They claim it is a liquor law policy BUT all the other campground allow it outside of their entertainment/bar area just like many campground or hotels. Everyone knows they do it to make money.
Many stay there and have a great time and there is plenty of bars/ stores on site so you can just plan on buying beer there / drinking at the bars.
But know it is a policy and there are MANY reports of them taking beer/booze away from people at the gate.


Here is from thier website
ALCOHOL & DRUGS

NO ONE UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE CAN POSSESS OR CONSUME ALCOHOL ANYWHERE ON THE STURGIS BUFFALO CHIP CAMPGROUND. No adult can provide alcohol to anyone under 21. Violators will be removed from the campground without refund and are subject to arrest. Fake IDs will be seized and violators will be reported for prosecution. The Buffalo Chip will pay a $20 reward to anyone who reports to and/or helps security capture a violating underage person or someone supplying alcohol to an underage person.
Alcohol purchased somewhere else cannot be allowed on the campground premises. South Dakota Codified Law section 35-1-5.3, first passed in 1973, criminalized consumption, blending or mixing alcoholic beverage on any licensed premises "other than upon the premises of a licensed on-sale dealer where the alcoholic beverage was purchased from the dealer for on-sale purposes." That prohibition was restated by the SD Legislature in a new statute, SDCL 35-1-5.6, effective July 1, 2011, which makes it a crime "for any person to consume any alcoholic beverage upon the premises of a licensed on-sale dealer if the alcoholic beverage was not purchased from the on-sale dealer."
CAMPGROUND ENTRANCE CHECKS

Vehicles and personal belongings will be checked at both gate and campground entrances. No glass bottles, alcohol, pets, firearms, weapons, video cameras or other contraband will be allowed to enter the Buffalo Chip Campground or Amphitheater.

Note: Backpacks or coolers are not permitted within the amphitheater at any time.

 

This makes no sense. At Glencoe you can't bring alcohol into the Pavilion (where they have a bar) but you can bring it in in your camper, car or on your bike and drink it anywhere but the pavilion.

In fact, there are people that take a gas powered blender up and down the alley making margaritas for the ladies that flash.

Broken Spoke same thing, Can't bring it into the bar or the pool but OK anywhere else.

Why the Hell would anyone stay at the Chip.

 

While at the Broken Spoke this year they never said a word about us walking into those areas with a beer already.... I'm sure if you tried to bring a 12pk in it would be different but they weren't ****'s about it.

 

The chip is conveniently saying the state is making them do it when all the other camp ground don't give a rats a$$ what you are doing / drinking at your tent or camper. They know you will buy beer/ drinks at their bar sometimes if you are staying there.

But people stay there for the bands and the over the top set up the campground makes. People stay at Glencoe for the over the top set up the campers make.

 

I have seen quite a few other posts that state the Chip does not search bikes, vehicles or rvs entering the gate. We have made our reservations. I will let you know next year if we saw any inspections. My guess is those who draw attention might be checked, just like those that draw attention get pulled over by the cops.

 

That is a great way to describe it. We love Glencoe and Glencoe people. We have made several friends there and hang with them every year.

 

I have seen many reports of the searches and they say they do it on their website.
Here is one from this year.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

That doesn't mean you shouldn't stay there but I certainly wouldn't bring a bunch of booze/beer in a camper in advance for fear they would take it.

The place is supposed to be fun and the night I was there was a blast. But I would plan for buying stuff there.