When we planned our first Mount Rushmore trip, we’ll admit we had no idea what to expect from South Dakota’s Black Hills region. Back then it wasn’t social media famous or heavily written about like other popular outdoorsy US vacation spots. But after spending 8 days exploring tons of fun attractions near Mt Rushmore (across two separate visits), we can honestly say it’s one of the most underrated spots in the country.
Mount Rushmore itself only takes about 3 hours to fully experience (here’s our guide on exactly how to visit Mt Rushmore). But watching a stunning sunrise paint the faces of the four presidents was just the beginning for us – the surrounding Black Hills region is home to a surprising amount of stunning landscapes, scenic drives, thrilling hikes and wildlife spotting opportunities. Our favorite part? It doesn’t have the crowds of Utah, Arizona or California.
Hi, we’re Mark and Kristen Morgan. We left our scientific careers in 2018 to become travel writers and photographers, and since then our expert guides have helped millions of travel planners take better trips. Read more about us.
Why trust us with your Black Hills plans? Between two 4-day trips in October 2019 and April 2021, we’ve personally done everything there is to do as tourists in the area, including the two national parks and major hikes.
Here are the 10 best things we actually did near Mount Rushmore, based on our real experiences exploring this beautiful corner of South Dakota. This is exactly how we did it, what we learned, what we loved, what we’d do differently – and everything you need to know if you want to follow in our footsteps.
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Explore Unique Formations In Badlands National Park
As we approached the overlook and saw our first glimpse of the Badlands sprawling ahead of us, we instantly knew this was going to a place we’d love. And sure enough, the otherworldly landscape of rugged buttes, colorful spires and deep canyons became one of our favorite national parks in America. Why? Because it’s incredibly photogenic and the entire park can be seen in just a few hours.
What made our Badlands experience special: We’ve visited Badlands National Park twice now, and both times we were amazed by how quiet and crowd-free it felt. During both our trips, we hiked the Notch Trail without seeing a single other person – and that’s the most popular hike in the park. We also loved how easy it was to photograph wildlife like prairie dogs and bison, and we even had a memorable encounter with a bighorn sheep that came within 10 feet of our car in the pouring snow.
What you need to know:
- Entry costs $30 per vehicle (7-day pass), or use America the Beautiful Pass
- Best photo opportunities are during the golden hours
- Distance from Mount Rushmore: 84 miles (1 hour 25 minutes)
Insider Tip: When you go to Badlands, don’t miss the excellent Minuteman Museum near the park’s east entrance off I-90. The museum is one of our top hidden gem experiences near Mount Rushmore.
See Animals On The Custer Wildlife Loop
We expected to see animals on the 18-mile long Custer Wildlife Loop, but we were left blown away by how close a massive bison got to our car window. It was one of the most nervy but unforgettable experiences we had in Custer State Park. And the only time we’ve experienced something similar with bison was in Yellowstone National Park.
Our Custer Wildlife Loop experience: We’ve actually driven the loop four times across our two visits to the Black Hills, and each time was different. Early morning drives rewarded us with the most active wildlife – we saw herds of elk grazing in meadows, curious burros that approached our car looking for snacks, and eagles soaring overhead. The afternoon we drove it on a hot and clear day was lovely but animals weren’t as active.
What you need to know:
- $20 Custer State Park pass (good for 7 days – keep it for other Black Hills attractions)
- Open all day every day
- One of our top picks for families looking for things to do near Mt Rushmore
- Distance from Mount Rushmore: 21 miles (50 minutes via Iron Mountain Road)
Insider Tip: Drive the loop super early in the morning or way later in the day for best wildlife activity. The loop road is open 24/7, 365 days a year. If you don’t have a pass when you arrive, just buy it on the other side or when you get to the next kiosk.
Take An Underground Tour In Wind Cave National Park
We’ll admit we were skeptical about spending time underground when there’s so much to see and do above ground. But our Wind Cave National Park tour ended up being one of our most memorable Black Hills experiences.
What we saw: The ranger-led tour we took revealed unique honeycomb-shaped “boxwork” formations we’d never heard of before. Our guide explained that Wind Cave contains 95% of the world’s discovered boxwork, which we thought was pretty cool. Above ground, we also hiked the Rankin Ridge Trail which summited with surprisingly far reaching views over the prairie.
Our booking experience: We had a fluid trip with flexible plans which worked fine in the off season, so we were able to turn up at 8:30am and buy first come first served tour tickets for 9:00am the same day. Our advice is to pre-book tour tickets at recreation.gov to avoid disappointment in peak season.
What you need to know:
- Cave tours cost $16 per adult
- There are multiple tour types available
- Distance from Mount Rushmore: 48 miles (1 hour)
Insider Tip: Jewel Cave National Monument is the perfect backup plan if Wind Cave tours are booked up.
Hike The Awesome Black Elk Peak Trail
This 7-mile roundtrip hike to South Dakota’s highest point became one of our all-time favorite hikes in America. The 360-degree summit views we had were absolutely worth every step of the moderately challenging 1,500-foot climb.
Our experience: We hiked the super-scenic Black Elk Peak Trail during our October visit when the aspens had turned a gorgeous deep golden yellow. The contrast of those bright leaves against the gray granite rocks was simply stunning. At the summit fire tower, we could see into four states (Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota) and the sense of accomplishment was real.
Our route recommendation: We took Trail #9 up (steeper but more direct) and Trail #4 down (gentler descent). This combination gave us the best variety of scenery and was easier on our knees coming down. Plan for 4-5 hours total and hike in early October for those special fall colors.
What you need to know:
- 7 miles roundtrip, 1,500 feet elevation gain
- Trailhead parking at Sylvan Lake
- Distance from Mount Rushmore: 23 miles (40 minutes)
Relax Around Sylvan Lake
While many people see Sylvan Lake as just the starting point for Black Elk Peak, we discovered the pristine mountain lake surrounded by granite rock formations would make for a fantastic family friendly destination in itself for sunbathing, swimming and water activities. Our problem? We visited in October and April – well outside the warm weather window.
Our Sylvan Lake experiences: During our April visit, we walked a very snowy loop trail around the very frozen Sylvan Lake, which was fun and uniquely photogenic but harder than it should have been. It was much easier when we walked it snow-free in October. But the water was far too cold and nothing was open, so we’d like to do this area again in summer.
Fun discovery: We saw a road sign in Keystone near Mount Rushmore stating “National Treasure II filming location”, so we researched and discovered that the boulders on Sylvan Lake’s west side were actually used as the entrance to the treasure room.
What you need to know:
- It has a 4.8/5 rating on Tripadvisor with more than 2k reviews
- Starting point for Black Elk Peak
- Perfect for families in warm weather
- Distance from Mount Rushmore: 23 miles (40 minutes)
Insider Tip: The adventurous and challenging 4-mile Sunday Gulch Trail begins behind the boulders and is perfect as an alternative to Black Elk Peak.
Need help planning your trip to Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone?
Our expert guidebook helps you with planning every aspect of your road trip – including where to go, eat and stay, plus our 10 day itinerary with insider tips and daily route maps!
Drive The Scenic Switchbacks Of Needles Highway
Driving the twists, turns and tunnels of Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road were easily among our favorite things to do near Mount Rushmore. They’re both unmissable, but for us the 14-mile long Needles Highway is the quintessential Black Hills scenic drive.
Our Needles Highway experience: At just 8 feet wide and 10 feet tall, the tunnels were barely wide enough for a regular car, so we can’t imagine attempting this in an RV or camper van! But that only adds to the thrill. We stopped often to to photograph the granite formations and we hiked the awesome Cathedral Spires Trail, which leads to a bowl-shaped amphitheater surrounded by needle-like rock spires reaching into the sky.
What you need to know:
- 14 miles of winding mountain road
- Multiple granite tunnels and hairpin turns
- Must do: Cathedral Spires Trail (park midway)
- Distance from Mount Rushmore: 14 miles east side or 18 miles west side (30 minutes)
Insider Tip: Both Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road run northwest-southeast. Drive both roads southeast-bound at sunrise or wait until later in the day otherwise the sun is directly ahead. Or drive them northwest-bound to avoid issues with the sun entirely.
See The Crazy Horse Memorial Construction
As we stood before the massive Crazy Horse Memorial carving, we couldn’t help but be impressed by the sheer ambition and scale of this project. We knew it had been under construction for decades (work began in 1948), but seeing it in person gave us a unique perspective on both the artistry and the controversy surrounding it.
Our experience: The orientation film helped us understand the scope of the project – when completed it will stand as the world’s second largest statue (behind India’s Statue of Unity). We also looked around the Indian Museum of North America, and we got a sense for the the Ziolkowski family’s commitment to progress.
Why potentially skip it: We enjoyed seeing the carving up close, but it might not work for budget travelers. Why? Because if we’re being totally honest, it’s expensive for what it is. You might not agree with us and that’s fine – but $15 for one person, $30 for 2 people or $35 for 3+ people to see a partially complete sculpture is pushing the limits in our opinion. Especially considering it only costs $10 to park at Mount Rushmore no matter how many people are in the car, and Badlands only costs $30 for a car load of people.
What you need to know:
- Entry fees: $15-35 depending on group size
- Optional guided tours to the base or top (cost extra)
- Distance from Mount Rushmore: 24 miles (30 minutes)
Experience The Wild West In Historic Deadwood
Walking down the historic downtown Deadwood main street really did feel like stepping back into the 1870’s Wild West. We’ll be honest, it didn’t blow us away, but the preserved gold rush town where Wild Bill Hickok met his grizzly end did give us a fascinating glimpse into American frontier history.
What we did in Deadwood: We’re not much for gambling, so instead we focused on the historic aspects. We walked the same streets where legendary figures like Wyatt Earp and Calamity Jane once roamed. The entire downtown area is a National Historic Landmark, and the preserved architecture is remarkable.
Our favorite discovery: We had a lovely hot chocolate in a quaint cafe right next to the site where Wild Bill Hickok was assassinated in 1876, people watched and soaked in the Wild West vibes.
What you need to know:
- Mix of historic preservations and modern casinos
- Busy with groups of friends in bars
- Distance from Mt Rushmore: 49 miles (1 hour 10 minutes)
Drive The Underrated Spearfish Canyon
Of all the places we visited near Mount Rushmore, Spearfish Canyon surprised us the most. The 20-mile scenic byway carved through a deep limestone canyon and it felt like a true hidden secret tucked away in the less busy northern parts of the Black Hills. We’d say Spearfish Canyon is the most underrated scenic drive near Mount Rushmore, with fewer crowds and a unique deep-canyon feel.
Our unexpected experience: The 35 mph speed limit forced us to slow down and really appreciate the towering 1,000-foot cliffs flanking the winding road. We stopped at three waterfalls – Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls and Bridal Veil Falls – each offering unique photography opportunities.
Our hiking adventure: Almost on a whim, we decided to hike the Devils Bathtub Trail which turned out to be a fantastic last minute call. The hike involved multiple creek crossings and scrambling over rocks. It was challenging and the final “bathtub” pool wasn’t as dramatic as we’d hoped, but it was still so much fun.
What you need to know:
- 20-mile scenic byway from Cheyenne Crossing to Spearfish
- Various waterfalls and hiking trails
- Maximum speed limit 35 mph is perfect for sightseeing
- Distance from Mount Rushmore: 51 miles (1 hour 10 minutes)
Be Impressed By Devils Tower National Monument
Even though Devils Tower National Monument is technically in Wyoming, it’s close enough to Mount Rushmore to include in any Black Hills itinerary. And for us, it’s a real winner. The dramatic volcanic rock formation rising 867 feet from the prairie turned out to be one of our favorite natural attractions in the region. It looks awesome on the approach, but it’s even better from close up. America’s first National Monument remains one of the most impressive we’ve seen to date.
Our Devils Tower experience: We walked the flat paved trail around the base, which gave us incredible perspectives of the unique geological formation. The igneous rock columns were honestly so intriguing to us, especially knowing they were formed by ancient volcanic activity. For the best middle-distance views, we drove to Joyner Ridge and photographed the skyline dominating tower behind the prairie.
What you need to know:
- Entry fees: $15-25 or use America the Beautiful Pass
- Easy paved trail around the base is a must
- Joyner Ridge for the best photo opportunities
- Distance from Mount Rushmore: 83 miles (1 hour 30 minutes)
Attractions Map
Click or touch the map to activate, zoom in and out, and scroll around. If you’d like to see a bigger version, click the “view larger map” icon in the top right, and if you’d like to see a specific attraction, click the arrow and square icon in the top left.
Map key:
- Red – Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Blue – Top attractions near Mount Rushmore
Quick Fire: Our Tips + Advice
How many days: Minimum of 4 days to hit the major highlights, but 7+ days to slow down and really explore.
Must-do’s: Mt Rushmore at sunrise, Badlands at sunset, Custer Wildlife Loop early or late, all the scenic drives and our personal favorite the immense Black Elk Peak hike.
Biggest surprise: How underrated the Black Hills region is compared to national parks.
Budget: $100/day per person for park passes, attractions, food and accommodation. (It’s a super affordable place – another reason we love it!)
Getting around: Having a car is essential. If you’re not driving to the Black Hills, rent a car. Attractions are spread out and the scenic drives are some of the best things to do anyway.
Packing: Layers are key for hiking and exploring by morning, day and evening no matter the season. Check live weather conditions and pack accordingly.
Wildlife: Pack a telephoto lens for your camera and a spare pair of binoculars in case you run out of battery.
What We’d Do Differently
Wildlife Loop: One of our drives was around midday and we barely saw any animals. But we saw tons of animals early and late, so we’d only go close to dawn or dusk next time.
Iron Mountain Road: We drove southbound at mid-morning on a clear day, so we were driving directly into the sun. Next time we’d do it at dawn, much later in the day, or we’d just drive it northbound back to Keystone instead.
Wind Cave: We got lucky with first come first served tour tickets because it was out of season. Next time, we’d definitely book ahead in advance, otherwise it’s a long way to go just to be turned away.
April: The whole region was covered in snow in April, which was unique and cool to see, but it also meant we couldn’t hike Black Elk Peak or Sunday Gulch for a second time, plus Sylvan Lake was frozen over. We’d only go between June-October next time.
Next Steps
We hope our guide helps with planning your trip to the Black Hills, but please let us know if you have any other questions in the comments box a little further below.
Still figuring out your plans for South Dakota?
- Here’s our South Dakota road trip itinerary which shows you exactly how to see the attractions in order.
- Our guide on where to stay near Mount Rushmore will help you figure out lodging.
- Here’s how we spent our time at Mt Rushmore.
Finally, we recommend reading our South Dakota travel guide for more helpful tips and advice.
Happy Travels,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen spent 6 years traveling the world, visiting over 40 countries across 4 continents and more than 30 US states. They created Where Are Those Morgans in 2018 to help others plan the best possible vacations by writing authentic travel and hiking guides based on their real experiences.
Since the arrival of baby Maya in late 2024, Mark and Kristen’s extensive travels have slowed down but they still take plenty of trips. Where Are Those Morgans now helps millions of travelers each year to visit new places and hike new trails through information-packed blog posts and expert travel guidebooks. Read more about Mark and Kristen.
Congrats on your beautiful daughter! She is one lucky girl to have parents who will expose her to all the wonders of this world.
From my small world I just want to thank you for the great tips about Things to do Near Mt. Rushmore. We are thinking about going in September. Do you think that’s a good time of year?
Thank you so much, Tammie! Yes, she’ll be very well traveled by the time she reaches adulthood 🙂 Glad to hear you’ll be heading to South Dakota’s Black Hills, it’s a great place to visit and yes, September is the perfect time to go. If you can hang on until mid-September or even better towards the end of the month, you’ll have a better chance of seeing the hills light up with aspen, birch and box elder trees golden yellow and orange leaves mixed in with evergreens. We were there in the first week or two of October and it really was stunning with the colors. Even if you go earlier in September, it’ll still be quieter after the peak months of July and August. We hope you have a fantastic trip!
We’ve been here all week and have had a blast!! Who knew the Black Hills were so gorgeous and that there were so many great things to do here!! Thanks for a great guide!! We’ve driven all the beautiful highways and hiked the great trails. We’ve recommended your guide to a few friends already. Thanks again.
Hi Karen, we’re so happy to hear you have enjoyed your time in the Black Hills! It is such a great area to explore and we can’t wait to go back again ourselves for another trip. Hope you were treated to those stunning golden leaves this time of year. Thanks for letting us know you found our guide helpful and happy travels!
This was so helpful! This will be our first trip
To S. Dakota and had no idea there were so many great things to do near mt. Rushmore.
Thank you!!!
Thank you, Mary – we hope you have a wonderful trip to South Dakota!
I was going to see Mount Rushmore and I never made it I left Deed wood stop by a small stream and I found the best trout fishing I ever I got Rainbow brown and Brook trout and all in Short time I was in fly fishing heaven and I didn’t make it to see Mount Rushmore I don’t regret what I did I only regret is I never got to go back
Cal this made us laugh … Next time you head out to South Dakota, avoid all streams so you don’t miss Mount Rushmore!
Great article & answered most questions I had @ this area 👍
Thanks Betsy, let us know if you have any other questions we didn’t cover, we’re happy to help.
This site was so helpful. I love the way you laid it out. Perfect.
Thank you, Kaitie. Glad you found it helpful and have a great trip to South Dakota!