Itinerary Details

We will be in the Black Hills for a week in late August (after the rally). We will spend 4 nights at Custer SP and 3 nights in Spearfish Canyon in the NF. I%26#39;m trying to work out our itinerary. Does it matter what day of the week we visit Mt. Rushmore in terms of crowds? I was thinking of going on Saturday but, then I thought it might be more crowded on the weekend. We will be staying at the Center Lake campground. There is a dirt road (753) that connects to the Iron Mountain road. I know that the tunnels are north of the intersection point. Will we miss any good photo ops if we skip the section between 753 and Hwy 16A? We are going to visit Mt. Rushmore first thing in the morning because, we will have our dog with us who will have to stay in the car. If we get there right at 8 does this change the answer to my day of the week question?

Itinerary Details

8am is early enough to avoid most of the tour buses so not too crowded, I think. At Mt. Rushmore you%26#39;ll be parking in the parking structure, so your car will be shaded and the lowest level should be coolest. As for the south end of the Iron Mountain Road, during the course of your visit, you can probably find time to drive it if you want to. In 2007 we found the begging burros just north of the intersection of US16a and SD 36.

We used 753 this year as a short cut and didn%26#39;t feel like we missed out. By the way, it%26#39;s paved now.

Itinerary Details

Thanks for the info. I think I%26#39;ll just leave the schedule as is then and go on Saturday first thing. I think you%26#39;re right about hitting the lower section of the Iron Mountain road later on in our rambles. Looks like we could combine it with the wildlife loop.

The cut-across road you mention is called Playhouse Road (the Black Hills Playhouse is near Center Lake). You won%26#39;t miss any significant scenery on Iron Mountain Road by taking this short cut. And yes, it%26#39;s been paved.

dermatologist