One week - late May

Planing a trip for a week, May 21 through 28, with the primary purpose of hiking in three national parks, Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt, and Wind Cave. Flying into and out of Rapid City. Tentative schedule for lodging as follows:

Wed 5/21 – arrive Rapid City late - motel in RC

Thur 5/22 – Bad Lands NP – Badlands Inn

Fri 5/23 – Badlands Inn

Sat 5/24 – Drive to TR NP, Badlands Motel,Medora

Sun 5/25 – TR NP Badlands Motel

Mon 5/26 – Drive to Wind Cave NP area - lodging?

Tue 5/27 - Drive to motel in Rapid City

Wed 5/28 – Fly home - early

Question(s) -

Where to stay near Wind Cave NP/Mt Rushmore?

Is it possible to see a bit of Wind Cave and some of Mt. Rushmore either on the trip from TR NP on 5/26 or from wherever to Rapid City on 5/27?

Or should I change the schedule completely?

Any and all advice greatly appreciated.

Lee

One week - late May

If you%26#39;re looking for a place to stay with some character, try one of the Custer State Park lodges (custerresorts.com). Custer State Park is adjacent to Wind Cave.

If you%26#39;re looking for a cheaper place, Custer (the town) is a good town to find it.

Seeing Mount Rushmore on 5/27 between Wind Cave and Rapid City will be best. It would be out of the way on a drive between the Badlands of SD and the Badlands of ND.

I realize by your name that you%26#39;re interested in National Parks--but if you have time, the hiking in Custer State Park is superior to Wind Cave Nat%26#39;l Park. If you find yourself with extra time at the end of your Wind Cave hiking, you might give a part of CSP a try.

The best maps for Wind Cave and the Badlands of SD are the Trails Illustrated National Geographic maps. The Black Hills Southeast map has both Wind Cave and Custer State Park.

A good trail book that will cover your entire trip is ';Exploring the Black Hills and Badlands'; by Hiram Rogers. It covers both the SD and ND Badlands.

One week - late May

Accommodator - thank you so very much for the helpful recommendations. We may well try to stay at the Blue Bell resort in Custer SP. It sounds like a nice place and looks a bit closer to Wind Cave than others. We may not have time to do any hiking in the state park but if we do will definitely give it a go.

Thanks again for the help.

Lee