South Dakota’s oldest state park, and largest at 71,000 acres, offers lots of recreation options in a stunning setting. Rapid City, in the foothills is the gateway to the Black Hills. Much of the range is protected and open for recreation as Black Hills National Forest. The peak is about 4 miles (6.3 kilometres) west of Mount Rushmore as the crow flies. The highest peak in the range is Black Elk Peak at 7240 feet (2,200 metres). The Black Hills are an eroded mountain range in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. In addition to visiting Mount Rushmore there are many things to do in the Black Hills. There is no entrance fee however a parking fee is charged. The memorial is 30 minutes south of Rapid City via Highways 16 and SR244 and is open year-round except for Christmas Day, though some areas may be inaccessible during the winter months. A special lighting ceremony is held nightly from Memorial Day weekend through September 30th. In the evening, the memorial is illuminated. More importantly, the presidents’ faces are free of shadows in the morning light, perfect for photos. The best time of day to visit Mount Rushmore is the morning.

On the Avenue of Flags, see flags from all US states (50), districts (1), territories (3) and commonwealths (2). There are plaques along the trail highlighting each president as his face becomes visible on the mountain. The 0.6 mile Presidential Trail starts nearby and allows a closer view of the memorial. The sculptor worked from the studio and it displays his 1/12th scale model of Mount Rushmore. The information center, the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Guzton Boglum’s studio provide information about the creation of the memorial. Day 7: Towns of Deadwood, Lead and Spearfish.Day 5: Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument.

Day 3: Mount Rushmore National Memorial.Day 1: Badlands National Park and Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

Our 1-week South Dakota road trip itinerary hits all the best places to visit.

Side Trip – Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota.

Side Trip – Devils Tower National Monument.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

Scenery in south dakota