Why not just travel to the area? Even if you don't see Mt. Rushmore, there is still a lot in the area to enjoy. You can see the monument without having to pay the admission fee to the park - as cd mentioned, you can see it as you drive up through the tunnel. If that sight alone doesn't thrill you, then turn around and go see something else. If you get that thrill, then keep on driving and see it up close!

I meant Mt. Rushmore itself -- the actual monument is a little bit of a hype. The area is one of my most favorite places in the world. Time has stood still for the past 40 years, the people are kind, the scernary is beautiful and overwhelmingly calm...and even more. So don't get me wrong on the previous post -- I've been to the hills every year since I was a little girl and have made sure to go back at least 1-2 times a year since I've moved out of Easter SoDak.

If you like fishing...check out Center Lake and "walk-in fishing". But watch out for the buffalo!

I live in the Black Hills and love the area for hiking and nature. We go to Mt. Rushmore probably once a year, and I still enjoy seeing the monument and hearing the story. We went this year on Father's Day, my H's choice. There were mountain goats gathered below the faces on the fallen rock.

Iron Mountain Road (driving north) is where Mt. Rushmore is framed through the tunnels.

I'll go back to my first statement above in the second post of this thread:
"Name a single spot in the world that everyone loves."

There is NO way anyone can tell another person that they will find it a WOW as opposed to a wow. To try to find such a guarantee of WOW and not just wow is pointless at best.

I LOVED seeing the Crazy Horse Monument when I was a child so if you have a child take them there. It might have been because all we heard about in school was Mt. Rushmore, but the story behind Crazy Horse is quite interesting.

We loved to take our kids on many road trips when they were younger, and we loved visiting Mt. Rushmore and the surrounding areas. Sure, South Dakota doesn't have big city appeal, but it is home to so many of the nation's wonders that it is a definitely a trip worth making. There is a lot of hiking to do around Mt. Rushmore, and you can make a stop to see the Crazy Horse Memorial that's being constructed. We also drove out a little bit further one morning to check out Devil's Tower, an eerie sight no doubt but worth checking out.

My family took a 2 week driving trip up to that area when I was about 8 or 9 and I can honestly say that it's one trip that I remember and that I would love to go back and see again.

I remember the area being beautiful. We stayed in a log cabin not too far from Mt Rushmore itself and we went to so many different historical locations, it was a blast!

My dad, the history buff, made the trip even more fun for my brother and I and it's a trip that I'll always remember.

Go and see for yourself...it's really amazing what you can do to a mountian side!

Custer State Park is one of my favorite places in the whole country.

I just find it mind-boggling that anyone, much less more than one person (you say "reports") could tell you there's not much to see in that area!

Just read the trip reports and other posts on this site. There are many and I don't remember ever seeing one that was negative.

Another person who loved my trip to the Black Hills Region. Custer State Park was wonderful, great wildlife spotting! Badlands were a little bit of a drive, but worth it. Very different scenery and a nice day trip.

Mt Rushmore was a bit of a mix for me. I don't think it takes that long to actually see the monument _ wouldn't plan too long for the stop. But it's impressive, and heck, I'm a fan of North by Northwest, so how could I not see it. But one morning for that part of the trip was fine. I did see three baby mountain goats on the drive up there, and the windy road down had some amazing scenic views.

But, I think it would be hard to find a really "posh" hotel. My room at Custer could kindly be described as "retro 50's". There are some good places to eat, but it's not a place to go for fancy dining. In many ways the whole area reminded me of a trip with my family when I was a kid.

But I loved it and am already making plans to take my niece and nephew.

Yes!!! I was mezmerized by Mt Rushmore and shot a roll and a half of film there (pre-digtal days). We, too, love the entire area. We hiked the Badlands which might be preferable to simply driving thru. It was great. Very other worldly looking. Custer State Park was also very interesting. We just did a drive thru with some stops. Bottom line: lots to do and see there. Would I go back? It's probably one of those places that seeing it once is enough but it's very, very worth seeing at least once.

"It's probably one of those places that seeing it once is enough but it's very, very worth seeing at least once."

I've been twice, 18 years apart. The last time was 6 years ago. I hope I get the opportunity to go again in 12 years (or sooner)! :D

YES,YES,YES, absolutely beautiful. The road from Sturgis to Mt. Rushmore and on to Devil's Tower and Custer State Park itself is just amazing.

I think Rushmore is just one of things you have to do just to know you say it for yourself. It doesn't take much time, and when I was there most of the visitors were in the gift shop, not looking at the monument.

When I was in the Dakotas, I didn't go to Mt. Rushmore.

I was on an extended driving trip through North America that took a looooong time. I drove through the Black Hills, which I quite enjoyed (and was especially fascinated by the town of Lead). I stayed in other places all around the Dakotas.

I didn't go to Mt. Rushmore.

I can't stand Las Vegas, so that theory doesn't fly.

I have no idea whether I would have liked Mt. Rushmore if I saw it. I simply can't imagine ever driving out of my way to see Mt. Rushmore.

I can't answer the question of whether it's "worth it" for someone else. But I doubt it would be worth for me.

I'm laughing as I type this, trying to picture myself looking at Mr. Rushmore.

It just doesn't hold any interest for me.

I loved North by Northwest though.

I'm heading to see the "four guys" as I call them the end of the month. No irreverence intended...this is something I've been wanting to do for a while and finally have made the trip - almost - come together. So much to see in the area and I know I can't experience it all. Thanks to this site for wonderful info and help. It will be interesting after my trip whether I will want to return or if this will be a "one-time" wonder. I'm excited!!!

You say you would love to see Mt. Rushmore but wonder if it's worth the trip. How will you know if you don't go. Everyone has their own opinion. Do yourself a favor and listen to your own mind. Go see for yourself. You can then say "been there done that". I've been to that area and would return in a heartbeat,but that's my opinion

The Black Hills is one our favorite placed to visit. To us second only to the Yellowstone/Teton area. My only thought is Mt Rushmore looks a little tacky now since they built the grandiose parking garage out front a few years ago... It definitely spoils the view of Rushmore thru the tunnels on Iron Mountain Road.

Oh, my goodness, before I started researching my trip up there three years ago, I thought there'd be nothing up there. But I was so wrong! We spent several days in that area, and we could have used more time!

There are hot springs, there are mammoth fossils (great for kids!), there are the hokey tourist traps which are still pretty cool (The Mystery Whatever Area, I'm talking about YOU). There are caves. There is wildlife! Slow down on the roads or you will hit it! And then there is Mount Rushmore, which is very worthwhile and amazing. Leave plenty of time to walk around and view it from different angles. I regret not going to the evening light show up there.

Start with the South Dakota tourist board website, and see what's up there. You'll be amazed!

When we visited the Black Hills we only had one day because of time restraints. Bad, bad, bad. We loved it -- walking around Sylvan Lake, the Needles, the mammoth dig, prairie dogs, wild donkeys, bison, short hikes here and there. And we just loved the beauty of the Badlands themselves. By the time we reached Mt Rushmore we were exhausted and had to get to where we had reservations, but we had plenty of fun without seeing it other than from a distance. If Mt Rushmore disappoints, go see Crazy Horse. Folks say it's even better.

Where is the best place to stay in Custer. I am planning on being there July 4, 2010. Do I want Sylvan, Legion, Game Lodge?