Is this too much?

Hi all, I have been reading many, many of the posts for this area, and would like to thank all for the great info. We have a few days planned in the Badlands/Mt Rushmore area for early September as part of our month-long road trip between Florida and the Canadian Rockies. We will be arriving in the Badlands area (staying at Circle View Ranch that night) on Sept 3, hopefully arriving early enough to do the Windows and Doors trails before getting to the ranch.

Here’s what I need opinions on – our plan for the next day, Sept 4th:

– from the ranch, drive the Badlands Loop west back up to Hwy 90; finish by lunch (we take LOTS of pictures! – so figure we’ll be stopping a lot) – could we be finished a good bit sooner?

- from Hwy 90, drive down route 79 to Hot Springs to visit the Mammoth Site and take the tour (figure an hour + at the site)

- drive 385 back up past Crazy Horse Memorial – view from road – and on past to route 87 to start the drive down through the Custer Park

- want to definitely make the loop along the Needles Hwy and Iron Mtn Rd back up to Mt Rushmore

- visit Mt Rushmore at the end of the day, and maybe see the lighting

- (if we are okay on time, we would like to include the Wildlife Loop before coming back up on Iron Mtn Rd)

- we are spending the night in Custer

It’s definitely a long day, but please tell me if it’s too long. If we have to, we can give up the Mammoth Site, although both my husband and I are interested in seeing it. Sunset is around 7 pm, so we should have a good bit of light fairly late.

We will also be in the area on our way back from Canada, staying in Spearfish and driving that scenic road. We could probably add some of this to that day instead.

Please help me with your thoughts and opinions. I don’t want to miss the best parts because we run out of time. Thanks.

Is this too much?

This answer is a little vague, but you probably want to do the Custer Wildlife Loop earlier in the day. I definitely wouldn%26#39;t personally want to do Iron Mountain Road or Needles after the sun starts to set It does seem like a lot for one day but I guess if you keep pretty much on the move, it%26#39;s doable. Enjoy.

Is this too much?

I really don%26#39;t think you%26#39;ll be able to do all of that in one day--especially if you don%26#39;t leave the Badlands until noon. If you get through the Badlands earlier in the morning and skip the Mammoth Site, you%26#39;ll have a better chance at fitting it all in before dark.

Thanks LollyMinneapolis and Accommodator - this is the kind of info I needed. We%26#39;ll see how long we end up spending in the Badlands, and make a decision from there. Thanks again.