Things to see and do Dakota

It's a ranger. Ranger HQ is located near the Visitor Center.

Opening. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is open all year round, except on December 25 th. The schedules of the various services vary according to the months, with maximum opening, from 7:00 a. m. to 10:00 p. m. in August, and a minimum, from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. in winter. Lights take place from May 24 to August 14 at 9 p. m. and from August 15 to September 30 at 8 p. m. During the winter, the Audio Tour Building and Sculptor's Studio are closed.

Admission rates. No admission fee, but only a parking fee of US $ 10.

Post office and cash distributor. For mail and banks, you need to go to Rapid City (23 miles) or Hot Springs (50 miles).

Accessibility. Facing the main entrance, parking is reserved for disabled guests. Wheelchairs are made available to Information Center, but also «first come, first served». The amphitheater and Lincoln Borglum Museum, Sculptor's Studio, Presidents' Trails, Snack and Gift Shop are wheelchair accessible.

Toilets. Toilets are available at the Information Center, the Visitor Center and the Borglum Differentiation Terrace.

Ideal period. June, July and August are the months in which the park is most frequented. On July 3, Independence Day, there is a fireworks and the parking lot is complete in mid-morning.

Custer State Park, located in the town of Custer, is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. With 71,000 acres of land, the park is home to an abundance of wildlife and offers many activities such as camping, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing and more. Visitors can also enjoy the beauty of the landscape, with its granite peaks and rolling plains. However, it's important to respect the park's rules, especially when it comes to wild animals. It is forbidden to feed or disturb them, and it is recommended to stay in your vehicle or at least 100 meters away from bison, elk and other animals. The park also has several visitor centers, where visitors can obtain further information on the park's activities and attractions.

Located on a mountainous plateau overlooking the city center, the historic cemetery dating from the Victorian era is a popular attraction for visitors. Created in 1878, the cemetery first welcomed the graves of the newcomers from Deadwood: minors, prospectors, prostitutes, bandits… In the 1880 s, the city's Catholic cemetery was closed and merged with Mount Moriah's. Many dead have been transferred and other graves, already present, have been displaced. Also, it is not uncommon for employees to find human bones even today when they are forced to dig the ground. The cemetery is particularly famous for the graves of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane (who claimed that he was her husband and the father of his children) and the locally famous Potato Creek Johnny.

In summer, stop at the Visitor Center to get a plan and more information on the cemetery. The site is divided into 4 sections: the part dedicated to the Jewish community, the Potter's Field which brings together unknown people buried without a distinctive sign, a part dedicated to the many dead children of typhus, plague and cholera, and another to the workers deceased during a fire in a sawmill.

In 1879, a fire devastated the city and destroyed the original location of the Nuttal & Mann's, saloon in which Will Bill Hickok was murdered. The establishment is rebuilt a little further and renamed Saloon No. 10 in reference to the lot number on which it originally was. Today, saloon is an essential tourist step, thanks to the legend that made it famous, that of Wild Bill Hickok and his assassination. Don't miss the Shooting of Wild Bill from late May to late September: Comedians play the shooting scene every day at 1 p. m., 3 p. m., 5 p. m. and 7 p. m.

The visitors cross the part of the cave where the concretions are abundant. We start off at the entrance and get out by the lift. One hour visit, moderately tiring, with 300 steps (mostly downwards).

A very well appointed cave! We'll get there and get out of the elevator. 1 hour visit, with 150 steps; It's the least tiring of all.

This circuit includes some of the largest cave halls, including Wind Cave Boxwork. There is a lift from the elevator. This moderately tiring circuit has 450 steps and lasts 1 hour 30.

The Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds, an underground with five proposed circuits, the other sunny and multiple resources. Many wildlife live in the park, in an astonishing meadow or in the forest. Walking along the road or walking on hiking trails provides an opportunity to see bison, prairie dogs, pronghorn elites and several different bird species. The park has 11 circuits for 48 ½ km of hiking. Elk Mountain, Prairie Vista and Rankin Ridge trails are loops and 1.6 km long. 

The Wild Life Loop Road scenic road travels 30 kilometers of undisturbed meadows and pine hills, a host of wildlife. Depending on the season, you will have the opportunity to observe bison, pronghorns, deer, elk, coyotes, donkeys, and also prairie dogs and different raptors.

Sylvan Lake is probably the most picturesque of the five lakes of the Custer State Park, and also one of the most popular sites in the park, you will soon understand why. For a walk or a small photo break, sports activities or a camping night, the frame is enchanting. Imagine a sea of oil cut by the most photogenic rock formations, wrapped by a green forest and you are there. It is logically a popular place for private events like weddings, but also a unique bathing decor. The site is therefore equipped with all amenities and tourist infrastructure: Hotels, Restaurant, Camping, Grocery Store, Bathing Beach, Hiking Trails… There are also various water activities: boat rental (non motorized only), pedal boats, canoes… And with the adapted permit, you can even join sport number one here: fishing.

The needle road is a 22 km panoramic road in the heart of pine forests, spruce and butt forests, rolling reliefs and acclaimed rocky mountains. It was the former governor of the state, Peter Norbeck, who drew the route, and did not miss a stop at Sylvan Lake and the Needle's Eye Formation, which was excavated by the elements.

A loop through a juniper forest that runs along a small seasonal pond, very popular with deer and sheep.

The trail hosts replicas of fossils and exhibits on the missing creatures that formerly inhabited the region.

A short trail leading to a natural window with a unique view of the eroded canyon.

The trail joins the Castle Trail and crosses a meadow overlooking the Badlands Valley.

A little climb through a log ladder and along a corniche to the "Notch" that offers spectacular views over the White River Valley.

An unforgettable walk above and on the acclaimed rock formations, we think on another planet.

A pleasant and easy walk to a "door" in the rock formations.

This short trail climbs along the Badlands and offers a beautiful view of the White River Valley. It is connected to the end at Medicine Root and Castle Trail.