Mount Rushmore
 

Hi

We are hoping to visit Mt. Rushomore with our 3 children (ages 8,6,5). What is the best time to visit (not super busy!). Suggestions on places to stay and other things to do in the area. We are driving from Michigan so any suggestions on things to do or see on our way out would be appreciated also.

Thanks!

I would suggest you stay at Custer State Park. Your children would love seeing the buffalo and the park is beautiful. The senic drives on Iron Mountain Road and Needles Hwy within the Park are thrilling. Check it out at: http://www.custerresorts.com/

Forgot to add it's not that far from Mt Rushmore and your visit at Mt Rushmore will not take but a few hours unless you do some hiking.

Mount Rushmore is probably busiest around the 4th of July and during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally August 4th thru 10th, 2008. Hotels throughout most of the Black Hills fill during the Rally.

The town of Keystone is closest to Mount Rushmore and has many hotels.

Other things to do in the area:
Custer State Park with the Wildlife Loop, Sylvan Lake, The Needles Highway

Crazy Horse

Wind Cave or Jewel Cave

Bear Country and Reptile Gardens on Hwy 44

Dinosaur Park & Storybook Island in Rapid City (both are free)

1880 train travels between Keystone & Hill City

You can drive through the Badlands on the way or the way home.

Devil's Tower WY is about 2 hours from Rapid City.

Keystone is nice to stay,in the center of the goodies.We stayed at the Rushmore view inn.When visiting Custer state park dont forget to bring some apples for the donkeys?They'll love you.Paul

We went to Mt. Rushmore when I was a kid, and we took a helicopter tour and got to go right up around the faces - still a really great childhood memory.

There are some good places to stay in the town of Custer as well, its not as much of a tourist town as some of the others.

Visit the Wounded Knee site.

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/knee.htm

The Digs in Hot Springs.

http://www.mammothsite.com/

If you like horses there is a Wild Horse Sanctuary south of Hot Springs SD on Highway 71.

Having spent many summers in the Black Hills as a kid, it was a real thrill for me to take my kids there when they were 5 and 8. The things that they enjoyed most were the Mammoth Dig in Hot Springs (lots of hands-on activities for kids), Storybook Island in Rapid City (which I visited when I was a kid in the '60's), the prairie dog town in Custer State Park and fishing for rainbow trout at one of the stocked commercial fishing spots (a little expensive, but they were THRILLED to catch a real fish and we grilled it for supper that night.) We ate breakfast at Mt. Rushmore, a tradition with our family when were kids and did the hike up to the old fire lookout station on Harney Peak. It's about a 3-mile hike, but the kids enjoyed climbing around on the rocks and even the 5-year-old did it without too much effort--we just took it slowly. The scenery is amazing!
I think Custer State Park (the Game Lodge or Blue Bell) or Sylvan Lake Lodge would be a great place to stay and someplace in the town of Custer would be my second choice.

We went in early June and stayed in Rapid City. It was an easy commute to the different places and wasn't super busy. We found it way less crowded at Mt Rushmore in the early morning especially for a parking space. Some of the things our 11 year old daughter liked the best besides Mr Rushmore were Jewel Cave, the train ride, Custer State Park and Storybook Island. You can certainly find many thigs to do with your children. They will not be bored.

I'm planning a trip to that area and was planning on staying in Deadwood. Seemed close to everything and lots of fun for the kids.

Deadwood is not what it once was. They have taken to many of the business and made them into some kind of gaming establishment. You could always give the kids a roll of coins that would keep them busy :). The kids would probably like the 1880 train ride better.. We did find it filled with history but to us the Southern Black Hills is much nicer and more interesting.

You are probably joking RedRock about kids and a roll of coins, but no one under 21 is allowed in most of the casinos in Deadwood, except in the restaurant areas. They are not allowed to touch the gambling machines. My daughter's boyfriend, who is 20, wasn't allowed to linger in the lobby of the hotel where they stayed over spring break.

There are a few businesses without slot machines. The Adams Museum and Mount Moriah Cemetary still show the history of Deadwood.

We were only in Deadwood 1 1/2 days but I can't think of anything there for kids.

LHS -- Yes, a little tongue in cheek. We have been to Deadwood a few times while visiting and camping in the BH. I did not see much there to keep me interested for any length of time let alone kids. Gaming does not interest me but like I said I enjoyed my few times there. I am sure some are into that sort of entertainment and could spend a week there.. I just think there are many more things to do and see in the southern part of the Hills..

Oh, I am so glad you are coming to South Dakota! The west end of our state is so incredibly beautiful! As a long time Sturgis visitor, I would recommend do not come in August. There are too many motorcycles around and it is awfully hot!

Visit in the fall and enjoy the beautiful colors! I would recommend searching ahead of time and trying out different bed & breakfasts in the area.

Don't forget to visit Wall Drug, The Badlands, Spearfish Canyon, Jewel Cave and the plethora of other attractions!

Your family will have so much fun! Good luck and tell us about it when you get back!!

:)sherri
www.spiralhaircase.com