There are feats of nature and feats of man. Both are found side by side in South Dakota.
Most people visit western South Dakota for one reason: Mount Rushmore National Memorial. But while the iconic granite faces draw millions of visitors each year, the surrounding Black Hills are filled with scenic drives, dramatic landscapes, Native American history, and outdoor adventures that deserve just as much attention.
From soaring above Mount Rushmore in a helicopter to winding through granite tunnels on Needles Highway and watching bison roam the Badlands, this corner of South Dakota offers far more than a quick photo stop.
See Mount Rushmore from Above
Everyone has seen photos of Mount Rushmore, but few people experience it from the air.
A helicopter flight over the Black Hills provides a completely different perspective of the monument. As the helicopter rises above the pine-covered hills, the four 60-foot-tall presidential faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln suddenly emerge from the granite mountainside.
The memorial was originally conceived by South Dakota state historian Doane Robinson as a way to attract tourists to the Black Hills. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum transformed that idea into one of America’s most recognizable landmarks. Construction began in 1927 and continued for 14 years before the monument was completed in 1941.
Seeing it from above makes you appreciate the sheer scale of the engineering. More than 400 workers used dynamite and precision drilling to remove approximately 450,000 tons of granite from the mountain.
While viewing Mount Rushmore from the visitor center is impressive, a helicopter tour offers one of the most unique viewpoints in the country.
Get ready for takeoff
There was no way to hear each other over the propellers, so we got cool headphones. “Testing … testing 123, Can you hear me? Come in,” I said.
Then, like magic, there were faces on the mountain.
It’s one of those moments. The involuntary gasp of recognition and awe that comes out of you. There they are. Roosevelt, Jefferson, Washington, and Lincoln. Proud and towering even for disconnected heads.
There is something magical about the place. The forest, the hills, the monument carved into the very mountain. Being in the helicopter and seeing it from the vantage of the birds was unique.
Drive One of America’s Most Scenic Roads
After visiting Mount Rushmore, continue through Needles Highway, one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the United States.
This 14-mile National Scenic Byway winds through Custer State Park, climbing over granite mountains, squeezing through narrow rock tunnels, and weaving between towering granite spires known as “the Needles.”
Several tunnels are so narrow that only one vehicle can pass at a time. Some were intentionally aligned to frame Mount Rushmore in the distance.
The drive features countless overlooks where colorful granite formations, dense ponderosa pine forests, and abundant wildlife create postcard-worthy views.
If you’re lucky, you may even spot mountain goats effortlessly scaling near-vertical granite cliffs. We saw a mountain goat climb up the side of the actual mountain and my day was made.
Visit Crazy Horse Memorial
Make your way to the Crazy Horse Memorial, where, aside from the sculpture in Thunderhead Mountain, there is a museum and Native American cultural center.
Just a short drive from Mount Rushmore stands another monumental carving still taking shape.
The Crazy Horse Memorial honors the Oglala Lakota leader Crazy Horse. When completed, will become the world’s largest mountain carving. The sculpture depicts Crazy Horse riding his horse and pointing toward the horizon.
Construction began in 1948 and continues today, funded entirely through private donations and admission fees rather than federal funding.
Visitors can also explore the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Cultural Center on the site. They celebrate the history, art, and traditions of Indigenous peoples.
Explore the Black Hills Beyond the Monuments
The Black Hills are much more than famous monuments.
Rolling forests, granite peaks, sparkling lakes, and winding mountain roads make the region one of the Midwest’s most scenic destinations. Hiking trails, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, and scenic overlooks are scattered throughout the area, making it easy to spend several days exploring.
Whether you’re driving through towering rock formations or watching wildlife in the forests, the Black Hills are a destination worth experiencing at a slower pace.
End Your Trip in Badlands National Park
Less than two hours east of the Black Hills, the landscape transforms dramatically.
The forests give way to the rugged rock formations of Badlands National Park. Here, colorful layers of sedimentary rock have been sculpted by millions of years of erosion into cliffs, pinnacles, and buttes.
The park protects one of the largest remaining mixed-grass prairies in North America and is home to bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, coyotes, prairie dogs, and countless bird species.
Driving the Badlands Loop Road is the best way to experience the park. Numerous overlooks reveal sweeping views of the striped rock formations, while short trails allow visitors to walk among the dramatic landscape.
Keep an eye out for the park’s playful black-tailed prairie dogs, whose bustling colonies are often found near the roadside.
Few destinations combine history, engineering, geology, wildlife, and scenic beauty as seamlessly as western South Dakota.
You can stand beneath one of America’s most recognizable monuments, soar over it in a helicopter, drive through granite tunnels carved into the mountains, learn about Native American history at the Crazy Horse Memorial, and finish the trip watching bison roam across the colorful landscapes of Badlands National Park.
It’s this remarkable combination of natural wonders and human achievement that makes the Black Hills one of the most unique road trip destinations in the United States.
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