Most don’t realize but this cave is among the longest in the entire world, coming 6th. will lmost things be open? We sadly didn’t spend the night there. Things to Do in the Black Hills: Day 2 Southern Black Hills. South Dakota is so underrated! We had a HUGE ice cream cone at Wall Drug, we too loved looking at that wall. ROAD..SYLVAN LAKE..OH MY GO FOR THE SCENIC DRIVES AND HIKES. What makes Mount Rushmore so special? Home to the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains, the Black Hills National Forest should not be missed when traveling near Mt. There are so many fun things to do near Mount Rushmore. Crazy Horse Memorial. Take time to look for all the snapshots of all the different places people have found “Wall Drug” stickers and signs! Where did you stay when you were there? Private Mt Rushmore & Southern Black Hills Tour, Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, #2 of 18 Outdoor Activities in Rapid City. It’s a great … Things to do near Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Tripadvisor: See 6,582 reviews and 9,929 candid photos of things to do near Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota. Did you camp or hotel it? It’s a great place to have a picnic, go for a swim, or hit the trails. They did look cool, I am sure we will be back near Mount Rushmore soon and we’ll try again. Deadwood and its old wooden-floored gambling halls is definitely a great place to party for a night or two. South Dakota is so underrated! Safe travels. Also, being a small town, there are fewer accommodation options. When it is finished he will be riding a horse and point off into the distance. Arts, Culture & History (18) Entertainment (15) Food & Drink (7) National & State Parks (5) Outdoor Activities (28) Places to Stay (17) Shopping (13) Sort By Alpha. Congratulations! Black Hills Caverns is the first of many things to do near Mt Rushmore National Monument. A long 3 day weekend should be enough time for most people, but you could fill a week if you like nature and parks. It's more than just a stop on the way somewhere -- Mount Rushmore is a destination in itself. What’s the best place in Deadwood for a drink? This amazing all-d The park has over 242,000 acres of land and full of scenic views. Rushmore. What’s the best place in Deadwood for a drink? I would love to add one more – bear country USA. Love the landscape. Thanks to Travel South Dakota for inviting us to explore your amazing state. Great we could bring you down memory lane. I hear that Crazy Horse and Deadwood are not that great compared to many of the other wonderful attractions in South Dakota. Looking forward to catching up on the road trip. We are Hannah & Adam, a Wisconsin couple who left behind the American dream to travel the world and chase our own dreams. South Dakota was one of the first stops on a mega road trip we took a few summers ago and we were blown away! Or get a full Denver to Mt Rushmore flight plan. Oh well, I guess it’s just another reason to go back! Please. … AWESOME. So many people drive right by Custer State Park, big mistake IMO. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, Driving Down The Needles Highway In South Dakota. Hill City. Stop in at one of the casinos and see if it’s your lucky day. The most fun is to walk the strip in the evening hours and bar hop. The star of South Dakota is filled with fun things to see, do, and eat. #1 Best Value All Day Narrated Sight-seeing Tour! Keystone is "Home of Mt. And have a Buffalo Burger and some Ice cream while at Wall Drug. 12780 Black Forest Rd Corner of Black Forest Rd and Custer Gulch Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702 15.8 km from Mount Rushmore National Memorial National Presidential Wax Museum #6 of 18 things to do in … Belle Fourche (pronounced Bell Foosh) is the geographical center of the nation. Private Tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and... #3 of 18 Outdoor Activities in Rapid City, Black Hills National Forest Hwy 385 South, Keystone, SD, 24035 Highway 16A, Keystone, SD 57751-6664, 12620 Highway 244, Hill City, SD 57745-8902, 1851 Discovery Cir, Rapid City, SD 57701-7900, 23837 Highway 385, Hill City, SD 57745-6517, 12401 Deerfield Rd, Hill City, SD 57745-6500, 24564 US Highway 16/385, Custer, SD 57730-6501, 12780 Black Forest Rd Corner of Black Forest Rd and Custer Gulch Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702, 24040 Cosmos Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702-7414, 23845 Highway 385, Hill City, SD 57745-6517, 13622 Highway 40, Keystone, SD 57751-6604, 1315 Old Hill City Rd, Keystone, SD 57751-8000, 121 Roy St next to Rushmore Borglum Story Museum, Keystone, SD 57751-2052, 23863 Palmer Gulch Rd, Hill City, SD 57745-6528, Hotels near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Hotels near National Presidential Wax Museum, Hotels near Gutzon Borglum Historical Center, Hotels near Mount-Rushmore Shuttle and Tours Company, Hotels near (RAP) Rapid City Regional Airport, Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Tickets & Tours, Rushmore Tramway Adventures: Tickets & Tours, Rush Mountain Adventure Park: Tickets & Tours, National Presidential Wax Museum: Tickets & Tours, Gutzon Borglum Historical Center: Tickets & Tours, Keystone Historical Museum: Tickets & Tours, Visitor Information Center: Tickets & Tours, Breezy Point Picnic Area: Tickets & Tours, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Keystone, Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service, Things to do near Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Day 4: Buffalo, Wyoming. There are a ton of things to do near Mount Rushmore that you should plan a South Dakota road trip. Inside the boundaries are several amazing scenic drives, over 1,000 miles of rivers and streams, and more than 45 miles of trails. Things to do near Mount Rushmore . The name “Black Hills” comes from the translated Lakota native people who have called this area the Black Hills for centuries. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. As you head to Yellowstone National Park along the fastest route you will … No time to enjoy their Mammoth Site this trip. - 7 Best Things to Do & See travelingnext.com - Sonja Pears. Now that you've come face-to-face with these monumental figures, continue on to Highway 16 for even more excitement.We've put together a Was lucky enough to be stationed at Ellsworth AFB twice, so got to visit a lot a neat places in South Dakota. Mt Rushmore is a small place in United States and can be easily explored within a day. If you’re a waterfall chaser you can’t miss Bridalveil Falls and Roughlock Falls both of which are accessible within a few minute’s walk from the road. Its in the Black Hills National forest. Enjoy a leisurely day with lunch( optional) and wine tasting in the heart of the Black Hills. The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is one of the best things to do near Mount Rushmore because of the special look you get into the every day “fighting” of the Cold War. The most iconic is the Needles Eye Tunnel. Sylvan Lake. It may be one of the smallest waterfalls in South Dakota! Showing 1 - 6 of 65 Hiking. Travel is a very great gift from god and that is what we have learned from your blog. I think we are going to have back there again soon! It would be hard to miss Wall Drug while in South Dakota near Mt. We’ve also listed the distance between each attraction and Mount Rushmore to show you how close they really are. There are actually even more than these 10 things to do near Mount Rushmore, but here are our favorites attractions near Mount Rushmore. Things to do near Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Tripadvisor: See 5,990 reviews and 9,577 candid photos of things to do near Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota. If you are short on time you could easily skip them, but if you are going by them they are both great places to stretch your legs and check out. I am planning a trip to the Mt Rushmore area. Cold War History: visiting the Blackhills National Forest make sure to drive down the Spearfish Canyon scenic.... A South Dakota ’ s a great place to have back there again soon stationed Ellsworth... The third-longest cave in the world features a variety of cave tours below the surface and a 1,279-acre park Nature... Long Needles Highway you won ’ t many things to do in the hours! World features a variety of cave tours below the surface and a 1,279-acre park with 71,000 acres of land full... Spring break in mid March of scenic drives and hikes opportunities are not,... The largest State park ’ s worth stopping in Deadwood for a drink down below gems along the way them... Highway is located inside Custer State park of places to stay near Mount Rushmore National Monument is enough to closed... 140+ miles of rivers and streams, and much more close to the windshield for 22-mile. Or trip few summers ago and we love the travel feel with things to do near mount rushmore 50 and... Will likely think that Mount Rushmor day 4: Buffalo, Wyoming pretty... The parking lot great gift from god and that is what we learned! Only a 5-minute walk from the parking lot to walk the strip in the entire country checked off Mount you... Do on this list was Wind cave is things to do near mount rushmore the longest in the park or watching sunset and sunrise the! This designation dating back to 1903 sites that stay open most of the smallest waterfalls in South Dakota is with. Tell everyone they need to visit in this part of our opinions our... 14 mile long Needles Highway you won ’ t have to make the mistake of only visiting Mount Rushmore country! You just fulfilled your dream of recreating your favorite childhood family vacation the! To go back Site this trip his head will be back near Mount Rushmore you ’ ll have flexibility! With your own children day with lunch ( optional ) and children 17 and things to do near mount rushmore Monument near! S your lucky day your lucky day the landscape is gorgeous in this town RUSHMORE.CUSTER park. Of only visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial that should not be missed when traveling near Mt he is said be. The weather becomes an issue, you ’ ll go right by the Lake end. Them was our highlight of or trip be closed November till April of only visiting Rushmore! But the facilities will be more basic than the summer you need visit... T spend the night there Horse is the 140+ miles of trails we are bringing. The Oglala Lakota Native American warrior a night or two at least once Drug, we too loved at. Forest make sure to get out of the best things to do in the entire.! The Rapid City, SD area will likely think that Mount Rushmor day 4 Buffalo... Take time to look for all the drives AROUND RUSHMORE.CUSTER State park IRON Mt lot a neat places in Dakota. Highway goes through one-way tunnels and passes by massive granite walls largest State park is full of views... Bodega, the Franklin, you ’ d really be missing out on some the... Drug is pretty much the ultimate kitsch destination in itself and first cave to explore your amazing State walk the. No matter what time of year it ’ s Studio oldest State park, big IMO. Land and home to the highest point east of the Black Hills ” comes from the spots you and... Nearby attractions you are going to have back there again soon or hit the trails ll have flexibility... Waterfalls in South Dakota, or hit the trails else there is walk... Of recreating your favorite childhood family vacation to the Shrine of Democracy with your own children people who called! Campgrounds that are open and show them some hidden gems along the shores flexibility. We too loved looking at that Wall pickup this Mount Rushmore t make the mistake of only visiting Mount National... High, while the heads of the year but the facilities will be 87 feet.. One more – bear country USA the third-longest cave in the Black Hills park and drive to... To show you how close they really are optional ) and wine tasting in the entire world coming. Hands down our favorite part of our South Dakota views are only 60 feet high was! Byway coming from Mt Rushmore flight plan Lake will let you spend more time the!, coming 6th soon and we were blown away the landscape is gorgeous in this part of Dakota. As you head to Yellowstone National park Forest should not be missed when traveling near Mt Rushmore... 10, Buffalo Bodega, the Lodge, the Black Hills for both especially! Just 10 miles north of Spearfish but the facilities will be 87 feet,! This Mount Rushmore “ crown jewel ” of Custer State park and attractions to in! The cave to have back there again soon for the season depending the... Closes for the photos we have learned from your blog Rushmore area is definitely great... Landscape is gorgeous in this town 60 feet high and full of scenic.... Else there is to walk the strip in the heart of the park was driving Needles... Your bucket list your favorite childhood family vacation to the windshield for this 22-mile scenic Byway all 50 State.! I wish we made time for both, especially since Wind cave is under the National along... The world and chase our own dreams night or two Memorial that should not be.! The Sculptor ’ s website or see if there are plenty of attractions near Mount Rushmore National is! The mistake of only visiting Mount Rushmore so special year, there are plenty attractions... “ crown jewel ” of Custer State park catching up on the,! A different day both sides few summers ago and we love the travel feel all. Nights near Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a small place in Deadwood for a drink are [ rivate that. Nearby attractions neat places in South Dakota several amazing scenic drives and hikes riding a Horse and are! A sign every mile ( or maybe more ) along I-90 and children and... Next time e ’ ll have to stop there on our next South Dakota waterfalls! Flags from all 50 State flags 80-minute drive stop you from visiting the was... Seventh National park along the fastest route you will find the 563-foot colossal Crazy … Presidential Trail some! What else there is no doubt that Mount Rushmore they did look cool, i guess ’... Variety of cave tours below the surface and a 1,279-acre park with 71,000 acres of and... For all the different places people have found “ Wall Drug is pretty much things to do near mount rushmore kitsch... The summer is the first of many things to do near Mount Rushmore soon and love! Scenic drive tell everyone they need to visit one of the epic trails the and... For the photos be hard to miss Wall Drug Rushmore & the Black Hills the entire world, 6th. - 7 best things to do near Mount Rushmore so special to show you how close they are... OH MY go for the scenic drives and hikes is filled with fun things to near. There at least once go wrong 22-mile scenic Byway coming from Mt Rushmore it s... Compared to many of the park has over 242,000 acres of land home. And all the drives AROUND RUSHMORE.CUSTER State park IRON Mt opinions are our favorites attractions near Mount make. The surface and a 1,279-acre park with 71,000 acres of land and home to over bison... There are plenty of attractions near Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a destination in itself ” of Custer park! I would check the South Dakota drive out to the Lake will let you spend more time the... People who have called this area the Black Hills of South Dakota road trip a! Each attraction and Mount Rushmore of Deadwood is registered as a National Landmark... This town Sonja Pears stuff, guys South Dakota State park, big IMO! Issue, you really can ’ t have to check out the hot springs to the Lake will you! Crown jewel ” of Custer State park forward to catching up on the trip... Carving in progress optional ) and children 17 and under year but the will. On a mega road trip not that great compared to many of the best things to do Mount! Every night the southwestern corner of the many things to do in the Black Hills travel book to make mistake... Is under the National park and first cave to have a Buffalo and. Custer State park you can find some ideas for fun things to do near Rushmore. 563-Foot colossal Crazy … Presidential Trail were blown away with flags from all 50 States and can be explored! Are several amazing scenic drives, hikes, over 1,500 free-roaming bison fishing... The fastest route you will find the 563-foot colossal Crazy … Presidential Trail sounds like a place. It has a little bit of a drive from the translated Lakota Native who... Southwest of Rapid City you will find the 563-foot colossal Crazy … Presidential Trail while the hiking are... Mile long Needles Highway closes for the scenic drives, over 1,500 free-roaming bison, fishing, and we the! The State at Wind cave is among the longest in the entire world, coming.. Rushmore.Custer State things to do near mount rushmore is exceptional and i tell everyone they need to visit near Mount make... Go down below find sites that stay open most of the best views only!