Mount Rushmore Tips?

[matches]

My family and friends are traveling to Mount Rushmore over the July Fourth Holiday. We will be spending five days, and would like to get some tips on what to see, and where. We are staying at the Hill City KOA. Their is four families, and trailers, totalling 16 people. From their we are all traveling to Yellowstone for seven days, then back home to Az. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I just got back from Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone. I was on a motorcycle and sleeping in a tent so I can't give you a lot of advice about good RV campgrounds. The one thing I would suggest is that in Yellowstone plan to stay on one side of the park for a few days and then move to the opposite side of the park. The park is so immense that it takes forever to travel from one side to the other. I camped in the northern park of the Grand Teton national park and to ride from there to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone and back took 9 hours - and that was traveling at 55 (10 over the speed limit) and passing cars constantly which you won't be able to do if you are in a car. It would be well worth the effort to move your camp midway through your stay so that you can check out more things in each area. You can read about my trip and view my photo gallery of ~120 pics of the area here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com...r-motorcycle-road-trip-out-west-new-post.html . Enjoy the trip - Yellowstone is truly breathtaking and I look forward to traveling there again some day!

 

[JMetzger]

We have stayed at the Hill City KOA & it is not a bad place to stay. While you are there be sure to buy some Buffalo burgers & Sausage. You want to see as much as you can see,Hill City, Custer & Rapid City all have great things to see. Go on your computer & look up those area's & things to see. 4th of July will be a rough time to go as it will be wall to wall people. You will want to make reservations for any sights you want to see. You want to see Mt Rushmore at night. Get there before dark & stay for the night show. It will take your breath away. Enjoy, we loved it, Been there twice.

 

[mlockner]

There are way too many things to do in the area. At the campground you are staying they have a couple pools, horse back riding, an icecream and sandwhich shop, restaurant with a bar and a bus that will take you over to Mount Rushmore. Sign up early for the bus as it fills up early. They also have local entertainment from the area at the campground every evening. Go to Mount Rushmore in the evening for the night lighting show. It is really neat to see. Get on the internet for other things to do. There are many senic drives. Deadwood for those who would like to gamble. There is an 1880's train ride in the area that is neat to do, caves to tour, a dinasour dig in the area and as I said way too many things to do. We have been several times and enjoy it each time we go.



Mike

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Mount Rushmore Tour - well worth the money and leave the driving to them. Took the tour last year. Showed up for breakfast and stayed for dinner.

Sightseeing Tour Vacation Packages

 

[KLauber]

Ditto everything above. We stayed there (Hill City) last summer on our way to Glacier. You could easily spend your entire vacation there and forget about Yellowstone!

Ken

 

[pullya]

Went to Yellowstone last year. You might want to change your plans and plan to spend you entire vacation just trying to get through the park. I've never seen so many stupid drivers in my life. People go on vacation and they forget how to drive. Forget the pull out lanes to take pictures----people just stop in the middle of the road and bail out of the car and start taking pictures. It was very beautiful and I'm glad we saw it but I'll never go there again. Rant done!!!!

Jay

 

[Oasis-3]

Take a day trip out to the Bad Lands

 

[mvaughn]

When you head to Yellowstone consider staying at Redrock RV Park, Island Park, Idaho. About $30 with full hookups and a very nice campground. Your about 12 miles out of West Yellowstone and 1 mile from Henry's Lake. Lots to do in the area. I'm headed back for my 4th time in July.

 

[BILLVO]

While in the Black Hills you will be extremely impressed with the Crazy Horse monument It is a must see and it is only a short drive from mt rushmore.



Also a must see is the mammoth site in Hot springs which is on the south side of the Black hills. It is very interesting.



The historic towns of Deadwood and Leads are fun also and check out the old Homestake gold mine in Leads.

 

[rholcom2]

Don't forget the Crazy Horse monument. I dont know exactly how close it is to Rushmore. Last time I was there we were on a Harley for Bike Week in Sturgis. It was a pretty cool spot.

 

[icman95]

Did that area during Bike Week in 2007 and we are going back again this year. Too much to see in one trip. If time allows, Custer State Park is a must! The animals roam wild and the people have to watch out to not get in their way. Just the opposite of a zoo. We had to stop our bike more than once to let the buffalo cross the street in front of us as well as some really pushy donkeys who were begging for food. You could spend most of a day there, but we had to be other places. Definately going there again.



Just remembered a very similar thread.



Check here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com...3-camp-ground-info-near-mt-rushmore-pets.html



There are some more pics and info there.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

They have already listed some good ones. Wind Cave is always nice. Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Spearfish Canyon are all ones I would put on my list. Of course I have lived here my whole life and I still have not seen it all. I live in Spearfish and we have one of the most beautiful city campgrounds you will ever find in a town. If you drive the canyon, finish with a excellent steak dinner at the Chop House. It is right alongside the highway just outside Spearfish as you come into town from the canyon.



I hope you enjoy your trip.



Jon

 

[wcoomes]

Be sure to take a drive on the wildlife loop in custer State Park, Iron Mountain Rd and Needles Hwy.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

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[matches]

Thanks for all the input. We can't wait! We will be traveling with four Dodge Cummins 3rd gens, all towing RVs. Look out for the parade of D/C's if your in the area!

 

[Jakebud]

Black Hills Must Do Stuff!

I lived in Rapid City from 92-97, stationed there with the Air Force. If you look up while there and see a B-1B going overhead, that was my ride while there! In Hill City there is a restaurant called the Alpine Inn. They serve a superb filet mignon for $10. 95. Yes, I said $10. 95! However, if you don't want a filet, don't go there, as that is all they serve for dinner. There is a lunch menu for a limited number of items on it. Then you must visit their desert menu. There is around 40 some different items, and all essentially home made. I recommend the napoleon! If you get in the mood to drive a bit, wander up to Spearfish in the northern Black Hills and drive Spearfish Canyon. The canyon is a National Scenic Byway, and its absolutely superb. Nineteen miles up the canyon from Spearfish is Cheyenne Crossing. The small store/restaurant there serves a superb indian taco. If you want some fine dining, Jake's at the Midnight Star in Deadwood might well be the fanciest place in South Dakota. If you are in the mood to fish, head 15 miles up from the Exxon Station in Hill City to Deerfield. The trout up there take all manner of small spinners and spoons. Deerfield has a nice population of rainbows, brookies and splake. Need more, just drop me a line at -- email address removed --



Have fun!



SPIKE

 

[matches]

Thanks for the great info. It's that local information that makes a trip great.

 

[BILLVO]

I will second Jakes as a good place to eat and another nice place is the Deadwood supper club upstairs above old #10 saloon. A really good place is the Firehouse brewing company in Rapid city. Good food and Microbrews made right there and on display from the upstairs dining room.

My wife and I get to the hills at least 2 timeas a year, its close and easy and cheap to drive there.

 

[Crazy Horse]

There is lots of history there. Watch the tunnels with an RV, there's not much fit room. Sheridan Lake is a nice campground, though I don't know how busy it will be during the forth.
Have Fun.

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