Our original plan was to cut through the Dakotas on the way to Canada, then a friend told us to check out the badlands. Thanks : ). These range from $6 to $8. Cheers!! Its centrally located, has a lot of hotels (including some dog-friendly ones), and is relatively affordable. Day 1: Rapid City, South Dakota Cambria Hotel Rapid City near Mount Rushmore - Tripadvisor It is a 25-page version of our South Dakota Itinerary that you can download to take with you or print at home. They represent the 50 states, the District of Columbia, three territories (Guam, the American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands), and two commonwealths (Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands) in the United States. This gives you enough time to hike the Tower Trail (a 1.3 mile trail that loops around the base of Devils Tower) or the Red Beds Trail if you are a fast hiker (a 2.8 mile trail that makes a bigger loop around Devils Tower). Located in Rapid City's vibrant historic downtown district, just steps away from shopping, entertainment options, the city of Presidents walk, and events at the Main Street Square or Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Rapid City, SD 57701 With stops, it can take 10 hours or longer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Mount Rushmore to Ellsworth Air Force Base - 2 ways to - Rome2rio The attractions in and around Custer State Park are perhaps the biggest draw to the whole Rapid City area. Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City, Curio Collection by Hilton is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features upscale rooms and suites. This was our favorite part of the Cloud Peak Skyway. We are flying out to Denver next week and driving up to Cheyenne, then heading over to the Badlands and the Black Hills for a one-week vacation. This driving route starts at Mount Rushmore and ends in Cooke City Silver Gate, Wyoming. Hotel Alex Johnson Question: How Far Is Rapid City To Mount Rushmore - BikeHike The Native Americans were later defeated at the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890. The Bighorn National Forest is one of the oldest protected forests in the USA. Its been 15 years since I did a portion of that trip. 5. Along the way to and from the Badlands you can also stop in and check out the funWall Drug, and the Cold War Legacy Minuteman Missile sites. The total driving distance from Mount Rushmore to Rapid City, SD is 24 miles or 39 kilometers. What is the closest city to Mount Rushmore? With so many attractions to choose from, everyone turns out a winner! Cloud Peak Skyway comes to an end in Ten Sleep. What city is Mount Rushmore in? This promise only lasted until the 1870s, when gold was found in the area, attracting large numbers of prospectors. Here's the quick answer if you make this quick drive without any stops. Alternatively, you can also stay at Lake Yellowstone (1 hour beyond Cody) or Old Faithful Village or Canyon Village (2 hours beyond Cody), inside of Yellowstone National Park. A little research later viola! Its slightly longer than taking the Interstate the whole way, but itll keep you from taking the same road twice and its a pretty cruise. You can also check out our recently updated Ramblin Guide to Rapid City with even more things to do and road trips to take! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Easy Interstate access from I-90, Free Breakfast, Wi-Fi, Free Indoor Pool with Slide & Hot Tub, Business Center. The road to get to Mount Rushmore is a wide two-lane road. It might be possible to drive through the Bighorn Mountains but you will have to keep an eye on the weather forecast and road conditions. This itinerary will begin in Rapid City, South Dakota and end in Jackson, Wyoming. 3. I feel like an American! This post gave me chills and butterflies in my stomach. It took 14 years carve the entire sculpture, with the project lasting from 1927 to 1941. for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other The black hills are such a cool area to explore. Keystone finally got its name in 1891 and managed to stay on the map throughout the years through its amazing flexibility (gold mining turned to logging, then came the creation of Mount Rushmore). You can either add it by following Route #3 or you can day trip out to the Beartooth Highway during your visit to Yellowstone. If you choose to spend the night in Hot Springs, you'll have your choice of locations, too, with Bed & Breakfast, Tipi, and everything in between. If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA,you can read all of our articles about the United States in ourUnited States Travel Guide. Gutzon Borglum thought that the sculpture would have more national appeal if it portrayed four presidents. After that youll want to make a Left on Wildlife Loop Road which is just a bit further. The peak was named after Charles E. Rushmore, a New York attorney who visited the area in 1885. Obviously I know that if I drive to this area Ill be driving into a hilly/mountainous area, and I get anxious driving around edges/cliff areas. Cant wait to see these places! We only did the drive from Burgess Junction to Shell (we did not do the drive to Medicine Wheel), so unfortunately I cant answer that question. Assuming no snow or ice, Is this a difficult drive? The 2,378 sq. Rapid City, South Dakota. It techincally is not in a city, but there are many cities around the area. In that year it was established as a railroad station and soon grew to become a true Wild West town. I recommend spending just an hour or two here. With over 40 Craft beers on tap, the Independent focuses on limited run and small batch brews so its a fun place to find and try something unique. No public transportation options are available. If youre interested, you can add in another stop before heading into the Badlands and visit 1880 Town. As you continue west, the road drops down into a canyon. And dont miss our 10 day road trip with Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore. Why? The distance is the same either way if you're flying a straight line (or driving the same roads back and forth). Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/1th of the time it would take to drive. Take the 18 mile loop through the park and it will take you back to Highway 16. At Shell Falls Interpretive Site, several walking trails lead to overlooks of Shell Falls and Shell Canyon. Ive bookmarked it for future use. Where is Mount Rushmore Located? Visiting Mount Rushmore is on the top of many peoples must-do list when they are in the Rapid City, South Dakota area. 13000 Highway 244 You can also see the sedimentary rock layers of the Bighorn Mountains. Your trip begins in Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. Free shipping for many products! Cheers, Julie. You will not be able to exit the parking garage without validating your parking permit. Bighorn Scenic Byway (US Route 14) cuts through the northern section of Bighorn National Forest. On top of all the large tourist attractions, there are many smaller, locally owned, businesses in the area to keep you and your family entertained. If you walk it in a clockwise direction, it will be a mostly downhill walk, with the majority of the steps at the end of the trail. The most scenic is driving the Bighorn Scenic Byway. Youll find a great collection of classic road trip attractions, and tons of neatsouvenirs. When is the Best Time of Day to Visit Mount Rushmore? From here you have another decision. Did you know downtown Rapid City had a graffiti scene? For a complete list, check out our guide to the best things to do in South Dakota. Not only is this city a short drive from Black Hills attractions, it also boasts a great deal of its own entertainment (It also happens to be host to one of the closest airports to Mount Rushmore). Click Here to Book Best Western. Badlands scenery is just spectacular. Most of the casinos had Free Play offers and between the two of us we made about $100. Rapid City, South Dakota. Let us know if you have any other questions :-). This gives you plenty of time to visit Devils Tower and other scenic stops along the drive. Mount Rushmore is open 365 days per year. It is a 30 miles / 20 minutes shortcut that misses on Granite Pass and Shell Canyon but follows the Medicine Wheel Scenic Byway and unsurprisingly passes very near Bighorn Medicine Wheel. You can simply walk up the Avenue of the Flags, take in the view from the Grand Terrace, take your photos and snap your selfies. Traveling point-to-point, start in Grand Teton and visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills of South Dakota, and Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks. Volkswagen Punch Buggy Game Rambler Style! Youll continue on that route for a total of about 18 miles and then go south on Route 16A until you connect with SD 244 West. From there, drive less than an hour to reach the towering presidential heads of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, the underground wonderlands of Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park and the awe-inspiring geology of Badlands National Park. Julie Last updated: January 22, 2023 United States 5 Comments. We then continued on our scenic drive through the Black Hills. Spend the night in Red Lodge. Founded in 1876, Rapid City is one of the most popular stops when visiting Mount Rushmore. Family rates and group rates are available for these tours. This makes the drive longer and less scenic. Rapid City, SD 57701 Phones are answered from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In general, spring and fall are the best times to visit Mount Rushmore. so go ahead and check the reverse directions to get the With stops, it can take 10 hours or longer. I dont know the answer to that either. Make sure you take some time to stop in Wall, SD before getting on the Interstate. How would you plan the drive to cover Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse and Sylvan Lake Custer State Park , Mt Coolidge, Needles Highway and Iron Mtn Road . How far is Mount Rushmore from Rapid City? Looks like an awesome road trip! Youll pass the Blue Bell Lodge which is a good landmark to look out for. do you recommend a guided tour of the area ? Road Trip Planner for Mount Rushmore, Badlands and Custer Park, SD It ends in Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. Learn more. Guide to Rapid City South Dakota | Rushmore | Badlands | Sturgis On the western edge of the Bighorn Mountains, the Bighorn Scenic Byway ends once you arrive in the town of Shell. Is it possible? Rapid City to Mount Rushmore - 3 ways to travel via taxi - Rome2rio