South Dakota
 

We are spending a few days in Rapid City during the summer. We know about the obvious highlights like Mt Rushmore and the Badlands. Are Wind Cave Natl Park, Jewel Cave and Mammoth Site of Hot Springs worth seeing? Also is there a way to see Custer Natl Park without driving on one of those winding narrow roads?

I may have my map directions wrong, but I think if you come up to Custer from the South (the opposite direction from Mt Rushmore), you can do the animal drive without having to drive on any of the narrow windy roads.

I stayed at one of the Sylvan Lake lodge in Custer and when I drove there the first time it was on those narrow windy roads. And if I went one way from the lodge, I was on the very narrow roads, but I learned there was another way to the lodge that didn't involve the narrow roads.

So you may not be able to see all the park, but you can see lots of it, including the animal loop without a white knuckle ride - but it would be worth checking with the hotel or park to get the exact direcdtions since it's been a couple years since my trip.

I didn't do the other sites you mentioned so I can't give you any feedback on those, but I loved the region, and the Badlands, and you'll have a great time.

Wind Cave, Jewel Cave and the Mammoth Site are all worth doing. (The Mammoth Site is especially good for children.) I would suggest you look at the National Park Service info on both Wind Cave and Jewel Cave before you go as it will give you a lot of help on deciding which cave to visit (in case you just want to visit one), when to go (Wind Cave in particular can have long lines, so some days and some times are better than others) and which kind of tour you want to take.
If you enjoy hiking, I can strongly recommend the hike up Harney Peak, the highest peak east of the Rockies. The trailhead is at Sylvan Lake (which is gorgeous) and the hike is about 7 miles RT. It's an easy-to-moderate hike and at the top is an old abandoned stone fire lookout (which was actually in use when I was a kid) with fantastic views of the Black Hills.

If you drive south from Rapid City on hwy 79 you can enter Custer park from the east and get on the wildlife loop at the State Game Lodge. Highway 16 (between Game Lodge & Custer) & 385 (Custer through Hill City to Deadwood) are not narrow roads.

Here's a map that shows tunnels & if a road is winding.

http://peternorbeck.americasbyways.net/

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. LHS- a special thank you for that map. It is super.

We are at the very early stages of planning our fall 08 roadtrip. This year we are thinking of taking in Mt. Rushmore and the surrounding areas. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the map,LHS. It's my first bit of info!

>>Also is there a way to see Custer Natl Park without driving on one of those winding narrow roads?<<

Depends on what you consider narrow and winding. Most of the scenic drives in the Black Hills are narrow two lane roads. Some are narrow than others.

http://www.pbase.com/harpeggio/needles_highway

I lived in Rapid City for a year when I was a kid (and 2 summers in a tent in the Black Hills!) but it's been a loooong while since I've been there. I remember the Black Hills were beautiful - go through Deadwood and Lead. I also remember loving the drive through The Needles - we got out and wandered around - collected lots of rose quartz and big chunks of Mica. Don't know if it's still there or still worth going to, but as a youngster, remember Dinosaur Mountain and nearby Reptile Gardens. Of course, the badlands are neat as is Mt. Rushmore and the many mine shafts around the area that you can walk through.