Stockade Lake North Campground is perfect. Full hook-ups, tent area, and pretty quiet. It's about a 1/2 mile walk/drive around the lake from transition (on the northwest side of the lake). If you choose a campsite on the far north end of the campground, you are within 50 feet of the run route and close to the bathrooms/showers. Those sites would be a great place for family to hang out during the run, because you pass by four times. I got a hotel in Custer the first year I raced it and then camped at Stockade Lake the following year. It can get pretty cold in a tent at 5000' of elevation in September, but it was manageable.
This is a great little race. It's about as grassroots as you can get (in a very good way). None of the hassle you get with the big races. You can park 100 feet from transition and no lines for the bathrooms. The location of the aid stations are well thought out and had plenty of everything I needed. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more scenic triathlon course anywhere in North America. It's the kind of place people drive all the way across the country just to look at, but you get to race there. Mountain peaks surrounding the small lake that holds the swim. The water is warmer than the crisp morning air in September, so there is usually a little fog hanging over the lake. It's a small field, but because of the nice payday, this race draws some pretty fast people.
I think I showed about 5600 feet of elevation gain on the ride. Basically, two loops with a long climb and fast descent on each loop. Freshly paved narrow asphalt roads for the climb. Big wide smooth concrete highway for the winding but non-technical descent. I don't remember seeing a single pothole or imperfection in any of the roads. I'm sure there were a few, but I was amazed at how perfect roads could be. Tourism is the lifeblood of the people in the area. This course is inside a state park that caters to those tourists...and they maintain everything really, really well. The cattle gates/grates at a couple of places along the bike course are the only roadway-related thing you need to be prepared for. They're flush with the road surface, but will certainly wake you up if your mind is wandering. Mountain goats and other furry critters all over the place. I actually came across a buffalo munching grass on the side of the road. I don't know if I needed to, but I slowed down and gave it some room.
The run is a little lumpy, too. A couple of risers along the course that you get to climb a total of eight times, because of the "out-and-back-twice" nature of the layout. Once you're done, they have a big spread of food at the finish line.
This is a great little race. It's about as grassroots as you can get (in a very good way). None of the hassle you get with the big races. You can park 100 feet from transition and no lines for the bathrooms. The location of the aid stations are well thought out and had plenty of everything I needed. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more scenic triathlon course anywhere in North America. It's the kind of place people drive all the way across the country just to look at, but you get to race there. Mountain peaks surrounding the small lake that holds the swim. The water is warmer than the crisp morning air in September, so there is usually a little fog hanging over the lake. It's a small field, but because of the nice payday, this race draws some pretty fast people.
I think I showed about 5600 feet of elevation gain on the ride. Basically, two loops with a long climb and fast descent on each loop. Freshly paved narrow asphalt roads for the climb. Big wide smooth concrete highway for the winding but non-technical descent. I don't remember seeing a single pothole or imperfection in any of the roads. I'm sure there were a few, but I was amazed at how perfect roads could be. Tourism is the lifeblood of the people in the area. This course is inside a state park that caters to those tourists...and they maintain everything really, really well. The cattle gates/grates at a couple of places along the bike course are the only roadway-related thing you need to be prepared for. They're flush with the road surface, but will certainly wake you up if your mind is wandering. Mountain goats and other furry critters all over the place. I actually came across a buffalo munching grass on the side of the road. I don't know if I needed to, but I slowed down and gave it some room.
The run is a little lumpy, too. A couple of risers along the course that you get to climb a total of eight times, because of the "out-and-back-twice" nature of the layout. Once you're done, they have a big spread of food at the finish line.