Starting to plan a rough itinerary, should’ve started months ago. Hope we can get rooms near the parks. So we’re doing Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood and the Minute Man thing. Hopefully I can get your tickets, if not, no biggie. I know that on our drive we’ll be stopping at stuff that’s not in our plans, but what are the other sites to see? Probably spending 2-3 days in the area then Sioux Falls for Thursday morning, possibly evening.

Badlands National Park. At least drive through it.

Yup, Badlands for sure.

Since you will be close I would check out Devils tower and hike around it. The hike is not that long or difficult. It is a very interesting place. It is just across the line in Wyoming.

Are there kids involved? If so, Bear Country, Reptile Gardens and the Flintstone Village are cool. At least, they were 10 years ago.

I was gonna tell you to skip sewer falls then saw ur last line.

I would agree Devils Tower and badlands are cooler than Rushmore and crazy horse. Unfortunately for you if you’re coming for the NTA that’ll be about when thousands of bikers will be flooding the hills making everything extra crowded and loud.

Historical Fish hatchery in Spearfish, Spearfish canyon, Theres a big gold mine that you can park by an overlook and watch the BIG equipment work, The Gore buffolo jump, just into Wyo. right on interstate. Get a trail map, You can drive old logging roads right up to the fence on the backside of the park.Needles hwy is cool. Do some fishing on Pactola. Sturgis is a cool town in the off season.

I wouldn’t call it a must see but you might consider the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

How much time do you have?

Personally before I spent much time at Rushmore or Crazy Horse I'd do Badlands NP, Needles Highway, Devils Tower, and Spearfish Canyon Drive. The Tower is my favorite followed by the Needles Highway. Custer Park is another good one. I'm sure I'm forgetting some. It's going to be a disaster that time of year with tourists but it is what it is.

IMHO deadwood is a waste of precious time as are the other tourists traps. Too many natural wonders to see

I'll comment more later

Oh,check out The Cosmos Mystery Village in the Rapids City area. I found it entertaining.

I'd save a little time and money by skipping Crazy Horse.

The governor ……..

Good Plan...Especially Deadwood and Rushmore.

Spearfish canyon is getting to be a real estate money pit, but is still a beautiful drive, especially in the early morning or evening.

The kids loved bear country and reptile gardens, can't remember what town it was but we toured a gold mine deal and panned for some planted gold, fake but entertaining. Rushmore was worth the stop, skip crazy horse you can drive by and take a look with binoculars don't waste anymore time. I would say driving through Custer State park was my favorite, free range donkeys walk right up to the truck, we had to park in the road and let the Buffalo herd pass down both sides of the truck that was my favorite.

Wall drugs

Wind Cave National Park for wildlife.

Giant tourist trap but it’s worth a stop for sure.

For those going to sioux falls for the convention and coming from the west, theres a really good bbq joint behind the gas station at the Humbolt exit.

Custer State Park is an interesting you never know what critters you might see (Don’t pet the fluffy “cows”). I could spend hours driving the forest roads in the off seasons but tourist season sucks side by sides are everywhere. You can rent them out there along with E-bikes there’s a long bike trail the Michelson Trail if your into biking.

Spelunking at Jewel cave if your into that, mining stuff to see in Lead, meal specials in Deadwood at the different casinos.