Drive from Badlands NP to Custer State Park through Buff Gap

After we finish our hiking in the Badlands in mid July we will drive the loop road north west toward park exit with Mt. Rushmore as our destination. Has anyone driven Sage brush(also appears to be Hwy 590) road south west out of the park in order to go to Scenic, S.D. and hook up with 44 north and then get on the highway that goes through Buffalo Gap and leads to Mt Rushmore. I am looking for a more scenic route. However, am I adding a lot more time than if we took interstate 90 west? Also, what is the deal with Sage brush road - it appears to be gravel and the risk of a flat in such a desolate area may out weigh the reward of the cool trip. Maybe take 90 west to exit 90 to Buffalo Gap. I appreciate your thoughts.

Drive from Badlands NP to Custer State Park through Buff Gap

Yes, you can take Sage Creek Road west out of the Badlands and take SD44 from Scenic to Rapid City. Is it worth it? I%26#39;m going to say it%26#39;s about a 50/50 difference from taking I-90. I kind of prefer it over the billboard infested I-90. Is it more scenic? Not really.

Sage Creek Road is gravel. If your comfort level is low with driving desolate roads, perhaps you should avoid it. Most locals would chuckle, though, at the notion of being afraid of a breakdown in such an area. Driving desolate, low traffic roads is simply a way of life around here and there really isn%26#39;t a lot to be afraid of. Get a flat, put on the spare. Break down, try using a cell phone if you have it. If it doesn%26#39;t work, someone will eventually come along. I%26#39;ve found that someone will stop to help faster on a back road than on a main road.

Whether you take I-90 or SD44, you come to the same point in Rapid City and you can go to Mount Rushmore from there. Your best bet is US16 from Rapid City, go to Keystone and to Mount Rushmore.

I%26#39;m not sure why you mention Buffalo Gap--it%26#39;s pretty far south on SD79--way past where you would turn to go to Mount Rushmore even if you did take 79 out of Rapid City instead of 16.

Best of luck with your trip.

Drive from Badlands NP to Custer State Park through Buff Gap

OK--re-read your post. Not sure if you want to go to Custer State Park or Mount Rushmore first. If you do want to go to Custer State Park, you could take SD79 south of Rapid City and enter the park from Hermosa. I%26#39;d still opt for US16 through Keystone and then take SD244 west of Mount Rushmore and enter CSP near Sylvan Lake.

Here%26#39;s another option. Take US16 to Hill City. Go to Sylvan Lake and drive the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road and enter Mount Rushmore from Iron Mountain Road. It will be the most scenic. Then pick up the south half of Custer State Park later.

rimmel