How Long is the Trip Between Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore?
Generally, the trip between Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore is 1 hour 50 minutes. If you are taking the most common route you will drive along I-90 until you reach Rapid City. From there you will continue on US-16 until you reach Mount Rushmore.
The route via Scenic Route SD-44 is slightly shorter by 5 mins. Despite its name, it is not entirely more scenic than the interstate. Most who have travelled this way between Mount Rushmore and Badlands have not been entirely impressed.
Best Places to Stop Between Badlands and Mount Rushmore
There are lots of places to stop between Badlands and Mount Rushmore and so much to do depending on the time that you have. The area is full of history and a chance to visit the past and evaluate the future.
No road trip is complete without great stops along the way. It is what makes a road trip truly epic. Check out our guide on how to find the best road trip stops no matter where you are going.
Wall Drugstore
This is more than just a drug store but an iconic tourist destination that brings in 2 million visitors a year! Wall Drugstore is over 80 years old and has seen the tiny town through thick and thin.
In its early days, it was a place to stop, quite literally in the middle of nowhere and grab a free ice water and stretch your legs before continuing on your journey.
These days you can enjoy a good home-cooked meal and famous handmade doughnuts fresh from the fryer and of course free ice water. Wall Drug store has an impressive store to purchase traditional souvenirs along with handcrafted cowboy boots, artwork and other carefully selected wares.
The kids will love cooling off in the water fountains along with other numerous activities. Running around the Backyard is a favourite while their parents can grab a good cup of coffee for only 5c! It is definitely a great stop to release some of that built up energy on a long road trip.
Prairie Homestead
Prairie Homestead is located just outside of Badlands National Park. Visitors have the opportunity to step back in time to the 1800s and experience what life was like then. Kids will love feeding the animals and getting the chance to dress up in period clothing. There is nothing quite like making history come alive.
Dinosaur Museum
Located right in the route from Badlands to Mount Rushmore is this cute little dinosaur museum where you can get up close with life-size dinosaurs! I know most kids will love the chance to see these ancient giants up close and personal.
Along with being able to walk alongside the dinosaurs your entry ticket also awards you a game of mini-golf and a chance to try your luck in the mirror maze. I have fond memories of a combination mirror maze and dinosaur exhibition on a school trip as a child so this stop is rather appealing to me.
1800 Train
Road trips are all about creating family memories and this will be one you won’t forget in a hurry! Climb aboard an 1800s train and step back to a much simpler age.
The train departs from either Keystone or Hill City and you can choose a one way or return journey. The cost of the return journey is only a couple of dollars more.
2021 Prices
| One Way | Return | |
| Adults | $27 | $32 |
| Children (3-12) | $14 | $16 |
| 0-2 | FREE | FREE |
The train operates from mid-May to mid-October annually and takes around 60 minutes each way. It is advisable to factor in 30 mins for check-in prior to the departure of the train to enable a smooth journey.
Throughout the year there are special events put on that add an extra bit of flair to the already exceptional train ride. The Christmas trip is definitely on our list to make it to one year. You can check out all their other special event rides here.
Cosmos Mystery Area
The Cosmos Mystery Area is definitely a tourist trap but who doesn’t love a good tourist trap every once in a while? At the Cosmos Mystery Area, things are just not quite right. Water flows uphill and your balance seems off and all the laws of science don’t quite seem to make sense. It is completely unique and unlike anything, you would have experienced before.
Alongside the mystery, area is geode mining where your kids can become miners for an hour or so. It is definitely a great idea for a stop along the road to Mount Rushmore or Badlands.
City View Trolley
Riding a trolley through the city is always a fun experience and you get to see so much of a place that you usually would. We have done trolley tours all over the world. When we lived in Melbourne Australia a trolley ride through the city was always a must when we had visitors.
The City View Trolley takes you through the streets of Rapid City North Dakota narrating interesting facts as you pass points of interest.
The trolley runs throughout the summer months and is the perfect little stop on your road trip. You can see a list of all the stops it makes here.
Fares: $2 Adults, $1 Children
City Of Presidents
Rapid City South Dakota is the City of Presidents. In 2000 an art installation project was started then set out to create a walking tour of all the presidents of the United States of America. Each president was crafted as a bronze statue and erected around the city. The installation includes all presidents through to President Obama.
You can download a copy of the walking tour here and see if you can find all the presidents. It is a great way to get some exercise in, embrace a bit of history and enjoy the sights of a new town.
Where to Eat Near Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is an icon in and of itself and trip is only made better with good food. Carvers is the eating hall located at the memorial but there are lots of other options that can entice you on your visit. Ifyou do want to have a snack while you are at Mount Rushmore itself then opt for some of the famous Jefferson Ice Cream.
Chuck Wagon Dinner and Show
This has been on my bucket list for years! The last time we were in the area we weren’t able to fit it in and I have regretted it ever since. Nonetheless, I am telling you about it so you don’t miss out!
Chuckwagon dinners and shows are quintessentially western and cowboy. At The Stables you will have the choice to ride to your dinner location on your own saddled up horse or in a covered wagon. Both are great options, personally, I would probably ride the horses with my older two kids and send my husband with the little ones in the wagon.
Once you reach the dinner site you will enjoy a dinner of steak (hot dogs for the kids if they prefer), dutch oven sides such as baked beans from a secret recipe, dessert a variety of beverages.
While enjoying dinner you will be thoroughly entertained by the cowboys through music. The whole evening will keep you busy for around 3.5 hours.
Sherpas Kitchen
Sherpas Kitchen is a great place to stop for something to eat near Mount Rushmore if you are craving something a bit different. Specialising in traditional Indian and Nepalese food you are sure in for a treat.
The restaurant operates on a limited schedule and is only open during the peak tourist season.
If you have never had this type of food before vindaloo and kormas are both great options. Pair that with naan bread and a mango lassi to drink and you will be set.
Carvers
Carvers is the food hall at Mount Rushmore where you can find all your typical restaurant food such and burgers, salads, pizzas and fries.
The one unique item on the menu here is bison chilli. You can expect long lines and mediocre food here simply due to its location at the memorial. If you are wanting something a bit better priced and without all the crowd it would be a good idea to head out of the memorial and eat elsewhere.
If you care just after a snack perhaps splurge on the famous Thomas Jefferson ice cream you can only purchase here. Given the many many reviews and recommendations I have read through this is about the only worthwhile thing on the menu.
Ruby House
Ruby House is a step back in time (I feel like this is a theme I keep repeating!) to the 1900s where you get that saloon type atmosphere. The menu is sure to include buffalo steak which which common in the area alongside other more traditional foods such as steak and ribs. Even the kids are lucky enough to have steak and ribs on their menu in smaller portions. Other notable menu items include, buffalo in various forms, elk, and trout.
The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner. The lunchmenu runs from 11am-4pm and dinner from 4pm-close. The closing hours vary throughout the year so be sure to check before you arrive.
Where to Eat Near Badlands
Badlands National Park may be in the middle of nowhere but that doesn’t mean you cant get some good food while you are visiting. The nearest town is Interior South Dakota where you will find Badlands Grocery to stock up on supplies. But if you are after a bit more of a hearty meal check out these other options nearby
Badlands Saloon and Grill
Badlands Saloon and Grill is your typical steak restaurant that comes with all the trimmings. In traditional South Dakota style there are plenty of cowboy favourites included in the menu.
Buffalo or bison burgers are particularly appealing. Apparently bison is incredibly lean meat and not as juicy as the more common beef.
Also on the menu are pizzas in either personal size or sharing size. There really is a huge variety to choose from.
My pick would be the fried pickles for an entree, buffalo burger for a main and a razzlesnake pizza to share. I am just choosing the pizza based on its coolname but it actually looks delicious too.
You can check out the full menu here.
Cowboy Corner
Located just south of Badlands National Park in a convienece store no less you will find Cowboy Corner. You can find it all right here, from gas to souviners to good country cooking.
If you are looking for goodlocal hospitality and friendliness you are sure to find it here. The restaurant doesn’t have a menu but is whatever the owner feels like cooking that day and it is usually pretty impressive and delicious.
They are open for lunch every day and dinner on the weekends. There is also an assortmetn of pick up food items such as sandwiches and bagles. It a great little stop not far from Badlands National Park.
Wall Drugstore
We have already mentioned Wall Drugstore previously in this post but it is worth noting again as it is really a great place to grab a bite to eat. Located only 30 mins from the parks visitors centre is it is a good place to fill your bellies before heading into the park for some hiking.
You can check out the menu here. The doughtnus are pretty famous around those parts so I think I will be filling up on those. Can anyone really go past a fresh home made doughnut though? Then I would try be a little adventurous and get a buffalo hot dog.
