Best Way to See Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Custer State Park: Drive or Take a Tour
- Eric Beuning
- Apr 25
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 27

If you're traveling through the Black Hills region of South Dakota, the can't-miss experience is a day trip to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park’s Wildlife Loop. While there are plenty of other incredible stops like Spearfish Canyon, the Needles Highway, and both Jewel Cave and Wind Cave; these three form the core of the quintessential Black Hills tourist experience.
The only question is, should you drive it yourself, or take a guided tour?
Having done both in my time as a travel writer and father on a family road trip, I thought I’d break down both experiences.
The Black Hills Self-Driving Experience
If you love the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you want, a self-guided road trip from Rapid City through this legendary loop might be your speed. Starting and returning to Rapid City, the full tour of Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, and Crazy Horse is about 100–120 miles. With proper stops and the occasional animal jam, you can expect it to take around 8 to 10 hours.
Suggested Black Hills Highlights Itinerary
Start in Rapid City: Grab coffee and fuel before heading out early.
Drive time to Mount Rushmore is roughly 30 minutes.
Mt. Rushmore

Arrive before the crowds. Parking can be crazy as the tourists flood the memorial.
Give yourself a full hour to 90 minutes to take in the views and visit the museum and Presidential Trail. Souvenirs and food here are expensive, and while the bathrooms have flushing toilets they get a lot of heavy use from the constant flood of tourists.
Pro Tip: When you exit the parking structure afterward drive behind Mount Rushmore. There's a small parking area where you can get a good view of George Washington's head. Closer than you can get from inside the park!

Crazy Horse Memorial
The drive from Mount Rushmore to the Crazy Horse Memorial takes 30 minutes. A short drive away. Give yourself another 60 to 90 minutes to explore the visitor center and sculptor’s studio, and don’t miss the short documentary on the monument’s history.
Lunch & Picnic Spots
The town of Custer has tons of great cafes, restaurants, and a few fast-food options that will fill you up for a sit-down lunch. However, some secret gem picnic spots deserve consideration.
Legion Lake – Custer State Park
Distance: ~7 miles southeast of Crazy Horse
Amenities: Picnic tables, restrooms, a general store, and a café nearby.
This beautiful little lake offers a relaxed setting with picnic tables, shaded spots, and a sandy beach area. It’s easy to access and rarely too crowded. You can rent paddleboards or just relax by the shore.
Stockade Lake – West Side Picnic Area
Distance: ~4 miles from Crazy Horse, just outside the town of Custer
Amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, vault toilets, and great lake views.
Stockade Lake is the largest lake in Custer State Park and my golden retriever’s favorite place to swim in the Black Hills. It offers both open and shady picnic areas. The west side picnic area is especially quiet and surrounded by pine trees.
Big Rock Park – In the Town of Custer
Distance: Right in town, on the north side
Amenities: Picnic tables, grills, and hiking trails.
If you're heading into Custer, this is a local gem that’s often missed by tourists. It has elevated picnic spots with scenic views over the town and surrounding hills.
Pro Tip: There’s a few different ways to do this, but I think the best is to park at the small parking lot for the Custer Sky Walk, or the nearby Chamber of Commerce. Eat your picnic in the hood of the car. Then take the short hike up the skywalk.
Custer State Park Wildlife Loop

The Custer Wildlife Loop is a little tricky to find if you’re trying to use conventional mapping systems. The best place to get on it is right near the Custer State Park Visitor’s Center, which most GPS systems will lead you to. From there local signs will point you to the loop.
There are several small roadside attractions to stop off along the Custer Wildlife Loop, including the Buffalo Corrals. The staff here are often informed about where the bison herds are that day as part of their daily park briefing. There are usually two herds, one is the general herd and another is the herd of cows with their calves. However, lone bulls can wander anywhere, and you need to keep your head on a swivel.
NOTE: The visitor’s center is the last good flushing bathrooms you’ll see for a long while.
Drive slowly and keep your eyes peeled for bison, pronghorns, deer, and wild burros. If you’re lucky

Pro Tip: There are domestic donkeys in Custer State Park that escaped and are somewhat wild. However, they love carrots, and I’ve been known to carry a bag of carrots with me through three states, just to chase a pack of donkeys through a field so my daughter could feed them.
Return to Rapid City
From Custer State Park Wildlife loop you can take a stretch the locals call “The Pig Tail Highway.” It’s a stretch of curly highway on 16A near the Iron Mountain area that will make you hate the civil engineer who created it but will make your kids say “Oooh and Ahhh.”
Cost Breakdown of the Self-Drive Itinerary
Park entry fees: $30–40 total per vehicle)
Gas: $75+
Lunch & snacks: $50 for a family of four.
It’s doable, scenic, and rewarding, but it also takes navigation, parking, and a little stamina. The first two times I drove this myself my daughter had a wonderful time. Yet, I honestly didn’t feel like I saw as much as I could, as I was looking out the window, or sprinting after donkeys with a sack of slightly stale carrots.
If you’d rather skip the driving and sit back while someone else handles the logistics, the Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Custer State Park Tour from Rapid City is an excellent choice. For me, it was the first time where I felt like I could look out the window to soak in the scenery, without having to worry about if I was going to take the Needles Highway shortcut.
Benefits of the Rushmore Custer Tour
Comfortable transport: Ride in a climate-controlled vehicle with panoramic windows.
Expert guide: Learn about the region’s history, monuments, and wildlife with stories you’d likely miss on your own. They're especially informative at the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Timed entry and no parking stress: Skip the lines, find the best photo spots, and relax while your guide handles the details. This was huge for me, as Rushmore’s parking system is overly complicated when you drive yourself.
Wildlife watching with insider tips: Spotting bison is almost guaranteed, but your guide will know where the big herds are hanging out. There’s a greater feeling of safety in a coach, but sadly there was no opportunity to blindly chase donkeys through a field with a sack of wilted carrots.
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Rapid City
Stops at Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park’s Wildlife Loop Road
Time for photos, walking, and exploring
Expert tour guide knows where the best photo spots are
Park fees and lunch are typically included or available as add-ons
Final Thoughts on Touring Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Custer State Park
Whether you choose to drive yourself or join a guided tour, this Black Hills loop is one of the most iconic road trips in the American Midwest. If you're short on time, traveling with family, or want to soak in the scenery without stress, this guided tour is a solid investment in your vacation.
If you fly into Rapid City, SD and you want to rent a car for a self-driving tour, I find the best rates through Discover Cars.
To learn more about the Black Hills of South Dakota and enjoy other outdoor adventure guides you should follow Eric Beuning's Author Page.
Disclaimer: As an affiliate marketer, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, the cost remains the same for you.
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