Mt. Rushmore area
Jan 9th, 2003, 08:21 AM
#1
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Mt. Rushmore area
Going in June. wanting to see Mt. rushmore, crazy horse, wind cave, mamonth site, blackhills, badlands, passion play, chuckwagon and Devil's tower would be nice.
2 questions:
1 - Is 3 full days enough to enjoy area
2 - Base Camp options. Custer State Park Lake Sullivan; a Holiday Inn or such in Custer or Rapid City?
2 questions:
1 - Is 3 full days enough to enjoy area
2 - Base Camp options. Custer State Park Lake Sullivan; a Holiday Inn or such in Custer or Rapid City?
Jan 9th, 2003, 11:08 AM
#3
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It will be a rushed three days. Both the Badlands and Devil's Tower require a full day trip for full enjoyment, as do a trip south to Wind Cave and Mammoth Site. You COULD see all of these sites in three days, but you'll do little more than take a picture and rush off from each one!
Jan 9th, 2003, 01:58 PM
#5
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I've done that area in three days and it's possible to see a lot, really. With four days, there would be no reason to miss Devil's Tower, if you would like to see it. You could even work it into a three-full-day itinerary.
I would recommend basing out of Rapid City because there are a lot more choices in terms of lodging and dining, but you might want to mix it up a little, such as staying in Spearfish for the passion play. The Badlands Loop is a wonderful drive and you can hit Wall Drug without consuming an entire day. The thing about Mt. Rushmore is that once you're looking at it, you will quickly realize that it isn't going to "do" anything so there is no need to spend hours gazing at it. Ditto for Crazy Horse, which is far from completed.
After perhaps a dozen trips to and through the Black Hills, I really find that I enjoy the drives and dramatic views, but I don't tend to spend a great deal deal of time in any location. I suppose it all depends on your style of travel.
I would recommend basing out of Rapid City because there are a lot more choices in terms of lodging and dining, but you might want to mix it up a little, such as staying in Spearfish for the passion play. The Badlands Loop is a wonderful drive and you can hit Wall Drug without consuming an entire day. The thing about Mt. Rushmore is that once you're looking at it, you will quickly realize that it isn't going to "do" anything so there is no need to spend hours gazing at it. Ditto for Crazy Horse, which is far from completed.
After perhaps a dozen trips to and through the Black Hills, I really find that I enjoy the drives and dramatic views, but I don't tend to spend a great deal deal of time in any location. I suppose it all depends on your style of travel.
Jan 9th, 2003, 02:39 PM
#6
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oh... I have been trying to decide about going west as well... to see the same places as xxx ...are there B&B's in the area??? How far is Rapid City from Mt Rushmore.. or do you suggest I go to a search engine for more info?
I recently found this forum.. its really an iteresting site!!!
I recently found this forum.. its really an iteresting site!!!
Jan 9th, 2003, 02:57 PM
#7
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I'm originally from South Dakota and have been to the Hills more times than I can count. I've worked putting tours together for about 17 years and am quite familiar with the logistics of the Hills. It is a great destination and you will have a fun time.
Custer State Park is one of my favorite places, but it isn't a good place for a base camp. You will spend too much time driving back and forth. Even though the distances look short in terms of miles, the driving times can be much longer than you anticipate. If you want to stay in one place for your stay, then you will have to base yourself in Rapid City. Otherwise you have three options that would work. 1) Rapid City with Spearfish or Deadwood. 2) Spearfish or Deadwood with Keystone or Custer. 3) Rapid City with Keystone or Custer. Personally as much as changing hotels is a pain in the butt, I would do it to save some backtracking. I would probably do a Spearfish/Deadwood and Keystone/Custer. That way you could do Devil's Tower and the Passion Play and not have to make the long drive back to Rapid City. The areas are a little more touristy than Rapid City and you'll have fewer choices, but you'll be more in the area where you want to be.
Timing your tour would depend on how much time you want to spend at the attractions. You need to decide if you want to see Mt. Rushmore during the day or with the night illuminations. You do not have to actually go into Mt. Rushmore to see it, you can see if from outside the park as well. While I enjoy Crazy Horse, my family does not. I think it is well worth it to go inside to see the plans for the monument and perhaps meet the family that is doing this. My family prefers to just see the monument from the road.
Custer State Park -- if you can take the jeep ride. I haven't done it in a few years, but it used to be fun going out to where the buffalo roam.
I would go into Deadwood and see the area. It's kind of cute. Take a few minutes and go to Mt. Moriah and see Calamity Jane's and Wild Bill's grave. Heck even check out Kevin Costner's casino. Not sure if he still owns it, but what the heck.
If you are interested in souvenir shopping the two best places in all of the hills are Wall Drugs and the gift shop at Mt. Rushmore.
Have a great time.
Custer State Park is one of my favorite places, but it isn't a good place for a base camp. You will spend too much time driving back and forth. Even though the distances look short in terms of miles, the driving times can be much longer than you anticipate. If you want to stay in one place for your stay, then you will have to base yourself in Rapid City. Otherwise you have three options that would work. 1) Rapid City with Spearfish or Deadwood. 2) Spearfish or Deadwood with Keystone or Custer. 3) Rapid City with Keystone or Custer. Personally as much as changing hotels is a pain in the butt, I would do it to save some backtracking. I would probably do a Spearfish/Deadwood and Keystone/Custer. That way you could do Devil's Tower and the Passion Play and not have to make the long drive back to Rapid City. The areas are a little more touristy than Rapid City and you'll have fewer choices, but you'll be more in the area where you want to be.
Timing your tour would depend on how much time you want to spend at the attractions. You need to decide if you want to see Mt. Rushmore during the day or with the night illuminations. You do not have to actually go into Mt. Rushmore to see it, you can see if from outside the park as well. While I enjoy Crazy Horse, my family does not. I think it is well worth it to go inside to see the plans for the monument and perhaps meet the family that is doing this. My family prefers to just see the monument from the road.
Custer State Park -- if you can take the jeep ride. I haven't done it in a few years, but it used to be fun going out to where the buffalo roam.
I would go into Deadwood and see the area. It's kind of cute. Take a few minutes and go to Mt. Moriah and see Calamity Jane's and Wild Bill's grave. Heck even check out Kevin Costner's casino. Not sure if he still owns it, but what the heck.
If you are interested in souvenir shopping the two best places in all of the hills are Wall Drugs and the gift shop at Mt. Rushmore.
Have a great time.
Jan 10th, 2003, 08:28 AM
#8
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thanks kkj:
That is exactly what I was looking for. I did take it that Custer State Park seems close to everything, thanks for straightening that out.
Would you recommend any of the grayline, jl tours, or other tour companies to the area, or just drive on yourself?
That is exactly what I was looking for. I did take it that Custer State Park seems close to everything, thanks for straightening that out.
Would you recommend any of the grayline, jl tours, or other tour companies to the area, or just drive on yourself?
Jan 10th, 2003, 11:14 AM
#9
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I'll be doing just about the same thing near the end of my trip through Colorado and Wyoming this coming July.
I'm trying to do it in two days & posted replies tell me to spread it out more.
A friend went through Custer State Park a few years ago & said it looks small but took him 2-1/2 hours just to drive through because some pretty tight squeezes (he had to fold his truck mirrors in), slow driving, buffalo to watch out for, etc. But worth it.
He tells me to "skip" Crazy Horse if I am finding myself short on time. It is like 1% done & planned to be finished in another 100+ years. He found it a major tourist trap with high admission for what you see.
Yet many who post on this forum think Crazy Horse is better than Mt Rushmore. Guess we'll get our own opinion when we go.
Others who've posted opinions (you might be able to find with the "search option" - have recommended Jewel Cave as better than Wind Cave if you have to choose between the two. Again, I've been advised to expect to be disappointed since I've already been in the two best - Mammoth & Carlsbad. Oh well. The person going with me has never ever been in any cave so we're going to Jewel Cave.
Have a fun trip!
Sylvia
I'm trying to do it in two days & posted replies tell me to spread it out more.
A friend went through Custer State Park a few years ago & said it looks small but took him 2-1/2 hours just to drive through because some pretty tight squeezes (he had to fold his truck mirrors in), slow driving, buffalo to watch out for, etc. But worth it.
He tells me to "skip" Crazy Horse if I am finding myself short on time. It is like 1% done & planned to be finished in another 100+ years. He found it a major tourist trap with high admission for what you see.
Yet many who post on this forum think Crazy Horse is better than Mt Rushmore. Guess we'll get our own opinion when we go.
Others who've posted opinions (you might be able to find with the "search option" - have recommended Jewel Cave as better than Wind Cave if you have to choose between the two. Again, I've been advised to expect to be disappointed since I've already been in the two best - Mammoth & Carlsbad. Oh well. The person going with me has never ever been in any cave so we're going to Jewel Cave.
Have a fun trip!
Sylvia
Jan 10th, 2003, 11:56 AM
#10
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Normally, I recommend tours like Gray Line of Rapid City, but I think this is one time you can probably get more in by doing it yourself.
One more thing about Crazy Horse. it is not a tourist trap. It is an incredible monument to the native americans who lived in this land. It is a long overdue monument to them. When it is finished (100 years would be an optimistic guess) it will not only have a monument, but schools and tons of other items. The site is not government funded and your monies go to making this possible. Sorry for the commercial, but I think it is an incredible thing to see something this huge taking place in our lifetime. I've been lucky enough to go a few times and am wondered by the changes that have taken place in between visits.
The drive in the hills is incredible. You will pass through places outside of Custer that you will wonder if your car can even make it through. Particularly the needles area. Custer itself is in the rolling plains of the south hills. It is pretty open roads and traffic can be tied up with wandering buffalo or other cars.
Are you driving through South Dakota on your way to the hills or are you flying into Rapid City?
One more thing about Crazy Horse. it is not a tourist trap. It is an incredible monument to the native americans who lived in this land. It is a long overdue monument to them. When it is finished (100 years would be an optimistic guess) it will not only have a monument, but schools and tons of other items. The site is not government funded and your monies go to making this possible. Sorry for the commercial, but I think it is an incredible thing to see something this huge taking place in our lifetime. I've been lucky enough to go a few times and am wondered by the changes that have taken place in between visits.
The drive in the hills is incredible. You will pass through places outside of Custer that you will wonder if your car can even make it through. Particularly the needles area. Custer itself is in the rolling plains of the south hills. It is pretty open roads and traffic can be tied up with wandering buffalo or other cars.
Are you driving through South Dakota on your way to the hills or are you flying into Rapid City?
Jan 11th, 2003, 12:48 PM
#11
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kkj
You'll think I'm nuts.
We are taking Amtrak from Phila getting off in Denver and driving up from there.
I want to see the Blackhills area and maybe go over to Grand Teton and Yellowstone and catch the train in Salt Lake City to get back home.
My son wants to go to California. SanFran and LA
Just added info. I do have alittle over 2 weeks to do whatever we finally choose. Do need to figure this out soon. At present Amtrak is offering fares at a 2 for 1 price.
You'll think I'm nuts.
We are taking Amtrak from Phila getting off in Denver and driving up from there.
I want to see the Blackhills area and maybe go over to Grand Teton and Yellowstone and catch the train in Salt Lake City to get back home.
My son wants to go to California. SanFran and LA
Just added info. I do have alittle over 2 weeks to do whatever we finally choose. Do need to figure this out soon. At present Amtrak is offering fares at a 2 for 1 price.
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