By Jeremy Puglisi
South Dakota’s main attractions are sometimes overshadowed by points further west, like Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Glacier National Park in Montana. Many RV owners spend a day at Mount Rushmore and then jump back on the highway toward locations that they feel are more deserving of their time. Simply put, this is a crying shame.
South Dakota may not have any one location that can top Yellowstone or Glacier for grandeur, but taken collectively, attractions like Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the entire Black Hills region can be stacked up and compared favorably to any state in the West. Wise travelers plan South Dakota as its own trip, or build in at least a week to take in the state’s wild and kitschy wonders.
12620 Highway 244, Hill City, SD, US
Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch
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Hill City, SD, United States
Is there anything more iconic than a family trip to Mount Rushmore? Probably not, but many people do find the experience to be overrated, overwhelming, and too commercial. We couldn’t disagree more. If you visit during a quieter time of the year and avoid spending too much time in the gift shops, we think your visit will be exciting, educational, and inspiring. Especially if you attend a few ranger-led walks and attend the magnificent “Evening Lighting Ceremony.” If you do a little homework, you might also be able to find a perfect spot to get a picture of your RV with the iconic sculpture looming right behind you. There will be no need to buy a cheesy postcard in the gift shop if you do.
This is the legendary drive that you've probably seen repeatedly on social media. There are many beautiful lookouts along the drive, so take your time and enjoy the ride and get some good pictures of your own. The famous Needles Eye Tunnel is only 8 feet wide and 11 feet tall, so we don’t recommend taking an RV through there—but you can fit through in a larger pickup truck. Just measure it before you go.
Eventually Needles Highway will drop you at Sylvan Lake, which is picture-book pretty and the perfect place to enjoy a hike or a chilly and rejuvenating swim in Custer State Park.
Many people argue over which is more spectacular, Mount Rushmore or the Crazy Horse memorial. But that misses a much larger point. They should not be compared. But they should be considered as two pieces of a much larger story. The monument itself may be incomplete, but a visit to the memorial is incredibly fulfilling. Here you will learn about the cultures and traditions of more than 300 Native nations through their food, music, artwork, and living history. Plan on staying for several hours and taking in a few programs and live performances with this astonishing sculpture as the backdrop.
Keystone, SD, United States
Banner Photo Credit: Flickr/Char
