Custer Park vs. Rapid City, SD

[TZMOM]

I'm thinking about taking a trip to visit Mount Rushmore and vicinity this June with my 15 y.o. DS. After having done some research, I've located some hotel/motel type places that I think we could afford. Some of the hotels are in Rapid City, but one place that really looks wonderful are the resorts in Custer State Park - but the hotels I'm looking at are cheaper in Rapid City, but may not have the same "amenities" as those in Custer State Park.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the resorts in Custer State Park? Is it really far (driving time) to get from Rapid City to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, etc.? I was thinking about either staying in a mom & pop type place in Custer that's about $30 cheaper per day or a "name" chain in Rapid City that's about the same price as the resorts in Custer State Park.

Never having been out that way before - what would you do?

Thanks for any help!!
Jane

 

[Mary Ellen]

I've been to Mt. Rushmore. We stayed in a motel near Mt. Rushmore (there are TONS of small motels in the area).

I wouldn't stay in Rapid City. It is a good distance and quite a bit hotter. We drove through Custer St. Park and it seemed quite nice. I'd stay there over Rapid City anyday.

 

[Kimberle]

The Black Hills area is one area you should switch hotels. It's been awhile, but if I remember right, Custard is about 1 hour from Rapid City. You don't need to factor much "traffic time" in this area. (Unless it's changed a LOT, which I doubt. ) You are going to need a touring plan for this trip.

You should really try and spend a day or two in Deadwood.

 

[mickeyminnie]

the lodges are beautiful. The park itself is wonderful, full of things to see, wildlife abounds, hiking, swimming, horseback riding, jeep rides, chuck wagon dinners, photo ops, the nature center has neat programs on gold panning and such. It is really well done and well run. You really can't see it all just driving through, you need to stop get out and spend time.

We camped but would spend the money to stay in lodges for sure.

The park itself is fairly central to a several destinations. You can easily get to Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Mammoth Site, Hill City, Keystone and the town of Custer. It is a bit more of a drive but still doable to go to Rapid City. A bit more again to go to Deadwood. A day trip to Badlands National Monument and a day trip to Devil's Tower. It depends on how much you want to drive and what you want to see.

My kids had a great time there and still talk about it over a year later and want to go back some day.

 

[TZMOM]

Thank you very much for your replies!!

Anyone else out there w/opinions as to where to stay? We're going to want to see most of the "touristy" things & drive over to Badlands if possible. I just don't want to be driving "for days" if I can help it.

Thanks again!!
Jane

 

[hercamore]

I second mickeyminnie's pst.

Stay in the park and soak up the scenery, talke hikes. Be sure to drive the Needles Drive. It is stunningly beautiful.

South Dakota is very affordable which makes it a great vacation value.

You won't be driving "for days".

herc.