According to forum posts, your Black Hills itinerary should include Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and Badlands National Park. These are highlighted as must-visit locations. Additionally, some travelers recommended visiting the Minuteman Missile Historic Site and Jewel Cave National Monument.

Travelers have called out the scenic drives such as Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, and Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway as essential parts of the experience. These routes offer stunning views, and several have tunnels framing views of Mount Rushmore. For hiking enthusiasts, trails around Sylvan Lake and the Cathedral Spires are highly recommended.

For those interested in history and culture, visiting Deadwood and the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron can enrich your understanding of the area's past. Lastly, some users suggested considering a day trip to Devils Tower in Wyoming if time allows, noting its unique geological features and cultural significance.

Many users noted the importance of timing when visiting Mount Rushmore. Some travelers recommended visiting early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid crowds and capture the best lighting for photographs. Additionally, it's advised to plan sufficient time for travel as the roads can be busy, especially during holidays or special events.

According to forum posts, staying in Keystone or Rapid City offers proximity and convenience to Mount Rushmore. Travelers have mentioned various hotels such as the Roosevelt Inn and Rushmore Express in Keystone for close access. It's also suggested to check for transportation options like car rentals or tours, as Uber and Lyft services can be unreliable in the area.

Travelers have called out the benefit of bundling visits to nearby attractions like the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and the Badlands to maximize the trip. Driving routes such as Iron Mountain Road offer scenic views and a unique perspective of the monument through strategically placed tunnels.

For those with mobility issues, it's important to note that while Mount Rushmore from the main viewing areas is accessible, some trails and extended areas may not be. Some travelers with physical limitations have suggested postponing the visit if full access to trails and closer views is important, especially during ongoing construction or renovations.

According to forum posts, travelers have recommended several routes to Custer, South Dakota, depending on the origin. From Sioux Falls, the route through I-90 to Buffalo, WY, and then I-25 to Cheyenne, WY, followed by I-80 to Salt Lake City and I-25 to Las Vegas is suggested for those preferring highways. For a more scenic drive, continuing on I-90 to Spearfish and then exploring the Black Hills via Custer State Park before heading to Rapid City is also a popular choice.

Some travelers said that while driving to Custer, incorporating stops at notable attractions enhances the journey. For instance, driving from Bismarck to Medora, North Dakota, and then to the Black Hills via the Enchanted Highway offers scenic views and interesting stops like the museum at Fort Meade in Sturgis. From there, heading to Custer via Rapid City allows for visits to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument.

For those already in the vicinity and looking to efficiently explore Custer's attractions, forum users have suggested specific sequences. Starting early at the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park, then visiting Crazy Horse, followed by Sylvan Lake via the Needles Highway, and finishing at Mount Rushmore offers a comprehensive day trip route. This sequence maximizes daylight and scenic opportunities in the area.

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According to forum posts, Wind Cave National Park offers several tours, including the Natural Entrance Tour and the Fairgrounds Tour. The Natural Entrance Tour showcases the original cave entry used by early explorers, while the Fairgrounds Tour, which is noted as the longest and includes the most steps, is considered strenuous but very rewarding for those in average physical condition.

Some travelers mentioned that the Fairgrounds and Natural Entrance Tours have minimal overlap, making both tours enjoyable and unique. The park also provides virtual cave tours in the visitor center auditorium, utilizing LIDAR technology, especially when physical tours are not possible due to maintenance like elevator replacements.

Travelers have called out that Wind Cave is known for its distinctive boxwork formations, which are rare and cover about 95% of the world's known formations of this kind. This unique feature makes the tours at Wind Cave particularly special.

According to forum posts, popular lodging options in South Dakota include the Gold Camp Cabins in Custer for a quiet locale and Cedar Lodge in the Badlands, noted for its convenience. The Best Western Ramkota in Sioux Falls is highlighted for being pet-friendly.

Some travelers suggested choosing locations such as Keystone, Hill City, or Custer when visiting the Black Hills to stay closer to attractions like Mt. Rushmore, rather than in Rapid City, which is described as a typical town with chain properties.

For those seeking unique stays, Canyon Lake Resort in Rapid City offers no-frills accommodation with kitchenettes and is close to local attractions. In Sioux Falls, downtown hotels like the Hilton Garden are recommended for proximity to dining options, despite the area having numerous one-way streets.

Some travelers have recommended offsite car rental options in Rapid City, such as Casey's Auto Rentals and Black Hills Car Rentals. One user noted that Black Hills Car Rentals offered significantly lower prices compared to airport rental companies and required full insurance coverage for rentals.

In Custer, near Custer State Park, car rentals are scarce. However, travelers have reported that some RV parks and campgrounds offer car rentals. An alternative mentioned is a rental place in Hill City, which might be more convenient for those staying nearby.

For specific needs like ATV rentals, travelers have suggested places like Adventure Rentals in Custer. They offer full-day rentals with sufficient options to explore various trails and landmarks, including ghost towns and overlooks.

Travelers advise calling rental agencies directly to confirm services such as airport pickups, especially with companies like Casey's. Uber and Lyft services are mentioned as less reliable in the area, suggesting that direct coordination with rental companies might be essential for smooth travel logistics.

According to forum posts, the must-see attractions in South Dakota include Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and Badlands National Park. These sites are highly recommended for their scenic beauty and historical significance.

Some travelers have called out specific areas like Spearfish Canyon, Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Minuteman Missile Site as worthwhile visits. These locations offer unique natural landscapes and engaging educational experiences.

For those interested in nature and hiking, travelers have suggested staying in areas like the Black Hills, which provide easy access to various parks and trails. The Black Hills region is particularly favored for its central location to major attractions and its natural beauty.

According to forum posts, there are several recommended routes to Devils Tower. One popular option is traveling via Aladdin and Hulett. This route offers scenic views of the tower as you approach. Another suggested route is driving through Belle Fourche and Aladdin, which is considered more scenic than the Sundance route.

Some travelers have mentioned taking Highway 16/85/585 through Newcastle for a direct approach. However, for those interested in more scenic drives, taking Highway 385 up to Interstate 90, passing through Deadwood and Spearfish, is also an option. This route allows for picturesque views and potentially visiting other interesting spots like the Aladdin General Store.