Is it possible to drive from Billings to Hill City and fully enjoy this drive in one day?
We%26#39;re planning to make a detour to Devil’s Tower National Monument, take a walk on the the Tower Trail Loop around the base of monolith and from there drive back to I-90, take exit 10 in SD and enjoy leisurely drive with many scenic stops along Spearfish Canyon National Scenic Highway.
With this schedule is it realistic to plan on arriving in Hill City around 5-6 pm? We are traveling in the end of September on weekend.
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One day to get from Billings, MT to Hill City, SDIt is very doable if you leave Billings very early.
The earlier the better.We will be going this leg also in Sep but going the opposite direction from Hill City To Cody with a stop at Devils Tower.Being that you pass right by Little Bighorn Battlefield might be nice to try and squeeze a short stop here.
As for Hill City we love the location and the Alpine Inn.IMO a must stop for dinner and best DESERTS ever.
Your trip is only about 425 miles from Billings to Hill city including stops.So start early and you should be fine.
One day to get from Billings, MT to Hill City, SDStart early in Billings and you%26#39;ll be able to do it. If you leave Billings by 6 a.m., you%26#39;ll get to Devils Tower by 11 a.m. 4 hours at Devils Tower and then 3 hours for a somewhat leisurely drive through Spearfish Canyon enroute to Hill City will put in Hill City by 6 p.m. or so. It will be dark in Hill City at around 7 p.m. at the end of September.
I%26#39;d take US212 east at Crow Agency, MT and then go south at Alzada, MT. It will probably save you 50-60 miles over taking I-90 and will take about the same amount of time. I-90 is pretty for a short stretch as it runs adjacent to the Bighorn Mountains, but 212 is scenic with trees and hills.
Thank you both for your suggestions. Now I know we have to leave from Billings very early. How about if we leave at 6:30 since the breakfast starts at 6 am. Can we still make it to Hill City before it gets dark? Maybe I have to limit our visit at the Devils Tower to only three hours.
joeman#1, I just can’t fit into our already full schedule even a short visit to the Little Bighorn Battlefield. I read about it and checked the website but there is no way to add Little Bighorn Battlefield. We already added many extras to our long trip. There are always so many choices. What dessert do you recommend at the Alpine Inn?
Accommodator, thank you for all generous details. Your help is going to make my very short visit to the area more enjoyable. I like your suggestion of taking route 212. And now I need to check this route on the map.
Thanks again
They have about 30 different selections for desert.
I always got the Belguim Waffle.I am not a desert person,but that changes when we come here. Hope you are not coming here on Sundays because they are closed.The Alpine Inn IMO is the Marquee of the Black Hills.
Accomodator gave you great advice on driving 212.
Interstate 90 not the most scenic drive.
You should have no problem getting to Hill City before dark.Make sure to attend the evening lighting ceremony at Mt Rushmore.AWESOME..
Also on way to Custer State park stop for a view of Crazy Horse from the highway rt385.
When leaving Custer SP,i would take 16a (Iron Mountain Rd) back to Hill City.It might be longer but well worth it.You get a beautiful view of Mt Rushmore in the distance when you come out of the tunnels on this road.A MUST see...an awesome road.
The Grand Chocolate Tower is a pretty good Alpine dessert. Here%26#39;s a hint about the Alpine: The salad that comes with dinner is a iceberg lettuce wedge that comes with lots and lots of ranch dressing poured all over it. Ordering the dressing on the side isn%26#39;t a bad idea.
Thank you joeman#1 and Accommodator. You know the Belgium waffles sound great, after all I lived in Belgium for several years. My husband would go for the grand chocolate tower, whatever it is as long as says chocolate.
We want to arrive in Hill City before dark so we could attend the evening lighting ceremony at Mt Rushmore at 8 pm. Do we need to get there earlier to secure our seats or how does it work?
After reviewing all your suggestions one more time, this morning I studied the map but still can use your help with logistics of this very brief trip.
Once in Hill City we are going to have only one full day and this is what we would like to include in our itinerary
Custer State Park and Wildlife loop
Sylvan Lake Trail
Cathedral Spires Trail
Lovers Leap Trail
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Needles Highway
Iron Mountain Road
Mammoth Site
Jewel Cave National Monument
I realized we cannot possibly see all in such a short time but the Wildlife Loop is our priority so this is where we want to start our day. I am not interested in visiting any gift shops, casinos, window shopping. Also to have more time for sightseeing we could bring a picnic lunch with us. In what order should we visit the above landmarks and which once we just have to forget about because there is not enough time. We want to appreciate and enjoy the area and not just drive through.
I appreciate all your help
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Don%26#39;t plan on eating at the Alpine the first night if you want to get to the Lighting Ceremony on time. The wait at the Alpine can be long--I realize you%26#39;ll be there in late September which is almost the off-season, but it will be a weekend and you%26#39;ll have to wait.
There is a large amphitheater at Mount Rushmore for the Lighting Ceremony--in September I wouldn%26#39;t worry about securing seats too early. Arrive at Mount Rushmore at least 15 minutes early, though, as it%26#39;s a little bit of a walk from the parking ramp to the amphitheater.
In the morning start with the Wildlife Loop. From Hill City take 385 to Custer (stopping for a road view of Crazy Horse on the way), go east on 16A and go south to Blue Bell and then to the Loop. Loop around to the airport and then west on 16A back to the east side of Custer. Stop at the Visitor Center.
Then go north to Sylvan Lake on 89. The Sylvan Lake trail is quick and easy so don%26#39;t miss it. Make sure you go all the way around the lake--the wide gravel trail stops near the dam and you%26#39;ll have to go down around the dam and over some rocks.
Then take the Needles Highway east. If you have an hour or so and you%26#39;re not too tired you can fit in the Cathedral Spires trail. Then turn north on the Playhouse Road which is a shortcut to Iron Mountain Road. Take Iron Mountain to Mount Rushmore.
The best way back to Hill City is 244 west--you%26#39;ll want to stop for the profile view of George Washington.
By this time it will probably be late afternoon or early evening. A meal at the Alpine will finish your day.
You won%26#39;t have time for the Lover%26#39;s Leap Trail, Jewell Cave or the Mammoth Site.
Places, I would try and get to the Evening Ceremony no later than 7:30. I think after Labor Day it starts at 8pm.In Sep when we were there last year no problem getting seats.Seating should not be an issue.
Lots of people bring blankets because at night it gets really cool.
As for the trails check out this site:
sdgfp.info/parks/Regions/Custer/csptrails.htm Some very informative info for the trails you would like to hike.
AS for the order of the trip,I would go this way:
Depart Hill City aound 7:30,head for Custer State Park via Needles Highway Rt87 a very scenic and slow drive.When arriving in Custer State Park,I would only think you have enough time to hike 1 trail.
So pick your favorite from the site i gave you.
Sounds like they are all great.
Custer State Park IMO fantastic.
When leaving CSP take 16a (Iron Mountain Road) fantastic drive and views of Mt Rushmore in the distance when coming out of the tunnels on this road.Take a few photos here.You wonder how they built this spectacular road.
When coming to the junction of highway 244 take this to Mt Rushmore.At Mt rushmore take the Presidents Trail down to the base of Mt Rushmore,visit the studio where Gutzon Burglum created the model he used in carving Mt Rushmore.
We will be here again Sep 4-6,doing the same route i gave you.Never enough TIME here...
AWESOME Black Hills of South Dakota..
Have a great trip,too bad you couldn%26#39;t add on 1 more day...but you will get to see plenty.
JEWELS Cave about 30 miles from Custer plus you would heve to backtrack to Custer..maybe next time
joeman#1 and Accommodator, you provided me with great information. I have to sort it all out, make notes and I%26#39;ll be ready to go. I knew I wouldn%26#39;t be able to see all things I listed. You are right, maybe next time. Thank you for all your fantastic help.
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Last week we drove from Keystone, SD thru Deadwood, Spearfish, Devil%26#39;s Tower and then to Billings, Mt. We left about 9 am and we were in Billings by supper time.
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