Can You Do the Badlands and Mount Rushmore in One Day?
When I first started leading tours through South Dakota, one of the most common questions I heard was, “Can you do the Badlands and Mount Rushmore in one day?” It’s a fair question. They’re both bucket-list destinations, packed with history and natural wonder. The truth is, yes, you can absolutely do both in a day, and it can be one of the most beautiful days you’ll spend in South Dakota. The secret lies in how you plan it. This is where trying different approaches and making mistakes repeatedly until you get it right comes in handy.
The Scenic Drive to Mount Rushmore from Rapid City
If you start your morning (I recommend leaving at 6:30 AM) in Rapid City at one of our recommended hotels, enjoy a scenic drive into Keystone using the backroads. Avoid Highway 16A, it’s not nearly as interesting.
By taking Mount Rushmore Road out of Rapid City and hopping on Neck Yoke Road, then merging onto S Rockerville Road, you’ll not only appreciate the scenery, but this will place you in the most interesting place in Keystone.
Once you arrive in Old Keystone, you’ll see where the workers live and many of the old-time businesses, like the Rock Shed. Stop at this business, you’ll learn a lot about the minerals, metals, and gems the Black Hills contains. It’s worth it, and we promote small businesses. Check out the link for Experience Keystone for more local businesses.
If you’re like most people, you miss all of this and drive straight through Keystone via 16A, only seeing the tee-shirt shops, fudge stores, and tourist traps before arriving at Mount Rushmore. They miss the authentic places that escaped the flood of 1972.
Morning Light at Mount Rushmore
The best time to visit Mount Rushmore is in the morning. The light is by far the best. The air feels crisp, the forest still carries the quiet of the night, and the granite faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln glow in that soft golden light. I’ve been there hundreds of times, but every sunrise feels new.
Most visitors need 1-2 hours at Mount Rushmore. If you’re visiting on your own, consider grabbing a headset upon arrival at Mount Rushmore to gain insights into the carving of the moment and the individuals who made it possible.
Getting there early isn’t just about beating the crowds; it’s about seeing the monument at its best. When the sun hits it from the east, the details come alive. You can walk the Presidential Trail, a short loop that gives you close-up views and a few angles that most visitors miss. If you don’t mind the hundreds of steps, stop at the Sculptor’s Studio, where you can see Gutzon Borglum’s tools and the model of what the mountain was supposed to look like before time, money, and weather changed the plan.
Take a look around the visitor center, and visit the Book Store. The Mount Rushmore Society runs this store and is not a concessionaire. One of my favorite books, about Peter Norbeck, is usually in stock.
Afterward, I like to grab a coffee and a donut at Carver’s Café, where the view through the big windows perfectly frames the presidents. By the time I finish, tour buses are just starting to arrive — and that’s my cue to move on.
Head back the way you came, or take the direct route of 16A, enjoying the Keystone Wye Bridge along the way.
Lunch and Local Flavor in Rapid City
You’ve got a few options for lunch. A great restaurant, the Salt Block, opened on 16a and is terrific for burgers, with a perfect view of the Black Hills. If you continue back to Rapid City proper, The Independent Ale House has great flatbreads.
Next, stop back at your hotel and freshen up for a visit to the Badlands. You’re about to enter a landscape that couldn’t be more different. Pack some food and drinks, wear good shoes, and don’t forget to bring a camera. You’re about to get one of the best sunsets you’ve ever seen.
Let me walk you through how I like to do it.
The Drive to Badlands National Park
Your departure from Rapid City should be around 2-3 hours before sunset, so check your timing. When leaving Rapid City, I always take the I-90. This isn’t the most scenic route, but it’s the safest and best.
This drive takes about an hour if you take your time, which you should. The little railroad town of Wasta, along the way, offers a glimpse into life in the past, featuring old homes, an abandoned grain elevator, shut-down stores, old cars, and more.
The next exit east of Wasta is a rest stop; use it. Once you enter Badlands National Park, note that there will be no running water restrooms, so be sure to take advantage of the available facilities.
It’s about an hour and twenty minutes, and the landscape opens up fast. The Black Hills fade behind you, replaced by endless stretches of prairie and sky.
I recommend the Northeast Entrance. As soon as you enter, the scenery changes dramatically; flat prairie gives way to jagged formations that look almost alien. This is where I like to slow down again.
Afternoon and Sunset in the Badlands
If you’ve never seen the Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), prepare to be amazed. It’s 31 miles of overlooks, short trails, and ever-changing light. I usually stop first at Big Badlands Overlook, where the landscape unfolds in layers of pink, gold, and gray. From there, I might walk the Door Trail, which winds through the formations and makes you feel like you’re walking on another planet.
As the day fades, I drive toward Pinnacles Overlook — my favorite sunset spot in the park. The view stretches for miles, and when the light hits just right, the rocks look like they’re glowing from within. It’s quiet here in the evening. You can often hear the wind, the distant call of a meadowlark, and sometimes, if you’re lucky, see bighorn sheep moving across the ridges.
This is always the moment when I exhale and feel grateful. There’s no better way to end the day than watching the sun drop behind those formations.
Is It Worth Doing Both in One Day?
In my opinion, yes — completely. It’s a full day, but not an exhausting one if you pace yourself. Mount Rushmore gives you a sense of human history and ambition, while the Badlands remind you of nature’s raw power and time’s slow hand. Seeing both in one day feels balanced, like you’ve touched both sides of South Dakota’s spirit.
Tips from the Road
After running this route more times than I can count, here are a few tips that always make the day smoother:
Start early. Arriving at Mount Rushmore around sunrise gives you the best light and fewer crowds.
Bring snacks and water. The Badlands are remote, and services are limited.
Fuel up before leaving Rapid City. Gas stations thin out fast once you’re on I-90.
Wear comfortable shoes. Even the short hikes are worth it, and the terrain can be uneven.
Watch the weather. South Dakota’s skies can change in a heartbeat.
Stay for the sunset. It’s not just a photo opportunity — it’s an experience.
Most visitors leave as soon as the sun goes down, just as the show is about to begin. Colors build, the blue hour starts with pink and blue, then the night sky comes out. Seeing the Badlands transition from day to night is remarkable, and it’s my favorite tour to conduct by far.
Extending the Adventure
If you have another day, there’s plenty more to see nearby. Custer State Park offers scenic drives where buffalo roam free, and the Crazy Horse Memorial is another powerful site worth visiting.
If you’d rather let someone else handle the logistics, that’s where I come in. At My XO Adventures, I craft custom experiences and day trips of the Black Hills and Badlands that allow travelers to enjoy the journey without worrying about timing or routes. Whether you’re into photography, geology, or just good conversation on the road, I can help make your South Dakota adventure something personal and unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
So, can you do the Badlands and Mount Rushmore in one day? Absolutely. I’ve done it more times than I can count, and every single time feels different. Watching the morning light touch the faces of four presidents, eating lunch in a small city full of character, and ending the day with a fiery sunset over ancient rock formations — that’s a story worth living.
When you plan your trip, don’t just think about checking off two landmarks. Think about the moments in between — the winding roads, the unexpected stops, the way the land seems to shift with every mile. That’s where the real magic of South Dakota lives.
