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We have included a number of sample trip itineraries to help you in planning your perfect Black Hills trip for you and your family while on vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They are meant as a guideline and may be arranged with changes to activites and/or trip duration depending on your needs.
Now is the time to take advantage of this offer, we have custom created a fun-filled get-a-way with your family in mind!
As you travel into the Black Hills vicinity (especially convenient for I-90 travelers), take advantage of Wall Drug of Wall, SD and the Badlands National Park.
Your adventure begins in Rapid City, location of the Journey Museum. The journey begins with a natural history overview of Black Hills history. With impressive collections encompassing archaeology, paleontology, western native gardens and our pioneer past, to a beautifully exhibited history of the honorable Sioux people. With this knowledge under your belt, your family will be able to truly appreciate the sights and experiences in the days to come.
Ready to get settled? Take the time to check-in to your reserved accommodations, and spend the evening exploring this beautiful Black Hills community you've chosen to 'hang your hat'. Keep in mind that Rapid City has a $1.00 public transit trolley, including unlimited stops.
With a great start to a great day, let's keep the momentum going with a "wild" morning! Your next stop, Bear Country USA, is truly fun for all ages. Located in the rolling foothills of the Black Hills, this drive-through park features North American wildlife roaming free in their natural habitats. Shop, dine and learn at the visitor center. The baby bears at Babyland will have you wrapped around their little paws as you enjoy staff-led demonstrations and informative programs.
Just down the road you'll encounter Reptile Gardens, a site that maintains the finest collections of reptiles in the world. Featuring an impressive walk-through terrarium and 4 shows that rotate throughout the day, Reptile Gardens is sure to please.
Let the fun begin! Knowing you have been anticipating this visit of a lifetime, we are happy to get you started with our world famous shrine of democracy, Mt. Rushmore National Monument. Your pride will soar as you explore the extensive grounds, interactive learning centers, guided and self-guided tours, restaurants and gift shops. Also, stop back during your stay to take in the nightly lighting ceremony. Take advantage of looping through Custer State Park on Needles Highway, and take in the amazing visual approach to Mt. Rushmore while driving north on Iron Mountain Road. These routes are amazing and won't be forgotten.
As you have noticed, you are surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery in the world. What better way to relax and soak it all in than a ride on the 1880 Train? Departing out of Hill City, this vintage steam train is famous for it's stunning scenic route, old world charm, and the unforgettable encounter of a bellowing engine and whining whistle.
With the action underway, we begin your second day in the lovely southern Black Hills. Located in Hot Springs, SD, The Mammoth Site will provide you the opportunity to travel back in time to when Ice Age beasts roamed the Great Plains of North America. Including a 30 minute guided tour plus a 10 minute video, this paleontological dig site offers visitors the chance to observe first-hand an archeological excavation. Keep those 4-13 year olds fascinated with the Junior Paleontology Dig, offered daily with advance registration required.
Next, choose between 2 natural Black Hills cave tours: Jewel Cave National Park is a pristine, complex natural cave system that boasts as the 3rd longest cave in the world. The 1 hour, 20 minute scenic tour excites visitors with its moderately strenuous guided tour. Option 2 is Wind Cave, located in Wind Cave National Park. The cave is known for its extensive display of boxwork, an unusual cave formation resembling honeycombs. The park's prairie habitat is home to much wildlife.
Cruising north on Highway 385, you'll be delighted as the ever-growing silhouette of Crazy Horse Memorial rises from the horizon. As a work-in-progress mountain sculpture, this massive tribute to the famous Lakota warrior and leader is visually striking and offers visitors endless educational opportunities. The memorial's 40,000 square foot visitor complex, viewing veranda, museums and cultural center encompass the vision of the property: to spotlight our cultural and spiritual diversities, and to encourage harmony and diversity among our people and nations. The nightly laser light show will keep you oohing and aweing!
It's time to get your blood moving with an adventure to the northern Black Hills. Head north on up Hwy 385, a beautiful route displaying the geographical diversity of the Black Hills. Turn left on Highway 85 and proceed to the historic mining community, Lead. Visit the Homestake Visitors Center. Continue through the town of Lead and take Highway 85 to Cheyenne Crossing. Take the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. Towering walls, wildlife, and 3 different waterfall locations to view or visit, you'll appreciate the beautifully eroded age of the Black Hills. FYI, Spearfish Canyon offers hiking and fishing holes around every turn! Spearfish also has a beautiful city park take advantage of the shade, babbling creek, and the adjoining DC Booth Fish Hatchery!
After an exhilarating afternoon, grab a bite to eat in Deadwood, the whole town is on the Historic Register of Landmarks! As evening sets in, be careful to avoid our local riff-raff. Following a shoot-out gunfight on Historic Deadwood Main Street, The Trial of Jack McCall is staged in Olde Town Hall. This funny, family-oriented theatre production entertains and doses out some wild west history for all to enjoy. Deadwood also offers $1.00 per ride public transit on their clean and comfortable trolleys. Additionally, get a humorous and educational crash course (no pun intended) in Deadwood history on the Alkali Ike Historic Tour, including famous Mt. Moriah Cemetery, final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok.
Your departure date will quite possibly involve planning a return trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota. We no doubt offer great faces, great places, and great family adventures!
| Day 1: | Arrival Date | |
| Journey Museum | ||
| Day 2: | Mount Rushmore National Monument | |
| 1880 Train | ||
| Bear Country USA | ||
| Reptile Gardens | ||
| Day 3: | Mammoth Site | |
| Wind Cave or Jewel Cave National Park | ||
| Crazy Horse Memorial | ||
| Day 4: | Spearfish Canyon | |
| Deadwood Alive's Trial of Jack McCall | ||
| Day 5: | Departure Date | |
What better way to explore the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota than an inclusive, pre-planned vacation? Designed specifically to highlight the plethora of the numerous National Parks and Monuments located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the National Parks and Monuments Vacation is an opportunity to educate yourself and your family on the beauty the lies in your own backyard!
As an added bonus, take advantage of the self-guided brochure for the 5 National Parks and Monuments, it's a great way to explore on your own time, while learning all the while.
Go ahead and get settled in your pre-arranged Black Hills accommodations, "hang your hat" as we like to say. As you absorb the beautiful scenery around you, explore your new community! Take advantage of your 'bundle of bonuses' area discount offers. Fun, fun, fun!
Let the fun begin! Knowing you have been anticipating this visit of a lifetime, we are happy to get you started with our world famous shrine of democracy, Mt. Rushmore National Monument. Your pride will soar as you explore the extensive grounds, interactive learning centers, guided and self-guided tours, restaurants and gift shops. Also, stop back during your stay to take in the nightly lighting ceremony. This famous lighting ceremony is and educational and impressive experience: watch the dramatic gradual lighting of the great faces take place before your very eyes as you listen to a comprehensive history of the 4 famous presidents and the mountain sculpture's history.
If you get the chance, take advantage of looping through Custer State Park on Needles Highway, and take in the amazing visual approach to Mt. Rushmore while driving north on Iron Mountain Road. These routes are amazing and won't be forgotten.
Today you are heading east! Go ahead and jump on I-90 and travel to Wall, SD. As an added bonus, don't forego the famous Wall Drug! The Wall Drug Store got its start during the Depression years by offering Free Ice Water to thirsty travelers. From their beginning in 1931 to today, the family-owned and run business continues what their reputation was and is built on giving friendly service to the public.
Today's change of scenery will leave you breathless. Traveling south from Wall on Hwy 240, you will have the opportunity to spend the day touring Badlands National Park. Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park consists of nearly 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. Exploration options are endless on this day, from a great variety of scenic overlooks, to impressive and educational Visitor's Centers. Don't miss the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, and head north for a quick jaunt to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, you're family will experience a great day filled with sights previously unseen! Take Hwy 44 west to absorb even more scenery on your return trip to the Black Hills.
Follow 40 on into lovely Keystone, SD and take a moment and explore the life and creations of the person who thought of it all, Gutzon Borglum!
The Rushmore Borglum Story, located in Keystone, South Dakota, will be an exciting tour for those young and old. Embark on an adventure into Borglum's life as the spectacular museum and gallery displays his paintings, sculptures, and artifacts.
Exploring the Borglum Story will give you a better understanding of the creation of Mount Rushmore National Monument. The realistic narrated tour will take you to a replica of the top Mount Rushmore. Sit and watch in awe as the tour displays a reenactment of the granite blasting.
Cruising south on Highway 385, you'll be delighted as you round a corner and glimpse the silhouette of Crazy Horse Memorial as it rises from the horizon. As a work-in-progress mountain sculpture, this massive tribute to the famous Lakota warrior and leader is visually striking and offers visitors endless educational opportunities. The memorial's 40,000 square foot visitor complex, viewing veranda, museums and cultural center encompass the vision of the property: to spotlight our cultural and spiritual diversities, and to encourage harmony and diversity among our people and nations. The nightly laser light show will keep you oohing and aweing!
It's been a wonderful day, and tomorrow is yet to come!
The beauty will continue this morning as you travel on Hwy 385, a beautiful scenic highway that runs north/south through the Black Hills. Just east of 385, you'll enter Custer State Park. Famous for its famous scenic highways, boasting pigtail bridges, rock tunnels framing Mt. Rushmore and towering rock spires. Bountiful wildlife, lakes, streams and historic stone lodges offer sites for all ages. Next? Choose between 2 natural Black Hills cave tours: Jewel Cave National Park is a pristine, complex natural cave system that boasts as the 3rd longest cave in the world. The 1 hour, 20 minute scenic tour excites visitors with its moderately strenuous guided tour. Option 2 is Wind Cave, located in Wind Cave National Park. The cave is known for its extensive display of boxwork, an unusual cave formation resembling honeycombs. The park's prairie habitat is home to much wildlife, which you are more than likely to view and observe all morning.
Just north of Wind Cave and just east of Jewel Cave is a true natural jewel of South Dakota. Head towards Custer State Park! Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of spectacular terrain and an abundance of wildlife. Within the park, you’ll discover outdoor activities that include hiking (check out 7,242-foot Harney Peak), mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing and fishing.
The park boasts scenic drives such as the Needles Highway (SD 87), which twists and turns its way past towering rock formations and through narrow tunnels. Another amazing scenic byway is Iron Mountain Road. Deemed impossible to build, the panoramic views and stone tunnels framing Mount Rushmore are a sight to see. By the way, views of Mt Rushmore are best viewed traveling south to north.
History and culture also abound. Custer’s expedition first discovered gold in 1874 in Custer State Park. Take in a theater performance at the Black Hills Playhouse. Or, visit the log cabin that was home to Badger Clark, South Dakota's first poet laureate.
Next? An adventure will get you started in the right direction…west to Wyoming! Devils Tower National Monument rises up unexpectedly over the vast prairie and grasslands of eastern Wyoming.
President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Devils Tower the first national monument in 1906. Devils Tower National Monument rises 1267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. Once hidden, erosion has revealed Devils Tower. This 1347 acre park is covered with pine forests, woodlands, and grasslands. Deer, prairie dogs, and other wildlife are seen daily. Also known as Bears Lodge, it is a sacred site for many American Indians. The interactive visitor center will pique your imagination with the folklore and legends surrounding the landmark, not to mention the scenery and ride it's stunning!
What an adventure! You have traveled from the peaks of the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, through the foothills, and onto the gorgeous grasslands of the prairie. Your National Parks and Monuments Vacation has been full of education, unforgettable experiences, and memories galore! We won’t be surprised if your next Black Hills vacation is already being planned! See you soon...
| Day 1: | Arrival in the Black Hills |
| Mt Rushmore National Monument | |
| Day 2: | Badlands National Park |
| Rushmore Borglum Story | |
| Crazy Horse Memorial | |
| Day 3: | Jewel Cave or Wind Cave National Park |
| Custer State Park | |
| Day 4: | Devils Tower National Monument |
| Departure from the Black Hills |
Are you ready to discover the real America? Treat your family to an assortment of attractions and learning opportunities... all wrapped up in a load of fun.
Arrival in Rapid City, SD. Located on the edge of the legendary Black Hills of South Dakota, Rapid City boasts great dining, shopping, lovely scenery, and a convenient location to launch your Black Hills family get-a-way.
Ready to get settled? Go ahead and check-in to your reserved accommodations, and spend the evening exploring the City of Presidents. Keep in mind that Rapid City has a $1.00 public transit trolley, including unlimited stops.
Start your adventure right here in your new backyard. The Journey Museum is located in Rapid City. Your journey begins with a natural history overview of Black Hills history. An impressive collection encompassing archaeology, paleontology, western native gardens and our pioneer past, on to a beautifully exhibited history of the honorable Sioux people. With this knowledge under your belt, your family will be able to truly appreciate the sights and experiences in the days to come.
Located in downtown Rapid City at 6th and Main, Prairie Edge Trading Post is a great stop. Featuring authentic Native American Indian art, jewelry, artifact reproductions, clothing, beadwork, books on Indian culture, spirituality and life, Prairie Edge mixes your shopping experience with education and culture beautifully.
Hop on highway 16 heading south and you'll begin to wind your way into the beautiful Black Hills. Home to the world's largest concentration of public parks, monuments and memorials, the Black Hills National Forest claims more than 2 million acres of ponderosa forest.
Ready to take a walk on the 'wild'side? Your next stop, Bear Country USA, is truly fun for all ages. Only minutes away and located in the rolling foothills of the Black Hills, this drive-through park features North American wildlife roaming free in their natural habitats. Shop, dine, and learn at the visitor's center. The baby bears at Babyland will have you wrapped around their little paws as you enjoy staff-led demonstrations and informative programs.
Just up the road you'll encounter Reptile Gardens, a site that maintains the finest collections of reptiles in the world. Featuring an impressive walk-through terrarium and 4 shows that rotate throughout the day, Reptile Gardens is sure to please.
Worked up an appetite? Boy, do we have a treat for you! The good folks at Flying T Chuckwagon Supper and Show are serving up their down-home hospitality with a western bar-b-que supper in the Flying T barn. You'll be entertained by the Flying T Wranglers, whose humor, music and love of the old west can't be beat! After dinner, you'll be entertained with old time country western and bluegrass music.
Wrapping up a great day, head back on in to Rapid City to relax and enjoy the City of Presidents. Once again, take advantage of the clean, convenient trolley services!
With the action underway, we begin your third day in the lovely southern Black Hills. Located in Hot Springs, SD, The Mammoth Site will provide you the opportunity to travel back in time to when Ice Age beasts roamed the Great Plains of North America. Including a 30 minute guided tour plus a 10 minute video, this paleontological dig site offers visitors the chance to observe first-hand an archeological excavation. Keep those 4-13 year olds fascinated with the Junior Paleontology Dig, offered daily with advance registration required.
Just down the beautiful sandstone-accented streets of Hot Springs, prepare yourself for some fun and exercise. Evans Plunge is a treat for the whole family with its naturally warm mineral water. In addition to its famous refreshing waters, today's Evans Plunge Hot Springs offers excitement in the form of swimming, waterslides, float tubes, Tarzan rings, and a health club.
Next, take a scenic drive north on Hwy 385, and east on Hwy 16 into Custer State Park. Next, head north via Iron Mountain Road into Keystone, SD. Sound like quite a route? It is! Iron Mountain Road's expansive views and unparalleled visual approach to Mt. Rushmore is stunning.
In Keystone, take a trip back in time to discover Big Thunder Gold Mine. Looking for the chance to tour an authentic gold mine and try your hand at mining? This attraction will bring you back to those exciting times. Tour a real gold mine with knowledgeable tour guides, along with a mining museum known for its interesting and informative displays detailing the era and showing what life was like for those who really "went for the gold." You can even take a part of that life back with you when you return to the 21st century, with your own piece of gold ore.
Speaking of mining, Rushmore Cave was discovered when adventurous gold miners, searching for their fortune, stumbled upon the cave entrance instead. A guide can show you where this happened. Rushmore Cave is also famous for its close proximity to its famous namesake. Icicle-like stalactites hanging from cavern ceilings, and spires of stalagmites rising from the smooth rock floor reflect its natural beauty. Experienced cave guides escort you on your journey, past mysterious chambers, many of them still unexplored. Have fun!
Your departure date will find you anxious to plan a return trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota. You really have had a chance to see the real America!
By the way, if you happen to be heading east on I-90 on your way home take advantage of the free of charge South Dakota Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Also, Badlands National Park is stunning, take it in if you can!
| Day 1: | Arrival in Rapid City, SD |
| Journey Museum (Rapid City, SD) | |
| Day 2: | Reptile Gardens (near Rapid City, SD) |
| Bear Country USA (near Rapid City, SD) | |
| Flying T Chuckwagon Supper and Show (near Rapid City, SD) | |
| Day 3: | Mammoth Site (Hot Springs, SD) |
| Evans Plunge (Hot Springs, SD) | |
| Big Thunder Gold Mine (Keystone, SD) | |
| Rushmore Cave (near Keystone, SD) | |
| Day 4: | Depart from Rapid City, SD |
Are you ready for one of the most amazing experiences of your life? The Custer State Park Buffalo Round-up is one of the most sought after events in the midwest, and you are going to be there. Let's get started!
Welcome, my friend, to the incredible Black Hills of South Dakota. The Black Hills National Forest covers an area 125 miles long and 69 wide in western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. They include rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep lakes, and caves.
Take the time to soak it all in as you get settled in your pre-arranged accommodations in lovely Rapid City. The City of Presidents will serve as your home base for the next few fun-filled days, so take the chance to look around.
The City View Trolley is available and convenient for your dining, shopping and sightseeing needs. The trolley is a reasonable $1/person with unlimited stops. Popular stops include: Storybook Island, Dinosaur Park, Stavkirk Chapel, Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery, and the Journey Museum.
If you get the chance, mosey on down to Rapid City's downtown district. Along with the impressive Prairie Edge Trading Post, and the self-guided walking Tour of Presidents, you'll get a taste of your Black Hills adventures to come. By the way, break out that "Bundle of Bonuses" and start taking advantage of the area discount offers provided.
A suggested itinerary add-on includes the Journey Museum, conveniently located in downtown Rapid City. The journey begins with a natural history overview of Black Hills history. With impressive collections encompassing archaeology, paleontology, western native gardens and our pioneer past, to a beautifully exhibited history of the honorable Sioux people. With this knowledge under your belt, your family will be able to truly appreciate the sights and experiences in the days to come.
It’s time to venture into the beautiful Black Hills. Jump on Hwy 16 and head south out of Rapid City into the central Black Hills area.
Take advantage of some of the many historic and famous scenic routes in the area.
Hill City is a convenient and charming stop that is sure to charm its visitors. Just southwest of Rapid City via Hwy 16 and 385, Hill City’s quaint downtown offers numerous art galleries, shopping, dining and attractions.
As you have noticed, you are surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery in the world. What better way to relax and soak it all in than a ride on the 1880 Train? Departing out of Hill City, this vintage steam train is famous for it’s stunning scenic route, old world charm, and the unforgettable encounter of a bellowing engine and whining whistle. Approximately 2 hours long, this suggested tour takes you to Keystone, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore over a 15 minute break, and returns you to Hill City.
Head into Custer State Park via the famous Needles Highway (Hwy 87 South)….your family will OOH and AAHH their way south while gazing up at the huge stone spires.
Now for the main event! Incidentally, the Custer State Park Buffalo Round-up is a 3 day event, beginning on Saturday, September 26th and ending with the actual round-up on Monday, September 28th.
2 days of Buffalo Round-up Arts Festival activities take place on Saturday September 26, and Sunday September 27. South Dakota's finest artists and craftsmen can be found at the 16th Annual Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival. Entertainment is ongoing as you browse the many exhibits and craft booths featuring Native American art and South Dakota made products. This is a South Dakota experience you won't want to miss! The first 2 festival days are held on the festival grounds adjacent the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center, near the State Game Lodge in Custer State Park.
After a busy afternoon of arts, music and scenery, take the Iron Mountain Road north and experience the pigtail curves, wildlife, hiking trailheads, and 3 stone carved tunnels that perfectly frame an impressive view of Mt Rushmore in the distance. This is by far a one of a kind visual approach to the famous monument.
I hope you got a good night’s rest because today is the big day!
Grayline Tours of the Black Hills will be happy to pick you up at your hotel doorstep this morning….plan on an early start to a fun-filled day! This is the start of your 9 hour Custer State Park Buffalo Round-up event! Are you ready?
Take in the beautiful scenery as your driver winds you through the hills to Custer State Park. While there, you’ll have the opportunity to meander and browse the many unique and interesting vendors in the morning hours. You’ll enjoy on-going Western and Native American entertainment and browse craft booths located on site at the Buffalo Corrals Complex. At 9:30 the round-up begins! Park staff, cowboys and cowgirls saddle up to move the park’s 1500 bison to the buffalo corrals. You will literally feel the ground tremble under your feet, see the earth rise under thousands of hooves, and smell the excitement in the air as the herd roars by. This is truly a spectacle that everyone should see at least once in a lifetime!
The round-up serves several purposes. The first is to move the entire Custer State Park bison herd into a system of corrals along the Wildlife Loop Road. Once in the corrals, the animals are sorted by the park’s resource personnel. Most are released back into the park, while others remain in the corrals until the November 15, 2008 buffalo auction. This educational and awe-inspiring grand finale will leave you satisfied.
Let the tour continue! Your next stop is a nourishing meal with your tourmates at Heritage Village, famous for it’s great views of Crazy Horse Memorial. Lunch is included as you dine beneath the impressive, in-progress mountain sculpture that you are to learn much about: Crazy Horse Memorial.
Welcome to Crazy Horse Memorial! The memorial’s mission is to honor the culture, tradition and living heritage of North American Indians. If you have an appreciation for artifacts and visual and oral history, this is your place. With extensive museum space dedicated to the highest quality Native American art, to the impressive tours offered of the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski’s living and working quarters, Crazy Horse Memorial will delight family members of all ages. The large observation deck offers a sight to behold, and the dining and shopping are delightful. Crazy Horse Memorial is a work in-progress, and this is your chance to be part of the process.
Well, here it comes! This afternoon you will have the chance to fulfill your lifelong dream of visiting Mount Rushmore National Monument.
Mt. Rushmore truly embodies the pride, beauty and patriotism that you have been anticipating your whole life. Mt Rushmore offers, an amphitheatre boasting front row views, an extensive museum complex, interactive theatre, Visitor Orientation Center, and the new and widely popular Presidential Trail. Don’t forget dining and snack options, a large gift shop, and bookstore.
Whew! After an exciting day like today, the good people of Grayline will deliver you back to your hotel in Rapid City. You can’t ask for better hosts….
As your Black Hills departure is upon you, take the time to reflect on the beauty you have had the chance to live, eat and breath the last few days. No worries, your next Black Hills vacation can be just around the corner…and always a fond memory.
| Day 1: | Arrival in Black Hills |
| Journey Museum (suggested add-on) | |
| 1880 Train (suggested add-on) | |
| Custer State Park (suggested add-on) | |
| Buffalo Round-up Arts Festival (located in Custer State Park) | |
| Day 2: | Grayline Tour includes: |
| Custer State Park Buffalo Round-up | |
| Lunch @ Heritage Village | |
| Crazy Horse Memorial | |
| Mt. Rushmore National Monument | |
| Day 3: | Departure from the Black Hills |
I see you have made the wise decision to embark on the Hill City Heart of the Hills Vacation Package. You’ll be pleased as the beautiful Black Hills really do seep into your heart…
Welcome, my friend, to the incredible Black Hills of South Dakota. The Black Hills National Forest covers an area 125 miles long and 69 wide in western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. They include rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep lakes, and caves.
Get your start in Custer State Park. Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of spectacular terrain and an abundance of wildlife. Within the park, you’ll discover outdoor activities that include hiking (check out 7,242-foot Harney Peak), mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, chuckwagon suppers and jeep rides.
The park boasts scenic drives such as the Needles Highway (SD 87), which twists and turns its way past towering rock formations and through narrow tunnels. Another amazing scenic byway is Iron Mountain Road. Deemed impossible to build, the panoramic views and stone tunnels framing Mount Rushmore are a sight to see. By the way, views of Mt Rushmore are best viewed traveling south to north.
History and culture also abound. Custer’s expedition first discovered gold in 1874 in Custer State Park. Take in a theater performance at the Black Hills Playhouse. Or, visit the log cabin that was home to Badger Clark, South Dakota’s first poet laureate.
Well, here it comes! This afternoon you will have the chance to fulfill your lifelong dream of visiting Mount Rushmore National Monument.
Mount Rushmore National Monument truly embodies the pride, beauty and patriotism that you have been anticipating your whole life. Mount Rushmore offers an amphitheatre boasting front row views, an extensive museum complex, interactive theatre, Visitor Orientation Center, and the new and widely popular Presidential Trail. Don’t forget dining and snack options, a large gift shop, and bookstore.
Conveniently enough, you are on your way to your next destination! Next stop - National Presidential Wax Museum! Located in nearby Keystone, visitors gain insight into our nation’s democracy through life-size, life-like wax figures depicting our country’s most shaping experiences in dramatically historical settings. The National Presidential Wax Museum's state of the art narration system won’t let you miss a thing, while the outdoor/indoor grill and spacious gift shop will entertain all ages.
Conveniently, Holy Terror Mini Golf is located at the same location. Named after the last active gold mine in Keystone, the course will have you "terrorizing your opponents" as you putt around gold-flecked boulders, up steep hills, down thru the mine slew, and around the water wheel and bubbling stream.
Take a few minutes to browse Keystone’s lovely downtown district. With shopping, dining, and its famous salt water taffy shop, you’ll head home with treats and memories to share.
After a day like today, I know your family has worked up an appetite! Steer north on Hwy 385 and step back in time at the Circle B Ranch. Stroll along the wooden sidewalks of the Old West town, browse in the Wild Horse Gift Shop, sip a cold sarsaparilla in the Circle B Stage Stop, or watch the world-class woodcarver, Doug Ladd, shape one of his creations. The kids will enjoy a pony ride and other kid-friendly activities while you anxiously await the famous Circle B Chuckwagon Dinner and Show! Your home cooked, western-style meal is sure to have your mouth watering with all the fixins’ included. You’ll be serenaded during and after the meal by your very own Circle B cowboys…charming fellows, you’ll find.
Ready to take a walk on the ‘wild’side? Your next stop, Bear Country USA, is truly fun for all ages. Only minutes away and located in the rolling foothills of the Black Hills, this drive-through park features North American wildlife roaming free in their natural habitats. Shop, dine, and learn at the visitor’s center. The baby bears at Babyland will have you wrapped around their little paws as you enjoy staff-led demonstrations and informative programs.
Just up the road you’ll encounter Reptile Gardens, a site that maintains the finest collections of reptiles in the world. Featuring an impressive walk-through terrarium and 4 shows that rotate throughout the day, Reptile Gardens is sure to please.
As you have noticed, you are surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery in the world. What better way to relax and soak it all in than a ride on the 1880 Train? Departing out of Hill City, this vintage steam train is famous for it’s stunning scenic route, old world charm, and the unforgettable encounter of a bellowing engine and whining whistle. Approximately 2 hours long, this tour takes you to Keystone, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore over a 15 minute break, and returns you to Hill City.
As you browse the quaint Main Street of Hill City, enjoy a free admission to Black Hills Institute of Geological Research Museum. BHI has been the leader in paleontological excavations and preparation since 1974, helping supply museums and collectors the finest in professionally prepared fossils and cast replicas. An educational and impressive step back in time, to be sure.
Well, don’t be surprised if you really did fall in love with the Black Hills of South Dakota. You aren’t the first, and remember that your Heart of the Hills family vacation will always be waiting for you…
| Day 1: | Arrival in the Black Hills |
| Custer State Park | |
| Day 2: | Mount Rushmore National Memorial |
| National President's Wax Museum | |
| Holy Terror Mini-Golf | |
| Circle B Chuckwagon and Show | |
| Day 3: | Bear Country USA |
| Reptile Gardens | |
| 1880 Train | |
| Black Hills Geological Research Museum | |
| Day 4: | Departure from Black Hills |
Are you ready for a family adventure? Looking for the perfect mix of exploration and R&R? The Mt. Rushmore Mickelson Trail- Mountain Trailhead Package is just for you!
Set a weekend aside, or take advantage of the weekdays to jump into this two-wheeled adventure.
Oh, there is nothing like your first arrival to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Returning guests will understand, the rest have a treat in store…The Black Hills National Forest covers an area 125 miles long and 69 wide in western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. For many people, from past and present Native Americans to today’s visitors, the Black Hills have been a special place for physical and spiritual renewal.
The Lakota people namesaked their home Paha Sapa, or “hills that are black”. But that’s the surface translation. A deeper translation is “the heart of everything that is”. These hills include rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep lakes, and caves.
One your first day, take the chance to breath clean, crisp air as you settle into the pre-arranged lodging accommodation of your choice. Our Black Hills vacation specialists will assist you with your options and choices: from our Rapid City hub to one of our many quaint, friendly small communities…take the chance to “hang your hat” and explore your new home away from home. By the way, gather up your “Bundle of Bonuses” area discount offers and begin taking advantage of its numerous discounts in the area.
Are you ready? What a wonderful day your family has in store! First, grab a bite and grab your gear! If you aren’t already there, head on down the road to Hill City. You’ll find your destination on the quaint, bustling Main Street. The wonderful people of Mickelson Trail Adventures will ensure your family is comfortable on one of their top-notch bicycles. Safety helmets are included. Next thing you know, you’ll be shuttled to the George S Mickelson Trail Mountain Trailhead…this is where the fun really begins!
The Mountain Trailhead is 3 miles north of Custer on Hwy 385. The George S Mickelson Trail, in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills, was completed in September of 1998. Its gentle slopes and easy access allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills. There are more than 100 converted railroad bridges and four hard rock tunnels along the trail.
With your body and senses in full gear, you get the chance to explore the Black Hills on your own time. Explore its twists and turns, absorb the magnificent scenery, the clean air and water will keep you refreshed! Imagine…all while pedaling your way back towards Hill City at your own pace.
After returning your bicycles and gear to Mickelson Trail Adventures, take the time to explore Hill City’s unique Main Street. Set in a beautiful series of high mountain meadows; the food, numerous art galleries, shopping, and friendly atmosphere of the central Black Hills will appeal to any adventurer.
Next, take the time to head back to your hotel or cabin and clean up…your family has a memorable evening ahead.
Your next route will amaze you. Enter Custer State Park and take the opportunity to drive Iron Mountain Road (Hwy 16A) from south to north. This highway, once deemed impossible to build, is by far the most amazing visual approach to Mt Rushmore National Monument. With rock tunnels perfectly framing the surrounding scenery and monument, make sure you have your camera handy! Mount Rushmore National Monument truly embodies the pride, beauty, and patriotism that you have been anticipating your whole life. With numerous incredible and historic scenic routes to and from the monument, you have a variety of options while planning your route to the monument. If you haven’t had dinner in or one of the nearby communities…take the chance to share a family meal under the grand façade of your forefathers. Mt Rushmore offers an amphitheater, museum/theater complex, Visitor Orientation Center, Presidential Trail, spacious gift shop, bookstore, and dining facilities. To complete your Rushmore experience, view the evening lighting ceremony (available Memorial Day through Labor Day). The highlight of the evening is the 20 minute informational program in the ideally located amphitheater while the monument is slowly exposed to light until it is fully illuminated. It’s a good idea to go early and bring a jacket.
What a wonderful way to spend a few days with your family, right? It went quickly, but gave you a taste of what you’ll want to plan for your next Black Hills vacation. On this day of departure, you will certainly have fond family memories of your Mt Rushmore Mickelson Trail Family Adventure as you wind you way to the surrounding prairie. We’ll see you again soon!
| Day 1: | Arrival in the Black Hills |
| Day 2: | Half-day bicycle rental and shuttle service via Mickelson Trail Adventures |
| Mt Rushmore National Monument | |
| Day 3: | Departure from the Black Hills |
What better way to explore the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota than an inclusive, pre-planned vacation? Designed specifically to highlight the plethora of the numerous National Parks and Monuments located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the National Parks and Monuments Vacation is an opportunity to educate yourself and your family on the beauty the lies in your own backyard!
As an added bonus, take advantage of the self-guided brochure for the 5 National Parks and Monuments, it's a great way to explore on your own time, while learning all the while.
Go ahead and get settled in your pre-arranged Black Hills accommodations, "hang your hat" as we like to say. As you absorb the beautiful scenery around you, explore your new community! Take advantage of your 'bundle of bonuses' area discount offers. Fun, fun, fun!
Let the fun begin! Knowing you have been anticipating this visit of a lifetime, we are happy to get you started with our world famous shrine of democracy, Mt. Rushmore National Monument. Your pride will soar as you explore the extensive grounds, interactive learning centers, guided and self-guided tours, restaurants and gift shops. Also, stop back during your stay to take in the nightly lighting ceremony. This famous lighting ceremony is and educational and impressive experience: watch the dramatic gradual lighting of the great faces take place before your very eyes as you listen to a comprehensive history of the 4 famous presidents and the mountain sculpture's history.
If you get the chance, take advantage of looping through Custer State Park on Needles Highway, and take in the amazing visual approach to Mt. Rushmore while driving north on Iron Mountain Road. These routes are amazing and won't be forgotten.
Today you are heading east! Go ahead and jump on I-90 and travel to Wall, SD. As an added bonus, don't forego the famous Wall Drug! The Wall Drug Store got its start during the Depression years by offering Free Ice Water to thirsty travelers. From their beginning in 1931 to today, the family-owned and run business continues what their reputation was and is built on giving friendly service to the public.
Today's change of scenery will leave you breathless. Traveling south from Wall on Hwy 240, you will have the opportunity to spend the day touring Badlands National Park. Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park consists of nearly 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. Exploration options are endless on this day, from a great variety of scenic overlooks, to impressive and educational Visitor's Centers. Don't miss the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, and head north for a quick jaunt to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, you're family will experience a great day filled with sights previously unseen! Take Hwy 44 west to absorb even more scenery on your return trip to the Black Hills.
Follow 40 on into lovely Keystone, SD and take a moment and explore the life and creations of the person who thought of it all, Gutzon Borglum!
The Rushmore Borglum Story, located in Keystone, South Dakota, will be an exciting tour for those young and old. Embark on an adventure into Borglum's life as the spectacular museum and gallery displays his paintings, sculptures, and artifacts.
Exploring the Borglum Story will give you a better understanding of the creation of Mount Rushmore National Monument. The realistic narrated tour will take you to a replica of the top Mount Rushmore. Sit and watch in awe as the tour displays a reenactment of the granite blasting.
Cruising south on Highway 385, you'll be delighted as you round a corner and glimpse the silhouette of Crazy Horse Memorial as it rises from the horizon. As a work-in-progress mountain sculpture, this massive tribute to the famous Lakota warrior and leader is visually striking and offers visitors endless educational opportunities. The memorial's 40,000 square foot visitor complex, viewing veranda, museums and cultural center encompass the vision of the property: to spotlight our cultural and spiritual diversities, and to encourage harmony and diversity among our people and nations. The nightly laser light show will keep you oohing and aweing!
It's been a wonderful day, and tomorrow is yet to come!
The beauty will continue this morning as you travel on Hwy 385, a beautiful scenic highway that runs north/south through the Black Hills. Just east of 385, you'll enter Custer State Park. Famous for its famous scenic highways, boasting pigtail bridges, rock tunnels framing Mt. Rushmore and towering rock spires. Bountiful wildlife, lakes, streams and historic stone lodges offer sites for all ages. Next? Choose between 2 natural Black Hills cave tours: Jewel Cave National Park is a pristine, complex natural cave system that boasts as the 3rd longest cave in the world. The 1 hour, 20 minute scenic tour excites visitors with its moderately strenuous guided tour. Option 2 is Wind Cave, located in Wind Cave National Park. The cave is known for its extensive display of boxwork, an unusual cave formation resembling honeycombs. The park's prairie habitat is home to much wildlife, which you are more than likely to view and observe all morning.
Just north of Wind Cave and just east of Jewel Cave is a true natural jewel of South Dakota. Head towards Custer State Park! Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of spectacular terrain and an abundance of wildlife. Within the park, you’ll discover outdoor activities that include hiking (check out 7,242-foot Harney Peak), mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing and fishing.
The park boasts scenic drives such as the Needles Highway (SD 87), which twists and turns its way past towering rock formations and through narrow tunnels. Another amazing scenic byway is Iron Mountain Road. Deemed impossible to build, the panoramic views and stone tunnels framing Mount Rushmore are a sight to see. By the way, views of Mt Rushmore are best viewed traveling south to north.
History and culture also abound. Custer’s expedition first discovered gold in 1874 in Custer State Park. Take in a theater performance at the Black Hills Playhouse. Or, visit the log cabin that was home to Badger Clark, South Dakota's first poet laureate.
Next? An adventure will get you started in the right direction…west to Wyoming! Devils Tower National Monument rises up unexpectedly over the vast prairie and grasslands of eastern Wyoming.
President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Devils Tower the first national monument in 1906. Devils Tower National Monument rises 1267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. Once hidden, erosion has revealed Devils Tower. This 1347 acre park is covered with pine forests, woodlands, and grasslands. Deer, prairie dogs, and other wildlife are seen daily. Also known as Bears Lodge, it is a sacred site for many American Indians. The interactive visitor center will pique your imagination with the folklore and legends surrounding the landmark, not to mention the scenery and ride it's stunning!
What an adventure! You have traveled from the peaks of the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, through the foothills, and onto the gorgeous grasslands of the prairie. Your National Parks and Monuments Vacation has been full of education, unforgettable experiences, and memories galore! We won’t be surprised if your next Black Hills vacation is already being planned! See you soon...
| Day 1: | Arrival in the Black Hills |
| Mt Rushmore National Monument | |
| Day 2: | Badlands National Park |
| Rushmore Borglum Story | |
| Crazy Horse Memorial | |
| Day 3: | Jewel Cave or Wind Cave National Park |
| Custer State Park | |
| Day 4: | Devils Tower National Monument |
| Departure from the Black Hills |
Are you a history buff? Looking for an opportunity to share some cultural knowledge and diversity with your children and family? The Native American Cultural Tour is an amazing way to learn, observe, and hopefully experience some of the beautiful traditions honored by the Indian tribes of the Great Sioux Nation.
Arriving in the Black Hills is an experience in itself. Home of some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, the Black Hills National Forest covers an area 125 miles long and 69 wide in western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. They include rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep lakes, and caves. We guarantee your excitement level will rise when you see the sights around you…
For many people, from past and present Native Americans to today’s visitors, the Black Hills have been a special place for physical and spiritual renewal.
The Lakota people namesaked their home Paha Sapa, or “hills that are black”. But that’s only the surface translation. A deeper translation is “the heart of everything that is”.
As you begin to explore, take the time to get settled in your new home away from home: Rapid City, SD.
Soak it all in as you get settled in your pre-arranged accommodations in lovely Rapid City. The City of Presidents will serve as your home base for the next few fun-filled days…so take the chance to look around.
Go ahead and check-in to your pre-arranged Rapid City accommodations, and spend the evening exploring this beautiful Black Hills community you’ve chosen to ‘hang your hat’.
The City View Trolley is available and convenient for your dining, shopping and sightseeing needs. The trolley is a reasonable $1/person with unlimited stops. Popular stops include: Storybook Island, Dinosaur Park, Stavkirk Chapel, Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery, and the Journey Museum.
Speaking of the Journey Museum…your families Native American Cultural Tour journey begins with a natural history overview of Black Hills history. With impressive collections encompassing archaeology, paleontology, western native gardens and our pioneer past, to a beautifully exhibited history of the honorable Sioux people, the Journey Museum will give you an educated overview and some cultural insight into your upcoming Black Hills and Native American history experience. With this knowledge under your belt, your family will be able to truly appreciate the sights and experiences in the days to come.
If you get the chance, mosey on down to Rapid City’s downtown district. The self-guided walking Tour of Presidents is available, and Rapid City will provide you with a taste of your Black Hills adventures. By the way, break out that “Bundle of Bonuses” and start taking advantage of the area discount offers provided.
While in Rapid City’s downtown district, don’t miss the Prairie Edge Trading Post. Located in downtown Rapid City at 6th and Main, Prairie Edge Trading Post is a great stop. Featuring authentic Native American Indian art, jewelry, artifact reproductions, clothing, beadwork, books on Indian culture, spirituality and life, Prairie Edge mixes your shopping experience with education and culture beautifully.
Also located in the downtown district, Sioux Pottery is a can’t-miss on your Native American Cultural Tour itinerary! Sacred to the Lakota People, Paha Sapa (The Black Hills) continue to yield the red clay used in making Sioux Pottery, which is designed and hand-crafted by Sioux Indian Artists. Each piece is crafted by Sioux artists and decorated with designs and symbols important to the Lakota culture and tradition. Absolutely beautiful!
Today you will find yourself immersed in some of the most culturally rich and memorable history of our nation.
Departing from your hotel in the morning, a touring stagecoach will pick you up and get you started on Wounded Knee and Pine Ridge Reservation Tour. This incredible 8-9 hour tour will keep you on your toes as you listen to factual and legendary narration, absorb the beautiful scenery, and contemplate the cultural beauty of the Lakota Sioux Nations diverse background and rich culture.
Your visit to the Red Cloud Heritage Center is guaranteed to impress. The on-going and award winning Red Cloud Art Festival is an opportunity to view (and in some cases purchase) genuine, original Lakota art, sculpture and clayware.
The town of Pine Ridge is included in the tour, along with Wounded Knee Cemetery, resting place to the 128 members of Big Foot’s band who were massacred on December 29, 1890 by U.S. troops. Wounded Knee represents the last significant clash between American Indians and U.S. troops in North America and leaves a powerful and lasting impression.
Also included in the tour, Oglala Lakota College Historical Center, White River Visitor Center, Red Shirt Table, and a drive past Cuny Table. A meal stop is taken (try the Indian fry bread!) and water and snacks will be provided.
Today you begin your excursion into the central Black Hills of South Dakota.
Your route will amaze you. With numerous incredible and historic scenic routes through the central Black Hills of South Dakota, you have a variety of options while planning your day.
If you’d like, enter Custer State Park in the morning and take the opportunity to view the abundance of wildlife. Don’t be surprised if you encounter a roadblock of grazing bison in Custer State Park. A herd of 1,500 bison roams freely throughout the park, often stopping traffic along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road. The herd is one of the largest in the world.
Bison can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Historically, the animal played an essential role in the lives of the Lakota (Sioux), who relied on the “tatanka” for food, clothing and shelter.
Besides bison, the park is home to wildlife such as pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, wild turkeys, and a band of friendly burros.
Take the opportunity to travel Iron Mountain Road (Hwy 16A) from south to north. This highway, once deemed impossible to build, is by far the most amazing visual approach to Mt Rushmore National Monument. With rock tunnels perfectly framing the surrounding scenery and monument, make sure you have your camera handy!
Mount Rushmore National Monument embodies a sense of patriotism. Mt Rushmore offers an amphitheater, museum/theater complex, Visitor Orientation Center, Presidential Trail, spacious gift shop, bookstore, and dining facilities. To complete your Mt. Rushmore experience, view the evening lighting ceremony (available Memorial Day through Labor Day). The highlight of the evening is the 20 minute informational program in the ideally located amphitheater while the monument is slowly exposed to light until it is fully illuminated. It’s a good idea to go early and bring a jacket.
Consider taking Hwy 244 past Mt. Rushmore, a quick turn south on Hwy 385, and jump right on Hwy 87, also known as Needles Highway. Another sight to behold, the narrow roads, stone tunnels, and the huge towering rock spires above will have the whole family OOHing and AHHing! By the way, you’ve re-entered beautiful Custer State Park.
As you leave Custer State Park, heading towards Custer, notice the continuation of the huge, smooth rock formations. The geological formations of Paha Sapa are deeply beloved and honored by the Lakota people.
Cruising north on Highway 385, you’ll be delighted as the ever-growing silhouette of Crazy Horse Memorial rises from the horizon. As a work-in-progress mountain sculpture, this massive tribute to the famous Lakota warrior and leader, Crazy Horse, is visually striking and offers visitors endless educational opportunities. The memorial’s mission is to honor the culture, tradition and living heritage of North American Indians
Crazy Horse Memorial’s 40,000 square foot visitor complex, viewing veranda, museums and cultural center encompass the vision of the property: to spotlight our cultural and spiritual diversities, and to encourage harmony and diversity among our people and nations.
Beautiful!
The nightly laser light show will keep you oohing and aweing! If you haven’t had dinner in one of the nearby communities…take the chance to share a family meal under the grand façade of this legendary leader and warrior.
If you have an appreciation for artifacts and visual and oral history, this is your place. With extensive museum space dedicated to the highest quality Native American art, to the impressive tours offered of the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski’s living and working quarters, Crazy Horse Memorial will delight family members of all ages. The large observation deck offers a sight to behold, and the dining and shopping are delightful. Crazy Horse Memorial is a work in-progress, and this is your chance to be part of the process.
With so much knowledge and history already under your belt, you’ll keep it coming with a Native American Cultural Tour of the northern Black Hills and eastern Wyoming.
Keep your eyes on the northwestern horizon and watch for your next destination as you head east from Rapid City on I-90, and take Hwy 34 east and Hwy 79 north to Bear Butte State Park. Mato Paha or “Bear Mountain” is the Lakota name given to this site. To the Cheyenne, it is "Noahvose." This geological formation is one of several intrusions of igneous rock in the Black Hills that formed millions of years ago….another example of a sacred rock formation. Bear Butte State Park is sacred to many American Indian tribes who come here to hold religious ceremonies. Remember to be respectful of worshippers and their religious practices, as you will more than likely encounter individuals in private or group spiritual ceremony.
If you are feeling adventurous, hike to the top of Bear Butte! A groomed trail will lead you, and a viewing platform at the peak boasts an amazing view.
Next, travel back through Sturgis and Hwy 14A toward Deadwood. Just north of Deadwood on Hwy 85, you’ll encounter Tatanka: Story of the Bison. The story is this impressive North American beast is told from the Lakota people’s standpoint at Tatanka: Story of the Bison. It is known that 30-60 million bison once roamed the great plains of North America. By the close of the 19th century, it's estimated that less than 1,000 bison survived.
Enjoy the larger than life bronze sculpture featuring 14 bison pursued by 3 Native American horseback riders, a hands-on Interpretive Center, a beautifully displayed Native American Gift Shop, and a snack bar including traditional Lakota meals and snacks.
Next, you are asking? We’ll get you started in the right direction…west to Wyoming!
Travel north on Hwy 85 and resume your westward travel on I-90. Near Sundance you’ll jump on Hwy 14 west, and then Hwy 24 north to the Devils Tower National Monument. Devils Tower National Monument rises up unexpectedly over the vast prairie and grasslands of eastern Wyoming. Once again, keep your eyes peeled on the horizon.
President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Devils Tower the first National Monument in 1906. Devils Tower rises 1267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. Once hidden, erosion has revealed Devils Tower. This 1347 acre park is covered with pine forests, woodlands, and grasslands. Deer, prairie dogs, and other wildlife are seen daily.
Also known as Bears Lodge, it is a sacred site for many American Indians. The interactive visitor center will pique your imagination with the American Indian folklore and legends surrounding the landmark, not to mention the scenery and ride – it’s stunning!
As you depart the sacred Paha Sapa, may you take the sense of beauty, respect and honor of the Great Lakota Sioux Nation with you on your future endeavors. Hopefully, the rich Native American lessons of natural balance, spirituality, and respect for the land will stay with you for a lifetime.
| Day 1: | Arrival in Rapid City, SD |
| Journey Museum | |
| Prairie Edge Trading Post | |
| Sioux Pottery | |
| Mount Rushmore National Monument | |
| Day 2: | Wounded Knee and Pine Ridge Reservation Guided Tour |
| Day 3: | Custer State Park |
| Badlands National Park | |
| Crazy Horse Memorial | |
| Day 4: | Bear Butte State Park |
| Tatanka: Story of the Bison | |
| Vore Buffalo Jump | |
| Devils Tower National Monument | |
| Day 5: | Departure from the Black Hills |
| St. Joseph Indian School @ Chamberlain, SD |
Are you ready to discover the real America? Treat your family to an assortment of attractions and learning opportunities... all wrapped up in a load of fun.
Arrival in Rapid City, SD. Located on the edge of the legendary Black Hills of South Dakota, Rapid City boasts great dining, shopping, lovely scenery, and a convenient location to launch your Black Hills family get-a-way.
Ready to get settled? Go ahead and check-in to your reserved accommodations, and spend the evening exploring the City of Presidents. Keep in mind that Rapid City has a $1.00 public transit trolley, including unlimited stops.
Start your adventure right here in your new backyard. The Journey Museum is located in Rapid City. Your journey begins with a natural history overview of Black Hills history. An impressive collection encompassing archaeology, paleontology, western native gardens and our pioneer past, on to a beautifully exhibited history of the honorable Sioux people. With this knowledge under your belt, your family will be able to truly appreciate the sights and experiences in the days to come.
Located in downtown Rapid City at 6th and Main, Prairie Edge Trading Post is a great stop. Featuring authentic Native American Indian art, jewelry, artifact reproductions, clothing, beadwork, books on Indian culture, spirituality and life, Prairie Edge mixes your shopping experience with education and culture beautifully.
Hop on highway 16 heading south and you'll begin to wind your way into the beautiful Black Hills. Home to the world's largest concentration of public parks, monuments and memorials, the Black Hills National Forest claims more than 2 million acres of ponderosa forest.
Just up the road you'll encounter Reptile Gardens, a site that maintains the finest collections of reptiles in the world. Featuring an impressive walk-through terrarium and 4 shows that rotate throughout the day, Reptile Gardens is sure to please.
Ready to take a walk on the 'wild'side? Your next stop, Bear Country USA, is truly fun for all ages. Only minutes away and located in the rolling foothills of the Black Hills, this drive-through park features North American wildlife roaming free in their natural habitats. Shop, dine, and learn at the visitor's center. The baby bears at Babyland will have you wrapped around their little paws as you enjoy staff-led demonstrations and informative programs.
Worked up an appetite? Boy, do we have a treat for you! The good folks at Flying T Chuckwagon Supper and Show are serving up their down-home hospitality with a western bar-b-que supper in the Flying T barn. You'll be entertained by the Flying T Wranglers, whose humor, music and love of the old west can't be beat! After dinner, you'll be entertained with old time country western and bluegrass music.
Wrapping up a great day, head back on in to Rapid City to relax and enjoy the City of Presidents. Once again, take advantage of the clean, convenient trolley services!
With the action underway, we begin your third day in the lovely southern Black Hills. Located in Hot Springs, SD, The Mammoth Site will provide you the opportunity to travel back in time to when Ice Age beasts roamed the Great Plains of North America. Including a 30 minute guided tour plus a 10 minute video, this paleontological dig site offers visitors the chance to observe first-hand an archeological excavation. Keep those 4-13 year olds fascinated with the Junior Paleontology Dig, offered daily with advance registration required.
Just down the beautiful sandstone-accented streets of Hot Springs, prepare yourself for some fun and exercise. Evans Plunge is a treat for the whole family with its naturally warm mineral water. In addition to its famous refreshing waters, today's Evans Plunge Hot Springs offers excitement in the form of swimming, waterslides, float tubes, Tarzan rings, and a health club.
Next, take a scenic drive north on Hwy 385, and east on Hwy 16 into Custer State Park. Next, head north via Iron Mountain Road into Keystone, SD. Sound like quite a route? It is! Iron Mountain Road's expansive views and unparalleled visual approach to Mt. Rushmore is stunning.
In Keystone, take a trip back in time to discover Big Thunder Gold Mine. Looking for the chance to tour an authentic gold mine and try your hand at mining? This attraction will bring you back to those exciting times. Tour a real gold mine with knowledgeable tour guides, along with a mining museum known for its interesting and informative displays detailing the era and showing what life was like for those who really "went for the gold." You can even take a part of that life back with you when you return to the 21st century, with your own piece of gold ore.
Speaking of mining, Rushmore Cave was discovered when adventurous gold miners, searching for their fortune, stumbled upon the cave entrance instead. A guide can show you where this happened. Rushmore Cave is also famous for its close proximity to its famous namesake. Icicle-like stalactites hanging from cavern ceilings, and spires of stalagmites rising from the smooth rock floor reflect its natural beauty. Experienced cave guides escort you on your journey, past mysterious chambers, many of them still unexplored. Have fun!
Your departure date will find you anxious to plan a return trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota. You really have had a chance to see the real America!
By the way, if you happen to be heading east on I-90 on your way home take advantage of the free of charge South Dakota Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Also, Badlands National Park is stunning, take it in if you can!
| Day 1: | Arrival in Rapid City, SD |
| Day 2: | Journey Museum (Rapid City, SD) |
| Reptile Gardens (near Rapid City, SD) | |
| Bear Country USA (near Rapid City, SD) | |
| Flying T Chuckwagon Supper and Show (near Rapid City, SD) | |
| Day 3: | Mammoth Site (Hot Springs, SD) |
| Evans Plunge (Hot Springs, SD) | |
| Big Thunder Gold Mine (Keystone, SD) | |
| Rushmore Cave (near Keystone, SD) | |
| Day 1: | Depart from Rapid City, SD |
Welcome to the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota! You are lucky enough to find yourself you the Road to Rushmore…a path that includes beautiful scenery, unforgettable experiences, and lifelong memories for your whole family. Let’s get started…
Go ahead and get settled in your pre-arranged Black Hills accommodations. You will find yourself in one of our lovely Black Hills communities, and take the time to explore a little. If anything, grab the chance to begin taking advantage of your ‘Bundle of Bonuses’ area discount offers. A great way to explore and save, all in one!
If you get the chance, enter Custer State Park and take the opportunity to drive Iron Mountain Road (Hwy 16A) from south to north. This highway, once deemed impossible to build, is by far the most amazing visual approach to Mt Rushmore National Monument. With rock tunnels perfectly framing the surrounding scenery and monument, make sure you have your camera handy! Mount Rushmore National Monument truly embodies the pride, beauty, and patriotism that you have been anticipating your whole life. With numerous incredible and historic scenic routes to and from the monument, you have a variety of options while planning your route to the monument. If you haven’t had dinner in or one of the nearby communities…take the chance to share a family meal under the grand façade of your forefathers. Mt Rushmore offers an amphitheater, museum/theater complex, Visitor Orientation Center, Presidential Trail, spacious gift shop, bookstore, and dining facilities.
To complete your Mt. Rushmore experience, view the evening lighting ceremony (available Memorial Day through Labor Day). The highlight of the evening is the 20 minute informational program in the ideally located amphitheater while the monument is slowly exposed to light until it is fully illuminated. It’s a good idea to go early and bring a jacket.
Ready to take a walk on the ‘wild’side? Your next stop, Bear Country USA, is truly fun for all ages. Only minutes away and located in the rolling foothills of the Black Hills, this drive-through park features North American wildlife roaming free in their natural habitats. Shop, dine, and learn at the visitor’s center. The baby bears at Babyland will have you ‘wrapped around their little paws’ as you enjoy staff-led demonstrations and informative programs.
Just up the road you’ll encounter Reptile Gardens, a site that maintains the finest collections of reptiles in the world. Featuring an impressive walk-through terrarium and 4 shows that rotate throughout the day, Reptile Gardens is sure to please.
Next? Don’t get lost! Next you’ll “find” the Black Hills Maze. Get lost in a real labyrinth of fun in one of the world's largest mazes! Over 1.2 miles of walkways, bridges, and stairs. Find your way to all four towers, and just as you thought you had it complete...which way is out?! A new, challenging configuration is created every 2 weeks. With batting cages, bank shot basketball and roller racers, Black Hills Maze is fun for all ages.
Next on the list, you’ll have the chance to cool down and observe natural beauty at it’s finest when you visit Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns. This extensive natural cave formation is located in Rockerville Gulch, a scenic canyon east of Rockerville ghost-town, a historic site from the gold mining days of the late 1800's. In 1929, the Duhamel family began exploring and developing an impressive cave located on their property in Rockerville Gulch. The Duhamel's wanted to share this subterranean geological treasure with visitors to the Black Hills and began preparations to lead tours through the caverns. Today, you’ll find an exciting cave tour, visitor’s history center and gift shop.
Worked up an appetite? Boy, do we have a treat for you! The good folks at Flying T Chuckwagon Supper and Show are serving up their down-home hospitality with a western bar-b-que supper in the Flying T barn. You’ll be entertained by the Flying T Wranglers, whose humor, music and love of the old west can’t be beat! After dinner, you’ll be entertained with old time country western and bluegrass music.
What a day!
If you didn’t get the chance to see Mount Rushmore National Monument on your first evening in the Black Hills, take the time to explore our national treasure this morning!
Conveniently enough, you are in the vicinity of your next destination! Next stop - National Presidential Wax Museum! Located in Keystone, visitors gain insight into our nation’s democracy through life-size, life-like wax figures depicting our country’s most shaping experiences in dramatically historical settings. The National Presidential Wax Museum state of the art narration system won’t let you miss a thing, while the outdoor/indoor grill and spacious gift shop will entertain all ages. Conveniently, Holy Terror Mini Golf is located at the same location.
Next, let the adventurer in you come forth for some downhill excitement! The President’s Alpine Slide is sure to please the fun-lovers in your family. Enjoy the most exhilarating ride in the Black Hills! President’s Alpine Slide offers 2,000 feet of sensational family fun. Riders control the speed of their individual sleds and small children may ride with adults. Also, don’t miss the outdoor grill on top…featuring an elevated view of Mount Rushmore! The panoramic views and walking gardens give you a chance to take a breather before your action-packed descent through dips and high-banked turns.
Head home after browsing Keystone’s lovely downtown district. With shopping, dining, and its famous salt water taffy shop, you’ll head home with treats and memories to share.
As you have noticed, you are surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery in the world. What better way to relax and soak it all in than a ride on the 1880 Train? Departing out of Hill City, this vintage steam train is famous for it’s stunning scenic route, old world charm, and the unforgettable encounter of a bellowing engine and whining whistle. Approximately 2 hours long, this tour takes you to Keystone, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore over a 15 minute break, and returns you to Hill City.
Looking for a return trip on the Road to Rushmore? I don’t blame you! This wonderful family vacation will leave you with lifelong memories and exciting experiences under your belt. The Road to Rushmore is always here for you!
| Day 1: | Arrival in the Black Hills |
| Mount Rushmore National Monument | |
| Day 2: | Bear Country USA |
| Reptile Gardens | |
| Black Hills Maze | |
| Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns | |
| Flying T Chuckwagon and Show | |
| Day 3: | (Mt Rushmore) |
| National President's Wax Museum | |
| President's Alpine Slide | |
| 1880 Train | |
| Day 4: | Departure from Black Hills |
Official Central Reservations System for the Black Hills & Badlands of South Dakota
© 2010 Black Hills Central Reservations. All Rights Reserved.
Photos by South Dakota Tourism
