I will be renting a "C Class" in LA in late may and spending 3 months meandering from Tuscon AZ to Jasper in Alberta.Mount Rushmore is definitely on my list.Can anyone suggest things to see in the Rushmore area....drives etc.It is 7 years since I have RV'ed in the wonderful Lower 48th

There is Custer State Park a very popular park and it has scenic drives and buffalo among other critters. There are two National Park Caves in the area. Wind and Jewel Caves, they aren't Carlsbad but we enjoyed them. Not too far off is Badlands NP. Minuteman NM gives you a chance to visit a minuteman silo and see what it was like down there. They only do tours a few times a week so you'll need reservations. For kitsch there is the ever popular Wall Drugs where you can get free ice water and a lot more.

Worlds largest mountain carving...Crazy Horse Memorial....just a few miles from Rushmore

request a sd guide from black hills, badlands and lakes assoc. bhbl.com

You might want to avoid Sturgis during motorcycle week unless you like lots of bikes and crowds. I think it's usually in early August.Make sure you know where the tunnels are in the Black Hills and how big your rig is. The tunnels aren't very friendly to RVs. Devil's Tower isn't far from Mt. Rushmore and is worth seeing.

If you're into hiking, there's an awesome hike to Harney Peak, the highest point in the Black Hills at ~7200 feet. Vistas up there are incredible and it's not overly difficult. If you're into biking (not motorcycles), there's the Mickelson Trail that runs nearly 120 miles through the Black Hills, from Deadwood in the north, to Edgemont in the south. It's an abandoned railroad bed, so it's not overly taxing, and you can get off/on pretty much anywhere along the route. If you stay in the Hill City area, there's tremendous opportunities to see a variety of sights in the area, including the two suggestions above. If you stay at Rafter J Bar Ranch, the Mickelson Trail runs right by the resort and you can get on and go in either direction.

What to see around Mount Rushmore | Good Sam Community

OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
Mar 28, 2015
Another vote for Wind Cave NP. Unique place. Much more my speed than Rushmore.

Google maps routed me through Custer State park and cost me $30 for two vehicles just to drive between Rushmore and Wind Cave. I got a good photo of a pronghorn antelope but I had just come from Yellowstone so the buffalo weren't a big attraction. Would have been a good spot if I'd had time to explore.
JimandLaura
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
New to posting pics, they came out way too big, sorry! I don't see an edit link.
JimandLaura
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
We spent a few days last summer at Beaver Lake Campground near Custer (loved it) and enjoyed sightseeing the Badlands, the "Wildlife Loop" in Custer State Park, the Needles Highway and the Iron Mountain Road, but we had our Jeep. Here are some pics...

Bison herd surround us in Custer State Park

Not so wild wild burros in Custer State Park

Exploring a path in Badlands National Park

Young mountain goat spotted along Needles Highway

Tunnel view of Mt. Rushmore from Iron Mountain Road
Heavy_Metal_Doc
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
DeanRIowa wrote:
Wishbone51 wrote:
As for RV parks near Rushmore, I recommend Big Pines RV park in Custer, SD. This was the friendliest staff that I had met on my cross-country trip a few years ago and a great wooded location.

http://www.bigpinecampground.com/

Good to hear Big Pine Campground is good as I have reserved a spot there this coming summer for 3 days.

Dean

That seals it for us! I was about to make reservations there, as it looked the best all-around from all my web-searching.
Uppercrust
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
The tunnels especially the ones on needles highway. I remember driving my truck through one by the Needles Eys, I had an audience when I came out. I love the tunnels!
padredw
Nomad
Mar 21, 2015
Here is a site which will give the exact dimensions of the tunnels on the Needles Highway and the Iron Mountain Road:

Tunnels

Another helpful site (Enlarge to see tunnel heights)

Map
Nels_Connie
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
This one did just fine, before i took the picture we were waiting for a bus to come from the other direction.
hessey
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
Magnificent advice from all. Thank-you.
I have toured all the other places several times and they are tremendous.
Does anyone know how high the tunnels are in the Black Hills?

Will I fit a small "C Class" thru them?
DeanRIowa
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
Wishbone51 wrote:
As for RV parks near Rushmore, I recommend Big Pines RV park in Custer, SD. This was the friendliest staff that I had met on my cross-country trip a few years ago and a great wooded location.

http://www.bigpinecampground.com/

Good to hear Big Pine Campground is good as I have reserved a spot there this coming summer for 3 days.

Dean
alid
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
Mount Rushmore Tours & Fort Hays Old West Town and Dinner Show
Mount Rushmore Tour
Great tour and Dinner show.. We did the tour and show about 10 years ago and we still talk about it. Was worth the cost. 9 Hr tour including Breakfast and Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Music Variety Show