The Black Hills of South Dakota are most famous for being the home of Mount Rushmore, but there is so much more to see in the area that you can easily fill up an entire week.  Keystone, South Dakota, is located near the park entrance and can serve as your home base while exploring everything.  Its unique geological features include Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park.  

Model Itinerary

Day 1:
Everything listed in this itinerary is located near Mount Rushmore in southwest South Dakota.  The two closest airports are Custer County Airport, in Custer, SD, and Rapid City Regional Airport, in Rapid City, SD.  If you are visiting the area by car, take I-90 and exit at Rapid City following Highway 16 toward Keystone.  Make reservations to spend the week at the Holiday Inn in Keystone.  There are also several campgrounds in the area near Custer State Park. ​
Day 2:
Everyone has seen the iconic pictures of Mount Rushmore with the carved faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln; but seeing it in person is even more impressive.  The 60 foot high faces are carved out of a granite cliff and can be viewed from trails that take you to several different viewing points.  It is definitely worth the time to take a guided Ranger-led walks around the monument.  There are also several other buildings open to the public and an interactive museum exhibit.  Head back to Keystone for dinner, then return to Mount Rushmore in the evening for the lighting ceremony to experience a different perspective of the sculpture.  ​
Day 3:
Head out for a day trip to Badlands National Park.   From Keystone, head toward Rapid City and take Interstate 90 east to exit 131 and the Northeast Entrance to the park.  Pack a picnic lunch because there are no places to eat in the park.  Start at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to pick up a park map and learn about any Ranger-led programs happening during your visit.  From the Visitor Center drive west on Badlands Loop Road to Sage Creek Basin Overlook, stopping to enjoy the overlooks and taking some short hikes along the way.   Don’t miss a stop at Roberts Prairie Dog Town.  From Sage Creek, take 502 back toward I-90 and the city of Wall.  For dinner, you can’t miss a stop at Wall Drug Store.  This 76,000 square foot store is a unique combination of quirky tourist attraction, gift shop, and restaurant.  
Day 4:
Take the scenic drive along the Needles Highway in Custer State Park.  Begin your visit at the Custer State Park Visitor’s Center to pick up a park map and hiking trail guide.  The Needles Highway is 14 miles long and winds through the granite spiked mountains.  The Highway passes by Sylvan Lake, where you can find some lunch before taking a moderate hike around the lake.  You might recognize this location and its unique rock formations from the movie National Treasure 2.  
Day 5:
Take the short drive south to Wind Cave National Park.  Then head to Custer State Park to drive the 18 mile Wildlife Loop Road.  The park is home to 1,300 bison and is one of the largest publicly owned herds in the world.  Keep your eyes open for pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, and a group of friendly burros who will eat bread from your car window.  The best time to see wildlife is early morning or in the evening before sunset.       
Day 6:
Kids might enjoy a short stop to visit Bear Country, where visitors can drive through an enclosed area where bears are allowed to roam freely around the property.  After the drive, you can visit the small zoo.  For lunch, head over to the Crazy Horse Memorial.  The Crazy Horse Memorial is home to the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center. In addition to housing a large collection of Indian artifacts, the museum offers hands on activities and dancing performances.  Visitors can also view the mountain carving of Crazy Horse that is still under construction.  In the evening, there is a light show on the memorial.   
Day 7:
You may want to take the 2 hour trip to Devil’s Tower National Monument in northeast Wyoming.  This igneous rock formation juts out of the prairie floor and is considered sacred by the Northern Plains Indians.  Take the Ranger led walk around the base of the Tower.   You can climb on the rocks at the base and might see rock climbers making their way to the top.  
Day 8:
Return home and start planning your next family adventure!