Badlands, Needles H'way, Crazy Horse Mem'l and Mt Rushmore

I am planning to visit Badlands National Park next year with my wife as part of our 10 year anniversary trip. We would also like to drive along the Needles Highway, visit the Crazy Horse Memorial and visit Mount Rushmore.

Our current plan is to arrive at Rapid City on the morning of Friday September 3rd and stay for three nights at the Park and then drive to Devils Tower on Monday 6th September. Our main questions are where to stay and what to do when.

I have found something we both like to the look of on the Cedar Park Lodge. Reviews sound good apart from a few bad experiences. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Next is the big one; would it be best to stick to the park for the two full days and then fit in the Needles Highway, to visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial and the visit to Mount Rushmore OR have one day concentrating on the park and the second day looking at a round trip to make those visits. I feel like the second idea might be the better option as I am not sure how busy those places will be if we are trying to visit all of them on Memorial Day. Throwing something else into the mix, should we cut it to 2 nights in Badlands and then visit these sites then try to stay somewhere near to Rapid City. That would make it easier to drive through Black Hills National Forest on the way to Devils Tower. This where I would really appreciate some help.

Thanks for reading this and I hope you can help, like I said; we’ll have been married 10 years and I really want to make this an amazing trip.

Badlands, Needles H'way, Crazy Horse Mem'l and Mt Rushmore

Hi,

Let%26#39;s see if we can help make this a very memorable trip for your anniversary. You will certainly be visiting an area that always make for a great vacation.

First of all, for your lodging, I think you are referring to Cedar Pass Lodge in Badlands National Park, right? I don%26#39;t have any direct knowledge of the property. Basing in the Badlands to see Crazy Horse, Custer SP,and Mt. Rushmore really isn%26#39;t a good idea, IMO. The Badlands is in a much more remote area, and it is great to see, but you don%26#39;t need to be in that area for 3 days. Most see the Badlands as a daytrip.

For the best Black Hills experience, you should be looking to base in Hill City, Keystone, or Custer. One poster on the forum stated that it doesn%26#39;t feel like you are really in the Hills if you stay in Rapid City. I couldn%26#39;t agree more. Although small in the grand scheme of things, Rapid City is still as %26#39;city.';

My next big question is where you are going after seeing Devil%26#39;s Tower. Are you flying back home out of Rapid City, or are you headed elsewhere? Knowing this would help us to assist you in planning.

Here%26#39;s a possibility: you could see the Badlands upon arriving in Rapid City. It will take you a little better than an hour to get out there. You could then possibly stay the night at Cedar Pass and then head back to one of the 3 cities I recommended as a base, or you could opt to not stay at the Badlands and head back to the central Black Hills. I am sure this would depend on how tired you feel on the first day and how early your arrival time is.

On day 2, you could head out to Custer State Park. Depending on how much you like to hike, you could spend a lot of time or a little time in Custer SP. At minimum, you should focus on taking the loop to include Needles Hwy, Sylvan Lake, the Wildlife Loop, and Iron Mountain Rd. If you stay in Hill City, you can head toward Sylvan Lake (great picnic spot), then over Needles, around to the Wildlife Loop, and then over Iron Mountain Road to hit Mt. Rushmore. Whatever you do, be sure to try and see Rushmore by day and night. The evening ceremony is very moving, as it honors our veterans.

If you can drive the wildlife loop at dusk or early evening, you will definitely see more animals.

On day 3, you could head out to Crazy Horse and possibly visit Jewel Cave if you have an interest in caves. This one is a beauty. It%26#39;s the 2nd longest cave in the world, and the ranger led tours are

terrfic.

I have stayed in Keystone, specifically Roosevelt Inn, which has quite a bit to offer. (rosyinn.com) I have also read great things about K Bar S Lodge, also in Keystone (no pool-so if that%26#39;s important to you, I%26#39;d look elsewhere). The Holiday Inn Express in Hill City is also supposed to be very nice and did look like a clean property from the outside. Hill City is a little quieter than Keystone and a bit less touristy. Hill City also has the fantastic Alpine Inn, which serves very inexpensive filet mignon dinners ($7-$9). They are closed on Sundays, and dinner time gets crowded, so arrive around 5 to avoid long waits. They also have excellent lunches, and desserts are to die for.

If you haven%26#39;t already done so, be sure to visit travelsd.com and request a travel guide. There%26#39;s a great map inside that will give you an idea where everything is. The nice thing about the Black Hills is the close proximity of the attractions. Most everything, except Devil%26#39;s Tower/Badlands, is within an hour or less drive.

I hope this helps some. Please feel free to come back with more questions, as I am sure more things will come up. Have fun planning, and Happy Anniversary in advance.

Badlands, Needles H'way, Crazy Horse Mem'l and Mt Rushmore

slr has very good advice and I apologize in advance if I duplicate any of that advice-wish you could see all the previous replies as you post!

I have stayed at Cedar Pass Lodge twice. It is very basic-beds and a bath-no phone, and I don%26#39;t think there is a tv. However, the cabins are clean, reasonably priced, and are in a beautiful setting. I would highly recommend them and think they would be a great place to stay as part of an anniversary trip.

I agree that if you are arriving in Rapid City in the morning, you should drive directly to the Badlands. Drive through, hike, etc. Exit the park and see Wall Drug. Go back into the park and drive through and dusk; stay at Cedar Pass; and get up early and drive through again early the next morning-the scenery and wildlife should be spectacular.

So, 24 hours in the Badlands is great, and more time than most people spend there (too bad for them!) After exiting the Badlands, head over towards the vicinity of Custer SP. From your post here, and on the Yellowstone forum, I would suggest staying two nights in this area-there is plenty to see and do. Stop at Devils Tower on your way to YNP but don%26#39;t spend 2 nights there-just stop by for a few hours and get yourself closer to YNP-you%26#39;ll be glad for the extra time.