Adventures at Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park

Day three of our Ultimate Family Road Trip packed in a lot of highlights in one day. We toured Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park all in one jam-packed adventure day. By staying in Box Elder, we were close enough for an early start and an easy distance to drive at dusk for dinner.

This day was packed and I would suggest turning this excursion into two or three days exploring the area. Our original plan was to do the Badlands in the morning and then Mount Rushmore/Custer State Park Wildlife Loop in the afternoon. I think we could have done it. But some folks in our group wanted to do Crazy Horse and more things in Custer so we adjusted our plan! And, I’m glad we did. We had enough time to explore the areas we wanted to, but with an older kid, this really would have been a great 3-4 stay in the area.

Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore are a perfect combination for a day trip with a half day exploring connecting each one. But stay longer and explore with this ideal itinerary for a week in Rapid City, South Dakota. #familytrips #rapidcity #crazyhorse #mtrushmore #mountrushmore #custerstatepark

This day included:

I would for sure add an extra day or two to this stop. So many great family things to do. Also, this was a lot to add on to the full Yellowstone trip, so you might consider splitting these into two separate trips and spending more time in the area or day trips through the Rapid City region. And, then do the Yellowstone area trip as another experience.

Other family experiences in the Rapid City area

Bear Country USA – I heard from multiple people that this was a must do. We did not have time for it and decided not to adjust our schedule since we were going to be able to encounter animals in other spots. Part of me wishes we would have done it.
Old McDonald’s Farm petting zoo – again with a kid obsessed with animals, this looked so cool and I would for sure want an extra day to spend as much time as we wanted here and then drive around the national forest
Black Hills National Forest – aspens and fall foliage has to be incredible here
Borglum Story Museum – downtown Keystone (art and historical center)
Black Hills Aerial Tours – this would be sooooo cool
Rush Mountain Adventures Park
Downtown Keystone – wild West town, 1880s train, National Presidential Wax Museum, shops and restaurants
Deadwood – I would do this as a full day trip – visit the historic town, play on the ATV trails and enjoy a Wild West city. Mount Moriah cemetery
Devil’s Tower National Monument – its a beautiful rock structure and one of those “while we are here” we should do it type excursions
Cosmos Mystery Area – tour a gravity-fed experience that is just really hard to explain

I think my biggest suggestion would be to split the day with Mount Rushmore and Keystone and do Custer State Park as a separate day experience.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial touring tips

Prepare yourself to be underwhelmed, but thankful you saw it. I know that sounds terrible and this has always been something I thought would be cool to see. But, once you are there, you will get this “huh” kind of feeling. That being said. As you tour the museum and hear the stories of the sculptors, workers, and people who dreamed up the project, you can’t help but think about the artistry and be enamored with the work ethic and patriotism displayed.

No cost for entrance, but you pay per car for parking. Take your ticket with you to validate at the Monument.
Park in Deck 6 if you can. Enter at Entrance 4 and move up 2 levels. The parking drops out right in front of the entrance and half of the parking is covered and half is open.
Make sure you tour the Visitor Center. It’s indoors and includes so much history on the back story of the sculptor and constructing the monument. I personally think your best pictures are off the back veranda over the amphitheater. This area does not have as many people and direct sunlight is up top. But if you are looking for the “over the shoulder” picture, up top will be your spot. And don’t get distracted when you first walk in. Just take it all in. There is construction at the front and a bunch of people and the flag plaza. Then a big open area at the back where it’s easy to find a spot from any direction for all the photos you want.
Visitor Center does have a gift shop in it and a greater selection than up front. Just know you don’t have to buy at the first gift shop and carry bags around with you the whole time. Check out both spots and make purchases on your way out.
We did not take The Presidents Trail. It was a lot of walking and we were not interested. But, I did read if you are going with kids, it’s suggested to take the President’s Trail up from the parking lot where it starts to reveal the faces one at a time and create suspension for your kids before they see all four faces at once. Great idea for elementary and middle school kids who can do their own walking.
We also did not get the famed ice cream because there was a long line but any historical significance to get ice cream, I”m usually there.

Crazy Horse Memorial touring tips

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t really sure what to expect here. Some Native American artifacts and a good meal. But, there is so much to look at. It is a hard place for kids, well little kids, and I did have an argument with a woman who thought I was being disrespectful with my kid, but you’ll have to ask me about that in person. Our experience was very sacred and really framed so much of the land and interactions we had for the rest of the trip. Seeing it back to back with Mount Rushmore gave it a unique perspective and appreciation. I will suggest finding out if there are any presentations because we had a really cool experience with tribal dancers while we ate our lunch.

Laughing Waters Restaurant was a great treat. They were not doing a bunch of COVID changes, but there were tables outside and we were able to socially distance. They did have great Indian Frybread and kid menu options.
Art by Native American Artist – this was my favorite part of the memorial. All kinds of artwork from paintings to beadwork, headdresses, and weaving.
So many artifacts and storytelling elements this is a really great place to explore with children and help them understand about Native Americans and a different way of life. It definitely produced great exploratory conversation for the adults on our trip.
Live show – dancers and artists in residence. While we were there we had the honor of hearing from a Lakota leader and seeing tribal dance demonstrations and drummers.
You can see the memorial from the highway so if you want a picture or to just see it, you can do that from the main road without going all the way in to the parking lot.

Custer State Park touring tips

Next, we began our trip to Custer State Park. Remember this is a state park, not a National Park so you will need admission to these stops and can’t use your National Park passes. From Crazy Horse, drive up to Sylvan Lake through Needles Highway and then down to the Wildlife Loop Road. Note that this route will most likely keep you from visiting the Visitor Center. If you start the other way, be warned that the drive up Iron Mountain Road is very twisty and windy, but they say the views through the tunnels are pretty cool. I just wasn’t willing to risk being sick the rest of the day.

Sylvan Lake is a beautiful spot and a great place to stop and explore.
Needles Eye Tunnel – this was interesting. We met a tour bus on coming and had to wait for him to pass. It was clear he had made the tunnel before but there were a lot of air gasps while we all watched. Just travel for safety with the tight edges and one-way traffic through the tunnels.
Needles Highway – Make a stop to pull off and explore, the road is tight so be safe. But if you want to look around, climb, and explore, there is a spot you can do so safely. The driver will not really be able to see much of anything so its valuable to pull off and just look for a few minutes or take some pictures, it’s over quick.
Mount Coolidge Fire Tower – you will likely have an argument in your car about if you really should drive up that road. There is some sigh about “authority” and yes, your pass gives you authority to drive up there. It’s an incredible panoramic view. So, if you need to be able to tell the people in your car you red a blog who said you must do it, then this is that blog.
Come back down the mountain and get back on the main road, but you will be glad you went up to the fire tower.
Wildlife Loop Road – like most wildlife viewing areas, you will have your best luck at dusk but there is no reason you can’t drive and come back. Maybe do your research and find out where the animals have been gathering that week. I expected to see a lot more than we did. But, we took our first buffalo pictures and even saw a few goats.

The Wildlife Scenic Loop is what most people come for. As with wild animals in most places, dawn and dusk are usually your best times. But look around and enjoy the buffalo, pronghorn, and prairie dog town before leaving the park.

Evening activities in the Rapid City, SD area

Drive through downtown Rapid City for Presidential Statues and grab a bite to eat for a picnic
We prepared dinner back at our farmhouse, but it would be easy to pick up dinner on your way back in after Custer.

We were exhausted and had another driving day the next day. This is for sure where I started thinking… man, we should have added another day here and explored more.

Ideal Itinerary for exploring the Rapid City area

travel day
Mount Rushmore and playing in downtown Keystone
Custer State Park – drive and minimal exploring
Bear Country and Black Hills National Forest
Deadwood, including Devils Tower
extra day to explore – other attractions, go back to Custer and take trails, get in an ATV
travel home

Experience more from our Ultimate Family Road Trip to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Park