That famous monument in South Dakota with the larger than life faces of four famous presidents carved into the side of a mountain is an American road trip classic. However, where most visitors get it wrong is that they think Rushmore is all this part of the country has to offer. The truth is, there’s a lot more tucked into the Black Hills region of South Dakota than four oversized presidential profiles. From stunning parks to historic pioneer towns, SD demands at least three days of your summer. Here is our guide to making the most of your explorations around Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills in just 36 hours. For this itinerary, start from the east and drive west; if you’re traveling the opposite way, simply reverse the order.

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Day 1: The East and Badlands National Park

Photo courtesy of Getting Stamped

Wall Drug
You’ll see the signs starting hundreds of miles away from the actual town of Wall, SD in an attempt to lure you into this historic establishment. Full of pioneer-inspired trinkets and jackalopes, this classic road trip stop is pure Americana and full of quirks and kitsch—plus it’s a nice place to grab a snack or lunch if you’re are driving into South Dakota.

Minute Man Missile Park
If you’re looking for a unique stop along the road, put the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site on your list. Peer back into time where thousands of hidden missile locations lay ready and waiting during the Cold War. Here you can tour some of the old sites and there’s a visitor center to give you a little history lesson.

Badlands National Park
Don’t let the name fool you; this park is absolutely stunning. The park’s tan and red striped buttes and pinnacles will keep you captivated for hours as you drive and hike your way through it. While the Badlands are magical all day long, sunrise and sunset are particularly special as the colorful rays of the sun during these times light up the rock formations in a golden glow.

Overnight in Wall
Head back to Wall, on the outskirts of the Badlands National Park, and settle in for the night. The charming little town has everything a visitor needs with a good selection of restaurants and a number of reasonably priced hotel chains, including Best Western, Days Inn and Econolodge.

Day 2: Custer State Park and the Monuments

Photo courtesy of Getting Stamped

Catch the early morning rays in Badlands National Park
Do yourself a favor and set your alarm to catch the sunrise. The pre-dawn wake up call is well worth the views from the Window Trail just inside the gates of Badlands National Park. Spend your morning exploring any parts of the park you missed yesterday before heading west to the rest of the amazing things to see in this part of South Dakota.

Crazy Horse
As you look beyond those presidents etched into rock in the Black Hills, you’ll find a colossal carving of Crazy Horse, the famous leader of the Lakota Native American people. To put some scale to this sculpture, each of Crazy Horses eyes are 17 feet in diameter. While still under construction, the relief will dwarf Mount Rushmore when complete.

Black Elk Peak
The highest point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains is here in South Dakota. Named Back Elk Peak, it stands 7,244 feet above sea level. Catch a glimpse of this impressive peak from several scenic roads running inside of Custer State Park, or if you have more time, find a trail that gets you all the way up.

Custer State Park
Located just to the south of the Black Hills National Forest is stunning Custer State Park, filled with lakes, unique rock formations, and famous Needles Highway. Don’t miss the park’s population of 1,300 bison; they are protected and roam freely close to the road.

Photo courtesy of Getting Stamped

Needles Highway
Make sure to leave enough time to travel one of the most scenic roads in South Dakota, if not the entire U.S.—the Needles Highway. This thin stretch of pavement winds its way through the hills and even cuts through them at some points with narrow tunnels bored into the rocks. The highlight among highlights are the needle-like rock formations found along the roadside. Among the most impressive is the Needle’s Eye, a precarious looking rock formation that has a striking resemblance to the oval shape of the eye of a needle.

Photo courtesy of Getting Stamped

Mount Rushmore
The best time to visit Mount Rushmore is in the early evening. Afternoon crowds have thinned a little bit and you’ll see the sunset over the monument. Make sure to stay a little bit longer and wait for the lights of the night show to come on; it’s worth it. If you need a snack while you wait, there is a cafeteria with ice cream and other treats on site.

Stay in Hill City
A great place to rest your head after a big day is the centrally located Hill City. Most tourists opt for Keystone, which features a number of charming lodge-style accommodations, including the K Bar S Lodge located nearly at the foot of Mount Rushmore. But, if you are looking for something a little quieter, check out Hill City.

Dinner at the Alpine Inn
Sit down to a South Dakota classic at the tasty and affordable Alpine Inn. Here, a bacon-wrapped filet steak will only set you back about $14, but the menu isn’t always the best fit for picky eaters because there are only two things on it: steak and Spaetzle Primavera, which features Bavarian noodles, fresh vegetable, cream and cheese. The Alpine Inn is popular, so it can get busy during summer—but it’s worth the wait.

Day 3: The Black Hills

Spend your last day exploring the Black Hills National Forest and all the amazing sights often overlooked by visitors en route to Mount Rushmore. The further north you travel, the fewer people you’ll run into and the better the scenery gets.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
Another scenic drive can be found between the cities of Cheyenne Crossing and Spearfish along HWY 14. This stretch of road winds its way through beautiful Spearfish Canyon with its tall walls hugging the road on both sides.

Photo courtesy of Getting Stamped

Check out the waterfalls
Located inside the Spearfish Canyon are a handful of nice waterfalls, including the Roughlock Falls and the tall and slender Bridal Veil Waterfalls.

Deadwood
Spend the afternoon walking the streets of one of the Black Hills’ most charming pioneer towns in Deadwood where the likes of Wyatt Earp and Calamity Jane once lived. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and watering holes (and casinos; gambling is legal in Deadwood) making it the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

Sturgis
Before continuing on down the road and leaving South Dakota in your rearview mirror, make sure to spend some time in Sturgis, whose claim to fame is the world’s largest Motorcycle Rally every August. Beware, accommodations in the area are scarce during this time.

Hannah and Adam, Getting Stamped

Hannah and Adam, Getting Stamped

Hannah and Adam, Getting Stamped

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