We are planning a trip to the Mt Rushmore area in early May. We will be traveling in a 26' Class C motor home. We do not own a toad. Are Mt. Rushmore and other tourist attractions in that area easily accessible by motor home?

Personnally, I wouldn't do it. The roads up there are pretty tight and the parking is very limited. Took the family there last summer. Even with my F250 I was a little nervous. Just my opinion.

Been there many times and am going back in June driving a F350 dullay towing a 43 ft 5th wheel. You will be fine in a 26ft motorhome. Plenty of places to park. Just stay off the Needels Highway and Iron Mountian Road (16A) and you won't have any problems. The rest of the roads are plenty big enough for your motorhome. I see 40 and 45 foot Class a's there all the time. You could even do the needels highway depending on your height. Google it and take a look. Go to Google earth and you can look at all the roads in that area and see that it's not a problem. Have a great trip as this is on beautiful place.

For us the Needles was worth seeing and we had to have a toad to see it. We also went to the Badlands and the Horse Santuary which is south of Hill City. It is easier in a toad.

My Class C is about 24 feet and we always drive with no toad. It's been all over the western states with no trouble. Big problem at Mount Rushmore is paying the fee for parking the parking structure that looks like it was designed for the downtown of a large city.If there is a big problem with length or height, there will be signs for you. In some areas on the east side of Yosimete, there are signs for state highways that say the limit is 21 feet -- and I once had to back my older 21-footer up to make a curve.Just enjoy yourself - and remember that even at automatic transmission can be shifted down for extra control on steep areas. Also if it scares you just slow down. That way you will do less damage if you do hit something.

You`ll be fine! really when you start getting to 28ft and over that is when there will be issues with maneuverability. and besides if the tour buses can do it then so can you!

Mt Rushmore in a 26' Class C | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

newk
Explorer
May 04, 2013
No problem on most of the roads, and they're used heavily by other rigs like yours and those much, much larger.
noe-place
Explorer
May 04, 2013
The first trip I ever took rving was in a similar small rented class C. One of the main stops I made was Mt. Rushmore. No problem. Twenty plus years later we do the same thing only now the rv is much bigger.
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
May 03, 2013
Check out Mt. Rushmore KOA. They're on the same road as Mt. Rushmore and run a free nightly shuttle for the lighting ceremony. Also pancake breakfasts, lunch places on site and a restaurant for dinner. I think they have car rentals, but I'm sure they can arrange one. You'll need one for driving the needles highway and the "pigtail bridges". There's just too much to see and do that requires a car. Don't limit yourself.
katleman
Explorer
May 03, 2013
Have been to Rushmore twice in a 24C. Piece of cake, they have a parking garage for RVs, you'll fit in just fine
Oakman
Explorer
Apr 25, 2013
Another pic taken on the Needles Highway.

This can make your hair stand on end when you're hauling a fifth wheel.
modmidget
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2013
Love it Dodge Guy..... My other car is a 1968 Dodge Charger.

Looks like that bus driver has his mirrors and everything else sucked in.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2013
Oakman wrote:
As Georgew48 said, be sure to stay away from the Needles highway (Hwy 87).

Why?!!!
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
There are large parts of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Highway that you won't be able to drive because of your height and width, not length. The most scenic road in the area has "pigtail bridges" and tunnels that frame Mt. Rushmore as you approach it. And Needles Highway in and around Custer STP has some low and narrow tunnels. Think about renting a car.
modmidget
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2013
WOW!!! Great picture. I'll be sure to avoid that highway.

Our Class C is sold as a 26' - 6" but it's 28' bumper to bumper and it's 13'+ high at the top of the A/C. I don't think we have enough Vasoline to squeeze through that tunnel. Thanks for the heads-up.
Oakman
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
As Georgew48 said, be sure to stay away from the Needles highway (Hwy 87).