Mount Rushmore, SD

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irons_mi

New member
Looking for information on your experience in or around Mount Rushmore. Specifically, lodging information. We will be traveling with young children so things like a pool and/or playground are important. Would perfer cabin or hotel. Not too concerned about budget.

I have found many choices both on the internet and through vacation guides, but looking for first hand experience or recommendations (positive or negative).

Thank you in advance.

Irons
 
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snowsdog1

New member
Koa

We stayed at a KOA campground right next to MT. Rushmore as we had a motorhome at the time. However they have cabins they rent with a pool and plenty for the kids to do.

Its a fun trip, enjoy.
 
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t660redrocket

New member
Awesome Place!!!

X2

Here is their website http://www.palmergulch.com/ We camped there but they have lodges, cabins etc. Everything for any budget. It is a great place to go with kids. Tons to do there and centrally located to everything out there! Go for it!
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
Go to Custer. Lots of good motels there & can branch out to see all the Black Hills offers. MT. Rushmore ok nice place to snap pictures. If you like hiking go there but not much more to do.
Black Hills has lots to do MT. Rushmore just 1 thing on very long list. Do yourself a favor & search Black Hills don't just focus on MT. Rushmore you will miss a lot.
 
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G

Guest
Hot Springs

Make sure to go to Evan's Plunge in Hot Springs. Hot Springs is just down the road south from Custer. You will go by Wind Cave National Park on the way which you should also see. We stayed in Hot Springs at a Best Western last time we went out there. The rates are cheaper if you stay a few miles away from Mount Rushmore itself. They also have The Mammoth Site right in Hot springs which is also a must see. Some of my old girlfriends are entombed there. Also see the Crazy Horse tourist trap. Your small children might like the Flintstone village in Custer. Also Jewel cave and Deadwood. There is a lot to see out there. Hope you are planning for at least a week.
 
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LarryD

New member
All the above plus Devils Tower is worth it and there is a KOA at base with cabins also and rodeo one night a week.
 
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anonomoose

New member
grub said:
Make sure to go to Evan's Plunge in Hot Springs. Hot Springs is just down the road south from Custer. You will go by Wind Cave National Park on the way which you should also see. We stayed in Hot Springs at a Best Western last time we went out there. The rates are cheaper if you stay a few miles away from Mount Rushmore itself. They also have The Mammoth Site right in Hot springs which is also a must see. Some of my old girlfriends are entombed there. Also see the Crazy Horse tourist trap. Your small children might like the Flintstone village in Custer. Also Jewel cave and Deadwood. There is a lot to see out there. Hope you are planning for at least a week.
Click to expand...


So is this sort of a confession? Or did you just date some pretty old broads?
 
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Pizza Man

New member
We stayed at Spearfish last year on our way out and coming back from Yellowstone.
I would stay up in that area and then do your touring down to Mt Rush and places in between.
 
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scott_l

Member
Do a search (on JD) and find my old discussion on this same topic, I posted the same question about a month or so ago and a lot of people responded.

The wife and I are heading out that way later this summer.

A few things I have found out so far.

If you are thinking of going out any time during the summer get a lodging reservation ASAP. It is amassing how many places are already booked. Also keep an eye on the different cancellation policies, some are traditional 2 or 3 days but others are a couple weeks plus a forfeit of deposit or some amount of money.

We are leaving from the Minneapolis area and plan to drive each way straight through.
 
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samc

New member
We're heading out to the Black Hills in 2 weeks. We've found there is a lot to do. Going to hit Custer, Mr. Rushmore, Hauling the 4 wheelers out to do some riding for 3 days, Mine Tours, etc. I don't think a week is enough. There is a lot to do we've found but like scott_I said, book early. We booked back in April and almost didn't get a cabin. Check out the Nemo Ranch.
 
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irons_mi

New member
Thank you to all that have responded. Between the responses here and on Scott's thread I am now stuck with too many excellent choices on lodging. I have deceided to pick my top 3 and let the kids pick from there.

Thanks again,
Irons
 
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sledneck

Member
just got back a week is just about the right time went to all the monuments keystone is awsome,custer state park,the mamoth site,reptile gardens,bear county usa,evans plunge are all awsome and there is good lodging in custer,and keystone have a good trip i guratee u will love it btw deadwood is very interesting to
 
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samc

New member
sledneck said:
just got back a week is just about the right time went to all the monuments keystone is awsome,custer state park,the mamoth site, i guratee u will love it btw deadwood is very interesting to
Click to expand...
We did all the above and haul our 4 wheelers out and enjoyed some great 4 wheeling. What a great Vacation.......
 
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98panther

New member
We love it out there. Most times we camped, but last time we stayed at Sylvan Lake Lodge. There is no pool, but it's by sylvan lake which is something to see. I'd definately go back there.
 
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arcticman

Member
Can't help to much on lodging, But don't miss this it is fanastic. You should also see Crazy Horse while you are in the area. I remember going as a child and last year on the way home from Yellowstone I took my wife who had never been we had such a good time.

I don't know if they still do the night show or not, it is a must see as well the lights on the mountument are awesome.
 
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arcticman

Member
Can't help to much on lodging, But don't miss this it is fanastic. You should also see Crazy Horse while you are in the area. I remember going as a child and last year on the way home from Yellowstone I took my wife who had never been we had such a good time.

I don't know if they still do the night show or not, it is a must see as well the lights on mount rushmore are awesome.
 
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800xc_sp

New member
I was out there as a kid, again 5 years ago for the sturgis rally & again last summer on the bikes a few weeks b/4 the rally just on vacation. Lot's to do & see in that area, don't miss custer state park & the wild life loop, spear fish canyon, needles highway. At custer state park they have chuck wagon dinners, (might be cool with kids) horse back riding, etc.
They also do rent out cabins, which looked neat to me (we camped) but no pools.
Badlands are a must see & of course you have to stop at wall drug & the corn palace on your way out.
Angostura State Rec area south of Hot Springs is pretty cool too. Nice beach if you want to just go & hang out, swim.
I would stay in Custer, Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead, anyplace in the Black Hills, avoid Rapid City, to far away from everything to take in the natural beauty of the area.
 

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