1-DAY ITINERARY
to explore the "Must See" Sights in the Area
Breakfast @ Hill City Cafe or Mangiamo on Main Street, Hill City
Crazy Horse Memorial – entrance fee: $35/car, $15/person, $10/person-on Motorcycle, Bicycle, Walking
View the 20 minute Orientation Film in the Theatre upon arriving, explore the Welcome Center, Studio, Museum & Gift Shop. For $4/person, ride the bus to the base of the mountain (a 25-minute round-trip).
Request a pass to return for the Legends in Light laser-light show, presented nightly at dark (weather permitting). The show uses the mountainside as a giant 500-foot “screen”. You can view from your vehicle or on the Visitor Center patio.
Custer State Park – take Hwy 87 to Sylvan Lake
CSP is South Dakota’s first and largest state park, dating back to 1919. It is a 71,000-acre wildlife preserve, with a 1,000 head managed Bison herd. There are fabulous scenic drives, hiking trails, lakes and historic lodges with restaurants. $8 Daily Vehicle Pass or $20 7-Day Park Pass
- Sylvan Lake (Beautiful…take your camera!) - 1 mile hike around (Easy…some steps & rocky areas)
- Needles Highway – 14 miles of spectacular scenery, passing thru the Needle’s Eye. Named for the needle-like granite formations that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway. Might see mountain goats along the way!
- Hike to the Cathedral Spires (1.5 miles out & back…moderate to strenuous)
- Lunch – Pack a Picnic Lunch and stop at a roadside picnic area OR dine at Blue Bell Lodge…enjoy hearty, ranch-house dining with cattle-drive classics on the menu!
- Wildlife Loop – 18 miles. See bison, pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs, white-tailed & mule deer, elk, burros, coyotes, eagles, hawks.
- Visitor Center at the intersection of 16A and Wildlife Loop. Chat with the knowledgeable staff , view the 20-minute CSP movie, learn about the Bison.
Iron Mountain Road – Constructed in 1933, an incredible journey, an unforgettable experience, and the most unusual and captivating road in America. Curves, switchbacks, pigtail bridges and tunnels! Catch the view of Mount Rushmore as you enter 2 of the tunnels! (Best traveled from the south to the north.)
Mount Rushmore on Hwy 244 – $10 Parking ($5 Seniors, FREE Active Military)
Walk along the Avenue of Flags & Presidential Trail; visit the Sculptor’s Studio & Bookstore. Enjoy a scoop of vanilla ice cream (Thomas Jefferson’s recipe!)
Evening Lighting Ceremony is near the Sculptors Studio – a 20 minute ceremony including a ranger talk, playing of the national anthem, lighting of the memorial and the US flag folding. The spot lights remain on for up to 2 hours after ceremony.
- 9:00pm (6/14-8/8) Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony Changing to 8:00pm (8/9-9/26)
Dinner in Hill City:
