Spelunking Jewel Cave, driving the Sequoia through solid rock at Needles and ringing freedom in at Mount Rushmore!
We are on a 7,000 (Correction 9,000) mile Great American Road trip. You can catch up on our last post: 2-Day Road Trip from Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore – Taking a dip in Thermopolis Hot Springs, Hiking around the Devil’s Tower and Buffalo Bill Cody! here.
Ehm…Road Trip Length Correction
For those of you following our blog, we need to make a small correction. All this time we thought we are on a 7,000 mile road trip. Well it turns out we underestimated it’s length by about 2,000 miles. From now on, we are on a 9,000 mile road trip. Yipee!
Driving Around Mount Rushmore
Travelling to the Black Hills in South Dakota? I’m guessing 99.999% of you are going to Mount Rushmore. Well, it turns out there is much more to see!
In this post, we explore the best things to do with small kids near Mount Rushmore.
Our drive started at Camp (Larsson’s Crooked Creek RV Resort), and we headed out to Jewel Cave National Monument for the 9AM tour.
Jewel Cave National Monument
Jewel Cave National Monument is the third largest cave system in the world. With over 220 miles of mapped cave, it is a massive system.
In order to go down into the cave, you need to schedule reservations at least one day before hand. You can choose from 4 different options:
- Discovery Tour
- Scenic Tour
- Historic Lantern Tour
- Wild Caving Tour
For small children, the Discovery Tour is recommended. It’s about 20 minute and gives you a great overview of the cave.
Discovery Tour
Our tour started at 9AM. Arrive about 30 minutes early. As of July 26, 2022, Face Coverings are required to enter the Visitor Center and Cave.
Starting off, you descend down an elevator shaft into the “Target Room“. Once here, there are two platform you can explore as the the Park Ranger delivers the factual information about the Geology and History of the Cave.
The Jewels in Jewel Cave are actually Calcite Crystals formed with the formation of the Cave.
Custer State Park
Custer State Park is the highlight of the Mount Rushmore area. The Park is situated in the Black Hills. You explore the park by driving it’s windy road through the hills.
From jaw dropping views of that look miles into the distance, to dramatic outcroppings of rock, wildlife sightings such as Bison and Deer and a picture perfect lake – this park has it all.
Sylvan Lake
Our first stop is Sylvan Lake. This is a very small lake situated in the mountains. Visitors can explore the lake by paddle board, canoe, jumping off the rocks or by taking a hike along its shores.
Needles Eye Tunnel
Part of the excitement of driving around Custer State park are the tunnels carved out of Rock. Perhaps you recall the post where we unsuccessfully tried to drive the Sequoia (aka Daddy Yoda) through a Redwood Tree. Well, here we drove through at least 3 rock tunnels… All without issue (thankfully).
Stopping for a view and to explore the area, nearby the Needles Eye Tunnel are the Needles! Which I believe are the rocks shown here.
Hiking amongst the rocks, can be fun and exhilarating.
Custer State Park Visitor Center
Stopping in the Visitor Center is well worth your time on your trip through Custer State park.
Doane Robinson Tunnel
One of the coolest tunnels, is the Doane Robinson Tunnel. Coming out of the Tunnel Mount Rushmore is in full view.
Crazy Horse
Before we can get to Mount Rushmore we need to acknowledge Crazy Horse. The monument is visible from the road and on the way to camp.
Since we simply did not have enough time in the one day, we had to cut this majestic monument to Native Americans. Truly now, we have a reason to come back.
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is the last stop on our list. Precisely because Mount Rushmore is best to see in the evening. Around 9PM there is a ranger talk and video which culminates in the lighting of Mount Rushmore. This is an event!
We enjoyed Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Fingers and a Pizza in their food court. All for $31 (including $10 parking!!). Yes, we ordered off the kids menu.
The movie is very upliftingly patriotic… America, America, America! Would you expect anything less for Mount Rushmore?!
So with Mount Rushmore in the distance, the boys falling to sleep in the car on our way back to Camp, we bid adieu to one heck of a day in the Black Hills and head to the Badlands!
