Mt Rushmore & Custer State Park

Few places represent the American West quite like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Custer State Park. During our time in South Dakota, we combined both destinations into one unforgettable experience, spending the day exploring the Black Hills before settling in for the night at the historic State Game Lodge inside Custer State Park.

01Visiting Mount Rushmore

No trip to the Black Hills feels complete without seeing Mount Rushmore in person. While photos are iconic, standing beneath the massive granite carvings is an entirely different experience.

The memorial features the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, chosen to represent the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States. The idea for the monument originated in the 1920s, with sculptor Gutzon Borglum transforming the granite mountain into one of America's most recognizable landmarks.

Walking the Avenue of Flags and viewing the monument from the Grand View Terrace offers incredible perspectives of the sculpture and a chance to appreciate the scale of the project. It's one of those places that simply carries a sense of significance and history.

02Exploring Custer State Park

After Mount Rushmore, we spent the rest of our day exploring Custer State Park, widely considered one of the premier state parks in America.

The park is known for its scenic drives, rugged granite formations, abundant wildlife, and beautiful Black Hills landscapes. Around every bend seemed to be another incredible view, whether it was towering rock spires, rolling pine forests, or open meadows filled with wildlife. We saw plenty of bison and even experienced donkeys walking right up to our car that we were able to pet.

The park's combination of wildlife, scenery, and history makes it a destination that easily rivals many national parks.

03Staying at the Historic State Game Lodge

One of the highlights of our visit was spending the night at the State Game Lodge, one of the most historic lodges in South Dakota.

Established in 1920 and rebuilt in 1922 after an early fire, the lodge became famous when President Calvin Coolidge used it as his Summer White House in 1927. For nearly three months, Coolidge conducted presidential business from the Black Hills while enjoying the area's fishing, wildlife, and mountain scenery. The lodge later welcomed President Dwight D. Eisenhower during a visit in 1953.

Today, the State Game Lodge retains much of its historic character with its native stone and wood construction, rustic architecture, and beautiful setting along Grace Coolidge Creek. As the first and largest lodge in Custer State Park, it remains one of the park's most recognizable landmarks.

Staying there felt like stepping back in time while still enjoying modern comforts. Knowing that a sitting U.S. president once called the lodge home adds an extra layer of appreciation to the experience.

04Final Thoughts

Combining Mount Rushmore with Custer State Park made for one of the most memorable stops of our Black Hills journey. The grandeur of Mount Rushmore, the stunning scenery and wildlife of Custer State Park, and the opportunity to stay at the historic State Game Lodge created a perfect mix of history, adventure, and relaxation.

Whether you're visiting South Dakota for a weekend or passing through on a larger road trip, these two destinations belong at the top of your itinerary.