Mount Rushmore / Hill City KOA

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore is located just five miles east of the campground. Guests visit in the daytime for picture taking and to visit the sculptor’s studio, new interpretive center and the concession. There is also the new Presidential Trail that allows visitors to walk along the base of the sculpture for striking views never before available. Visitors this year will also be the first to experience the new interpretive center with state of the art displays recreating the carving of the mountain and the history of the four presidents depicted. Completed just last year is the new Amphitheater. In the evening, there is a very patriotic and inspiring Lighting Ceremony in which the ranger gives a presentation, followed by a film about the four presidents, and then the monument is lighted. We offer shuttle service from the campground to the lighting service nightly. KOA guests sign up each morning for seats for that evening’s program on a first-come first-served basis. This popular service allows our guests to leave their RVs hooked up and helps prevent parking congestion at the monument.

Crazy Horse Mountain Memorial

Located 10 miles south of the KOA. Crazy Horse is a mountain carving in progress that dwarfs Mount Rushmore. This carving is in the round with the 90’ high face dedicated in June 1998, which marked the mountain’s 50th anniversary since the first carving began. In addition, there is an Indian Museum and a collection of the sculptor’s other works. The KOA also provides evening shuttles to the impressive Lighting Program at Crazy Horse Memorial.

Black Hills National Forest

The Black Hills National Forest surrounds the resort, which is located in the very heart of the Forest. Our trail rides go into the Black Elk Wilderness Area, just a mile from the campground. Hiking trails to Harney Peak, the highest point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, begin right at the KOA. The Centennial Trail and the Mickelson Rails to Trails are within four miles of the KOA. Imagine the pristine views and the quiet nature that you’ll enjoy right from your campsite!

Custer State Park

One of the nation’s largest state parks is just eight miles away. The parks 73,000 acres abound in scenic drives, buffalo, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and sparkling lakes. Also nestled in Custer State Park is the Black Hills Playhouse famous for its Broadway caliber plays with a quaint “woods” setting.

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway

The KOA is located right on the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, a thirty mile loop that is selected as one of the top ten scenic byways in America. On the loop, you will meander through the Iron Mountain Road which was built strictly for scenery, featuring hairpin turns, pigtail bridges, scenic overlooks, and tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore. The byway takes you through Custer State Park and over the Needles Highway, another road built for scenery. This one has unusual granite formations, tunnels, and overlooks. The third part of the byway is Highway 244 right in front of the campground. This is the Gutzon Borglum Memorial Highway that takes you to Mount Rushmore, with spectacular views of the Monument. To completely enjoy the sights along the byway consider a bus tour and leave the driving to us!

Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Park

Both parks are located within 45 minutes of the KOA. These parks not only have cave tours, but interpretive surface facilities as well. Wind Cave is a “dry cave” or a “box cave” with few crystal formations but a great tour through the intricate web of the underground. Buffalo, elk and antelope roam the surrounding park area. Jewel Cave has over 100 miles of explored passageway and is believed to be the third largest cavern in the world. This is a must see for spelunkers--novice or expert.

Almost as popular as the natural attractions in the Black Hills are the man-made attractions:

1.) The Black Hills Central Railroad is a steam train in Hill City, just seven miles from the campground, featuring a twenty-mile back-country round trip. 2.) The Reptile Gardens is a unique family attraction featuring a collection of snakes and reptiles along with exotic plants, performing animals, birds of prey, and educational programs. 3.) Bear Country, USA is a drive-through wildlife park with a great collection of bear, grizzly bear, elk, deer, mountain lions, and many other native species. The baby animal section is very popular with the families. 4.) Beautiful Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to the campground, with beautiful caverns loaded with formations. 5.) Museums include: The Rushmore Borglum Story, The Journey Museum, National Museum of Woodcarving, Black Hills Mining Museum, The Mammoth Site, Fort Meade Cavalry Museum, and the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.