We didnt hit Bedrock City in SD we visited the other on e in AZ instead. Here is a view looking back at the mountains. The total straight line flight distance from Mount Rushmore to Rapid City, SD is 18 miles. theyve got a decent little wine list too. Now let's assume you have a private jet and you can fly in the No hurry, please, were 70! But what if I told you that you had several options and each of these included a different but very scenic drive. If you are planning a road trip, you might also want to calculate the total driving time from RAP to Mount Rushmore so you can see when you'll . The Native Americans were later defeated at the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890. The fastest is driving on I-90 W via Rapid City, Sturgis, and Spearfish. Road Trip Planner for the Grand Canyon South Rim. So much to do, and a great destination for families on a budget. Then take US-72 south to State Highway 308 to Red Lodge. That's what Trippy is perfect for, I have a terminal illness, so we bought a new van so I can lay down and rest when I need to on our trip. Mt Rushmore to Rapid City is about 24 miles. The good news is that there are lots of lovely sites to visit in the Black Hills area of South Dakota. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate Beartooth Highway is typically closed from the second week of October through Memorial Day. However, you can take the taxi to Rapid City, SD, take the bus to Sheridan, WY, then take the drive to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search"; La Quinta is always a great standby hotel in any city. Free shipping for many products! But dont forget to do it. Rapid City South Dakota to Mount Rushmore? From Devils Tower, it takes 3 hours to drive to Dayton (185 miles). We write a blog too called, Adventures in Travel. Keystone to Rapid City? After all the natural beauty we experienced that day there was only one thing left to do. Closest Airport to Mount Rushmore: The closest airport to Mount Rushmore is Rapid City Regional Airport which services most major US airlines daily. Gutzon Borglum created the sculptures design and oversaw the entire project. From Dayton, take US-14 west into the Bighorn Mountains. CHECK! (Both The President's View Resort and The Royal Express are adjacent to the Boardwalk!). Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Thanks so much for your import on South Dakota, I am planning to do this, this summer for our 50th wedding anniversary. shortest distance is actually the "great circle" distance, or Or drive Route#1, 2 or Medicine Wheel Byway all the way to Cody, then deviate north to Red Lodge, the Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone. One Week in South Dakota: Black Hills & the Badlands. You can take a bus from Jackson to Mount Rushmore via Albertsons, Jackson, WY, Idaho Falls, ID, Butte, MT, Billings, MT, and Rapid City, SD in around 20h 4m. 1. Required fields are marked *. Temperatures are mild and crowds are relatively low. Youll find a great collection of classic road trip attractions, and tons of neatsouvenirs. Visitors coming from the south should follow U. S. Highway 385 north to South Dakota Highway 244, which is the road leading to the memorial. Its also worth noting that Badlands National Park IS pet friendly. Cheers, Julie. Best Things to Do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. After spending a bunch of time driving all around the area, you definitelyneed to spend at least a day relaxing in and around Rapid City proper. Totally worth doing, and look at all the things in your roadtrip planner I missed! This is equivalent to 29 kilometers or 16 nautical miles. Ranger talks are held daily in the summer months. For a stay in Murdo the only worry you'll have is which fantastic motel to choose. Sculpture Illumination Hours: The closest view visitors can get of the memorial can be found on the Presidential Trail. It will be larger than Mount Rushmore and has the support of the Lakota chiefs. It ends in Rapid City, South Dakota. The total driving distance from RAP to Mount Rushmore is 32 miles or 51 kilometers. These range from 15 to 30 minutes and cover topics such as the history and construction of Mount Rushmore. Because of the curvature of the Earth, the There are a few restaurants and general stores located at the entrance to Devils Tower National Memorial where you can get lunch and refill your gas tank. Youll pay the park entrance fee for Custer State Park, but its totally worth it. Each overnight option here comes with great views of the surrounding Black Hills. 660 Disk Drive The drive from Cody to the east entrance of Yellowstone is also a very scenic drive on the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway. Next, drive for another 16 minutes then stop at The Hotel Alex Johnson, an Ascend Collection hotel and stay for 1 hour. The road is wide and in great condition. To start this road trip, head West on I-90 out of Rapid City, SD. The attractions in and around Custer State Park are perhaps the biggest draw to the whole Rapid City area. For the full list, read our post 15 Things to do in South Dakota near Rapid City. to calculate the distance between cities. Distance: 441 miles Driving Time (without stops): 7.5 hours. Rushmore Tours), Keystone Historical School & Museum, the National Presidential Wax Museum, President's Alpine Slide (a scenic chairlift ride), Big Thunder Gold Mine and an 1880's Train. Alternatively, you can also stay at Lake Yellowstone (1 hour beyond Cody) or Old Faithful Village or Canyon Village (2 hours beyond Cody), inside of Yellowstone National Park. I would highly recommend this trip, if you havent been to this part of South Dakota. This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. Largest WaterPark in South Dakota included in your stay?!?!?! Mount Rushmore was already named before the carving began. They represent the 50 states, the District of Columbia, three territories (Guam, the American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands), and two commonwealths (Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands) in the United States. Check! The morning is the best time to visit Mount Rushmore with low crowds. Note: This post contains affiliate links. 23845 US-385 Did you see the Bedrock City just outside the park? I haven t found ANY info on if its possible to get anywhere near Mt. Along both of these routes, there are short hiking trails and many scenic overlooks to visit along the way. so go ahead and check the reverse directions to get the Rapid City is the largest city in South Dakota, and an excellent choice for a place to stay for a tour through the area. This is perfect for us.We will be coming from Kansas City so we might do the route in reverse. Thirsty yet? Firehouse Brewing For Another Unique View, Drive Iron Mountain Road. There are a lot of twists and turns on this part of the drive, as the road snakes up into the Bighorn Mountains. Once youve checked out all the presidents, you can then head West on Hwy 244 until you hit HWY 16 again. Late September through early October is a fabulous time not only to visit Mount Rushmore but the Black Hills of South Dakota. It gets very hot and arid there. Quite different views than Wisconsin where we live. The Best Western is Pet-Friendly with a deposit, and offers some large and pretty comfortable rooms. We have an itinerary that includes all three places you mention. But there is a chance that another reader might be able to, if they read these comments. include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait Road Trip Planner - The Route This Road Trip Planner assumes that you will already be in the Rapid City, SD area and begins from there. What does wine making have to do with beer you ask? amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Both the Bighorn Mountains and Beartooth Highway can get their first significant snowfalls in early October. so go ahead and check the reverse directions to get the But in general, it takes 2 to 2.5 hours to get to Devils Tower. From there, drive less than an hour to reach the towering presidential heads of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, the underground wonderlands of Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park and the awe-inspiring geology of Badlands National Park. The last time we were in the area we were on very limited time so we put together a pretty intense Rapid City, SD Road Trip Planner that took us through Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and the Badlands all in one long but incredible day. With very large and comfortable rooms with kitchenettes, a hot breakfast, indoor pool and hot-tub, and a small pet fee, its a solid spot for a longer stay or a family looking for a large room at a very reasonable price. The Ale House is more pub than restaurant but theyve got you covered for some munchies if the words Hand Crafted Pizza get your taste buds going. your total travel time for this trip. As a matter of fact, we enjoyed it so much weve puttogether a Ramblin Guide to Rapid City, South Dakota so you too can explore everything from regal Mount Rushmore to the breathtaking Badlands and all the great stuff in between. It was an awesome experience. fastest possible straight line between Mount Rushmore and My husband and I are heading out there next week. Vote. You cant miss the big Wyoming Welcome Center, and then just follow the signs toward Aladdin, WY and then around on Hwy 24 to Devils Tower. When is the Best Time of Day to Visit Mount Rushmore? Learn about the scenic drives in Wyoming between Rapid City and Yellowstone. Dont worry, they also rock another 100+ beers in bottles. When is the Best Time of Day to Visit Mount Rushmore? Click the button below to explore Mt Rushmore in detail. Quite frankly that all depends on which you prefer. However, funding ran out in 1941 so only the heads were carved from the rock. Following the planner we had to head back towards Rapid City and then take the road through the Buffalo Gap Grasslands. If you happen to know Mt Rushmore, don't forget to help other No public transportation options are available. 7. With memories of conflict still fresh in the minds of Native Americans, Gutzon Borglum arrives to the area in 1927 with the intention to carve the likenesses of four presidents into the sacred Black Hills. For a complete list, check out our guide to the best things to do in South Dakota. How far is Rapid City to Mount Rushmore? it may be busy as it may be spring break for your area, but no where near as busy as the summer. Here are more articles to help you plan your trip to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Ranger guided tours are offered daily. With stops, it can take 10 hours or longer. On the following day, drive Beartooth Highway in the morning and spend the afternoon in Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park. There is no entrance fee to enter Mount Rushmore. what there is to do and how to plan your time. Rapid City and the Black Hills make a great home base for exploring southwestern South Dakota. Adams House, The Broken Boot Gold Mine, Days of '76 Museum, Ghosts of Deadwood Wax Museum, the daily shoot-out on Main Street and Trial of Jack McCall are some of Deadwood's must-see attractions and activities. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. to calculate the distance between cities. Once youve entered the Badlands from Exit 131, just follow the scenic loop (Highway 240) and soak it all in. In general, spring and fall are the best times to visit Mount Rushmore. How far is Mount Rushmore from Rapid City? What do suggest we do and roads to take. 1416 North Elk Vale Road The four presidents carved onto Mount Rushmore are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, from left to right. Pay stations accept most major credit cards or cash for parking fees. Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/1th of the time it would take to drive. Insert your parking ticket into the machine, pay your $10 fee (cash and credit cards are accepted), and your validated parking ticket will be given back to you. Rapid City Regional Airport is located 35 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial on South Dakota Highway 44. Your trip begins in Rapid City, South Dakota. How Much Time Do You Need at Mount Rushmore? 9. If you want to read more about the controversy behind Mount Rushmore, this is a good article on PBS and The Smithsonian has an interesting article about Gutzon Borglum. We are planning a trip to Mt. Thanks, this is so helpful. Wish I didn/t work so I could go to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Glacier National. Bobbette Webb, Im not sure to be honest. If you want to enter Yellowstone National Park on one of the most scenic drives in the USA, Beartooth Highway, this is a route to consider. You have inspired me to create a trip blog. Intellectually I know its all fine, but my body reacts differently! Thanks for the tip! Have a great time Rusty! Its been 15 years since I did a portion of that trip. Just got back from this exact trip. Rapid City, SD 57701, La Quinta Inn & Suites For more information about how to visit Devils Tower, check out our Guide to Devils Tower. Driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Mount Rushmore The total driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Mount Rushmore is 24 miles or 39 kilometers. 1. But its worth it since it is such an iconic sight in the USA. Continue on I-90 East and youll see a couple of different exits for the Minuteman Missile sites (Exit 116 & 127 & 131). Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Rapid City. We visited Grand Canyon National Park during spring break and there were signs there warning that squirrels carried the plague who knew?!? Learn more here. Thanks for the pictures and information! The drive on this route from Devils Tower to Red Lodge is 360 miles long and takes 6 hours without stops. I couldnt find any mention of how many days does it take to make this RT? This will take you through the Badlands National Park and an amazingly beautiful drive that will last about 30 miles. With characters like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane among its former residents, it's no wonder that the entire town of Deadwood is a National Landmark. Day 4: Buffalo, Wyoming . is there any reasonable guided bus tours. The peak was named after Charles E. Rushmore, a New York attorney who visited the area in 1885. SOUTH DAKOTA: In South Dakota, visit Custer State Park, spend some time at Mount Rushmore, visit Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks. Pets are only allowed in the pet exercise areas located at both ends of the upper level parking garage and at the entrance to the main visitor area and must always remain on a leash. Distance from Rapid City to Mount Rushmore? We then continued on our scenic drive through the Black Hills. To hit the Badlands next, take 79N to 44E about 32 miles and into the scenic route running through the southern portion of the Badlands. From Ten Sleep, it takes just under two hours to drive to Cody (100 miles). Learn more here. hike to Cathedral Spires and Black Elk Peak. Mt Rushmore to Rapid City is about 25 miles. This is the main thoroughfare to the Grand View Terrace. Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/1th of the time it would take to drive. We are planning to go to Mt Rushmore in September. Sanfords Grub & Pub Julie Last updated: January 22, 2023 United States 5 Comments. Thx. Due to movies or jokes taken too seriously, we get a lot of interesting questions about Mount Rushmore. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. 523 6th Street If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. 3113 Fran Way , Rapid City, SD 57703 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $489,900. I visited all these places as a child, on a marathon family road trip with my family. These four presidents were chosen because they represent the nations birth, growth, development, and preservation. Im going to skip Mt Rushmore and visit Crazy Horse then quickly get to those gorgeous bandlands. My favorite feature of the park though, is definitely all the colors and textures that can be seen through the layers of sand, rock, and dirt. Or at least, work in some of these attractions in between all your scenic cruising. 1333 North Elk Vale Road, Rapid City, SD, 57703, US. Here are the top five you should know about. Just came back from South Dakota. As we continued driving through the Custer Park wildlife loop, we were surprised to find some other critters. Here's the quick answer if you make this quick drive without any stops. It took 14 years and 400 workers to create Mount Rushmore, but the details of how this project was approved and got its funding is a whole different story. Originally, the plan was to portray the presidents from the waist up. Or are they basically the same in terms of scenery? To see all the details on this itinerary, including Lodging in the area is a bit more modern than it was in the 1800's and includes Days Inn, Best Western Plains Motel, Econo Lodge and several bed and breakfasts. Personally I normally favor backroads, but youll make the trip faster on the interstate. MLS # 75551 Keystone, Located below the Grand View Terrace, visitors will find exhibits and a 14-minute film providing details on the carving within. Mount Rushmore Black Hills Scenic Tour 2023 - Rapid City Book online or call: (888) 651-9785 Home Things to do in USA Things to do in South Dakota South Dakota Tours Black Hills Are you interested in? Theres also the must see Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, must eat steak tips at the Loud American Roadhouse, and brews at The Knuckle Brewing Company. Along the way, you can learn more about the four presidents on the informational signs. Being from Florida, any time I get to road trip through the mountains and their tunnels its pretty cool since they are so exotic to me. The official visitors center is on Exit 131 and they provide tickets and tour info for the other sites. include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait I would love to see it from someone elses perspective. Park in the small parking area to see the side-view of George Washingtons face. If you are doing well on time, you can continue straight to drive US-14A to Medicine Wheel, an ancient stone circle that is sacred to Native Americans. These range from $6 to $8. This is a longer route and there is a lot to see and do on Beartooth Highway, so this driving route takes two days. Founded in 1876, Rapid City is one of the most popular stops when visiting Mount Rushmore. Make sure you take some time to stop in Wall, SD before getting on the Interstate. Conveniently Exit 131 is also where youll find the entrance to the Badlands. Great photos I have always thought that it would be cool to see Mt. After a short drive we found exactly what we were looking for! Once you've checked out all the presidents, you can then head West on Hwy 244 until you hit HWY 16 again. Map of Mount Rushmore from the national park service website. Roushmore to Yellowstone the second week in September. Consider visiting before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. Use the links below to plan your visit to Mount Rushmore and the surrounding . 15 Things to do in South Dakota near Rapid City. At Burgess Junction, turn left to continue on Bighorn Scenic Byway. The Bighorn National Forest is one of the oldest protected forests in the USA. There is a 14-minute film that explains how Mount Rushmore was created.