What was once a bucket list experience for many American travelers, Mount Rushmore has fallen out of style with recent generations. And it makes sense...it’s kitschy, overrun with tourists, and to be honest, fairly underwhelming, even for $10. But, there’s so much that the Black Hills area of South Dakota has to offer outside of this area!
If you’re looking to fly to the Black Hills, Rapid City (RAP) is your base airport, with direct flights from most major airports across the country. Their routes expand in the summer season, and really ramp up in August when the major motorcycle rally, Sturgis, occurs. Delta, United, and American are the largest, most consistent airlines with routes in and out of RAP. Once there, you’ll definitely need a rental car to get out into the nature around you, or even just to explore Rapid City.
If you’re driving, you’re in for a solid haul from basically anywhere. Denver, CO is the closest major city at about a 6 hour drive. Coming over from Yellowstone will push 7-8 hours, or if coming from the other direction, Omaha is about the same distance.
If you’re looking to miss the major crowds, April-May and September-October are great times that also offer great weather. If you’re traveling during the summer, just know that until you get up into the mountains of the Black Hills, you’ll often find temperatures in the low 100s, and very dry. Things cool off really quickly the higher you go, so make sure to pack for both conditions!
The only absolute time to avoid going is during August. The Sturgis rally brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the country, and even for a couple weeks after the event ends, the area is packed. If at all avoidable, don’t visit in August.
The Badlands are one of the most unique and incredible terrains that I’ve ever seen. Drive along the Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), weaving in and out and up and down through these beautiful, towering rock formations. You’ll see plenty of chances to hop out along the way and walk along the well distinguished trails to get to the top of the spires. If you’ve got a car that can handle a dirt road (it’s well packed, just not paved), follow Sage Creek Road out of the south end of the park to find stop to get within feet of some prairie dogs, and get up close and personal (not too close, though) with the majestic American Bison. If you’re here in the summer months, make sure to bring plenty of water, as you’ll quickly find temperatures in the low 100s!
Much lesser known is Wind Cave National Park, about an hour drive from Rapid City. The last time we visited, as soon as we entered the park after a beautiful drive, our car was two feet from a bison. They still roam freely in the area, and as the only ones around, we just stopped and watched them going about their morning routine. The Cave itself is one of the largest known caves in the world, and is known for its honeycomb-like cave structures that are so cool to take in.
While Mt. Rushmore has always gotten the headlines, did you know there’s another massive statue carved into a mountain? While the memorial was never finished, the project began in 1948, and is inspiring to see. It’s the largest mountain carving in progress in the world, originally commissioned by Chief Brule Lakota Henry Standing Bear, a relative of Crazy Horse. For a truly unique experience, twice per year, the American Volksmarch Association organizes a hike to the top of the monument. Personally, having experienced both, I’d absolutely recommend this memorial as more worth your time than Mt. Rushmore. Personal preference, but to me, this was a far more memorable experience!
Rapid City may not come up first on your list of US cities to explore, but there’s really a lot to offer! It’s got a budding food and craft beer scene, headlined by celebrity chef Justin Warner’s newer restaurant, Bokujo Ramen and the classic diner Tally’s. Or, board the 1880 Train and take a couple hour guided tour through the Black Hills on a turn of the century steam engine! It may not be the biggest city you’ll ever explore, but Rapid City is absolutely worth the time on your trip.
Closer to where you’ll find yourself at Wind Cave is Custer State Park, an absolutely beautiful niche of the mountains. There are some really great campgrounds here, and it’s the perfect launch point for the rest of the region, or for hanging out and hiking! You will often find people paddleboarding on the lake just past the Visitor Center, or in the winter seasons, it’s a great area for snowshoeing!
