Hello,
Please suggest most direct but scenic route from Interior SD, to Mt. R.
Trying to include Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway or at least Needles Hwy portion of it.
(Mapquest sends us up to Rapid City area and that does not make sense to me!)

Your question has intrigued me.

I can't figure out why going thru Rapid City doesn't make sense to you because that is the route that Google gives you too.

I had never heard of this byway, so I looked it up and found that it is composed of bits and pieces of a bunch of rural roads. I don't think any mapping program would send you by that kind of route even if you select the "avoid highways" option.

So I finally looked up the name of the byway, thinking that might bring up a google map, but all it did was give me the address in RC of what appears to be the visitors center.

So I think your hope of finding a route without getting out the paper maps is forlorn.

Have you called the tourist office?

There are things the web doesn't know or has hidden in obscurity.

The Byways arr roads in Custer national park.
So from interior to Keystone/Mt Rushmore there are 2 options
- the one proposed by Google map. Hoghway to Rapid City longing the south border of Badlands Nat park. Scenic has a little to offer, sort of "ghost town" with an old jail, some antiques...
Rapid City is not that bad with the president's statues, a duperb museum and an indian store(prairie edge) not to miss...
The other option is longer and you have to drive south to Pine ridge in the indin teserve with on the way the site of Woundef Knee where civil indians were massacred by the cavalery. Only the site. The best explanation are near Wall Drug the wpunded knee experience.
From Pine Ridge direction west to Hill city. On the way the Red cloud heritage center have a nice myseum and shop and an indian cemetery. Hill city have the mammith site.
It's a longer way(2h45 drive versus 1h33 no coutîg the stops..)
Peter Norbek and Needles are part of Custer Park roads...
Erik

Sorry for the tip errors. I am in tgv railway and i have too big fingers for my iphone and i forgot to read before submit...
Erik

Thank you both for taking the time.
Erik, I was able to "interpret" your typing! (where are you?)
I have asked directions of the staff at the spot we are staying in Interior, SD (after Badlands visit.) I will report later how, and where exactly, we go!

In France...
We have been at Circle view ranch two years in a raw 8-9 years ago
It was the owner who gives us the advice on Prairie Edge in Rapid City.
Museum is the j
Journey museum, one of the more interesting we knows.
The first year we do the "classic" road by the highway,
The 2nd year we do the road via Pine ridge.
Erik