Discovering the Black Hills: A Journey to Mount Rushmore and Historic Deadwood
A traveler's guide to experiencing South Dakota's most iconic landmarks and Wild West history
The granite faces of four American presidents gaze out over the Black Hills of South Dakota, drawing nearly three million visitors each year to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Combined with the legendary mining town of Deadwood just 50 miles north, the region offers a compelling blend of monumental artistry and frontier history that makes for an unforgettable road trip.
Getting There
Rapid City Regional Airport serves as the gateway to the Black Hills, located approximately 35 miles from Mount Rushmore. The airport offers daily flights from major hubs including Denver, Minneapolis, Dallas, and Phoenix. Upon arrival, visitors will find all major car rental agencies at the airport, and renting a vehicle is essential for exploring the region's scattered attractions.
The drive from Rapid City to Mount Rushmore takes about 45 minutes via Highway 16, winding through the scenic beauty of the Black Hills National Forest. The route itself offers a preview of the rugged landscape that makes this region so distinctive.
Where to Stay
Keystone, the small town at the base of Mount Rushmore just three miles from the memorial, provides the most convenient lodging options. The town offers everything from budget motels to mid-range hotels, along with restaurants and shops catering to tourists. For those seeking more amenities, Rapid City provides a wider selection of chain hotels, dining options, and services, though it requires a longer commute to the memorial.
Hill City, located about 15 miles from Mount Rushmore, splits the difference with charming local accommodations and serves as an excellent base for exploring multiple Black Hills attractions.
Mount Rushmore: What to See and Do
The memorial itself is open year-round, with the grand viewing terrace offering the classic perspective on Gutzon Borglum's masterwork. The 60-foot sculpted faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln emerge from the mountainside with remarkable detail when viewed from the plaza below.
The Avenue of Flags, lined with the banners of all 50 states, territories, and commonwealths, leads visitors toward the monument. The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Museum chronicles the 14-year construction process from 1927 to 1941, featuring original tools, photographs, and the fascinating story of how workers dangled from the cliff face to carve the presidents into being.
The Presidential Trail, a half-mile boardwalk and trail system, allows visitors to view the sculpture from multiple angles and get surprisingly close to the mountain face. Evening visitors from May through September can attend the Evening Lighting Ceremony, a ranger-led program that concludes with the dramatic illumination of the monument against the night sky.
The Road to Deadwood
The 50-mile journey from Mount Rushmore to Deadwood takes just over an hour, climbing through pine-forested mountains before descending into the gulch where Deadwood sits. This National Historic Landmark is where Wild Bill Hickok met his end and where fortunes were made and lost during the Black Hills Gold Rush of the 1870s.
Discovering Deadwood
Main Street in Deadwood looks much as it did in the 1890s, with Victorian-era buildings housing modern casinos, restaurants, and shops. The town has carefully preserved its frontier character while embracing gaming as its economic engine since South Dakota legalized gambling in 1989.
History enthusiasts should start at the Adams Museum, which houses an extensive collection of Black Hills artifacts, including photographs of the town's most famous residents. Mount Moriah Cemetery, perched on a hillside above town, is the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Visitors can walk among the graves of gunfighters, madams, and pioneers while taking in panoramic views of the gulch below.
The Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission offers walking tours that bring the town's colorful past to life, including stories of the saloons, brothels, and shootouts that defined the era. The Historic Franklin Hotel, opened in 1903, maintains period décor and offers tours showcasing its Victorian elegance.
For entertainment, several venues present reenactments of Wild Bill's shooting at Saloon No. 10, where the legendary gunslinger was killed while holding aces and eights—forever after known as the "dead man's hand." The Silverado-Franklin gaming complex occupies beautifully restored historic buildings and offers a glimpse of Deadwood's past alongside modern slot machines.
Planning Your Visit
Most travelers find three to four days ideal for experiencing both destinations without rushing. Summer brings peak season crowds and warm weather, while fall offers spectacular foliage and thinner crowds. Winter visits provide a stark, dramatic beauty, though some facilities operate on reduced schedules.
The combination of Mount Rushmore's artistic achievement and Deadwood's authentic Western atmosphere creates a journey through both American aspiration and frontier grit, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Black Hills.