If you’ve ever wanted to walk through caves, the safe and controlled environment inside Wind Cave National Park is the place to try it out for the first time with the whole family. Some are more challenging to navigate than others.īack on the surface, rolling prairies are home to wildlife, hikes and viewpoints all within Wind Cave boundaries.

There are several different cave routes for tourists to explore with a guide each day. Wind Cave National Park features one of the longest and most complex cave systems on the planet, showcasing unique formations known as boxwork. Wind Cave National Park Staircase leading down into Wind Cave What Is Wind Cave National Park? 5 Amazing Things to do in Custer State Parkģ.We highly recommend driving the twisting and super scenic Iron Mountain Road (US-16A) from Keystone to Custer visitor center. Drive time 45m via US-16A (scenic and epic road!)Ĭuster wildlife loop is one of the most unmissable things to do near Mount Rushmore and in the Black Hills of South Dakota.20 miles from Mt Rushmore to Custer State Park visitor center.How Far Is Custer Wildlife Loop From Mount Rushmore? Begins at Custer visitor center with educational exhibits.Option to see everything from the car with no hiking required.One of the best places in the US to see bison.Just don’t forget your binoculars! Burro casually walking along Custer Wildlife Loop What Makes Custer Wildlife Loop Great? You can park up in several spots to climb small mounds for higher elevation vantage points. Wildlife to look out for includes bison (a lot!), burros, deer, elk, prairie dogs, pronghorn and eagles. Why Visit Custer Wildlife Loop?ĭriving slowly along Custer State Park’s 18 mile wildlife loop is perfect for the kids, with plenty of animals to spot roaming throughout natural environments.

The Custer State Park wildlife loop is a wonderful and family friendly 18 mile one-way wildlife drive at the heart of what makes this such a popular park. Custer Wildlife Loop Bison on the side of Custer Wildlife Loop Rd What Is Custer Wildlife Loop?Ĭuster State Park covers a huge portion of land in South Dakota’s Black Hills and it contains several of the places on this list of best things to do near Mount Rushmore within its boundaries. 83 miles from Mt Rushmore to Badlands Loop Roadĭespite being a 3 hour round trip, Badlands National Park is one of the better things to do near Mount Rushmore and we highly recommend you include the park on your Black Hills SD itinerary if time allows.Ģ.How Far Is Badlands National Park From Mount Rushmore? Door Trail is an easy walk with excellent Badlands Wall views.Hike Notch Trail for a bit of adventure.Drive the scenic loop stopping at every overlook.Mark hiking behind the Badlands Wall Best Things To Do At Badlands National Park? Overall, we think Badlands is one of the best national parks in the USA and it is a quick side trip on your visit to Mt Rushmore. You will see bighorn sheep, bison and prairie dogs. One of the best things about Badlands is that it is a very easy national park to visit in just a few hours. Whereas hikers can take on 7 popular trails, both behind the Badlands Wall and on top of it. Photographers will enjoy sunrises, sunsets and stargazing in Badlands National Park. Smooth and jagged buttes and spires, colorful geological layer lines and a wide open flat expanse sit isolated in the Badlands of rural South Dakota, not far from Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.īadlands is always quiet, which means hiking trails are never overcrowded. Badlands – Best National Park Near Mount Rushmore Kristen enjoying the solitude in Badlands National Park What Is Badlands National Park?īadlands National Park is harsh and hostile, but it is also an extraordinary and unique landscape. Let’s get started with Badlands National Park! 1. We have only included the very best things to do around Mount Rushmore, with everything you need to know about each stop. This is exactly what you will find in this guide. However, if this is your first time visiting the area, you will only want to know the top attractions near Mount Rushmore, especially if you are limited on time. There are dozens of fun things to do in the Black Hills of South Dakota. And we will definitely return again in the future. Like we mentioned in the beginning of this guide, we have personally explored this area twice as part of amazing US road trips through the region. We can all but guarantee you will be impressed. The Black Hills in South Dakota is a beautiful region to drive through. Things to do near Mount Rushmore infographic by Where Are Those Morgans 10 Unmissable Things To Do Near Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

Black elk peak trail