Minneapolis to Mount Rushmore Summer Road Trip

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17 THINGS TO SEE ON THE WAY

SCENIC DRIVE AND ATTRACTIONS

The stretch from Minneapolis to Mount Rushmore is beautiful and has many unique roadside attractions. This guide is useful also for those planning a family vacation drive from Chicago to Mount Rushmore.

Chicago to Minneapolis

If you are starting from Chicago, then here are some of the stops along the road: the Bean at Millenium Park, Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park (if it’s open), the Museum Campus, shopping at Magnificent Mile, and taking a cruise from Navy Pier in the summer.

Rock Cut State Park

The state park has mountain biking and horse-riding trails; it also encompasses two lakes with beach areas for recreation. Visitors can launch their watercrafts from the ramps and cool off in the lakes.

MADISON

The Wisconsin State Capitol is one of Madison’s prominent attractions – a majestic building with murals and ornate interior. Olbrich Botanical Gardens are free to visit and look best in spring and summer.

Minneapolis to Mount Rushmore

The stretch of I 90 cruises over rolling hills and is surrounded by cornfields, sunflower blooms, cattle, and hay bales – total eye candy! The road stretches straight ahead for miles and is perfect to put on some great music and take in the scenic views.

Sioux Falls

The falls are created by the water of the Big Sioux River as it tumbles down limestone rock formations. The Falls Park comprises of the falls themselves and the surrounding area and has lots of walking and biking trails.

Badlands National Park

The Badlands were carved by the waters of the White River more than a million years ago. Today, the area comprised of Badlands National Park is a unique mix of flat prairies and eroded buttes, pinnacles, mounds, and other landforms.

Rapid City

Rapid City is located about midway between the Black Hills National Forest and Mount Rushmore and makes the perfect base for exploring all the attractions in this region.

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway

The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway ranks among America’s best scenic drives. The three scenic drives are the Wildlife Loop Road in Custer, Iron Mountain Road, and the Needles Highway. 

Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial is dedicated to the famous Lakota leader Crazy Horse. The scale of this sculpture is immense and when completed it will be the largest in the world.

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave is the first cave in the world to be established as a national park and is also the longest cave in the world. The cave has beautiful box work and other formations which can be seen in a guided tour.

Black Hills National Forest

The Black Hills of South Dakota loom over the prairies of the Great Plains. The Black Hills are among the oldest mountains in the world and have long been worshipped by the Lakota Indians.

Mount Rushmore

And finally, after seeing many interesting destinations on our way, we arrived at Mount Rushmore – the shrine of democracy. Mount Rushmore is located in the Black Hills National Forest and its face is carved with the sculptures of 4 United States Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.

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Minneapolis to Mount Rushmore Summer Road Trip

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