Trip to Mt Rushmore

[Tweeter]

Traveling to Mt Rushmore from Woodland Park Co. sometime in August would appreciate your suggestions on sites to see & places to stay on the way, as well as around the park itself. We don't mind traveling a few miles in our tow to site see. We travel in a 42ft pusher. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[Kaz]

Tweeter wrote:
Traveling to Mt Rushmore from Woodland Park Co. sometime in August would appreciate your suggestions on sites to see & places to stay on the way, as well as around the park itself. We don't mind traveling a few miles in our tow to site see. We travel in a 42ft pusher. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I agree with the prior posts: Custer State Park, Black Hills, Norbeck Scenic Highway, Needles Highway, Wind Cave NP, all are worth doing. We were there last summer for 3 days and felt like that was barely enough time. We're definitely going back. We didn't do the Crazy Horse things (we're just not interested) but others go there and like it. YMMV.

We stayed at the KOA, which is almost adjacent to Mt. Rushmore. I don't know if I'd recommend it or not. It's an amazing campground, with more facilities and activities than you can imagine, but to me it was a bit like Panama City Beach, with putt-putt miniature golf, trampolines, water slides, ATV rentals, and even tie-dye t-shirt crafts. In some cases, things like that might add to the enjoyment, but here, amidst everything else there is to see and do, such things somehow subtract from the experience. I would hate for anyone to leave this area with memories of putt-putt golf.

One more point. I'd definitely stay for the "illumination ceremony" at Mt. Rushmore. Right after dark, in the stark blackness of the night, while “American the Beautiful” plays in the background, a light shines suddenly on Mt. Rushmore, illuminating the carvings of the men who created, preserved, and assured the success of the American ideals. It's a powerful symbol of American exceptionalism literally carved into stone. Then, all members of the military, active and veterans, are invited to come down to the stage for the lowering of the flag. When we were there, the NPS ranger, a former Marine, announced to the audience, “Ladies and Gentlemen, these men and women were willing to put their lives on the line for the sake of American ideals expressed by these presidents, and we should honor them for that now.” The entire audience applauded, really, as a few dozen veterans made their way to the stage, and after the colors were retired, each veteran was introduced to the audience by name, branch, and rank.

Skip

[Mile_High]

I am so sad - we were supposed to be there this week and had to cancel a month ago!

We also stayed at Custer's Gulch - nice place with hookups, but be sure you are filtered. Our buddies RV started producing brown ice after a few days and I looked at my filter and found out why! Custer's Gulch is a private campground at the south entrance to Custer State Park - beautiful park with several electric only campgrounds, lakes, and woods. Our reservations this year was within the park rather than the private CG.

As stated, check Needles highway, Deadwood, Custer State Park, and the heads. We saw tons of wildlife on the Needles highway, Deer, Mountain Goats, Rams, no bear. I didn't bother with Crazy Horse as they seem more interested in building up the facilities than they do the job on the mountain. It looks the same as when I first saw it when I was 10.

We also stopped at the oldest Nebraska state campground on the way (Chadron State Park). I think it was just electric but the campground was pretty cool - backed up to the black hills and was more of a 1930s resort than a state park. Just a bit west of that is Ft Robinson, another Nebraska State Park we visited that also has camping and is the site of an early Calvary post that is mostly restored.

Here is a pic of our last rig in Custer Gulch CG



and a pic of one of the lakes in the state park



And a pic of why you want to take your toad on the Needles highway 🙂 That's my old dually with the mirrors folded in.

[jwolf55]

"You should do the Needles Highway scenic drive " I would not recommend this in a 42 foot pusher. If you have toad yes but not in the DP. I was there once when a tour bus was stuck and they did a lot of damage getting it out from been wedged between the rocks.

[C20]

We go every year for bike week. This year 5th to 12th. As others have stated campgrounds are full and traffic can suck. That said its a good time if you like to people watch and party. If your going during this time we stay ar big rig RV park in sturgis. Only open during bike week. Clean and quiet. 100ft. Pull throughs so plenty of space in your spot.

If you would like more info let me know. Been going since 97 and know the ins and outs pretty well I think.

[Hank_MI]

Everybody said if you want to see buffalo go to Custer State Park. We drove up to Needles highway and across and did the outer loop. Didn't see one dang buffalo. Just prairie dogs and burros. Next day we went to Wind Cave National Park, just south of Custer State park and saw lot's of buffalo. Just a suggestion if you don't see them at Custer then take a drive through Wind Cave.

[tazwing]

Make sure you go to Rushmore for the night show...very cool.

[Colo_Native]

Rafter J very good park

[time2roll]

We stayed at Rafter-J and it was nice. We spent most of the day taking in Rushmore fairly slow. Audio tour is great. Then did the junior ranger activity with the kids. Went out for a nice dinner and returned for the evening program.

Second day we took the tourist steam train from Hill City to Keystone to explore this old mining town.

[Nutinelse2do]

Wouldn't recommend going during motorcycle week. It will be a zoo, and all the good places.... Spearfish Canyon, Needles Hwy, etc, will be very noisy and busy.

Definitely suggest staying at Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort in Spearfish. Gorgeous park. Rates go up to 200 a night during the rally.:E

[Bob___Ann]

On the way through I would spend two nights at the KOA Interior and see the Badlands. In Hill City we like Rafter J Bar. Others have had great suggestions on what to see. I would add a very inexpensive delicious filet diner at the Alpine Hotel. Wades Gold Mine is also fun and the Needles is a must see. They have great bike trails if you bring your bikes. Enjoy!

[et2]

Rushmore cave tour

[wborst]

We were in that area last month for 5 days. We stayed at Custers Gulch RV Park. It was very nice with friendly staff. We enjoyed Mt. Rushmore very much. There is a $10 charge for parking. ($5 for seniors) Everything else is free.

The Crazy Horse monument charges $11 per adult and something less for kids. You can see the monument from the highway. The visitors center there is okay, but they are trying to sell you something at every turn. We felt like it was a bit of a money grab.

Custer State Park was great. The cost is reasonable and the wildlife is wonderful to see.

We also drove up to Deadwood one day. We had a good time there visiting the casinos and restaurants.

Hope your trip works out for you.

Bill

[Hank_MI]

Rafter J is a nice park. Close to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Wind Cave and Jewel Cave. It's also close enough to Sturgis and Deadwood for a day trip.

[JoeGood988]

Check out when in Aug is the Sturgis motorcycle rally...everything sells out