road trip from texas to mount rushmore

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Texas to Mt Rushmore drive

Texas to mt rushmore road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Texas to Mt Rushmore. If you're planning a road trip to Mt Rushmore, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops . Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds . Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start at Texas drive for about 4.5 hours

2:30 pm   Snyder (Texas) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:30 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

day 1 driving ≈ 6 hours find more stops

10:00 am  leave from Lubbock drive for about 2 hours

11:46 am   Amarillo stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:46 pm drive for about 2 hours

2:48 pm   Keyes stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:48 pm drive for about 3 hours

day 2 driving ≈ 6.5 hours find more stops

9:00 am  leave from Kit Carson drive for about 3 hours

11:48 am   Sterling (Colorado) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:48 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

2:25 pm   Chimney Rock National Historic Site stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:25 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

6:06 pm   Wind Cave National Park stay for about 1 hour and leave at 7:06 pm drive for about 52 minutes

7:57 pm  arrive in Mt Rushmore

day 3 driving ≈ 8 hours

Where should I stop along the way?

Snyder (Texas)   (3 answers)     questions about Snyder (Texas):         Coffee         If you have flights to mexico Lubbock   (12 answers)     questions about Lubbock:         Places in Lubbock to see Amarillo   (43 answers)     questions about Amarillo:         THING TO SEE         Hotels Keyes Kit Carson Sterling (Colorado) Chimney Rock National Historic Site   (2 mentions) Wind Cave National Park   (4 mentions)

What are some things to do in Mt Rushmore?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about Mt Rushmore. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Mt Rushmore.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Mt Rushmore to Texas drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Texas to Mt Rushmore . Or get a full Texas to Mt Rushmore flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.

And if you know Texas well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Texas!

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Home » Roadside Attractions Blog » South Dakota Tourist Attractions & Road Trip Stops » Mount Rushmore road trip itinerary (& things to see on the way)

Mount Rushmore road trip itinerary (& things to see on the way)

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And I’m back from my Labor Day Mount Rushmore road trip from Chicago to South Dakota and back! It was quite the whirlwind of adventure! I have to admit that my list of roadside attractions to see on the route was pretty ambitious, but we managed to make it to twenty-nine attractions in four days! (Including two that weren’t on my itinerary and not including the handful that we passed by and saw without being able to stop.)

I DID make it to Mount Rushmore and it was quite a thrill to see it up close. You see, one of my favorite photos that I have is an old black and white picture of the monument that my grandparents took long ago:

Notice something missing? The photo has George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson, but Teddy Roosevelt is just framed out. I’m not sure when the photo was taken but it had to have been somewhere between 1934 and 1939, when Roosevelt was dedicated. It was that photo that inspired my road trip to Mount Rushmore. I had to see the monument, completed, for myself!

Since I’d never seen Mount Rushmore in person, and I happened to have a four-day weekend over Labor Day, I decided that it was the perfect time to pack up my car and head on over to South Dakota on a road trip to Mt Rushmore. By Saturday afternoon we were standing in front of the carved Black-Hills Mountain and four complete presidential faces.

While in South Dakota, we also went to see Crazy Horse, which is another monument that’s been in the works for 50 years and still has 50 years to go. Who knows, maybe someday my grandkids will find this photo and be inspired to take off on a road trip of their own.

What is Mount Rushmore?

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a larger-than-life sculpture of four U.S. presidents carved into the side of a mountain in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The four giant faces are of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Each bust spans about 60 feet tall.

Mount Rushmore road trip itinerary

When planning a road trip to Mount Rushmore your itinerary will really be determined on where you are coming from. I drove from Chicago to South Dakota and back and that took me over 2,500 miles through five states over four days.

Our Mount Rushmore trip itinerary took us there on I-90 the whole way, driving through Wisconsin, Minneapolis, and South Dakota. On the way back, we went south through Nebraska (stopping at Carhenge on the way), then took I-80 across Nebraska and Iowa .

Here’s a map full of Mount Rushmore road trip ideas: the pink pins were what to see on the way there and the blue pins were things to see on the way back. We didn’t make it to all of the stops, but we saw quite a few!

Attractions near Mount Rushmore

There are plenty of attractions near Mount Rushmore to add to your itinerary. Make a full day, weekend, or week of tourism by visiting these nearby places on your Mount Rushmore vacation or while driving through the Black Hills.

Badlands National Park

Visit Badlands National Park to experience 244,000 acres of breathtaking landscapes full of rock formations, buttes, canyons and spires. Take a scenic drive through the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway, hike one of the many trails, hunt for fossils, and look for wildlife (like prairie dogs and bison) in the grasslands. Visit their website for more information.

Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower is a laccolithic butte that rises 867 feet above the surrounding Wyoming landscape . Made of igneous rocks, this was the first national monument. Climb to the top or admire from afar. Visit their website for more information.

Custer State Park

Custer State Park is a wildlife reserve in the Black Hills. It’s known for its incredible wildlife, including famed bison herds. Visit their website for more information.

The distance from Rapid City to Mount Rushmore is only 23.1 miles, a short 29 min drive via US-16 W. There’s plenty to see in Rapid City, South Dakota. There’s a dinosaur park full of dino sculptures, Bear Country USA (a drive-through wildlife park), and presidential monuments on every corner. Visit their website for more information.

Things to see on the way to Mount Rushmore

There are so many things to see on the way to Mount Rushmore! My road trip took me from Chicago to Mount Rushmore by car, so these are all the roadside attractions and fun stops we stopped at on our way there and back. Click learn more for each one for more information!

Bessie The Cow

Janesville, Wisconsin

A 16-foot-tall, 20-foot-long, one-ton fiberglass giant cow statue.

MouseHouse Cheesehaus

 Windsor, Wisconsin

A delicious cheese shop with a fun mouse mascot.

Sissy the Cow

DeForest, Wisconsin

Giant fiberglass cow in front of Ehlenbach’s Cheese Chalet.

Pinkie the Pink Elephant

A beloved Wisconsin roadside attraction , this giant pink fiberglass elephant wearing glasses lives outside of a gas station.

Dr. Evermor’s Forevertron

North Freedom, Wisconsin

The “world’s largest scrap metal sculpture.” 

Giant Cowboy Mouse

Oakdale, Wisconsin

A truck stop mouse wearing a big cowboy hat.

FAST Fiberglass Animals, Shapes & Trademarks

Sparta, Wisconsin

Workshop and outdoor gallery for the “premier manufacturer of fiberglass statues” and water park attractions.

World’s Largest Bicyclist

World’s Largest Six-Pack

The Bicycle Man of Sparta is a thirty-two-feet tall fiberglass sculpture symbolizing the town’s claim as the Bicycling Capital of America.

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Dressed up storage tanks for City Brewing Company that hold 688,200 barrels of beer 

Culvert Man

Nodine, Minnesota

A 30 foot giant metal cowboy sculpture made from corrugated steel culvert pipes.

Jolly Green Giant Statue

Blue Earth, Minnesota

A 55-foot statue of the Green Giant mascot. (Also find Little Green Sprout , another Minnesota roadside attraction , nearby.)

Blue Mound Wayside Chapel

Luverne, Minnesota

A tiny church on the side of the road.

Concrete Outline of USS South Dakota

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

A concrete structure depicting the actual dimensions of the USS South Dakota. 

Mr. Bendo Muffler Man

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

This muffler man and South Dakota roadside attraction has been around since 1963.

Wall, South Dakota

A drug store and gift shop known for its free ice water and can’t miss highway signs.

Men Made from Tires

Rapid City, South Dakota

Red, white, and blue rubber figures standing outside of a tire shop.

Dinosaur Park

A hill-top playground for giant green cartoon-like dinosaur sculptures.

Storybook Island

A children’s play area and family theme park with a fairy tale twist.

Cosmos Mystery Area

Stand sideways and watch balls roll upwards on this tours full of interactive optical illusions.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Keystone, South Dakota

Four former president’s busts carved into the side of a mountain in the Black Hills region of South Dakota

Crazy Horse Mountain Memorial

Crazy Horse, South Dakota

A perpetually-in construction monument depicting the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse.

Alliance, Nebraska

A replica of England’s Stonehenge made from cars.

World’s Largest Porch Swing

Hebron, Nebraska

Sit on a 32-foot long porch swing that holds up to 18 adults or 24 children.

World’s Largest Time Capsule

Seward, Nebraska

The world’s largest time capsule was dedicated on July 4, 1975 and is set to be opened 50 years later on July 4, 2025.

Spider Made Out of a Volkswagen

Avoca, Iowa

A giant VW beetle spider made from a vintage Volkswagen beetle car sitting on top of eight long, thin, spider legs.

10-Foot-Tall Rotating Ear of Corn

Coon Rapids, Iowa

A giant ear of corn that spins and welcomes you to town.

Where to stay when visiting Mount Rushmore

There are a variety of options when deciding where to stay when visiting Mount Rushmore. There are plenty of budget hotels or rustic lodges. Camping in the black hills is also available for tents, cabins, or RVs.

We briefly set up camp at the now defunct Flintstone Bedrock City, but it was really windy so we decided to keep going and find a hotel in Nebraska. See the map below for hotels near Mount Rushmore.

Pin this Mount Rushmore road trip itinerary for later:

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Valerie Bromann

Founder & road trip expert.

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book , she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.

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Last modified: July 5, 2020 Category: South Dakota Tourist Attractions & Road Trip Stops

Labor Day Weekend Road Trip: Four days, five states, 2,500 miles

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The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything you need to have and record an epic road trip, by valerie bromann.

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.

Silly America

Silly America is a roadside attractions blog designed to help travelers find unique stops for their next road trip. The website is a tribute to the great American road trip, devoted to all that is odd in America: roadside attractions, tourist traps, peculiar destinations, bizarre events, road food, fun festivals, and more! It’s a travel website and trip planner for those seeking an offbeat road trip.

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Planning a Trip to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills

Planning a road trip to South Dakota may seem intimidating at first.

How much time do you need to visit Mount Rushmore? Can you combine it with a trip to the Badlands in the same day? And when is the best time to go?

Here are some of our expert tips to help you get the most out of your visit;

How Much Time Should You Spend in the Black Hills? Should I take my RV? When Is The Best Time of Year to Visit? Dining Suggested Detours & Sidetrips 3 Scenic Driving Routes

How Much Time Should You Spend in the Black Hills?

We recommend three days, which gives you time to explore all three driving loops, as well as tour downtown Rapid City.  But if you only have one or two days, you can still make it work.

In two days, we recommend visiting the Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills on day one, and the Badlands on day two.

If you only have one day, focus on Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. If you’re traveling along I-90 (east or west), remember that you can add the Badlands and Spearfish Canyon to your trip with minimal hassle and no backtracking, so you may be able to work one or both of these places into a travel day.

A ninety-mile loop, this tour takes in all the best sights, from the spectacular hairpin turns of the Needles Highway to the pigtail bridges of Iron Mountain Road , with an optional detour on the Custer Wildlife Loop , before finally concluding at Mount Rushmore .

You can also add a few more detours to your drive, depending on your interests: these include Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, the Crazy Horse Memorial , and even the former cabin of cowboy poet Charles Badger Clark.

The Black Hills are just east of Rapid City; it’s a quick thirty-minute drive from Rapid City to Mount Rushmore.

Should I bring my RV?

If you’re traveling in an RV, be aware that you probably won’t be able to drive the Black Hills Loop, which contains several height-restricted one-lane tunnels and sharp hairpin turns.

However, if you’re only interested in visiting Mount Rushmore, your RV should not encounter any restrictions.

The best dining options are in centrally located Rapid City. There are only one or two lodge restaurants on each driving loop, so we recommend taking a picnic or snacks during the day – it’s much more convenient and you’ll be able to find some spectacular viewpoints to enjoy your lunch.

DISCOVER MORE ON YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP

3 Scenic Driving Routes for Black Hills, Badlands and Spearfish Canyon

When Is The Best Time To Go To The Black Hills?

Many of the scenic drives in the Black Hills are closed once the snow starts falling in mid-October, and only open again in April.

Another note that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held annually in early August.

This ten-day event usually attracts over half a million riders each year – depending on how you feel about motorcycles, this is either a reason to visit, or a period to avoid.

Detours & Sidetrips

In addition to the three main driving loops, there are several detours you can make depending on your interests.

Some of these may require advance reservations, so it’s good to know about them ahead of time.

Jewel Cave National Monument

The third-largest cave system in the world and South Dakota’s premier caving destination.

Reservations for Scenic Tours and Wild Caving Tours are strongly recommended.

Historic Lantern Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Jewel Cave is located 30 minutes from the end of the Needles Highway in the Black Hills.

Wind Cave National Park

The seventh-largest cave system in the world, and South Dakota’s oldest national park. Three first-come, first serve tours available.

Specialty tours, such as the Wild Cave Tour and the Candlelight Tour, need to be reserved in advance.

It’s located about forty minutes south of the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Learn all about the Cold War missile silos housed beneath the Great Plains.

The Visitor Center and the Delta-09 missile silo require no reservations.

Tours of the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility do require advance reservations, however. It’s located off I-90 near the eastern entrance to the Badlands.

Crazy Horse Memorial

The legendary Sioux warrior is memorialized in this massive sculpture – when it’s eventually finished, it will be the world’s largest (all four Mount Rushmore heads will fit inside).

It’s a short ten-minute detour off the Needles Highway.

Custer Wildlife Loop

This eighteen-mile loop connects the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills. You’re best off doing this drive (figure on 90 minutes) at dawn or dusk if you’re serious about seeing wildlife.

However, in the middle of the day, it’s still possible to see wild burros, wandering bison, and the occasional antelope.

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Road Trip USA: Great Sights of the West – Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone And The Grand Tetons

Article By: FTFStaff

Plan a Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip to experience the West’s top national parks and monuments. Share other interesting Western sights in South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming with the kids as a bonus.

America’s first national park was founded by Congress in 1872. The magnificent Yellowstone established a tradition for the preservation of our country’s natural resources. Today, we count nearly 400 natural treasures from Acadia to Mt. Zion in our National Park preservation system. The parks continue to entice travelers from around the world who are passionate about the great outdoors and American history.

Spend one to three weeks in this fascinating part of the American West. A Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip introduces many of our most popular parks and monuments. The adventure exposes your family to the history of several Native American tribes, as well as prairie pioneers. Some travel tips:

• Don’t get us wrong — this area is big. The Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming all have large, wide-open spaces.
• Do not plan an itinerary that requires you to zip from one place to another with clock-like precision.
• Stops can be far apart and you will want to change drivers often.
• It is slow going. Winter driving conditions can be a factor even in October or May.
• Roads approaching Yellowstone National Park , such as the Beartooth Highway or beautiful Rte. 191, are slow. Don’t expect to be cruising along at 65mph.  
• Plan well ahead and engage your stakeholders. Let kids select pitstops and our suggestions for the sites and attractions that will most please your family.

Our suggested 7-10 day Ideal Western Road Trip Itinerary

Here are some suggestions for an easy-going, kid and backseat-friendly Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip.

Day 1/2:  Rapid City, South Dakota Day 3:  Rapid City to Custer State Park Day 4/5:  Custer State Park to Badlands National Park Days 6/7:  Badlands National Park to Buffalo, Wyoming or Billings, Montana Day 8:  Little Big Horn to Yellowstone National Park, Montana Day 9:  Yellowstone National Park to Jackson, Wyoming

Driving Out: Rapid City, South Dakota Is The Start Of A Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip

If you have to fly in and rent a car or SUV or family minivan for this classic road trip, start slow in Rapid City. The small, fun town is located on the outskirts of the Black Hills National Forest of South Dakota. Start slow and spend a few days exploring this area.

Don’t miss the city’s Art Alley , the colorful back lane downtown. Admire how the city channeled the artistic energy of would-be graffiti artists. It’s an intriguing gallery of political statements and pretty images that will get your kids talking.

Another must-stop is Prairie Edge , a local Native American trading post with curated boutiques. Small booths sell Western wear, landscape paintings, turquoise jewelry and the art of Chris Ravenshead and Mike McCloud among others. Let kids pick out less pricey fare such as ball caps or some glass beads imported from Italy for use by Native artisans.

The Journey Museum & Learning Center is a mixed bag, well worth a visit for the insights it provides. Picture a collection of local treasures brought together after a horrific flood that tore apart the city. The museum features Lakota culture and the settlers’ Gold Rush history. We liked the geology center with locally-found dinosaurs and STEAM lab supported by NASA. Overall, the Journey Museum is a good rainy day indoor space with lots of hands-on activities for families. Toddler Tuesday activities and the mid-October Native American Festival are calendar highlights.

Where To Stay and Dine in Rapid City, South Dakota

The local Rapid City Quality Inn boasts a clean indoor pool, free hot breakfast and convenient location. WaTiki Waterpark  is perfect for cooling-down, fun activities during the summer.

Since its founding in 1870, Rapid City has grown from a Wild West outpost to a thriving small city. Good eating includes craft beer bars (think Firehouse Brewing Company .) Try at least one of the hearty steak and bison eateries. Cowboys invented chislik , a local specialty of fried beef chunks rolled in salt to preserve them. The Dakotah Steakhouse has its own gourmet chislik version that’s yummy with a beer or soda. Chow down on terrific hand-crafted dining, like the habanero pulled pork sliders with watermelon at Murphy’s Pub & Grill. )

There’s even a rooftop bar with mixologists and skyline views. Vertex , the bar, is on top of the classic red brick Alex Johnson Hotel . (This is not to be confused with the view from a fun family bike trip along Skyline Drive.) Unless you’re there in August over the famously wild Sturgis Rally motorcycle fest, you’ll enjoy the laidback charm.

Drive Day 3: On the Road to Custer State Park – 47 miles on Your Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip

Southwest of Rapid City via Routes US 16 and SD 244, it is about 25 miles (40 minutes) to the most recognized symbol of this region, Mount Rushmore National Memorial . Danish-American sculptor Gutzon Borglum began the project in 1927 at the age of 60. It was not yet complete when he died in 1941. Known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” this awesome site offers a walking trail, a 2,500-seat amphitheater, a visitor center, a museum and food service. Nearly 3 million visitors each year learn about the 400 men who helped to carve the monument. Salaries averaged $1.00 per hour.

Did you know that the presidents’ noses are 20-feet long and their mouths are 18-feet wide? From May through September, the evening lighting ceremony is a particularly impressive sight.

Drive about 17 miles (25 minutes) southwest via Routes SD 244, US 16 and US 385. Discover another sculptural marvel, yet one which is still under construction. Lakota elders commissioned the creation of the Crazy Horse Memorial complex in 1948. Chief Henry Standing Bear, an Oglala Lakota Chief, chose to memorialize Crazy Horse, who symbolized the Lakota’s spirit, pride and courage. When finished, this mountain carving, done in the round, will stand 563-feet high and 641-feet long. The complex welcomes over 1 million visitors a year. Allow time to explore an Indian Museum, a Native American educational and cultural center and the sculptor’s home and studio. Kids will benefit from pausing at the multimedia presentations and resting their feet at the restaurant.

If you’re planning to stay overnight in this area, consider the beautiful 71,000-acre Custer State Park or Custer itself.

Exploring More of the Black Hills from a Base in Custer

Custer is a fun central base for exploring Mt. Rushmore, bison herds at Custer State Park and boomer-fueled shops and fine dining. This cute Wild West town has been attracting retirees for years. Young entrepreneurs opened local businesses to serve them and… Voila! There is a fun, buzzy atmosphere in Custer that kids will enjoy.

It’s more authentic in some ways than Deadwood and that much closer to the national park and attractions.

Allow at least one day in Custer State Park . Don’ miss the park’s Jeep Safari . The two-hour adventure brings you up close with otherwise shy bison a.k.a. buffalo who may come up and sniff your vehicle. A bonus: Enthusiastic driver-guides take the family off-road for a little spin to get closer to them. This place is packed during the September roundup and November Auction. Hotel room rates soar but it’s the only time to watch buffalo herds being culled to maintain the park’s sustainability as a bison habitat.

Where To Stay and Dine in Custer, South Dakota

While this region is great base for hikes and more exploration, some families will want to stay right inside Custer State Park, about 30-60 minutes south of Custer depending on weather. They rent rooms in four historic stone lodges, several modernized cabins and campgrounds.

If you’re moving south to the Southern Hills of the Black Hills consider the classic stone lodge, the State Game Lodge . We loved the cozy log cabin feel of the main lodge and one- to three-bedroom log cabins. Instagram the buffalo print pillows and retro Western décor your friends will love. WiFi is confined to the lobby of the rustic main lodge. Plan to hang out as President Calvin Coolidge did when it served as the summer White House under President Calvin Coolidge. There’s a large dining room and more remote buildings for events, plus a gift shop and very helpful staff.

For Days 4/5: Custer State Park to Badlands National Park – 55 miles

There are two routes to the Hot Springs region about 20 miles south of Custer State Park. Head 35 miles (1 hr) southeast of the Crazy Horse Memorial via Route US 385. Here you will find the fascinating Mammoth Site , an ongoing dig featuring 26,000-year-old bones of woolly mammoths that lived here. After the half-hour guided tour, you can spend an hour or two exploring on your own. For some relaxation, visit Evan’s Plunge for a soak in the healing waters of natural mineral fed pools.

Alternatively, on the way to Hot Springs, stop at the underground attraction Wind Cave National Park . One of the longest cave systems in the world, the ancient limestone is shaped like a complex subterranean maze. Wind Cave comprises 28,000 acres above ground. This terrain is home to native wildlife such as bison, elk and mule deer. Visitors come for the rare formations of crystals. Learn about the “windy” sound which accounts for its name on one of several cave tours.

Need a family-friendly hotel in the Mount Rushmore area? Go here.

An extraordinary side trip to consider is the stark, barren Badlands National Park . It’s just 80 miles (1 ¼ hours) southeast of Rapid City via Routes I-90, SD 240 and SD 44. The 244,000-acre park was so-named by 19th century fur traders who referred to it as “bad lands to cross”. Geological formations and the desolate beauty fascinate visitors. Select from eight hiking trails ranging from a quarter-mile to 10-miles long. It’s great to be out of the car. Watch for native prairie grasses, wildflowers, wildlife and fossils. Younger kids love the striking steep canyons, jagged spires and moon-like landscape out of a “Star Wars” film.

For more suggestions of family-approved attractions of interest, visit BlackHillsTourism.com

A Detour Worth Taking on the Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip: Wall Drug

What’s 50 miles east of Rapid City and less than eight miles from the Badlands? Yup, you can’t miss Wall Drug , a vintage road trip attraction that became world famous when they installed billboards pointing the way to their pharmacy back in 1931. The Hustead Family, now four generations strong with the founders’ great granddaughter Sarah waiting tables, has maintained that Dust Bowl-era charm rarely seen these days.

Dorothy and Ted Hustead were quick to realize that providing medicine wasn’t bringing in customers. A more compelling reason to visit was providing “Free Ice Water!” to summer road trippers who were sweltering in their cars. And, with that and coffee for 5¢ (still 5¢) they were off.

The Husteads famously expanded from 4,000 square-feet of pharmacy and beverages to a full 76,000 square-feet of dining. They now feature Western wear and souvenir shopping plus photo opportunities. Pause and play at the games arcade and mechanical T-Rex who roars every 12 minutes. Let off steam at the outdoor area with fun stuff for the kids (like a giant jackalope to climb upon). The restaurants are packed with 320 gallery-worthy Western paintings, including two portraits painted by Gutzon Borglum, sculptor of Mt. Rushmore. If the Badlands made Wall Drug, then Wall Drug certainly made Wall , a must-stop on your road trip.  If only for the juicy bison burgers with onion rings.

You literally can’t miss it because there are still tons of signs along Route 16A! The family manages 300 billboards which are constantly refreshed by a staff mural painter.

Days 6/7: Badlands National Park to Buffalo, Wyoming – 259 miles

En route to Yellowstone National Park , you could choose to travel west across Wyoming. (Or, head northwest through Montana by reading below.) To traverse Wyoming, take Routes I-90 and US 14 about 400 miles (7 hrs.) to Cody . As one of the Yellowstone’s gateways, it’s about a one-hour drive from the eastern entrance.

While here, you can have an authentic “cowboy” adventure. Drop into both the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Buffalo Bill State Park . Make it more authentic with a stay on a dude ranch for a few days of riding and rodeos.

We especially recommend the Paradise Guest Ranch , located 6 miles west of Buffalo, Wyoming. It makes a great mid-way, overnight point between Rapid City and Cody. Ranch rates include luxury log cabins with private baths and fireplaces and three family-style meals a day. Activities range from fly fishing to riding, square dancing, spa and pool, an overnight teen pack trip and sing-along bonfires. Contact the Dude Ranchers Association for listings of other ranches in the region. (Tip: Be sure to ask the minimum age at which kids can ride.) Families interested in staying in town will like the indoor and outdoor pools at the Best Western Sunset Motor Inn , just a few blocks from the Buffalo Bill center.

Alternative for Days 6/7: Badlands National Park to Billings, Montana – 370 miles on your Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone Trip

Alternatively, travel on Route I 90 375 miles (5 ½ hours) to Billings , Montana, through the Crow Indian Reservation . Tour the Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument , the site of General Custer’s famous Last Stand. It was his “last” stand because his troops were crushed by Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors.

In addition to a museum and memorial, guided tours focusing on military history are offered by Native Americans and Park Rangers. Unless someone in your group is a military history buff, a self-guided tour is more appropriate for families. You’ll want to spend the night in Billings; for lodging selections visit www.visitmt.com .

Day 8: Little Big Horn, MT to Yellowstone National Park – 130 miles

From Montana’s Little Big Horn , drive approximately 130 miles (2 ½ hours) to “Old Faithful.” To see the famous geyser, enter Yellowstone National Park from its north, northeast or east entrances.  Please note that the north entrance at Gardiner is the only one open to cars all year. During the winter months, only snow vehicles such as snowcoaches and snowmobiles can use the west, south and east entrances.

This vast natural treasure encompasses two million acres and entrances visitors from all over the world. Your exploration of nature will include viewing steaming geysers, hot springs and other geological wonders. Hike slowly and quietly to spot a variety of intriguing wildlife. Or, book ahead for horseback riding and snow-shoeing. The park is divided into the following five regions:

• Mammoth Country, North Western Region: Site of the Mammoth Hot Springs and home to elk and bison.
• Geyser Country, South Western Region:   Home to Old Faithful and other geothermal features such as fumaroles, mud pots and hotpools.
• Lake Country, South Eastern Region:  Find osprey and bald eagles around the cold, blue Yellowstone Lake located at an altitude of 7,735 feet.
• Roosevelt Country, North Eastern Region:   An area covered in sagebrush, spruce, fir, pine, aspen trees and a petrified forest. Inhabited by deer, bison and wolves, it is reminiscent of the Old West.
• Canyon Country, East Central Region: Home to the “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone,” the Hidden Valley and Lower Falls are twice as high as Niagara Falls. Elk, bison and deer roam this area.

Tours And Overnight Programs Enrich A Yellowstone Road Trip

Several sightseeing excursions within Yellowstone are available. For great family programs, surf to the Yellowstone Association for information on year-round Lodging and Learning programs.

Visit Travel Yellowstone for day tour information. Highlights of your Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip may well be a Yellowstone giuded tour. “The Circle of Fire” tour explores the caldera rim including the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins. “Yellowstone in a Day” introduces you to Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful. The “Yellowstone Lake Butte Scenic Tour” and several other tours operate during the summer. In winter you can explore the park on snow via snowcoach, cross-country skis, snowshoes and snowmobiles.

Special programs and activities for children include the Junior Ranger program. It’s free, right at the park, and offers visitors from age 5 a chance to complete a series of activities. Share answers with a park ranger to receive an official Junior Ranger badge or patch and Junior Ranger certificate. Have a STEAM day with The Young Scientist Program for ages 5+. Kids solve science mysteries to earn a Yellowstone patch or key chain.

Comfortable Lodging & Hotels to Make Your Yellowstone Road Trip Perfect

Several rustic but comfortable lodges are nearby. Review the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins , The Lake Lodge Cabins and The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel on the parade grounds of the old Fort Yellowstone. The Old Faithful Inn offers accommodations with private baths, restaurants, hiking, boating, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing tours. A popular new hotel built in the traditional park-lodge style (with heavy timbers and a cedar shingle roof) is the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins, just a five-minute walk from the geysers.

Stay within the magical park’s boundaries if you can afford to. If you can’t afford to be in the park, several adjacent towns like Livingston and West Yellowstone have quality lodging. Additionally, area ski towns such as Big Sky and Red Lodge double as excellent summer vacation home rental options. Mountain resorts put you in pretty places, within an hour or so drive of a park entrance. These towns provide many amenities as well.

Road Trip Day 9: Yellowstone National Park to Jackson, Wyoming – 122 miles

Grand Teton National Park , only 7 miles south of Yellowston via Routes 89/191, is known for its abundant wildlife and dramatic scenery. The jagged mountain range rises more than 12,000-feet above sea level like the setting of a wildlife play. The high-altitude habitat creates many family wilderness opportunities. See a trumpeter swan. Visit the National Elk Refuge and hike to a mountain lake or waterfall. Chill out and go fish or raft down the Snake River.

For lodging suggestions, visit the Grand Teton Lodge Company . We suggest Colter Bay Village which offers a choice of well-priced rustic log cabins and tent cabins. It’s really popular with families. Other options include the Jackson Lake Lodge , a full-service resort. Or, splurge on one of the 37 cabins situated in a pine forest at the deluxe, historic Jenny Lake Lodge .

If you prefer a bit more civilization (galleries, shops, fine restaurants), consider staying at one of Jackson, Wyoming’ s many hotels or fancy resorts. Commute easily to Grand Teton (within an hour’s drive on Routes 89/191) for day adventures.

We recommend both the luxurious, wilderness Spring Creek Ranch and the Snow King Resort . Check out the value condominiums surrounded by Bridger Teton National Forest (a popular ski area in winter, and a great hiking spot in summer.)

A fun option to add to the memory bank is the funky, wild west-themed, motel like Cowboy Village Resort in town.

Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.

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Black Hills Road Trip: Things to do Near Mount Rushmore

If you’re planning a Black Hills road trip, there are plenty of things to do near Mount Rushmore besides seeing the iconic presidential monument.

My husband Daniel and I visited the Black Hills in the summer of 2020 and were blown away by the natural beauty of the area. There are several state and national parks nearby that provide a great introduction to the beautiful Black Hills.

In fact, visiting Mount Rushmore ended up being the least interesting part of our Black Hills road trip.

Driving through the Black Hills National Forest towards Mt. Rushmore

Table of Contents

Black Hills Road Trip Itinerary

I hadn’t really known what to expect when we planned our visit to the Black Hills. We initially only booked a couple of nights at a local campground, but two nights turned into three when we ran out of time to see everything. The Black Hills surprised me at every turn with their rugged beauty and the diversity of things to see and do.

We would have stayed even longer, in fact, but the area was getting increasingly overrun with motorcycles. Our visit happened to take place a few weeks before the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the whole region is was gearing up for it. We wanted to be far away from the Black Hills when that happened.

Here’s a suggested itinerary of things to see during a Black Hills road trip:

Black Hills National Forest

• Wind Cave National Park
• Crazy Horse Monument

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop

Mount rushmore.

• Dinosaur Park

Devil’s Tower (Bear’s Lodge)

Located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, the Black Hills National Forest spans an area of over 1.25 million acres.  Described as an “Island in the Plains,” these majestic mountains rise from adjacent grasslands into a Ponderosa Pine forest. While not technically part of the Black Hills National Forest, Mount Rushmore is located in the middle of it – so any visitor to the presidential monument will have the pleasure of seeing the National Forest for themselves.

With over 450 miles of hiking trails and 11 reservoirs that are stocked for sport fishing, there are many opportunities for outdoor recreation in the area. The 22-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is a popular drive in the area and a great way to see the Black Hills National Forest. During my visit to Mount Rushmore, we drove along Highway 244 through the heart of the forest and stopped by Horse Thief Lake to admire the scenery.

Rugged beauty of the Black Hills in Black Hills National Forest

Beginning our Black Hills Road Trip: Wind Cave National Park

I’m on a quest to visit every National Park, so our first stop on our Black Hills road trip was to Wind Cave National Park. One of the nation’s oldest National Parks, Wind Cave is home to one of the longest caves in the world. The cave has an extensive network of calcite formations called boxwork which are supposed to be pretty spectacular.

Welcome to Wind Cave National Park!

An opening to Wind Cave. The cave is a sacred site to the Lakota People in their oral creation story.

Mixed grass prairie

Sadly, we weren’t able able to visit the cave as the elevator has been out of service for over a year. And even if the elevator was operational, we still probably wouldn’t have toured the cave since we visited during the pandemic. It’s hard to maintain social distancing in a cave.

So we contented ourselves with an exploration of the park’s scenery above ground. Wind Cave boasts the largest natural mixed-grass prairie in the United States and is home to bison, mule deer and prairie dogs. Lots and lots of prairie dogs. In fact, we saw all three of these animals during our short drive through the park. But mostly prairie dogs.

What’s up, prairie dogs?

These guys decided to make their homes right next to the parking lot. It was very convenient for picture-taking.

Prairie dog close-up. Photo courtesy of Daniel and his telephoto lens.

Mule deer. Photo by Daniel.

Crazy Horse Monument: A Must-See on any Black Hills Road Trip

After stopping by Wind Cave, Daniel and I continued our Black Hills road trip with a visit to the Crazy Horse Monument. This partially-finished structure is a massive sculpture of the revered Lakota leader. Crazy Horse, of course, was made famous as one of the leaders in the Battle of Little Bighorn.

The Crazy Horse Memorial has been in construction since 1948 and will eventually be the second-tallest statue in the world.  Right now only the face of the sculpture is finished.

The sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, envisioned the monument as a metaphoric tribute to the spirit of Crazy Horse who reportedly said, “My lands are where my dead lie buried.” This is why Crazy Horse will be pointing with his arm outstretched to the Black Hills when the monument is completed.

Crazy Horse Monument. The final dimensions are planned to be 641 feet long by 563 feet tall.

The road leading up to the monument. Buses take visitors to the base of the monument for a closer look but we skipped this part of the tour.

Scale model of what the sculpture will look like when completed. You can see the partially finished monument in the background.

After visiting Crazy Horse, we continued north towards Mount Rushmore. I planned for our visit to take place in the evening in the hopes of avoiding the crowds. We arrived at 6:30 pm on a Sunday evening and had no such luck. The place was packed with people and there was really no room to spread out.

Maybe if we arrived later in the evening it would have been more manageable. During our visit, however, it was not possible to maintain a reasonable social distance. We debated leaving, but in the end, decided to continue with our visit as planned. We put on masks, dashed in, snapped a few photos, and dashed back out a few minutes later.

Mount Rushmore! Now I can cross this off my bucket list.

The flags of all 50 states line the pathway approaching Mount Rushmore

Obligatory Mount Rushmore selfie

Daniel and I had a better experience viewing Mt. Rushmore as we drove away. We stopped in a scenic pullout along Highway 244 and found a great view of the monument in profile. True, we could only see Washington’s face, but that was fine by me. We also had a lovely view of the Black Hills from here which I’d rather see anyway. And there were no other people.

Washington in profile

Your Rialta photo for the day

Now I had some space to reflect on Mt. Rushmore and its complicated history. I recently became aware of the controversy surrounding the Black Hills when President Trump visited the area over the Fourth of July weekend. As reported in this ABC News article, Mt. Rushmore is “a reminder to Native Americans of the countless treaties broken by the U.S. Government”.

The Black Hills were promised to the Sioux tribe in the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty.  The Black Hills area has been considered sacred to the Lakota and other native peoples for thousands of years. However, when Custer discovered gold in the region, everything changed. The tribes were pressured into selling the land in a transaction that was later deemed illegal by the United States Supreme Court.

So I have mixed feelings about being here. This is why I prefer to view Mount Rushmore National Monument away from the crowds. Here, the monument is separated from patriotic pomp and flag-waving. It is easier to view the sculpture in context of the natural beauty of the Black Hills. And I have space to consider this piece of our nation’s history as well as its complicated past.

The beautiful Black Hills. Mount Rushmore in profile is visible in the upper right-hand corner.

Another popular attraction in the area is Custer State Park. One of the nation’s largest state parks, Custer State Park is famous for its scenic drives and wildlife. The park is home to over 1,500 bison as well as pronghorn antelope, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wild burros and more.

Daniel and I set aside a few hours to drive through the famous Custer State Park Wildlife Loop and really enjoyed it. In hindsight, we ended up feeling rushed and should have planned more time for this adventure.

For more details about visiting Custer State Park, check out my article on the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop .

Concluding our Black Hills Road Trip: Dinosaur Park

To conclude our Black Hills road trip, Daniel and I exited the area through Rapid City towards the Badlands. While we were there, we drove to the top of a ridge overlooking the town. This is where we found Dinosaur Park, a slightly cheesy tourist attraction which features a collection of dinosaur sculptures overlooking the town. Did I mention that it’s free? You can’t beat free!

Welcome to Dinosaur Park

Daniel made a new friend

Dino fight!

That’s one big dinosaur

While not technically in the Black Hills, Devil’s Tower (also called Bear’s Lodge) is another popular attraction in the area and definitely worth a visit. Located only 2 hours drive away, Bear’s Lodge is a spectacular geologic formation and is held sacred by many Native American tribes. My first introduction to Bear’s Lodge was in the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind and I’ve wanted to see it myself in person ever since.

More information about visiting Devil’s Tower is available in the following article: Devil’s Tower (Bear’s Lodge) .

Bear’s Lodge

Black Hills Road Trip Accommodation: Big Pine Campground

Daniel and I booked a campsite at the privately-owned Big Pine Campground for our visit due to it’s central location near all the things that we wanted to see in the Black Hills. The campground has a number of 30 and 50 amp sites nestled among the forest along with some primitive tent camping sites and a camp store. It was a great choice and we enjoyed our time there.

We even got to witness a spectacular thunder storm during our stay. Daniel and I were camped for the night and had already put our windshield covers in place. The best view of the lightening, however, was from the driver’s and passenger’s seats. So we crawled into the front and removed the window covers to enjoy the show. It was our first major thunderstorm since starting on our road trip and we were thrilled. We don’t typically have thunderstorms like this in our corner of the Pacific Northwest.

Where are we now?

We are at Mt. Rushmore! You can see Washington’s head in profile just above Daniel.

Dates: August 2-3, 2020 Great American Road Trip Status: Days 28 & 29

Location: Big Pine Campground, SD Miles Traveled: 90.7 Total Trip Mileage: 2942.2

For more details on our Great America (Socially Distanced) Road Trip , see my previous posts:

• Day 27: Joyner Ridge and Red Beds Trails
• Day 26: Bear’s Lodge (Devil’s Tower)
• Days 22-25: The Middle of Nowhere
• Day 21: Wildlife Fiesta
• Day 20: Sunset at Grand Prismatic Spring

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Hi, i'm unicorn.

I am an avid hiker, traveler, and adventurer who is on the mission to explore hiking trails around the world.  I’m also obsessed with National Parks, long-distance trails and other outdoorsy things.

I hope to share this knowledge with you and inspire you to explore new hiking trails too!

You may also like… Joshua Tree Road Trip: A Surreal Travel Day

Fun things to do in Austin that are Cheap or Free

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Visiting Hot Springs Arkansas, America’s First National Park

I’ve a photo of Crazy Horse Monument taken in 2004 – not much changed 🙂

They don’t seem to be moving very fast 😛

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Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower: The Best Road Trip Guide.

When visiting the Black Hills of South Dakota, you must drive from Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower in Wyoming. Both places are not too far from each other.

You can make a day visit from Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower. Or, spend a night in Devils Tower before continuing to Yellowstone National Park.

Let’s look at the road trip from Mt Rushmore to Devils Tower. Based on our summer road trip from Texas.

Disclaimer: Two Worlds Treasures may contain affiliate links and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read my Privacy Policy for more info.

How far is Mount Rushmore from Devils Tower?

You will see three suggestions if you google the driving distance from Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower National Monument.

The fastest is driving on I-90 W via Rapid City, Sturgis, and Spearfish. It is 130 miles and takes around 2 hours and 12 minutes to get there, depending on the traffic.

The second fastest is 2 miles shorter but a few minutes longer. You will drive via US-16 W through Custer and Newcastle in Wyoming.

And the last one is farther in miles and minutes. You will drive for 137 miles via US-16 W and US-14 E through Custer, Newcastle, and Moorcroft. The driving time is around 2 hr 29 min.

As you can see, travel time between Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota to Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming is relatively short.

But our travel time was longer because we stayed in Hot Springs, which is around 1-hour drive to the south of Mount Rushmore.

Our driving distance between the two national parks was 175 miles with approximately 3 hr 30 min driving time. We went through US-385 N.

Interesting Stops From Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower

Within two days in the Black Hills & Badlands of South Dakota, we saw Badlands National Park, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Mount Rushmore, and Custer State Park . 

The Black Hills & Badlands of South Dakota has so many beautiful natures and attractions that we didn’t get to see. I think two days in the Black Hills is not enough. We need a return trip, and I want to explore more of Custer State Park.

As I mentioned above, the driving time from Hot Springs to Devils Tower is 3 hr 30 min. Since we made several stops, it turned into almost 10 hours. Yes! You read it right, and we were not disappointed at all. And I know you will not either.

So, here are the best stops between the two places.

1st stop – Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave is one of the world’s longest and most complex caves. Home to box work, a unique formation rarely found elsewhere.

We planned to take the Garden of Eden Tour since we had a limited time. It is ⅓ mile and takes 1 hour only. But visitors will see box work, cave popcorn, and flowstone on this short trail. It enters and leaves the caves by elevator with 150 steps along the tour route.

Too bad the elevator was under construction during our visit. The park didn’t offer any cave tours. However, the Visitor Center was open, and we could see the exhibition inside.

From Hot Springs, drive around 15 minutes on US-385 N to get here.

2nd stop – Custer

Less than 30 minutes later, we arrived in Custer. We saw painted buffalo statues and made a quick stop. 

You won’t miss seeing these painted buffalo sculptures around downtown Custer. They make good photo ops.

3rd stop between Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower – CCC Museum in Hill City

Continue on US-385 N, and drive past Crazy Horse. After 20 minutes, you will arrive at the CCC Museum in Hill City. The address is 23935 US-385, Hill City, SD 57745.

A visit to CCC Museum was not on our list. We found the museum when we drove through the city. We decided to stop since we are thankful for the Civilian Conservation Corps working on the State Park and National Park Systems.

The CCC Museum is small. You will not need a lot of time spent here.

4th stop – Pactola Reservoir in Pennington County

After driving for about 15 minutes, still, on US-385 N, we saw a blue lake in the distance. The closer we got, the more beautiful the area was. Then we saw the Pactola Reservoir Visitor Center on the left and parked our car.

Immediately I felt like you need at least one day to explore the Pactola. We went inside, and all the rangers were extremely friendly. Dogs are welcome inside the Visitor Center, so our dog Snoopy had a good time there. He even got a treat from a ranger.

We learned that visitors could swim, relax on the beach, boat or stand-up paddleboarding, fish, and even scuba diving at Pactola Lake. There’s a town at the bottom of the lake! It’s like the Atlantis of South Dakota . Isn’t it cool?

When the Head Ranger heard we were heading to Deadwood, he told us about these waterfalls outside the city. Then we left for Deadwood and the waterfalls with a map and a note from him.

5th stop – Deadwood

Somewhere on US-385 N between Pactola and Deadwood, we passed a sign of Trout Haven. My husband believed it was where the Griswold stopped during their cross-country drive in the National Lampoon’s Vacation . Lol.

At the end of US-385 N, turn right onto US-85 towards downtown Deadwood. It is around a 40-minute drive from Pactola.

Deadwood is a historic Old West town where legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Seth Bullock found their forever home in Mount Moriah Cemetery. 

This 1870s gold rush town became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. It’s a touristy town in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

After driving around, we finally found a parking space behind the Fairmont Hotel and Oyster Bay Bar on 628 Main St. We had lunch at the restaurant on the right side of the hotel. We got to sit outside where dogs are welcome.

After lunch, we walked to the haunted Fairmont Hotel. But Snoopy didn’t sense any spirits and wanted to get inside.

Then we left before the Old West show started because they would close the road. 

I hope it won’t be too crowded during your visit so you can explore more than when we were there.

6th stop – Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

Back to Pactola. You will continue on US-14A W towards Cheyenne Crossing. When you get to Cheyenne Crossing, keep driving on US-14A to Spearfish. You are driving on Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

There are waterfalls and hiking trails along this scenic byway. But we didn’t have time, so we only visited Roughlock Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.

To go to Roughlock Falls, turn left to Forest Service Road 222 once you get to Savoy. Travel approximately one mile. Then you will arrive at Little Spearfish Canyon. There will be parking lots, and I hope you will find a space.

Back to US-14A and keep driving until you see the Bridal Veil Falls sign. Parking lots are on the left side of the road, while the falls are on the right. Be careful when you cross the street!

I wish we had more time to explore the Spearfish Canyon area. Check out this self-guided tour of Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway . You will find suggested stops along the scenic byway. It starts from the opposite direction.

When driving on Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, watch out for ATVs & OHVs on the road. People can drive these toy vehicles on the highway when moving from one trailhead to another. Be careful!

7th stop – Welcome to Wyoming and Welcome to South Dakota signs

I don’t know about you, but our family likes to take pictures by the state sign.

After about a 15-minute drive on I-90 W from Spearfish towards Devils Tower, we saw a Welcome to Wyoming sign. Of course, we had to make a stop.

When I looked across the street, I saw a Welcome to South Dakota sign. We did not see one when we entered South Dakota from Nebraska. So, we turned around at the next exit to take pictures by the Welcome to South Dakota sign. It sounds crazy, but that’s us. Haha.

End of Our Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower Drive

From the Welcome to Wyoming sign, we made a quick pit stop at Northeast Wyoming Welcome Center. The office was closed, but the restrooms were still open.

Then we turned right onto WY-111 N towards Aladdin. Next, we turned left onto WY-24 W to Devils Tower. It takes around 60 minutes to drive.

We arrived around 6 pm at Devils Tower and pitched a tent at the Belle Fourche River Campground inside the Monument. It’s on a first-come, first-served basis, and we were lucky to get a space.

There’s a KOA by the entrance and a few accommodations near Devils Tower if you plan to spend a night here.

Since it was still bright, we went to the Tower and hiked the Tower Trail. Dogs are not allowed, so my husband stayed around the parking lot with Snoopy. 

In the evening, we joined a ranger program near the campground. The next day we left for Fort Laramie.

You will like this alternative driving route from Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower. You will get to see more rather than taking the Interstate Highway.

This road trip itinerary will also work if your plan is to drive from Devils Tower to Mount Rushmore.

Thank you for sharing this:

Umiko Buhl is a travel blogger and the founder of Two Worlds Treasures. She travels around Texas to neighboring states and around the country with her family and dog from their family home in the south of Dallas/Fort Worth. Originally from Indonesia, she tries to go home every 2-3 years to spend time with her families and friends while exploring Indonesia. Her mission is to share her honest reviews of places she visited.

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I haven’t been to US as yet and the more I read about the destinations, the more I wish I was there soon. Road trips are always exciting and this one certainly looks one Very interesting stops on the way. The Bridal Veil falls, painted buffalos, museum all sound refreshing. And so is the blue sky.. Would love to do this road trip some day.

It’s an epic road trip to take when you can make your own itinerary and be with your family! It seems like these areas present plenty of opportunities for adventure. I’m particularly interested in the Pactola Reservoir and the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

This is a great road trip from Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower. Mount Rushmore as well as Devils Tower have long been on my list of travel destinations. Good to know, that there is also a lot to see between the two destinations.

Great post on your journey from Mount Rushmore to the Devil’s Tower. The way you described everything on your stops made me visualize everything. The entire rout is scenic and I would love to visit Mount Rushmore and Devil’s Tower. I find that part of US very intriguing.

Yeah. Put this in your itinerary when you come to the U.S.

I would love to take this road trip. Devil’s Tower looks like a great place to camp. I have heard really good things about the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and would love to do the waterfall hikes.

I would like to go back for Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. I think it deserves at least a day for itself.

Sounds like a great road trip that brings you to some great attractions that are off the beaten path. Great tip that you recommend spending longer than 2 days in Black Hills. The tough part about planning sometimes is really knowing how much time to spend in each area. Looks like Snoopy enjoyed the road trip just as much as you did.

You are right. Most of the times there are so many places or things we wanted to do in one area. We have to decide whether we would stay for a night or two, and what we would like to do or see.

On our cross country drive we rushed through and did not plan enough stops. While we did do a quick stop at Mount Rushmore, we should have planned time to head from there to Devils Tower. It looks like it would be worth a few days with some good stops along the way too. Definitely something to think about the next time we head that way on a road trip.

It’s a good idea to spend some times in this area.

This is such a cool road trip! I remember watching something about General Custer, is there a connection here? It’s not a part of America that i’ve seen yet, but it really interests me!

If he was the one who rose to fame during Civil War, then yes. The park is named after him.

Any way you would share the whole trip with stood from dfw area to my Rushmore. We’re pulling a 40 ft fifth wheel!

Hi! I’m working on it now. We didn’t pull a travel trailer but we stayed in a couple of RV Campgrounds on the way there. I hope to publish it in the next couple of days.

We did the same…so we can see Wind Cave and Crazy Horse! But we missed all the other stops.

Oh yeah. But we didn’t do the Crazy Horse because we didn’t see any difference in the sculpture since the last time we went there more than 10 years ago.

I love all the choices you make for road trips — so interesting…and beautiful landmarks, too. I’ve not yet been anywhere along this route and would love to duplicate it. I’ve always wanted to see Mount Rushmore, and Devil’s Tower is so iconic!

It’s too far up there. We only saw another car with Texas license the whole time we were there. Haha.. Mostly were from the neighboring states.

I like how you give the times between stops. It helps to see how the actual trip plays out. I want to do this trip, by the way.

I like giving times like this so my readers can plan accordingly. Yes, go do it. This was our second times where the first was when my son was in my belly. 🙂

I have not visited this part of USA. The best thing looks like the Bridal Veil falls – beautiful image, There are so many interesting stops en route – a reservoir, painted buffalos, waterfalls and a museum too. Would love to do this road trip! 🙂

You must do this. Not just the normal tourists from overseas do. 😉

Wow – you’ve done a great job filling this route with these many inspiring places to visit! I would love to follow the trail you are tracing since that’s a part of the US I haven’t visited before. Love the picture of your dog – even he looks really happy 😀

Snoopy is always happy on the road! I hope one day you can go this way.

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Visit Mount Rushmore In An RV (Getting There and Parking)

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During our crosscountry adventure, Mount Rushmore was one stop we couldn’t miss. The iconic landmark nestled in the Black Hills National Forest needed to be seen on our route. We needed to do some research to figure out the ins and outs of visiting Mount Rushmore.

So, can you drive an RV to Mount Rushmore? The roads to get to Mount Rushmore are fairly steep and windy so take your time and drive with care. Mount Rushmore has parking to accommodate large vehicles up to 45 feet in length. They have about 25 parking spaces for RVs under 30ft and 40 spaces for anything longer, including vehicles with trailers. Overnight parking is not permitted.

Once we found that we could visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial with our RV we checked out the best way to get there, what to do at the monument and places to stay in the Black Hills.

Table of Contents

Getting to Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore is located on HWY 244 between HWY 16A and HWY 385. It is mainly a 2 lane road, with some passing lanes and has many turns and hills.

Hwy 244 is totally doable in an RV but you’ll want to take your time on the curves and hills. Mount Rushmore visitors center is at an elevation around 5400 ft above sea level.

If you have a tow car then your best option will be to leave the RV at your campground and use your smaller vehicle. You’ll be able to explore the Black Hills Forest much more thoroughly and enjoy some of the trickier spots.

There are two main routes to get to the 244, Hwy 385 and Hwy 16. From the north-east, you’ll come from Rapid City and take the 16. This is the route we took on our journey.

There are some good size hills that we crept up with our 4 ways on. There was also quite the downhill into Keystone, the closest town to Mount Rushmore.

There are multiple pullouts on route that let you catch your first glimpse of Mount Rushmore. Just be aware that these are usually found on a hill so getting back on the road may be a little interesting.

Overall its a fairly easy drive to the monument from Rapid City.

From the north-west and south-west Hwy 385 will be the main route. We took the 385 south from Mount Rushmore towards Custer.

While at Mount Rushmore, we spoke with a ranger about places to go in the area and the best way to get there. He described Hwy 385 as “flat” but I think that is a relative term. Again prepare for some hills.

If you’re coming from the south-east then Hwy 16A is the obvious choice but maybe not the most RV friendly. Also known as the Iron Mountain Road, Hwy 16 is a very windy road with some narrow tunnels. If you look on Google it looks like a squiggly line!

There are three tunnels about 3 miles from Keystone situated on several switchback turns. The smallest tunnel on the Iron Mountain Road is 13’5″ wide and 12’4″ high. Be very careful if you must go through these tunnels or better yet avoid this road.

To avoid this section of Hwy 16A you may need to take a more roundabout route. So plan ahead and map out your path ahead of time.

There are other routes to get around in the Black Hills Forest but I would advise against them in an RV. Hwy 87 to Sylvan, also known as the Needles Highway, is very narrow and winding. There are some EXTREMELY narrow one lane tunnels on the route with the smallest being only 9 feet wide and 12 feet tall.

So, if you know exactly how big your rig is and are very confident in your driving abilities then you could probably navigate them but it’s smarter to not take the risk.

Parking At Mount Rushmore

Now that you have arrived safely in one piece you’ll need to pay for parking. While Mount Rushmore does not have an entrance fee it does have a parking fee.

A parking pass will cost you $10 but it’s good for 1 year. So you can always come back another time within the next year from your date of purchase.

They have recently changed the approach to parking to help alleviate some congestion at the entrance. Most vehicles will use the automated ticket dispenser to get a ticket then pay for parking once in the monument. RV’s will still have a staffed booth to help direct you to the right parking area.

Mount Rushmore can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length. There is one parking area for smaller units that includes about 25 parking spaces and about 40 scatter along the edge of the parking complex for longer RVs and buses. Unfortunately, overnight parking is not allowed.

Spending Your Day

You can spend as little or as much time as you want to explore the monument. Leading up the monument you pass through the Avenue of Flags, a walkway lined with flags from all US states and territories.

The flags are arranged alphabetically with the name of the state, territory, district or commonwealth listed on the column below, as well as the date the place became a part of the USA.

You also get a pretty great shot of the presidents heads from the Avenue of Flags. Once you are done gawking at all the flags you will make your way to the Grand View Terrace. Here’s where you can get your money shot with you and the presidents.

There are some great options for how to explore Mount Rushmore. You can rent an audio device and take a self-guided tour along Presidents Trail, a half-mile loop that gets you as close as possible to the base of the carvings.

There are also several free guided tours available during the summer months. The Ranger Walk & Talk is a 30 minute guided walk along Presidential Trail where the ranger will cover some of the history of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.

An evening program is available, similar to the Ranger Walk & Talk but includes a film and the lighting of the monument.

At the start of the Presidential Trail, you can find information about the American Indian tribes of the area as well as a kid-specific spot.

At the Youth Exploration area, kids can participate in interactive programs to discover the interesting aspects of Mount Rushmore.

The Lakota, Nakota and Dakota Heritage Village provides an opportunity to explore the history of the Indian tribes who populated the Black Hills and surrounding areas.

You’ll want to check out the Information Center when you get to the monument to find out times and hours of operation for the programs available during your visit.

It’s a good idea to check out the Mount Rushmore website prior to your visit to check for alerts and weather conditions. The Black Hills do get snow so if you are visiting early in the season trails may be closed due to weather or for maintenance.

Don’t forget to hit up the visitors center for your Mount Rushmore stamp in your National Park Passport.

Places to Stay

It’s definitely worth staying the Black Hills a few days to explore Mount Rushmore and the national forest. There are many places to stay in the area ranging from rustic to full hookup. We tend to prefer rustic and be closer to nature.

There are 30 forest service campgrounds available in the Black Hills National Forest totaling more than 682 sites. Some of the sites have an on-site host but none have any sort of hook ups. Reservation can be online or by phone, though, some sites don’t take reservations. Per night fees are around $14-$26/night.

The sites are broken up into four geographical areas: Central Hills in the central portion of the forest, Northern Hills – Spearfish in the northern area on the South Dakota side, Northern Hills – Sundance in the north on the Wyoming side and Southern Hills in the southern portion of the forest.

The closest campground to Mount Rushmore is Horsetheif Lake Campground.

Central Hills – Rapid City

• Black Fox Campground – 9 sites – up to 45′ – Not reservable
• Castle Peak Campground – 9 sites – up to 45′ – Not reservable
• Custer Trails Campground – 16 sites – up to 50′ – Not reservable
• Dutchman Lake Campground – 44 sites – up to 50′ – Reservable
• Whitetail Campground – 17 sites – up to 50′ – Reservable
• Ditch Creek Campground – 13 sites – up to 50′ – Not reservable
• Bear Gulch Campground – group camping – up to 45′
• Pactola Campground – 83 sites – up to 50′ – Reservable
• Sheridan Lake North Group Campground – group camping – up to 60′
• Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground – 126 sites – up to 67′ – Reservable

Northern Hills – Spearfish

• Boxelder Forks Campground – 14 sites – up to 45′ – Not reservable
• Dalton Lake Campground – 10 sites – up to 45′ – Not reservable
• Hanna Campground – 13 sites – up to 55′ – Not reservable
• Rod & Gun Campground – 7 sites – up to 50′ – Not reservable
• Roubaix Lake Campground – 56 sites – up to 45′ – Reservable
• Timon Campground – 7 sites – up to 60′ – Not reservable

Northwestern Hills – Sundance

• Bearlodge Campground – 8 sites – up to 25′ – Not reservable
• Cook Lake Recreation Area – 32 sites – up to 45′ – Reservable
• Reuter Campground – 24 sites – up to 30′ – Reservable
• Sundance Horse Camp – 10 sites – up to 50′ – Specifically for horses

Southern Hills – Custer

• Beaver Creek Campground – 8 sites – up to 45′ – Not reservable
• Bismarck Lake Campground – 23 sites – up to 55′ – Reservable
• Comanche Park Campground – 24 sites – up to 30′ – Reservable
• Grizzly Bear Campground – 20 sites – size max unknown – Not reservable
• Horsethief Lake Campground – 36 sites – up to 50′ – Reservable
• Iron Creek Horse Camp – 9 sites – up to 50′ – Specifically for horses
• Oreville Campground – 24 sites – up to 50′ – Reservable
• Redbank Spring Campground – 4 sites – up to 40′ – Not reservable
• Willow Creek Horse Camp – 8 sites – up to 50′ – Specifially for horses

If you want a spot with a little more luxury there are many RV parks in the area. It’ll just depend on how far you want to travel to get to Mount Rushmore.

One of the closest is Mount Rushmore KOA. Fully kitted out with 50amps, a pool, hot tub and sauna you may not want to leave. Fortunately, they also offer a shuttle to Mount Rushmore. Rates are around $70 for the night and they can accommodate large rigs and have pull through sites.

Related Questions:

What is the to do in the Black Hills National Forest? Aside from Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Black Hills National Forest boasts Jewel Cave National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial (still unfinished) as well as a plethora of outdoor activities like Hiking and fishing.

What is the National Park Passport? The “Passport to Your National Parks” is a tourist booklet where you collect cancellations and stamps for all the national parks you visit.

Diane is a lover of all things travel. She and her young family wanted to explore North America from the comfort of their own home so they bought an RV. After fully rehabbing a 1994 Safari Trek, they set out to explore both Canada and the USA.

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Mid-September road trip Houston TX to Mt Rushmore - Road Trips Forum

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Planning a road trip in mid Sept from Houston to Mt Rushmore. Allowing 2 weeks. Need suggestion on itinerary for scenic views and points of interest, places to stay and eat, etc.

Thanks for any help.

Do you plan to go up thru Colorado or do the Kansas/Nebraska route?

Have never gone thru Kansas except on I 70 so cannot help you there.

If you decide to do the route thru Colorado then I suggest going thru Albuquerque which has an old historic area, good food, etc. then make your way toward Colorado Springs. COS has Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods plus loads of other things. If you make your way up north of Denver you could take in the Rocky Mt. NP then head up to Devils Tower in eastern Wyoming then hit Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon, Badlands NP, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer SP.

Be sure and go online and look at the Black Hills travel guide and map at-

http://www.travelsd.com

If you take this route can give you some hotel and restaurant recommendations. In Keystone near Mt. Rushmore we like the K Bar S Lodge. The best places to stay in the Black Hills are in Keystone or Hill City imo.

Enjoy your trip planning!!

Thanks for your input. The Colorado route sounds great, but can we do it in two weeks? We'll have to get out a map and check it out. If we do decide on this route, I would appreciate the info on hotels & restaurants along the way. I'll let you know./

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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The driving time from Houston, Texas to Mount Rushmore is:

19 hours, 34 minutes.

Average driving speed: 66.6 mph Kilometers per hour: 107.2 km/h This is based on typical traffic conditions for this route.

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Map of driving directions from Houston, TX to Mount Rushmore

View a map with driving directions using your preferred map provider: Google Maps , Bing Maps , or MapQuest .

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• Driving Distance
• Cost To Drive
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Driving time from Houston, TX to Mount Rushmore

How long is the drive from Houston, TX to Mount Rushmore? The total driving time is 19 hours, 34 minutes .

Your trip begins in Houston, Texas. It ends in Mount Rushmore, South Dakota.

If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from Houston, TX to Mount Rushmore .

You can also calculate the cost to drive from Houston, TX to Mount Rushmore based on current local gas prices and an estimate of your car's best gas mileage.

Since this is a long drive, you might want to stop halfway and stay overnight in a hotel. You can find the city that is halfway between Houston, TX and Mount Rushmore .

Planning to fly a plane instead? You might be more interested in calculating the flight time from Houston, TX to Mount Rushmore.

Houston, Texas

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Mount Rushmore

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• cities near Mount Rushmore

Driving time calculator

Travelmath helps you find the driving time based on actual directions for your road trip. You can find out how long it will take to drive between any two cities, airports, states, countries, or zip codes. This can also help you plan the best route to travel to your destination. Compare the results with the flight time calculator to see how much longer it might take to drive the distance instead of flying. You can also print out pages with a travel map.

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Road Trip From New York to Mount Rushmore

A road trip from New York to Mount Rushmore is one of the ultimate American journeys - not only will you see one of America's most iconic landmarks, but you could also visit some of its best cities, national parks, and areas of historical and cultural relevance.

The 1,725-mile road trip from New York to Mount Rushmore takes about 26 hours to drive so allow at least 3 to 4 days. Stops include Cleveland, Lake Michigan, Chicago, Omaha, and Yankton Reservation, as well as Wind Cave and Badlands National Parks.

There are many other wonderful things to see and do along this route, so please keep reading until the end to find out all about them.

How far is Mount Rushmore from New York and how long will the road trip take?

Covering some 1,725 miles, a road trip From New York To Mount Rushmore will take you about 26 hours of pure driving time.

If you power through the drive, you can theoretically reach Mount Rushmore in about three days, but a much better move would be to spread out the drive over a couple of weeks if you have time.

From New York, you will find the most direct route to Mount Rushmore to be along Interstate 80 and Interstate 90.

This is a pretty uncomplicated drive that features long, uninterrupted stretches of open road, but remember that visiting places like Pittsburgh and Chicago is bound to get you caught up in traffic.

Best road trip route from New York To Mount Rushmore

With America's highways and interstate networks being so vast and connected, there are a host of different routes you can take on a road trip from New York to Mount Rushmore.

The route we recommend largely follows Interstates 80 and 90, making for a fairly straightforward if fairly long drive.

This route enables you to maintain a steady course between the two destinations, while also letting you divert to any of the major cities or fantastic tourist attractions that are located around it.

Road trip route from New York to Mount Rushmore

From New York, make your way onto Interstate 80. For about 700 miles, you will keep straight on this road, passing by Pittsburgh, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Cleveland en route.

In Indiana, close to the Vistula, you will veer off onto Interstate 90. This will take you pretty much all the way up to the Mount Rushmore National Monument.

During this particular part of the transit, you will pass the likes of Toledo, Chicago, Des Moines, and Omaha, as well as a number of wonderful national parks too.

Best places to stop between New York and Mount Rushmore

When planning your overnight stops on a road trip between New York and Mount Rushmore, there are a number of options for places to stay.

We recommend the following:

Chill out in Chicago

Sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan, the city of Chicago is famous for its tall skyscrapers, world-class museums, fantastic pizzas, and notorious association with Al Capone. After a long drive or day of sightseeing, it is an excellent place to stop for a few days.

The Viceroy Chicago is the perfect place to see the city and relax , courtesy of its amazing rooftop swimming pool and top-of-the-line city views.

The rooms at this resort are extremely luxurious, and they let you take in the city's gorgeous architecture with their floor-to-ceiling windows. Whether you're relaxing in the lobby or working up a sweat at the gym, you're guaranteed to have an amazing time here.

Located in the vibrant heart of downtown, amongst all the best shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues on the Magnificent Mile, the hotel features an impressive rooftop bar, which is a lovely way to take in its panoramic city views at sunset.

While far from cheap, the hotel is not nearly as expensive as you might expect from looking at it. This, along with its long list of amenities, makes it a no-brainer when it comes to picking a place to stay near the middle of the route.

Recharge your batteries in Rapid City

Once you reach South Dakota, you should consider a stopover in Rapid City - known as the gateway to both Mount Rushmore and the Badlands, the 'City of Presidents' is a great place to unwind before heading off to those destinations.

Part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City is the best place to use as a base for exploring the Black Hills National Forest , thanks to its spectacular attention to detail, great price, and proximity to Mount Rushmore.

The old-school interior design somehow manages to feel extremely modern, both in the stylish lobby and the extremely cozy bedrooms. The former even has a fireplace to relax by after a long day of exploring Mount Rushmore.

Add to that a great fitness center, a beautiful rooftop terrace, and an amazing restaurant, and you have yourself the single most appealing resort in the Mount Rushmore area.

Things to see and do on a road trip from New York To Mount Rushmore

Such is the sheer number and variety of tourist attractions and places of interest to visit on a road trip from New York to Mount Rushmore, you could easily spend a couple of months seeing them all.

If you don't have that much time at your disposal, we have compiled this splendid list of some of the major attractions and points of interest you may wish to visit during your excursion:

• Susquehanna River – The longest river on the east coast of the USA, running for some 444 miles, all the way from Cooperstown, New York to the Susquehanna State Park in Maryland.
• Pittsburgh – Known as "Steel City' on account of its massive steel production, Pittsburgh is a lively city that is known for its incredible architecture, three beautiful rivers, and collection of 446 bridges.
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Located along the banks of the Cuyahoga River, this stunning national park features 51 square miles of forests, farmland, and rolling hills. It's also known for being home to a spectacular collection of wildlife and flora.
• Cleveland – Sports-mad city known as the birthplace of rock and roll. Boasting picturesque parklands, it also has a vibrant contemporary art and culture scene.
• Lake Erie – One of the five great lakes. A beautiful spot to hike, picnic, swim, kayak, camp, and generally get yourself at one with nature.
• Toledo – Best known for its rich history of jazz, it houses a number of museums, galleries, and bars that are dedicated to this genre of music. Often referred to as 'The Glass City.'
• Indiana Dunes National Park – Almost 25 miles of sand dunes, undulating along the beautiful shoreline of south-eastern Lake Michigan.
• Lake Michigan – The second largest of the Great Lakes and the only one located wholly within the USA. An area of outstanding natural beauty where you can partake in a number of water-based activities.
• Chicago – World-class city nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan. Famous for its huge skyscrapers, excellent museums, outstanding pizzas, and the infamous exploits of Al Capone.
• Des Moines – Birthplace of Bill Bryson. The capital of Iowa features some lovely sculpture parks and botanical gardens, as well as a lively dining and shopping scene.
• John Wayne Birthplace Museum – Visit the childhood home of Marion Robert Morrison, aka John Wayne, or 'The Duke'. The home has been restored to how it would have looked when he was born in 1907. Now a museum, it is dedicated to his life and works.
• Omaha – The capital city of Nebraska, and the original home of the Reuben sandwich (though New Yorkers might disagree!). Also contains the Henry Doorly Zoo and the main residence of Warren Buffet.
• Sioux Falls – Located within Falls Park is a great natural attraction – gorgeous waterfalls from the Big Sioux River that flow over pinkish-red stones dotted through the park.
• Yankton Reservation – Take the opportunity to experience the fascinating history, culture, and landscape of a modern-day Indian Reservation.
• Wall Drug – An iconic attraction close to Badlands national park. Showcases a large collection of Wild West-themed stores, souvenir shops, restaurants, and a drug store. It also boasts a large art gallery and a sculpture of a Brontosaurus that highlights the history of the area.
• Badlands National Park – A stunning national park made up of vast prairies and canyons where dinosaurs once roamed. Home to many bison or bighorn sheep, as well as one of the world's richest collections of fossils. Resident paleontologists are on hand to teach you more and answer any questions you might have about them.
• Wind Cave National Park – Located just south of Rapid City and situated beneath great pine forests and grassy prairies, Wind Cave National Parkis one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world. It features a stunning collection of stalagmites and stalactites.
• Rapid City – "City of Presidents" that showcases 43 life-size bronze presidential statues on street corners throughout the downtown area. Also has a genuine piece of the Berlin Wall and some cool art galleries within its city limits.

Best time to go on a road trip from New York To Mount Rushmore

The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is open 24 hours a day, all year round, so you can undertake a road trip from New York to Mount Rushmore any time of the year.

June to August is the most popular time to do this journey - the weather is generally warm, the skies are at their bluest, and pretty much all the attractions are open. That said, you will find that hotel prices and visitor numbers will be a lot higher during these times.

If you can, it might be a good idea to do this road trip in late spring or early fall. The weather is still pretty good then, and the children are back at school, drastically reducing crowds. Prices tend to be at a lower, off-peak rate too.

Winter can cause road conditions to become potentially more treacherous, especially if you are planning to visit national parks or other attractions located along back roads. It is a good idea to bring your snow chains if you plan to drive around this time.

Whenever you decide to set off, be sure to get your car fully serviced before you go. This will reduce your chances of experiencing breakdowns or other issues relating to your vehicle when you are actually on the road.

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9 Best Road Trips From Denver, Colorado

R eady for an unforgettable journey through stunning landscapes? If so, you’re ready to embark on discovering some of the best road trips from Denver.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff , or simply seeking a memorable getaway, Denver has some incredible road trips that promise to leave you awestruck.

As one of the top outdoor hubs in the western United States, Denver serves as the perfect base camp for unforgettable road trips through the majestic Rocky Mountains and beyond.

From national parks and monuments to charming mountain towns and winding scenic byways, some of the best road trips from Denver lead to diverse landscapes and adventures.

Here is an expert-crafted list of the best road trips from Denver, Colorado:

• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Colorado Springs
• Yellowstone National Park
• Monument Valley, Utah
• Zion National Park
• Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills

Let’s find out why these drives are perfect for your next escapade.

The Best Road Trips From Denver, Colorado

Rocky mountain national park: a natural wonder.

This road trip takes you from Denver to Estes Park, where you’ll discover awe-inspiring beauty at every turn. The journey itself is a visual delight, but the real magic begins when you step into the park.

Hiking enthusiasts can conquer the trails leading to Dream Lake or Emerald Lake and be rewarded with mirror-like waters reflecting the surrounding peaks. Also, the drive along Trail Ridge Road offers vistas that will leave you breathless.

If you’re keen on wildlife, don’t miss a wildlife safari. EK, bighorn sheep, and other animals call this park home. To delve deeper into the park’s geology and history, you can make a stop at the Alpine Visitor Centre.

A trip to Rocky Mountain National Park typically lasts two to three days.

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Santa Fe, New Mexico:  A Taste of Southwest Charm

As you head south from Denver to Santa Fe, you’ll be immersed in the rich culture and history of the Southwest.

The road to Santa Fe is a journey through time. The ancient cultures of the Southwest come to life as you explore the city’s historic center. The Santa Fe Plaza, the heart of the city, offers a glimpse into its Spanish colonial past.

Art lovers will be in heaven on Canyon Road, where over 200 galleries and boutiques showcase the talents of local artists. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, dedicated to one of New Mexico’s most famous artists, provides insight into the region’s artistic heritage.

A road trip to Santa Fe typically lasts two to three days.

Moab, Utah: Adventure In The Red Rocks

Located in the red rock wonderland of Utah, Moab offers thrilling outdoor activities and breathtaking vistas that will leave you in awe.

The drive from Denver to Moab is a transition from the lush landscapes of Colorado to the rugged terrain of Utah. Upon your arrival, the striking arches of Arches National Park will welcome you.

For a challenging but rewarding experience, you can hike to Delicate Arch, one of the world’s most iconic natural landmarks. And if you’re interested in the prehistoric past, the Moab Giants Dinosaur Park will transport you back in time.

Moab typically demands three to four days of your time.

Great Sand Dunes National Park: A Sandy Paradise 

Just when you thought you’d seen it all, Great Sand Dunes National Park offers a unique experience.

These surreal sand dunes rise against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, creating a mesmerizing contrast that you won’t find anywhere else.

The drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park takes you through a diverse landscape, from rolling hills to the first glimpse of those towering dunes.

Once there, you’ll have the opportunity to climb the tallest sand dunes in North America.

There are plenty of opportunities for offroading if you’ve got the right vehicle. Make sure your tires are set to the right pressure for sand driving before hitting the trails.

To understand the park’s geology and ecology, you can consider joining a ranger-led tour. And on a hot day, a refreshing dip in Medano Creek is pure bliss.

Great Sand Dunes National Park can be explored in one to two days.

Colorado Springs: Where Mountains Meet Military 

Colorado Springs is where natural beauty meets military prestige. You can explore majestic mountains, delve into history, and get up close with wildlife, all in one captivating destination.

A drive up Pikes Peak, one of Colorado’s “Fourteeners” (mountains over 14,000 feet tall), offers a breathtaking panorama. 

For animal lovers, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to over 750 animals from around the globe. And if you’re not afraid of the dark, explore the Cave of the Winds Mountains Park’s underground caves.

A visit to Colorado Springs typically takes one to two days.

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Yellowstone National Park: America’s First National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a wonderland of geothermal features, wildlife, and rugged landscapes. 

The drive to Yellowstone is an adventure in itself, passing through Wyoming and Montana. As you enter the park, you’ll soon encounter Old Faithful, the most famous geyser in the world.

The Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States, is a colorful marvel you won’t soon forget. Hiking to Yellowstone Canyon rewards you with views of the Lower Yellowstone Falls and the Upper Yellowstone Falls.

Yellowstone is a wildlife lover’s paradise where bison, elk, wolves, and other animals roam freely. And for a night of luxury in the heart of the park, the Yellowstone Lake Hotel offers a perfect retreat.

This road trip typically lasts four to five days.

Monument Valley, Utah: A Desert Dreamscape

Monument Valley is a cinematic dreamscape known for its iconic sandstone formations featured in many Western films.

The drive from Denver to Monument Valley is a transition from the greenery of Colorado to the arid beauty of Utah. Upon entering the valley, towering sandstone buttes and mesas will welcome you, crafting a surreal landscape.

A scenic drive through the valley is a must, allowing you to witness these natural wonders up close. Guided tours offer insights into the history and culture of the Navajo people. 

Sunrise and sunset in Monument Valley are magical moments, with the sandstone formations bathed in golden light.

A trip to Monument Valley typically lasts two to three days.

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Zion National Park: A Canyon Wonderland

Zion National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with dramatic canyons and breathtaking vistas. The journey from Denver to Zion is a transition from cityscapes to natural wonders.

The adventurous can tackle the famous Angel’s Landing hike for an adrenaline rush or simply soak in the stunning scenery.

The Zion Human History Museum provides insight into the park’s history and the people who have called it home. You can join guided tours if you are eager to learn about the park’s geology and ecology.

A trip to Zion National Park typically lasts two to three days.

Mount Rushmore In The Black Hills: Faces In Stone

Mount Rushmore awaits you in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The drive from Denver to Mount Rushmore is a journey through the heart of America’s Midwest.

The iconic faces of four U.S. presidents emerging from the granite mountainside are a symbol of the nation’s history and democracy.

The Crazy Horse Memorial pays homage to the Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. Witnessing this massive carving in the making is a testament to human ambition.

A wildlife safari through Custer State Park allows you to see wild bison and their natural habitat. Serene beauty will embrace you as you traverse the scenic Black Hills.

A trip to Mount Rushmore typically takes two to three days.

Denver is a great place to start your adventure, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy along the way.

If you’re looking for a short and easy road trip, consider visiting Rocky Mountain National Park or Colorado Springs . Both destinations are within a two-hour drive of Denver and offer a variety of activities to enjoy.

For the more adventurous traveler, Moab, Utah, and Yellowstone National Park offer stunning scenery, outdoor activities, and unique cultural experiences that will leave you in awe.

In the end, it’s not just about the destinations; it’s about the experiences, the landscapes, and the stories you’ll gather along the way.

Don’t miss the chance to explore the beauty of the American West on these unforgettable journeys.

This is a post by Guest Contributor Louis

Author’s Bio: Louis is an outdoors enthusiast who doesn’t miss an opportunity to get out and go camping, hiking, or road tripping. When he isn’t out travelling, he’s planning his next adventure.

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