
Come for Mount Rushmore, stay for the Black Hills! The Black Hills are mountains in a sea of plains. It is the perfect family destination. Everyone needs to see Mount Rushmore at least once in their life. Then head out into the Hills for wildlife, scenic drives, old west towns, and more national parks! There are six national park sites in this area, making the Black Hills a 3-5 day vacation destination. Many stop here for a few days on their way to Yellowstone National Park.

Places
- Mount Rushmore. An iconic American landmark in the Black Hills.
- Crazy Horse. A massive granite carving of a Native American warrior on private land in the Black Hills. Construction is ongoing.
- Custer State Park. A wildlife haven with scenic drives and hiking trails.
- Sylvan Lake. The crown jewel of Custer State Park.
- Deadwood. A historic Wild West town brought about by the gold rush but is still booming.
- Wind Cave National Park. Maze-like cave with rare boxwork formations.
- Badlands National Park. Eroded canyons with layered rock formations containing rich fossil beds.
- Devils Tower National Monument. A majestic monolith considered sacred by indigenous people. Also a popular rock-climbing destination.
- Wall. Famous for Wall Drug, Badlands National Park, and Western charm.
- Rapid City. A gateway to the Black Hills with vibrant arts and a rich history.
- Hill City. Known as “The Heart of the Black Hills” offering a unique dining and shopping experience.
- Keystone. Home to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, but also many more things to do like tour a gold mine or ride the Alpine Slide.
- Sturgis. A biker haven hosting an annual rally with music, bars, and the Black Hills.
- Spearfish Canyon. Lush canyon with waterfalls, hiking, and scenic drives.
- Hot Springs. Bathe in the natural mineral springs or visit the Mammoth Site with the largest concentration of Columbian mammoths in the world.
- Jewel Cave National Monument. Considered the third longest cave in the world containing jewel-like calcite formations.

Planning Mount Rushmore & the Black Hills? Copy Our 7‑Day Road Trip
Get our done‑for‑you, 4-7‑day route with exact drives, maps, and must‑see stops so you don’t waste time in traffic or miss the best views.
*Day‑by‑day plan for the best sites, drives, wildlife, and hikes
*Deadwood, Badlands, Wind and Jewel Caves, and more
*Includes audio stories to listen to as you drive
*Best Friend Guarantee: Love it or get your money back
Plan Your Trip
Start Here
- 40 ABSOLUTE Best Things To Do in the Black Hills
- The Quick Guide to Visiting Custer State Park
- How Many Days Should I Visit the Black Hills? 3, 4, & 5 Day Itinerary + Maps
Where to Stay and Eat
- Where to Stay When Visiting Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills
- Does Mount Rushmore Have a Campground? (Best Campgrounds when Visiting)
- The Best Places to Eat in Each City of the Black Hills
- Where to Eat IN and AROUND Mount Rushmore
- A Gem in Hill City, South Dakota; Alpine Inn

Best Sites
- 9 ABSOLUTE BEST Things to Do in Badlands National Park (+ Quick Guide)
- The Complete Guide to Visiting Deadwood, South Dakota
- The Complete Guide to Visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota
- Wind Cave VS Jewel Cave: Everything You Need to Know
- 12 Great Things to Do at Sylvan Lake, South Dakota
- Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Beautiful Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota
- The 1880 Train in South Dakota: Should You Ride It? (Honest Review)
- What to See While Driving the Needles Highway in South Dakota
- 11 QUIRKY Things To Do At Wall Drug, South Dakota
Best Hikes
- How to Do the Confusing Black Elk Peak Hike in Custer, South Dakota
- How to Do the Amazing Devil’s Bathtub Swimming Hole in South Dakota
- How to See Gorgeous Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota

Nearby
- 13 Awesome Things to Do in Hill City, South Dakota
- 15 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Keystone, South Dakota
- 15 Unforgettable Things to Do in Rapid City, South Dakota
More About Mount Rushmore
- How Much Time Do You Need at Mount Rushmore?
- When is the Best Time to Visit Mount Rushmore?
- 14 Great Things To Do When Visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony: My Personal Experience and Helpful Tips
- Can You Do Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore in a Day?

Black Hills Quick Start Trip Planner
Step‑by‑step emails and a printable quick‑start planner so you know exactly when to go, where to stay, and what to do (besides Mt. Rushmore)
You’ll learn:
*Best time to visit and how many days you actually need
*Exactly where to stay in the Black Hills, plus a Quick Start Planner PDF you can print or save on your phone
*Best local places to eat so you don’t waste meals on mediocre spots
*Road trip route ideas (with an audio sample) so you’re not guessing what to see next
*What to do beyond Mt. Rushmore so your whole trip is memorable, not just one stop
Prefer to Watch?
Watch More
- Mount Rushmore & Black Hills Trip Planner (57 min)
- How to Visit the Black Hills (There’s Way More Here Than You Think!) (11 min)
- The Best of Mount Rushmore & the Black Hills – 21 Things To Do (52 min)
- The Best of Theodore Roosevelt National Park: 17 Things to Do (18 min)
- The 7 WEIRDEST Attractions in the Black Hills! (12 min)
- 8 Cool Places to Learn the History of the West (13 min)
- 5 Great Places Everyone Should Visit (47 min)
- 6 Great Mountain Towns to Visit in the Rockies (14 min)
- 10 Best Things to See Between Mt Rushmore & Yellowstone (11 min)
- 10 Best Things To Do in Badlands National Park! (13 min)
- 10 Best Things To Do in Deadwood, South Dakota! (15 min)
- Watch Before Visiting Mt Rushmore & the Black Hills in 2026! [What’s New, Lodging, Food, Tips] (30 min)
- Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Black Hills & Mount Rushmore! (14 min)
- Discovering Historic Trails Across Wyoming: Lincoln Highway & Oregon Trail (21 min)
- One PERFECT Day Exploring Mount Rushmore & Sylvan Lake (Secret Hike, History & Food!) (17 min)
- 15 Best Things To Do in the Black Hills! [South Dakota] (22 min)
- 10 Best Things to Do at Mount Rushmore! (14 min)
- Epic 11-Day Road Trip to Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone! (83 min)
- South Dakota’s 1880 Train: A Historic Steam Ride Through the Black Hills (13 min)