what is considered the best time to travel

I am planning a road trip to Mt Rushmore. Plan on camping on the grounds. Is two days good enough, and when is a good time to go? Coming from the south end of Colorado.

Linda

what is considered the best time to travel

Near term, as in this Fall or pre-planning for next summer? Also two days is more than enough for just Mt. Rushmore but a little short for seeing many of the other sights in the Black Hills.

There is no camping right at the national monument ( http://www.nps.gov/moru/ ) but there are lots of options nearby...both private run ( www.blackhillscampgrounds.com/index.htm )and at Custer State Park ( sdgfp.info/parks/Regions/Custer/custersp.htm ) or Bear Butte State Park north of Sturgis ( sdgfp.info/parks/…BearButte.htm ).

Coming up from CO via I-25 and US 18 %26amp; 85 to Newcastle (backdoor to Black Hills) is relatively quick and should be very doable from Colorado Springs in one day. Spring (May-June) is the prettiest time with the grasslands being greener but it can also offer much cooler weather and even snow. July 4th can be very busy at Rushmore. Late July %26amp; August have frequent afternoon thunderstorms...a camping consideration. Fall can be very pretty as the trees turn (those that do anyway) but nights can be pretty chilly for camping.

Post a few more details of interests and general time frame for more help.

what is considered the best time to travel

There is also a forest service campground at Horse Thief Lake which is very close to the monument. I don%26#39;t believe they have showers or flush toilets. Check on the Black Hills National Forest website for operating season dates.

Best time? Generally May through October but May and late September/October might make for cold camping.

The busiest time is in early August during the Sturgis Rally followed by mid-June through mid-August.

If I had to pick my favorite time I%26#39;d say right now (early September) or early June.