Will be visiting Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, etc. in August. Seems it is highly recommended to see Mt. Rushmore at night. Where is the closest lodging so that we can visit both day and night?

Custer State Park! We visited Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse during the day and then drove on to Custer State Park. After dark we drove Iron Mountain Hwy (I think about a 1/2 hour drive from our lodging in the Park, back to Mt Rushmore)You have some great views of Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse from there as they are lighted and it's just not that far! Also, before leaving Custer, sometime during the day, be sure and drive Needles Hwy.

To add on to cd's advice, check out Sylvan Lake Lodge in Custer State Park. The first part of August coincides with the Sturgis motorcycle rally so doubt you'll find any accomodations in the Rapid City/Black Hills area--when are you going?

I didn't realize that Custer State Park had lodging. Will definitely stay there! Thanks a lot. I did hear about the Sturgis rally and checked it out. It will be over before we go the last week of August.

You can check: http://www.custerstatepark.info/
I would recommend you stay at one of the Lodges and make sure it has air conditioning. Some of them do not have air and August will be hot.

We stayed at a cabin in Custer State Park/Sylvan Lake Lodge for a week (pet friendly too!!). I agree with Tess-it was great!! Lots to do in the area. Have a great trip!!

The nice part about Sylvan Lake Lodge is the small lake by the lodge has both swimming and paddle boat areas. Very fun.

If you are looking for the closest lodging to Mt. Rushmore, you would do better to check into the town of Keystone. Custer State Park, while absolutely beautiful and a definite must-see, is about, oh, 15 or 20 miles away. Keystone is about 3 miles from the monument.

The nighttime lighting ceremony is wonderful! You'll enjoy it very much.