Mt. Rushmore & Badlands-Must-See Suggestions

You have a lot of great suggestions but not knowing what time of year you are going to be there I highly recommend the annual buffalo roundup in Custer State Park. I believe it is in Sept.

Paul

We visited Black Hills area last summer and also took drive from Hill City SD to Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, saw Roughneck Falls - Bridal Veil Falls and then drove over to Deadwood SD (Wild Bill Hickok killed there) for rest of day. Had great time visiting town and seeing various staged western skits and shootouts throughout day.

Definitely the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs! Check with them to see if the Junior Paleontologist Excavation is going on while you are there. I know my eight year old grandson would go nuts for that! Unfortunately he wasn't with us on that trip.

I agree with Needles Highway and I thoroughly enjoy Custer State Park, been there 3 times. The wild burrows are fun to pet and feed. While in Deadwood, visit the saloon where Wild Bill was killed while holding aces and eights. If you are a big history fan, go by Fort Meade just outside the city limits of Sturgis. That old Calvary fort is very interesting.

We enjoyed a place called " The Cosmos" and Bear Country USA. Also Badlands NP and Custer State Park especially the Wildlife Loop.

X3 on the Mammoth Site

Be sure to hike around Sylvan Lake. Very scenic.

Lots of great suggestions above. There is so much to do in the Black Hills. Mount Rushmore is a must see. Custer State Park - ask about the location of the buffalo herd. Drive the Needles Highway, hike around Sylvan Lake, take a day trip to Devils Tower or a cave tour. Our favorite "touristy" things to do when our kids were younger were Reptile Gardens, Bear Country USA and Old MacDonalds Petting Zoo. There is an 1880s train that runs out of Hill City. Personally I would skip the Crazy Horse monument.
The Rafter J Bar Ranch is our favorite place to stay. Great location with spacious campsites. I believe they also have cabins.
Enjoy your trip!

sedwheathome wrote:
We have only a week to visit & see the Mt. Rushmore & Bad Lands areas. Our plans also include a day trips to Devils Tower & Crazy Horse. What are other "must-see" suggestions? Like Jewel Cave National Park? Thanks for your time & stay warm.

Jewel Cave is a National Monument, not a National Park. See Wind Cave NP.

Your 8 year old boy may really enjoy going to an authentic Chuck Wagon.
We took our kids to the Circle B Chuck wagon. They rode horses on a long woodsy trail, panned for gold, saw a great gunfight, and then we had a great chuckwagon dinner (buffalo if you want it), and excellent entertainment while you eat. The place is run by a family and all the family members sing cowboy songs and play guitar beautifully. Just a great day to spend there.
Here's the link: [COLOR=]Circle B Chuckwagon Ranch