Mt. Rushmore & Badlands-Must-See Suggestions

The Minuteman National Historic Site is an amazing look into just how close we came to the final countdown for the human race. Some scary stuff. We've been there twice; once when it was just a trailer and again just after the new visitor center opened. The exhibits weren't complete but still a fascinating look into history. Launch site tours fill early so get there when it opens if you want the tour; however, just the visitor center was enough for me.

Do a cave tour check out doing the candlelight tour. They fill up fast, so reserve your spot early, but so much fun. Mount Rushmore at night with the lighting ceremony is great. Badlands we did a hike, can't remember which one that you climbed up a wooden ladder to get to the main trail. That was real fun to do. Lots to see and do especially in Custer doing the Wildlife loop.

We have 3 1/2 days in the Black Hills. We are staying in Hot Springs.
Unfortunately we are there during the Sturgis Rally. (couldn't be helped and not happy) We want to go to the Badlands, Minuteman Missile Facility, and Deadwood. Of course needles highway and Mount Rushmore. Not sure how to squeeze this all in. One whole day at Minuteman Missile Facility and also Badlands. In my reading I have discovered that they do not do the street fights etc in Deadwood on Sunday and on Monday is the big rally through Deadwood with all the motorcycles. We have a 14ft travel trailer pulled by a 2500 chevy truck. Is it possible to park that in Deadwood and stop there on our way out of the area. We are arriving on a Saturday and plan to do Mt. Rushmore etc that day, then spend Sunday in Badlands area. Monday & Tuesday doing all the drives. Leaving on Wednesday morning. Next stop is Sundance. (so not far) Need any help anyone can give.

Would highly recommend visiting Mount Rushmore in late afternoon. Watch the videos in visitor's center, hike the trail that takes you to the base of the monument, eat a snack and take a seat in the amphitheater to watch the night time lighting of the monument along with their very patriotic salute to veterans. It is both a beautiful and very moving program. Makes you proud to be an American and there's not many opportunities for that today.

Ellsworth AFB near Rapid City offers tours to the missile silos on their base==twice a day. Excellent tours and not nearly crowded as the Minuteman NP.

MissouriBird wrote:
Would highly recommend visiting Mount Rushmore in late afternoon. Watch the videos in visitor's center, hike the trail that takes you to the base of the monument, eat a snack and take a seat in the amphitheater to watch the night time lighting of the monument along with their very patriotic salute to veterans. It is both a beautiful and very moving program. Makes you proud to be an American and there's not many opportunities for that today.

Agree...

In the badlands / grassland, we really enjoyed getting a bit off the general tourist circuit and drove out to the top of the "Wall" for a picnic lunch and exploring a bit. We really wanted to dry camp for a couple of nights out there, but lacking 4x4 we decided not to risk it since it was really wet and the rangers had warned us that campers where paying $1K each to get towed out of muddy grassland back to the road. We only saw one small TT towed by a 4x4 truck who seemed to have no trouble.
Also visited the Minuteman site and then went down to see the "Wall" from the bottom of that landscape. It was like driving on another planet.

As others said, Mt Rushmore was a bit of a let down -- they always post greatly enlarged pic's that make it seem much more impressive then reality is.

On the day trip over to Devils Tower, we returned back to our campsite near Custer by way of 585 / 85 from Sundance to Newcastle. I thought it seemed much more a real view of the Wyoming ranch life with no touristy stuff.

We barely stopped in Deadwood - that whole town just reminded of way too much of a beach boardwalk -- junk shops and junk food and way too many people.

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
In the badlands / grassland, we really enjoyed getting a bit off the general tourist circuit and drove out to the top of the "Wall" for a picnic lunch and exploring a bit. We really wanted to dry camp for a couple of nights out there, but lacking 4x4 we decided not to risk it since it was really wet and the rangers had warned us that campers where paying $1K each to get towed out of muddy grassland back to the road. We only saw one small TT towed by a 4x4 truck who seemed to have no trouble.

That is where we spent a couple days. We had wild goats come visit us on top of the "Wall".
Great view. And as you stated. make sure it is going to be dry a few days before and after. We only had a little area that was "moist" when we drove in.

Here is a video I did of our stay there.

The "Wall"

Where is the "Wall" that y'all talk about?

Lots of great suggestions here but I didn't see Reptile Gardens! A great location is near Hill City as it is central to almost everything mentioned. We left the camper for the day and went a different direction each day. We have stayed at the Rafter J. Bar (wifi, pool, etc) but we have also stayed at Horse Theif campground but very small sites and on the side of a hill so I don't recommend with a larger RV.

I just remembered this one, kids HAVE TO GO on the Presidents Alpine Slide in Keystone, best ever ride!

johnm1 wrote:
Where is the "Wall" that y'all talk about?

South of Wall South Dakota, on S.D. 240 just before The Bad Lands National Park entrance.