Need a break that doesn’t require a full week off? Mount Rushmore is the perfect weekend destination—rich in sights, low on stress, and packed with things to do in just two days.

We’ve created a local-approved, time-maximized weekend itinerary so you can enjoy it all without the usual planning chaos.

Let’s go.

Day 1 – Monuments, History, and Chuckwagon Fun

🕗 8:00 AM – Fort Hays Chuckwagon Breakfast
Start your day with a hearty meal, western-style.

• Enjoy cowboy biscuits, sausage, and pancakes
• Stroll through Old West buildings
• Check out handmade leather goods, rope makers, and the blacksmith

Pro tip: This is where our full-day sightseeing tour departs from—your stress-free option to hit all the sights without driving.

10:00 AM – Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Get there early for the best lighting and fewer crowds.

• Walk the Avenue of Flags
• Stop in the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center
• Try the Jefferson vanilla ice cream!

1:00 PM – Crazy Horse Memorial
This massive mountain carving is still underway—and it’s breathtaking.

• Learn about Native American heritage
• Tour the museum and art displays
• Watch live demonstrations by local artisans

6:30 PM – Chuckwagon Supper and Music Show
Head back to Fort Hays for an unforgettable evening:

• Chuckwagon-style dinner
• Live country music and comedy
• Family-friendly entertainment in a rustic hall

Day 2 – Wildlife, Lakes, and Scenic Roads

8:30 AM – Wildlife Loop, Custer State Park
Drive through open range and watch for:

• Bison herds

• Friendly wild burros

• Deer and antelope
  Best time to go? Morning, before heat sends animals to the shade.

11:00 AM – Picnic at Sylvan Lake
Sylvan is the most scenic lake in the Black Hills.

• Bring a picnic or grab lunch at the lodge

• Walk the easy shoreline trail

• Snap postcard-worthy photos

1:30 PM – Iron Mountain Road Scenic Drive
End your trip with a bang. This famous drive features:

• One-lane pigtail bridges

• Tunnels that perfectly frame Mount Rushmore

• Forested curves and overlooks worth every stop

Prefer not to drive? Our bus tour takes this exact route with expert narration and no parking hassle.

Sample 2-Day Itinerary At a Glance

Want to See It All Without Doing All the Planning?

One ticket. All the highlights. No stress.
Our sightseeing tour covers:
✔️ Mount Rushmore
✔️ Crazy Horse
✔️ Custer State Park
✔️ Sylvan Lake
✔️ Fort Hays Chuckwagon

You sit back, relax, and let us guide the way.

👉 Book your weekend Mount Rushmore Tour now