Four days is enough to see the best of the Black Hills from one campsite. Day 1: Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon. Day 2: Mount Rushmore, Iron Mountain Road and Custer State Park. Day 3: the Badlands (or Devils Tower). Day 4: Bear Butte and Sturgis.
Every day starts and ends at Suzies Camp, at I-90 Exit 34 near Sturgis, South Dakota, so you unpack once. Drive times below are from camp.
Day 1: Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon
Drive to Deadwood (18 miles, about 25 minutes) for gold-rush history and Mount Moriah Cemetery. Then drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway (US-14A, about 19 miles) between limestone cliffs: Bridal Veil Falls is right beside the road, Spearfish Falls is a 0.7-mile walk (one way) from the lot in Savoy, and Roughlock Falls is 1.1 miles (one way). Come out at Spearfish and take I-90 back to camp. Savoy is 35 miles from camp (about 55 minutes) by the shortest route.
Day 2: Mount Rushmore, Iron Mountain Road and Custer State Park
The long day. Mount Rushmore is 48 miles away (about 1 hr 15 min). From there, Iron Mountain Road winds south through tunnels framed on the faces, into Custer State Park (56 miles from camp) and the 18-mile Wildlife Loop, where bison often walk the road. Budget $10 for Rushmore parking and $25 for the Custer State Park license (per vehicle, good for 7 days). Start early; it’s a full day.
Day 3: the Badlands, or Devils Tower
East: the Badlands Pinnacles entrance is 84 miles straight down I-90 (about 1 hr 50 min), at Exit 110 in Wall, home of Wall Drug. The Badlands Loop Road (SD-240) runs about 39 miles through the park; entry is $30 per vehicle for 7 days. West: Devils Tower is 86 miles (about 1 hr 55 min). Our Devils Tower day trip.
Day 4: Bear Butte and Sturgis
An easy day close to camp. Hike Bear Butte (12 miles, about 25 minutes) in the cool of the morning, then spend the afternoon at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and on Main Street (6 miles). More to do in Sturgis.
Traveling with an RV?
Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway have narrow one-lane tunnels. Leave the RV at camp and take the tow vehicle; every leg above is a day trip.
Traveling with a dog?
At Mount Rushmore, leashed pets are allowed only in the parking garages and the green spaces between them, on the Blackberry Trail and in the pet exercise area, not past the entrance. Pets aren’t allowed on the Bear Butte Summit Trail or on any trail at Devils Tower. Leashed dogs are welcome at camp.
Stay at Suzies Camp
Suzies Camp is a quiet, owner-run campground at I-90 Exit 34 near Sturgis, South Dakota: 18 dry cabins, 60 RV sites and 15 tent sites. See drive times to the whole Black Hills.