We are planning a summer trip to Mt. Rushmore. Would like suggestions on "must sees" in the area. Also, are there any full service hotels with a nice pool in the area? Thanks!

After Mt. Rushmore and Badlands, then Custer State Park is a must. Other places to see are Wind Cave National Park, Deadwood City in the Black Hills and for the biggest tourist trap you have to at least stop at Walls Drug!

Utahtea

Don't miss the scenic drive with the switchbacks and tunnels that after you drive through them (leaving the Rushmore area) you have the faces on the mountain staring back at you again. Great drive. It is en route to Custer park.

We stayed in Custer State Park at the Lake Lodge (I think that's the name...not bluebell or state lodge) and it was a nice little cabin in a wilderness setting. No pool but they showed a beach you could swim in with the brochure...call and make sure it's open for swimming. It had a nice little restaurant and was a great place to stay. Friendly and great location. Custer's downtown is quaint. About 20-30 minutes to Mt. Rushmore. One caution--do NOT take that famouse drive (needles highway, I believe) at night on the way home from Mt. Rushmore. It was the freakiest experience of my life--pitch black and I was the only car on the entire ride. Thank goodness for the white lines painted on the edges of the road!

We also stayed in Custer and loved Needles Hwy. But I agree drive it in daytime hours. We went to Mt Rushmore in the morning for touring but drove Iron Mountain Hwy (I think that's the name) back to Mt Rushmore at night when it's lighted. There are some beautiful views of Mt Rushmore from that highway. Also, beautiful views of Crazy Horse.

Yes, I forgot about that, in places where the Needles Hwy can BARELY fit one car through the rocks, but is a must see! The road I originally spoke of departing from Mt. Rushmore that goes through the tunnels is Iron Mt. Road.
stewcarol, is the lodge you are referring to at Sylvan Lake? We stopped there just for a break during the drive, it seemed like a neat little place, the store had some nice souvenirs and the scenery with the lake was nice.

Stewcarol, was it Sylvan Lake? We also stayed in one of the cabins there and really enjoyed it. Custer State Park is a great base for exploring the area. If you have kids, I'd highly recommend the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs. Personally, if you're going to go to the Badlands, I don't think you can beat staying at Cedar Pass Lodge in the park. However, it's not by any means a full service hotel. What it is is a group of cabins, clean, nice, bare-bones but less rustic than the ones at Sylvan Lake (but no fireplace). There's nothing there but a restaurant, gift shop and the visitor's center. But it's a wonderfully serene spot.

Sorry, I just noticed that the poster above me had asked whether it was Sylvan Lake!

We just visited the Black Hills last Fall - there's a lot of natural scenery thoughout the area & the location maps handed out at every motel are extremely helpful. There's basically an easy cirle drive from Rapid City, with attractions along the way. Mt. Rushmore is an obvious choice, but I would also suggest the Crazy Horse Monument (also large stone/mountain carving in process of being done), Jewel Cave (best we've seen in area), Mammoth Site (extinct mammoth dig enclosed in bldg.), Needles Hwy/Custer State Park for natural scenery/wildlife/bison herds. Hill City & Keystone are quaint little towns where you can stop for lunch/shopping.
There's also an 1880's train ride available at both stops.
On a Northwest loop, you could also vist the Deadwood/Lead/Spearfish area. The Passion Play (depicting Christ's life)is a popular attraction. Lead has an operating gold mine that offers tours. Deadwood, unfortunately, has been turn from historic to casinos. BUT it's still interesting. Take the narrated historic bus tour of town/Wild Bill & Calamity Jane's graves. #10 Saloon has re-enactments of his murder & "Trial of Jack McCall" is quite entertaining! (audience participation)
"Deadwood Days" offers a large rodeo every summer (not sure of date). Also, Sturgis is very close, home of the EXTREMELY LARGE, BOISTEROUS motorcyle rally.
East of Rapid City are the South Dakota Badlands, which are quite different from the Hills & worth the trip, if you enjoy scenic drives.
As far as accomodations - if you're interested, the Seth Bullock Historic Hotel in Deadwood is rumored to be haunted. We stayed at the local Holiday Inn Express (attached to Casino/very nice)for one night; Rapid City the rest of trip.
Note: Old historic downtown has great Native American Arts store, as well as other shops, and Old Firehouse Restaurant/Pub.