Enjoy Wildlife Attractions in Mount Rushmore!

Mt. Rushmore may be known more for its “presidential” landscape, but there are plenty of other things to see while traveling through South Dakota. While on the Grand Legends Tour you may catch a glimpse of Mountain Goats, with their shaggy white coats and black horns. As you are traveling through Custer State Park, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Bighorn Sheep. And if you look carefully in the wooded areas of the Black Hills you may be lucky enough to spot some elk. South Dakota’s most famous animal however, may be the bison and you have the opportunity to see these great creatures up close and personal.

You won’t want to miss the annual Buffalo Round-Up on September 26 at Custer State Park. Once a year, park rangers must round up approximately 1,500 buffaloes for branding, counting and vaccinations, and you have the opportunity to lend a hand and experience what it was like in days gone by when buffalo roamed the Badlands. Not only will you get to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity, you will also be able to stop at Mount Rushmore and the in-progress Crazy Horse memorial.

To view animals of a different kind, make a trip to Mammoth Site of Hot Springs. While there, visit a working paleontology laboratory, watch archaeological films and go on a guided tour of the world’s largest mammoth research facility. You will be able to see how scientists work a dig and find the Ice Age fossils that cannot be found anywhere else. You will also have the opportunity to walk where some of the earliest known humans once walked and see how they lived. Don’t miss this exciting and educational opportunity that will thrill young and old alike.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally’s 70th Anniversary Rumbles into the Mount Rushmore Area

Come to Sturgis, South Dakota and celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally from August 9-15. If you choose to break out the leather and polish up your bike to take a ride for Sturgis, you will have the opportunity to travel scenic routes like Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, and Wildlife Loop. Attractions along the way include Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and more. During this week long event you can see bikes, concerts, races, bike shows, and have a once in a lifetime experience during many more thrilling events.

If you are traveling to the Mount Rushmore area during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally or just want to take a fun filled Mount Rushmore vacation, we offer several great hotels in the area. For a list of hotels in the Mount Rushmore area, click here.

There are several great ways to experience all the Mount Rushmore area has to offer. Whether you are wanting to take a rock climbing excursion on the 3 Hour Black Hills Rock Climbing Adventure or experience everything at once with the Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour, there is something sure to fit your fun vacation schedule. For a full list of activities in the Mount Rushmore area, click here.

3 Hour Black Hills Rock Climbing Adventure

During this fabulous three hour experience you will have the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of the Black Hills area from a whole new perspective. A professional guide will provide the equipment and make sure everything is set up perfectly to ensure a safe and fun experience for all members of the family; no experience is necessary!

Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour

See four of the greatest U.S. Presidents in larger than life fashion when you visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Take time to explore the visitor center for shopping and exhibits before departing for Custer State Park where you will enjoy lunch. Sights on the way to Crazy Horse Memorial include Iron Mountain Road, amazing views of the Black Hills, and Sylvan Lake. For the perfect touch to the end of your tour, take a ride on the 1880 Train where you can see the rugged landscape of the Black Hills from a wonderfully restored train.

Splendid Summer Fun in Mount Rushmore

There are several great activities in the Mount Rushmore area that are perfect for you summer vacation. If you are wanting to experience several Mount Rushmore area attractions in one great tour, take the Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour. Wanting to learn more about the vast history of the area? The Journey Museum in Rapid City is filled with historical information about the surrounding area. Also you can experience life in the 1880s at the Big Thunder Gold Mine in Keystone, SD. Whatever you choose, your summer vacation to Mount Rushmore is sure to be unforgettable.

Begin your Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour with the Mount Rushmore National Memorial where you can gaze in amazement at the massive memorial, take a tour of the visitor center, shop for souvenirs, and see exhibits. Next on the agenda is a stop at Custer State Park where you will enjoy lunch. After lunch, take a scenic drive on Iron Mountain Road where you can see the picturesque Black Hills and then travel on to Sylvan Lake. Next you will visit the Crazy Horse Memorial where you can see the ongoing “largest mountain carving in progress.” The last part of the tour includes a fantastic ride through the Black Hills on the 1880 Train. The Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour is the perfect way to experience the best places in the Mount Rushmore area all in one tour.

Learn how the history of the area was formed when you visit exhibits located at the Journey Museum. The Journey Museum allows visitors to visit the past in an interactive and fascinating way. There are a few different collections in the Journey Museum including the Museum of Geology, Archaeological Research Center, Sioux Indian Museum, Minnilusa Pioneer Museum, and The Duhamel Collection of Native American Artifacts. The Journey Museum is filled with educational information and items that inform visitors of the fascinating past this area beholds.

Take a trip back in time to the 1880s at the Big Thunder Gold Mine where you can take a tour of a real gold mine then pan for gold. The tour is led by knowledgeable and interesting tour guides that will show you how life was during the mining times in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After your tour is finished you can pan for gold and take home any treasures you may find. This attraction is great for the entire family and will be remembered for years to come.

If you plan on traveling to the Mount Rushmore area for your summer vacation, we offer a great selection of hotels in the area. For more information on hotels in the Mount Rushmore, SD area click here.