The Kid Tested, Mother Approved Itinerary – What to See and Do with Kids in the Black Hills

Mount Rushmore is the main draw and we always suggest including that on the first day’s agenda. Doing so will negate the effects of inclement weather.

Highway 16 – the road to Rushmore – is lined with some of the best BH attractions. Reptile Gardens, Bear Country USA, Old MacDonald’s Farm, Fort Hays, BH Maze, Cosmos Mystery Area, Alpine Slide at Rushmore Tramway Adventures, National Presidential Wax Museum, Big Thunder Gold Mine and 1880 Train are on – or right off – the highway. And that lengthy list isn’t all of them, just most.

But in the interest of getting Mount Rushmore checked off the list, save most of those in Rapid City for a different day.

On this day, hit those in, or very near Keystone – like the classic Cosmos Mystery Area – in the morning. The whole offering at both Rushmore Tramway Adventures and Rush Mountain Adventure Park are fun on all levels, for all ages and could be a great time before going to the memorial.

Grab lunch in Keystone or better yet, lunch with George, Thomas, Teddy and Abe (don’t pass on the Thomas Jefferson-recipe ice cream) up on the mountain. While at Mount Rushmore, depending on the age of your crew, either check out the new kid’s area (located off the Presidential Trail) or continue the along the trail for a nice hike and some great views of the sculpture.

Next, head over to Hill City to check out the Museum at Black Hills Institute, 1880 Train, and the other offerings of this little mountain town. The Institute is an old armory that’s filled with amazing fossils from floor to ceiling. The 1880 Train is a perfect way to end the first day with a scenic, 2-hour ride from Hill City to Keystone and back.

Alternate stops here include Holy Terror Mini-Golf, Rushmore Borglum Story, SD Railroad Museum, Brule at High Country Guest Ranch, Circle B Chuckwagons, and Teddy Bear Town.

Honestly, with Mount Rushmore anchoring so many attractions, you can continue cleaning up along the Hwy. 16 corridor but, here’s where it can be good to mix in some of the natural Black Hills offerings.

On this day, we recommend heading to Custer State Park, heralded by national media as one of the world’s best animal destinations, and touring one of the world’s top-five longest caves nearby in Jewel or Wind Cave.

Start the day of with the cave tour. The tours are first-come-first-serve and are one of the hottest tickets to score. It’s a definite Black Hills experience that can blow minds of any age.

Afterward, plan on a good half-day in Custer State Park. Seek out the park’s buffalo herd on the Wildlife Loop or on a Buffalo Jeep Safari tour, hike around Sylvan Lake, feed the begging burros and drive Needles Highway.

Teens might love the chance here to climb the amazing formations in Custer State Park, give Sylvan Rocks Climbing School a call.

Another popular Black Hills experience are trail rides from outfits like Hollingsworth Horses, Rockin’ R Trail Rides, Sage Meadow Ranch, High Country Guest Ranch and more.

Other alternate stops could be the Mammoth Site, BH Balloons, Evans Plunge, Beaver Lake Water Park, and Four Mile Old West Town.

If the group is still cooperating, know Crazy Horse Memorial, yet another mountain carving – and the bigger one at that – is right outside of Custer. If late in the day, stay for their laser light show.

Rapid City is the largest city (by far) and on the first day, everyone in your traveling party had to of taken note of all the attractions here. It’s been a hub for tourists since the 1930s while work on Mount Rushmore was just taking shape. Today, it’s known as the City of Presidents for the statues located downtown and the thriving rejuvenation of that area.

Reptile Gardens with its Guinness-record holding collection of reptiles, tropical fauna, and animal shows is a must. Adding to the fun, other animal attractions like Bear Country USA and Old Macdonald’s Farm are nearby. Load up on a cheap cowboy breakfast at Fort Hays on the way. After the morning fun, heading back into Rapid City your group can clean up any other Hwy. 16 stops you wish.

In Rapid City, we also suggest some time at Storybook Island, a free attraction that’s a fav of locals, and the action downtown at Main Street Square. There’s a fountain the kiddos can cool down in and usually all sorts of other things going on.

Alternate stops in Rapid City are the 30,000 SQ. ft WaTiki Indoor Waterpark, Dinosaur Park, Dinosaur Museum, Putz n Glo, Rapid Escape, Journey Museum, and the Outdoor Campus – West.

With Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, a cave and Reptile Gardens done, the last region to hit is the region locals call the Northern Black Hills. Here, you’ll find many family-friendly things to do in the towns of Spearfish, Sturgis, Deadwood, and others.

You’ll also find great attractions that aren’t as well-known as previous day stops.

Devils Tower National Monument is a scenic hour drive away (a great chance to nap for the littlest ones) and has an easy trail around the base. This was the nation’s first national monument and is worth the trip. On the way there or back, just across the South Dakota/Wyoming state line, stop at the Vore Buffalo Jump. This step back in time will teach you how the Plains Indians hunted buffalo at this natural sinkhole.

In nearby Spearfish, wander the beautiful grounds (open year around), and feed the fish at DC Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery. Located along the bubbling and COLD Spearfish Creek and right next door to the hatchery is Spearfish City Park. Both places are full of natural beauty and offer plenty of space for youngers to run off energy while Mom and Dad relax on a park bench nearby.

Spearfish Canyon, with its waterfalls and hikes, is where locals often make a fun day of exploring. Roughlock Falls is a beautiful stop and one of the easiest hikes in the Hills leads to it. If you really want to discover "The Hills" a little off-the-beaten-path, rent a bicycle, or UTV at Spearfish Canyon Adventures and hit the trails!

Just a few miles southwest, through Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, is the town of Lead (pronounced; Leed). This fun, the little town is "Miles Above Ordinary" and is rich in gold-mining history. A stop at the Black Hills Mining Museum will give you the opportunity to take a tour of what a goldmine looked like. You can even experience panning for gold there. At the bottom of Main Street, you'll find the Sanford Homestake Visitor Center. Offering a one-of-a-kind view of a mile-wide open cut gold mine and a great gift shop with many unique items. Guaranteed everyone in your group will learn about the science of yesterday - and today!

Most think that Deadwood is just for adults with lots of casinos and gambling. However, there are bucket-loads of family-friendly history there too! Catch an award-winning Old West "shootouts" and reenactments on historic Main Street, then follow the crowd up the street to watch the Trial of Jack McCall. You can even hitch a ride on the historic, horse-drawn Deadwood Stagecoach, creating memories that will last a lifetime.  Drive up the hill to see if you recognize any famous names buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Everyone would enjoy wandering through the Adams Museum. You'll learn all about the history of Deadwood - as well as many of the characters that lived and died there.

For groups with older ones seeking more adventure, rent a UTV from outfits like Mystic Hills Hideaway, Rec Springs, Mad Mountain or other outfitters and head into the forest.

Alternate stops in the Northern Hills could include Bear Butte State Park in Sturgis, Broken Boot Gold Mine in Deadwood, Beautiful Wonderland Cave nestled in the hills just off Vanocker Canyon, as well as Termesphere Gallery and Spearfish Rec/Aquatics Center in Spearfish.

This list is jam-packed - but when traveling with kids, it is all subject to change. Highlight one or two stops a day and know that you can always come back. These Black Hills experiences will be here for generations to come.