Itinerary Help for Black Hills
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Itinerary Help for Black Hills
Hi all--
My husband and I are planning to visit the Mt. Rushmore area for the first time May 22 - May 29. We are flying in to Rapid City on May 22 and renting a car. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Hill City for the entire stay. We are adventurous and love history as well as nature. This is the temporary itinerary I have planned and was wondering if anyone has any tips or pointers?
Day 1: Fly in to Rapid City at 10 am; explore Rapid City (Reptile Gardens?) Drive to Hill City
Day 2: Mount Rushmore in the morning, (Presidential trail, maybe a hot air balloon ride) Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave, Mount Rushmore evening show
Day 3: Custer State Park (Peter Norbeck Hwy, Wildlife Loop, Iron Mtn Road) and Sylvan Lake (Harney Peak Hike) State Game Lodge for lunch, "Dances with Wolves" movie location
Day 4 : Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, Lead Gold Mine, Mt Moriah cemetery, Saloon #10
Day 5: Wind cave and ???????
Day 6: Badland Loop – Wall Drug – Minuteman Missile
Day 7: Devil’s Tower and ????????
Day 8: Depart
Do you think Custer State Park and hiking Harney Peak is too much in one day? Is there anything I am missing that is a MUST SEE? Thanks for everyone's input in advance.
My husband and I are planning to visit the Mt. Rushmore area for the first time May 22 - May 29. We are flying in to Rapid City on May 22 and renting a car. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Hill City for the entire stay. We are adventurous and love history as well as nature. This is the temporary itinerary I have planned and was wondering if anyone has any tips or pointers?
Day 1: Fly in to Rapid City at 10 am; explore Rapid City (Reptile Gardens?) Drive to Hill City
Day 2: Mount Rushmore in the morning, (Presidential trail, maybe a hot air balloon ride) Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave, Mount Rushmore evening show
Day 3: Custer State Park (Peter Norbeck Hwy, Wildlife Loop, Iron Mtn Road) and Sylvan Lake (Harney Peak Hike) State Game Lodge for lunch, "Dances with Wolves" movie location
Day 4 : Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, Lead Gold Mine, Mt Moriah cemetery, Saloon #10
Day 5: Wind cave and ???????
Day 6: Badland Loop – Wall Drug – Minuteman Missile
Day 7: Devil’s Tower and ????????
Day 8: Depart
Do you think Custer State Park and hiking Harney Peak is too much in one day? Is there anything I am missing that is a MUST SEE? Thanks for everyone's input in advance.
#2
Check with the Rangers at Mt. Rushmore to see if the Needles highway past Harney Peak is open. Harney Peak is the highest point in S.D. (7242') Hiking at that elevation is tiring.
I would expect to see some snow there in late May. How much is anybody's guess.
If the weather is iffy on Day 2 you could delay the Mount Rushmore evening show to a later night.
If you intend to see any other National Parks during the next year buy the $80 Annual Pass.
I would expect to see some snow there in late May. How much is anybody's guess.
If the weather is iffy on Day 2 you could delay the Mount Rushmore evening show to a later night.
If you intend to see any other National Parks during the next year buy the $80 Annual Pass.
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We drove the loop in Custer State Park and hiked Harney Peak in the same day. It can be done in one day. However, we stayed in the park for a couple nights so had time to revisit areas of the park. Custer State Park is big with lots of wildlife and places to explore. Don't underestimate it.
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I'm known for my busy itineraries, but your schedule gives me hives! I spent an entire day at Mt. Rushmore before driving the back way to Custer State Park...lots of pigtail curves which I loved and then returned for the evening program which was wonderful w/ "the presidents". Crazy Horse also took several hrs and their evening program was enjoyable, but not as much as Mt. Rushmore's. I thoroughly enjoyed Wind Cave...highly recommend tour plus 1 of their ranger lectures. Jewel Cave was great too and different enough to enjoy both. You will need to make a reservation for the Minuteman Missile site...only take a few visitors a day on tour. Have you considered staying elsewhere than Hill City so you don't have to return each day to same spot? Custer State Park was wonderful place to spend a couple of days...Needles Hwy, Wildlife Loop, dining, and venturing out from there to sights. Then a different hotel as you head to Deadwood, Spearfish, Devil's Tower, etc. I would pass on the Reptile Garden and try to get 1 of the major sights accomplished 1st day w/ 1 of the evening programs. Enjoy!
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Bear Country USA near Rapid City is a must, unless you've already seen a white Bison? It's drive through so weather not that much of an issue, but in nice weather the walk through part is great too.
The dinner show at the Dances With Wolves show is a great way to see it and have a meal at the same time; we loved Grandpa who was 84, still performing and loved that we are Aussies.
Closer to Rapid City Sitting Bull's Crystal Cavern was great, different to Jewel Cave but both are well worth it. We did all that plus Mammoth Site (terrific place!) in five days but then we're both hyperactive. Enjoy!
The dinner show at the Dances With Wolves show is a great way to see it and have a meal at the same time; we loved Grandpa who was 84, still performing and loved that we are Aussies.
Closer to Rapid City Sitting Bull's Crystal Cavern was great, different to Jewel Cave but both are well worth it. We did all that plus Mammoth Site (terrific place!) in five days but then we're both hyperactive. Enjoy!
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Digbydog
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Nov 16th, 2006 11:14 AM