Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a popular place to visit in South Dakota. The faces of its prominent US presidents make millions of visitors come to the Black Hills area each year. But where to stay near Mount Rushmore for the best experience?
Keystone is the place to stay closest to Mount Rushmore. Other options for where to stay when visiting Mt Rushmore are Hill City, Custer and Rapid City.
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Where to stay by area
- Keystone – Closest monument access and lighting ceremony.
- Hill City – Small-town charm and 1880 Train access.
- Custer – Custer State Park, wildlife and a broader Black Hills base.
- Rapid City – Full city amenities and hotel variety.
Keystone
From Keystone, it’s just 3 miles (5 km) by car to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. No other option for where to stay near Mount Rushmore is as convenient. This effortless access gets even more important if you plan to catch the popular nightly lighting ceremony, a cherished summer tradition in the Black Hills.
In Keystone, brimming with Wild West vibes, you will find an appealing lineup of hotels and all the restaurants you need for a memorable visit. When hunger calls, try Boss’ Pizza and Chicken for a casual meal.
Add to that a quirky lineup of side attractions (Mount Rushmore, the spotlight is on you). Fun attractions in Keystone include Rushmore Tramway Adventures, Rush Mountain Adventure Park, National Presidential Wax Museum and the 1880 Train.
- Distance: 3 mi / 5 km
- Driving time: ≈ 10 min
- Pick Keystone for: Best access.
Best hotels in Keystone
Roosevelt Inn Mount Rushmore
The closer the better? This classic Mt Rushmore hotel sits on the southern end of Keystone, minimizing the driving time to the memorial.
Comfort Inn & Suites Keystone
Bed down in the cute downtown area of Keystone, with restaurants and shops on your doorstep. Bonus feature: The inviting swimming pool and hot tub.
Hill City
Welcome to the second-closest town to Mount Rushmore. Only beaten by Keystone in terms of access, Hill City lies an easy 12-mile (19 km) drive from the Black Hills’ iconic presidential faces. Embrace a destination with a cool Wild West ambience and an array of places to eat, drink and sleep.
A bonus with staying in Hill City is that the historic 1880 Train is based here. This means that the morning train on the legendary 1880 line between Hill City and Keystone departs from Hill City, allowing you to effortlessly begin your day with a historic train ride.
Other popular attractions and reasons to pick Hill City are the State Railroad Museum, @The Black Hills Institute and the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum. These authentic things to do make Hill City a popular town to stay in near Mount Rushmore for those who look for a sophisticated experience.
- Distance: 12 mi / 19 km
- Driving time: ≈ 20 min
- Pick Hill City for: Second closest.
Best hotels in Hill City
Comfort Inn & Suites Hill City
At Comfort Inn, you have all you need for a comfortable time in the Black Hills. Within walking distance are Hill City attractions and places to grab a bite. Still, it’s off the main road, making it a peaceful place to stay — with top facilities including an indoor pool and jacuzzi.
Custer
Among our favorite places to stay near Mount Rushmore, Custer is located furthest south. The city is a great town to hang your hat and unwind in when exploring a larger portion of the Black Hills area.
On the road from Custer to Mount Rushmore, you pass another famous Black Hills monument, the Crazy Horse Memorial. No other city gives you better access to Crazy Horse than Custer.
Another of the area’s big attractions is Custer State Park. From Custer, you have great access to the beautiful nature — including large herds of bison — in the South Dakota state park.
- Distance: 20 mi / 32 km
- Driving time: ≈ 30 min
- Pick Custer for: Black Hills base.
Rapid City
Sure, a 23-mile (37 km) drive to get to Mt Rushmore seems unattractive compared to closer options. However, Rapid City is by far the biggest city in the region, boasting more accommodation options and things to do.
A highlight for the whole family in Rapid City is Bear Country USA. If you drive through the wildlife park, you get to see wolves, elk, buffalo and, of course, lots of black bears from the comfort of your car.
Rapid City also offers relatively good access to the highlights in Badlands National Park. You can get from Rapid City to Mount Rushmore in roughly an hour by car.
- Distance: 23 mi / 37 km
- Driving time: ≈ 30 min
- Pick Rapid City for: A bigger city.
You might wonder…
If you want to stay as close to Mount Rushmore as possible, pick Keystone or Hill City. For more Black Hills attractions, Custer and Rapid City are great alternatives.
While you can explore Mount Rushmore in just a few hours, the Black Hills area has much more to offer than just Mount Rushmore. Therefore, we recommend allowing at least three days to make the most of your visit.
Keystone is the town closest to Mt Rushmore. It’s just a 3-mile (5 km), 10-minute drive from Keystone to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
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