Black Hills and Mount Rushmore

Before you go

• Mount Rushmore has no entrance fee, but parking is charged. Vehicles over 29 ft (about 8.8 m) use lane 4, and space for large RVs is very limited.
• June to August are the busiest months at Mount Rushmore. The park service suggests arriving before 9 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. in that period.
• Custer State Park has 9 campgrounds with 341 sites. Entry needs a park license, except non-stop travel on US 16A. Check road closures before driving the scenic roads.

Planning

Mount Rushmore is a short stop; the park service counts just over two million visitors a year. The cave at Wind Cave National Park can only be entered on ranger-led tours, and tickets can sell out in summer, so reserve ahead through Recreation.gov. Black Hills National Forest limits how long you may camp, and the rule has been changing, so check the current limit with the Forest Service. Fees may apply at some sites.

Roads and tunnels

Needles Highway (SD 87) runs through Custer State Park and passes through several narrow tunnels, among them the Iron Creek and Needles Eye Tunnels. The state transport department lists the Needles Eye Tunnel as 8 ft 4 in wide and 11 ft 3 in high (about 2.5 m by 3.4 m). The road is closed in winter. Check current closures before driving a tall or long vehicle. In the park, keep in your vehicle or stay 100 yards (about 90 m) from wildlife.

FAQs