We decided today to drive to South Dakota next week with our 3 and 5 yr old boys from Colorado. We'll be moving from Colorado in a month and want to travel some. I see there are rooms available in Mt. Rushmore. I'm not convinced that's the ideal town to stay and I don't have much time to research. I'm considering a town called Hill City, Custer or Custer State Park and Keystone. We're looking to see Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Dinosaurs in Hill City just to name a few. Not much time to make reservations. Any suggestions?

Basically any of the towns you mentioned are near Mt Rushmore. We stayed in Custer at Chief Motel. Actually very nice & clean and very reasonable altho I have to admit it didn't look like much from the outside. I went in and looked at the rooms first and was surprised. We stayed 4 nights. Right next door is a 'family-friendly' restaurant open for breakfast/lunch/dinner. It's a beautiful area. Have a great trip.

If you can get something at one of the resorts in Custer State Park, I'd recommend doing that.

We recently stayed in Hill City at the Holiday Inn Express. I think it would be a good choice for you. I did a trip report. You can find it by clicking on my screen name.

Any of those towns would be fine. I like Keystone just because it's a nice central location (closest town to Mt. Rushmore) but we've also stayed in the other places you mentioned. Custer State Park is fun but be aware that the resort areas vary widely within the park. We like Sylvan Lake resort--paddle boats and a shallow lake for swimming.

Custer is a good choice, when we are not camping we always stay there. The time of year you will be going you will not need reservations. In fact we never have made them and have never had problems finding a place to stay.

With young childrens, a cabin at Legion Lake resort in Custer park is ideal : 2 rooms, a great bathroom, a kitchen and a living/diningroomn for 150$ a night,
housekeeped.They have some smaller units.
You can swim in Legion Lake.The location is near Needles highway to Sylvan Lake, and relatively central in the park : not a long drive for Wild Life Loop.(Drive it in the morning or after 4'30 to see wildlife).
Mount Rushmore and Crazyhorse are not
in a long drive.
A nice spot with children is also Mammoth Site in Hot Springs and even if it's named a turist trap by many, the Reptiles Garden near Rapid City is always a good choice with children(turtles, alligators, snakes, birds, prairie dogs,...).
In Legion Lake, the restaurant is basic, not expensive and offers good breakfast and good choice of burgers...
The trout is excellent...The whole staff is really nice.
Near Hill City, Sheridan Lake is also
a good base to swimm.A little farer, Deerfield Lake has a good hike not difficult, around the lake.
Crazy Horse Memorial should not be as spectacular for the kids than Mt Rushmore,(you stay far from the sculpture...)but the museum of indians is very rich in artifacts.
Wind Cave is also to consider.
Erik.
NB : clicking on my name on the poster title, you'll find my report of our recent 2 weeks vacation here.

Keystone.CLose to all the sights.Paul

Just came back from rushmore trip we stayed in keystone which is very close to Mt. Rushmore stayed at best western presidents view clean rooms very good location also had a indoor pool which would be good for kids. We ate in restaurant right next door very good too. I like Custer Park also but a longer drive back and forth to Mt. Rushmore and roads very dark at night. Town of Keystone has shopping and restaurants about 1 mile from hotel.