We are driving north through Kansas City, Omaha, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, and then west to Rapid City/Keystone area. We have a list of must see's from friends, but want to ask any locals for ideas that may not be so common. Gun shops, eateries, any other ideas? Any input is much appreciated. We are SO looking forward to this trip.
Road trip to Mt. Rushmore
- Thread starter robrossk
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Be sure you have lodging reservations. Last time I was there with wife
and daughter we didn't have reservations, and spent half the night trying
to find a place. We finally did, but it was the most expensive in town.
and daughter we didn't have reservations, and spent half the night trying
to find a place. We finally did, but it was the most expensive in town.
After Labor Day so not as many tourists, though they are still around. Crazy drivers still here, so be aware and careful! Very dry here, and fire danger varies from high to extreme. Had up to 10" of snow, depending on exact location, the other day, but melted in 24 hours! Over the next week or so highs in the 80's and lows in low 50's at night. Rushmore is free, but parking is $10. Great time to visit, just be careful with flammables, and watch out for the other guy!!!
Check!, but I believe Jewell Cave and Wind Cave, actual cave and visitor centers are closed due to Covid 19. Outside parks in both locations are open as is Custer State Park. Crazy Horse is open. Badlands roads are open but inside buildings are closed. Deadwood is open, but some restrictions are possible on some indoor areas. Purple Pie Place in Custer typically closes at the end of September, Alpine Grill in Hill City is open.
Check!, but I believe Jewell Cave and Wind Cave, actual cave and visitor centers are closed due to Covid 19. Outside parks in both locations are open as is Custer State Park. Crazy Horse is open. Badlands roads are open but inside buildings are closed. Deadwood is open, but some restrictions are possible on some indoor areas. Purple Pie Place in Custer typically closes at the end of September, Alpine Grill in Hill City is open.
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Deadwood is nice . . .
if stopping in Omaha, the Henry Doorly Zoo is one of the countries best.. but requires a reservation because of the "plague".. Purple Pie Place in Custer was a great treat last time thru there... and the WWI Museum in KC is worth it..
almost forgot Sylvan Lake early morning is special
almost forgot Sylvan Lake early morning is special
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So many great places to see. We discovered Custer State Park in July - it's a 'do not miss' in our opinion.
The WWI museum in KC is very impressive. Also, wonderful bar-b-que in KC. The falls in Sioux Falls are nice. The South Dakota Battleship memorial is also there.
The Norseman
Member
Rapid Trip
The Black Hills here is just crammed packed full of things to do.
As usual I would grab one of the Tourist Maps.
Don't know how long your staying, or what, but....Gasoline is
approx. $2.09. I think there is reasonable rates for Motels now
that Sturgis is over.
Shopping? Bring a Mask. A brand new Fleet Farm by the Interstate
just opened, bad deal here of course. We have all the usual
places, but Down Town is the neatest.
For eating...we have all the usual places, and Down Town,
and Mount Rushmore Road too has nice places. One bad thing
is recently Govt put in Parking Meters, but there are side streets
that don't have them.
Four nice Golf Courses if you like to do that. We have an Indoor
Gun Range with Machine Guns, by the Interstate, coming into
Rapid City, Marker 61.
If your into fly fishing/fishing, we have Rapid Creek running
through Rapid City, here.
One interesting Plan for a Day is, Keystone has an actual 1880
Steam Engine Train that takes you through Magnifcant Forest
to Hill City Train Depot and returns to Keystone. You'll have to
check for dates and times.
Just so much to do.
The Black Hills here is just crammed packed full of things to do.
As usual I would grab one of the Tourist Maps.
Don't know how long your staying, or what, but....Gasoline is
approx. $2.09. I think there is reasonable rates for Motels now
that Sturgis is over.
Shopping? Bring a Mask. A brand new Fleet Farm by the Interstate
just opened, bad deal here of course. We have all the usual
places, but Down Town is the neatest.
For eating...we have all the usual places, and Down Town,
and Mount Rushmore Road too has nice places. One bad thing
is recently Govt put in Parking Meters, but there are side streets
that don't have them.
Four nice Golf Courses if you like to do that. We have an Indoor
Gun Range with Machine Guns, by the Interstate, coming into
Rapid City, Marker 61.
If your into fly fishing/fishing, we have Rapid Creek running
through Rapid City, here.
One interesting Plan for a Day is, Keystone has an actual 1880
Steam Engine Train that takes you through Magnifcant Forest
to Hill City Train Depot and returns to Keystone. You'll have to
check for dates and times.
Just so much to do.
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Johnrh
Member
When we were out there a few years ago we went to the Crazy Horse place. Unless you want to take an extra expense ride up to the sculpture I would look at it from the road before paying to go in. We thought it was a waste of money and time. It's purely a commercial place and the rate their going it could be a 100 years before it's done. Just my opinion.
South Dakota Air and Space Museum is really nice. Deadwood for sure if you're a history buff. We had a great time in the Rapid City area.
South Dakota Air and Space Museum is really nice. Deadwood for sure if you're a history buff. We had a great time in the Rapid City area.
Dingotech
Member
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That place was FUN! I fired their M34 Styer and my friend fired the Browning M1919 (I think it was sixty rounds). I also bought a used LMT AR-10 while there.
AS far as things to see, Devil's Tower was k00l. And some of the drives we took were beautiful. I'm fixin' to get back this fall on the bike.
Have fun!
BearBio
Member
Drives are nice; Mt Rushmore not so much. Better pictures from the highway viewpoints!
Baggy Wrinkle
Member
The mammoth dig is in Hotsprings - very interesting. Wind Cave NP and Custer SP have good size bison herds. Wind Cave also has good size prairie dog towns. Badlands NP is an interesting drive through. Don't waste your time in Wall. The Spearfish Canyon is a cool drive indeed - stop for a meal or coffee at Cheyenne Crossing. In Deadwood it is worth going to the rebuilt Saloon No. 10 where Bill Hickcock was shot. Wander up the hill to see his gravesite.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
The Minuteman missle museum, Corn Palace, and Wall Drug Store.
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Agreed that Rushmore is a bunch of nuthin'. Custer Park Wildlife Loop is the best scenic drive in the hills. Spearfish Canyon is a wonderful ride, in both direction. Best Indian Taco is at the Cheyenne Crossing store, at the top of Spearfish canyon.
Approach the Hills from the Badlands, via rez rte. 2 across Cuny Table. This allows for a cold beverage in Buffalo Gap, a welcome oasis of shade after Cuny Table. If the Cuny Table Cafe is open, stop there for an indian taco as well. I don't know if the place survived after Nellie Cuny's passing several years ago. After Buffalo Gap, go through the gap on 7-11 road and drive up the back side of Wind Cave Park on Red Valley Road. Where the road forks, bear right to come out on the Custer loop.
Another good drive is Cement Ridge and Salt Creek Canyon, "The Grand Canyon of the Black Hills". Unpaved, but pretty good road.
Moonshine Gulch Saloon in Richford is a good place for a beer and a burger.
Sugar Shack on US385 has excellent burgers if you are in the neighborhood of Lake Pactola.
There is no end of stuff do do in the area. I am usuall there for motorcycling, but it is also an excellent place for a family vacation.
Approach the Hills from the Badlands, via rez rte. 2 across Cuny Table. This allows for a cold beverage in Buffalo Gap, a welcome oasis of shade after Cuny Table. If the Cuny Table Cafe is open, stop there for an indian taco as well. I don't know if the place survived after Nellie Cuny's passing several years ago. After Buffalo Gap, go through the gap on 7-11 road and drive up the back side of Wind Cave Park on Red Valley Road. Where the road forks, bear right to come out on the Custer loop.
Another good drive is Cement Ridge and Salt Creek Canyon, "The Grand Canyon of the Black Hills". Unpaved, but pretty good road.
Moonshine Gulch Saloon in Richford is a good place for a beer and a burger.
Sugar Shack on US385 has excellent burgers if you are in the neighborhood of Lake Pactola.
There is no end of stuff do do in the area. I am usuall there for motorcycling, but it is also an excellent place for a family vacation.
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I concur with Johnrh, might as well checkout Crazy Horse, we parked off the road near the entry gate and was able to see Crazy Horse just fine, not gonna spend $30 per car or $12 per person. Used that money at Philly Ted's for lunch, not bad cheesesteaks.
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