10-day Mount Rushmore itinerary

A ready-made 10-day sightseeing plan for Mount Rushmore — top-rated attractions, one morning-to-evening schedule per day. Use it as-is or as a starting point; every stop links to full details, hours, and fees. Hungry? Pick your own spot to eat — we don't bake that decision into the plan for you.

1Day 1

  1. 9:00 AM
    2–4 hr stay
    Custer County Courthouse5.0

    447 Crook Street, Custer

    Explore Black Hills history inside Custer's historic 1881 courthouse building.

  2. 1:30 PM
    1–2 hr stay
    Pioneer Auto Show5.0

    507 Kennedy Avenue, Murdo

    Explore over 275 vintage classic cars and historic South Dakota memorabilia

  3. 4:15 PM
    2–4 hr stay
    Mount Rushmore4.9

    13000 South Dakota 244, Keystone

    Experience America's monumental history carved into the majestic Black Hills

2Day 2

  1. 9:00 AM
    2–4 hr stay
    Black Hills Aerial Adventures4.8

    24564 U.S. 16, Custer

    Experience breathtaking helicopter tours over Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.

  2. 1:30 PM
    1–2 hr stay
    Black Hills National Forest4.8

    Custer, Custer

    Discover rugged granite peaks, pine forests, and scenic drives in South Dakota.

  3. 4:15 PM
    2–4 hr stay
    Chapel in the Hills4.8

    3788 Chapel Lane, Rapid City

    Serene wooden stave church replica nestled in Rapid City's hills

3Day 3

  1. 9:00 AM
    2–4 hr stay
    Custer State Park4.8

    South Dakota, custer

    Experience South Dakota's wilderness filled with bison herds and granite peaks.

  2. 1:30 PM
    1–2 hr stay
    Pactola Lake4.8

    Pactola Lake, rapid city

    The largest and deepest reservoir in South Dakota's Black Hills.

  3. 4:15 PM
    2–4 hr stay
    Roughlock Falls State Nature Area4.8

    Lead, Lead

    Explore cascading waterfalls and scenic boardwalk trails in Spearfish Canyon

4Day 4

  1. 9:00 AM
    2–4 hr stay
    Sylvan Lake4.8

    Sylvan Lake, custer

    A picturesque Black Hills lake surrounded by dramatic granite rock formations.

  2. 1:30 PM
    1–2 hr stay
    The Mammoth Site4.8

    1800 U.S. 18, Hot Springs

    Explore an active paleontological dig site featuring prehistoric mammoth fossils

  3. 4:15 PM
    2–4 hr stay
    Wylie Park4.8

    US-281, Aberdeen

    A popular family park in Aberdeen featuring Storybook Land and camping

5Day 5

  1. 9:00 AM
    2–4 hr stay
    Badlands National Park4.7

    25216 South Dakota 240, Interior

    Explore dramatic rock formations and vast prairie landscapes in South Dakota

  2. 1:30 PM
    1–2 hr stay
    Bear Butte State Park4.7

    20250 South Dakota 79, Sturgis

    A sacred geological wonder offering challenging summit hikes and panoramic views

  3. 4:15 PM
    2–4 hr stay
    Bear Country USA4.7

    13820 U.S. 16, Rapid City

    Experience a unique drive-through wildlife park featuring North American animals.

6Day 6

  1. 9:00 AM
    2–4 hr stay
    Fort Sisseton State Park4.7

    11907 434th Ave, Lake City

    Step back in time at this historic South Dakota prairie fort

  2. 1:30 PM
    1–2 hr stay
    Mount Rushmore National Memorial4.7

    Keystone, Keystone

    Iconic national monument featuring four carved American presidential portraits

  3. 4:15 PM
    2–4 hr stay
    Reptile Gardens4.7

    8955 U.S. 16, Rapid City

    Discover a premier reptile zoo and botanical garden near Mount Rushmore

7Day 7

  1. 9:00 AM
    2–4 hr stay
    Rushmore Cave4.7

    13622 South Dakota 40, Keystone

    Explore subterranean limestone caverns and stalactites near Mount Rushmore

  2. 1:30 PM
    1–2 hr stay
    Sica Hollow State Park4.7

    44950 Park Road, Sisseton

    Explore scenic wooded trails and natural beauty at Sica Hollow

  3. 4:15 PM
    2–4 hr stay
    Sioux Falls SculptureWalk4.7

    300 South Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls

    Explore dynamic outdoor artwork along the streets of downtown Sioux Falls.

8Day 8

  1. 9:00 AM
    2–4 hr stay
    The Adams House4.7

    22 Van Buren Street, Deadwood

    Explore Deadwood history inside the beautifully preserved 1892 Victorian mansion.

  2. 1:30 PM
    1–2 hr stay
    The Outdoor Campus4.7

    4500 South Oxbow Avenue, Sioux Falls

    Explore native South Dakota wildlife, scenic walking trails, and indoor exhibits.

  3. 4:15 PM
    2–4 hr stay
    Adams Museum4.6

    54 Sherman Street, Deadwood

    Explore Black Hills history through legends, artifacts, and fascinating local oddities.

9Day 9

  1. 9:00 AM
    2–4 hr stay
    South Dakota Air and Space Museum4.6

    2890 Davis Drive, Box Elder

    Explore historic military aircraft and aviation history near Ellsworth Air Force Base

  2. 1:30 PM
    1–2 hr stay
    South Dakota School of Mines and Technology4.6

    501 East Saint Joseph Street, Rapid City

    Discover top science and engineering innovation at this Black Hills university.

  3. 4:15 PM
    2–4 hr stay
    The Journey Museum & Learning Center4.6

    222 New York Street, Rapid City

    Discover Black Hills geology and Sioux heritage in Rapid City.

10Day 10

  1. 9:00 AM
    2–4 hr stay
    Jewel Cave National Monument4.5

    11149 U.S. 16, Custer

    Discover the world's third longest cave system in South Dakota

  2. 1:30 PM
    1–2 hr stay
    Wind Cave National Park4.5

    South Dakota, hot springs

    Explore subterranean cave formations and vast rolling prairie landscapes above ground.

  3. 4:15 PM
    2–4 hr stay
    Crazy Horse Memorial4.4

    Crazy Horse, Crazy Horse

    Monumental mountain carving honoring Native American heritage in South Dakota

Want more options? Browse things to do in Mount Rushmore, places to eat, or the full Mount Rushmore vacation guide.