Edmond to Mount Rushmore and Devils Tower Road Trip with Hotel Stays

Morning: Edmond to Des Moines

Leave Edmond around 7:00 AM for the roughly 8½–9½-hour drive to Des Moines via I-35. This is a long but straightforward northbound run through Oklahoma, Kansas, and Iowa, so plan two or three brief fuel, coffee, and restroom stops rather than trying to push through. Keep an eye on afternoon traffic approaching Des Moines, especially around the I-235 interchange. Once you arrive, park at your hotel and leave the car there; the evening’s stops are close enough to handle on foot or with a short rideshare.

Late Afternoon: Iowa State Capitol

After checking in, head to the Iowa State Capitol in the East Village for about an hour. The building’s public areas and guided-tour schedule can vary, so check same-day hours before setting out; weekday tours are generally easier to catch than weekend ones, and exterior grounds remain worthwhile even if you arrive after interior access ends. Allow a little time to walk around the hill and take in the dome views over central Des Moines. Parking is usually available in nearby ramps or metered spaces, but walking from the East Village is often simpler.

Early Evening and Dinner

Continue on foot through the East Village, where restored brick buildings now hold independent boutiques, galleries, and local shops. It is an easy, compact neighborhood for an unhurried first-night stroll—roughly an hour is enough before dinner. Finish at Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, a playful, casual spot known for inventive burgers, fries, and thick shakes; expect about $15–25 per person before drinks and tip. Dinner is generally busiest in the evening, so join the waitlist or arrive slightly early, particularly on a Sunday night.

Morning

Start at Pappajohn Sculpture Park when the light is still soft and the paths are pleasantly quiet. Allow about an hour to wander among the large-scale contemporary works; the park is free and generally open from sunrise to midnight, with easy street parking and nearby garages. From there, drive or walk east toward the East Village—roughly 10 minutes by car, or about 25 minutes on foot—to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Its tropical conservatory is especially welcome if the morning is hot, and the outdoor gardens usually take another 30–45 minutes. Check the seasonal hours before leaving your hotel; admission is typically around $10–15 for adults.

Lunch and Afternoon Drive

Have lunch at Scenic Route Bakery on East Grand Avenue, a locally loved café with coffee, sandwiches, salads, and pastries—budget about $12–25 per person. It is a good final stop before the long afternoon, and you can pick up something portable for the road. Leave Des Moines around 1:00 PM for Rapid City, following I-29 north and I-90 west; allow roughly eight hours plus fuel and restroom stops. The route is mostly easy interstate driving, but services thin out across western South Dakota, so top off the tank and keep water and snacks in the car. Expect to reach town in the evening and use your hotel’s parking rather than trying to move the car again.

Evening

After checking in, walk to Murphy’s Pub & Grill in downtown Rapid City for an uncomplicated dinner, usually $18–30 per person. It is convenient for central hotels and suits a late arrival: burgers, sandwiches, salads, and a full bar without the formality of a destination restaurant. If you still have energy afterward, take a short stroll through the nearby downtown blocks and along Main Street, but save the Black Hills sightseeing for daylight.

Early Morning at the Memorial

Leave Rapid City around 6:30–7:00 AM and follow US-16 to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, roughly a 35-minute drive. The memorial parking garage is straightforward, though it charges approximately $10 per private vehicle and the fee is not covered by the National Park Pass. Arriving near opening—typically 5:00 AM for the grounds, with visitor services opening later—means cooler temperatures, softer light, and a much easier walk before tour buses arrive. Give yourself about two hours for the Avenue of Flags, viewing terrace, museum, and the monument itself.

From the terrace, take the Presidential Trail, a 0.6-mile loop with stairs and uneven sections that usually takes 45–60 minutes at an easy pace. It brings you closer to the granite faces and through ponderosa pine forest; sturdy shoes and water are worthwhile, even in the morning. Afterward, stay in Keystone for lunch rather than driving back toward Rapid City. Ruby House Restaurant on Winter Street is a convenient historic-town option for burgers, sandwiches, and salads, while Tess’ South Dakota Cuisine is better suited to a relaxed sit-down meal; allow roughly $15–30 per person and expect summer waits around noon.

Afternoon in Custer State Park

After lunch, drive south on US-16A toward Custer State Park and join the Wildlife Loop Road, allowing two to three hours for the unhurried circuit. The road winds through open grassland and low granite hills, with frequent chances to see bison, pronghorn, burros, and wild turkeys. A park entrance fee is generally required—budget about $20 per vehicle for a temporary pass—and wildlife can create unexpected stops, so don’t plan this section too tightly. Keep windows closed around bison, stay in the vehicle when animals are close, and bring snacks and water; services are limited along the loop.

Finish at Sylvan Lake, reached via SD-87 through the park’s striking granite landscape. Allow about an hour for the easy lakeside walk and quiet pauses beside the rock formations. Late afternoon is especially pleasant here, when the exposed granite begins to warm in the lower sun. Check the park’s seasonal road conditions before setting out, since construction or one-way sections can occasionally affect the best route; otherwise, this is an ideal place to end the day without adding another major attraction.

Morning

Drive from Keystone to Crazy Horse Memorial via US-16A and US-385; it takes about 35–40 minutes. Leave around 8:00 AM so you arrive before the larger tour groups and have time for the Crazy Horse Memorial museum, cultural center, and mountain overlook. Allow two to three hours—there is more here than the carving itself, including extensive exhibits on Lakota history and the project’s long, family-run history. Admission is roughly $15–20 per adult, and the site generally opens around 8:00 AM in summer. The Native American Educational and Cultural Center is part of the same visit; set aside about 45 minutes for its thoughtful displays on regional Indigenous cultures. Check the day’s exact hours before leaving, since seasonal schedules can change.

Midday and Afternoon

From Crazy Horse Memorial, drive about 10 minutes north on US-385 into Custer for lunch. The Custer Wolf is a dependable casual choice for sandwiches, salads, and burgers, while Black Hills Burger and Bun Co. is ideal if you want a more substantial meal; expect about $15–30 per person and roughly an hour. After lunch, continue south on US-385 to Jewel Cave National Monument, about 25 minutes away. Reserve a ranger-guided tour ahead of time—the popular tours can sell out, and cave temperatures stay around 49°F year-round, so bring a light layer. Allow 2½–3 hours for the visitor center, ranger program, and the necessary buffer before or after your tour.

Late Afternoon

Finish with Needles Highway through Custer State Park, entering from the southern side near Sylvan Lake and following SD-87 toward the park’s central roads. The drive takes about two hours with photo stops, but allow longer if traffic is heavy at the one-lane tunnels and granite pullouts. The road is narrow, winding, and not suitable for large vehicles; check its seasonal status before setting out, and purchase or carry the park entrance pass. Late afternoon gives the granite formations warmer color, though leave enough daylight for the return drive to your overnight base.

Early Morning: Devils Tower National Monument

Leave the Black Hills around 7:00 AM for Devils Tower National Monument, allowing roughly 2½ hours via US-385, US-14A, and WY-24. Aim to arrive near opening, when the Tower Trail is cooler and parking is easier. The paved 1.3-mile loop around Devils Tower takes about an hour at an easy pace; allow another 45–60 minutes for the visitor center, exhibits, and the changing views of the volcanic monolith. Check the National Park Service website for the 2026 fee and hours before leaving, and carry water—shade is limited. The monument is remote, so download maps and fill the tank before heading north.

Late Morning and Lunch

After the trail, spend about 45 minutes at Devils Tower Trading Post, just outside the monument entrance, browsing local crafts, Native-inspired artwork, regional souvenirs, and snacks. Then drive roughly 45 minutes east to Sundance, where Long Creek Cafe makes a practical lunch stop in town; expect about $15–30 per person and allow an hour. It is wise to eat here rather than rely on limited options farther along the route, and pick up coffee or extra water for the long afternoon drive.

Afternoon and Evening: The Return to Edmond

Depart Sundance by early afternoon for the return to Edmond, following I-90 east before joining I-25 south and continuing toward Oklahoma. The full drive is approximately 10–11 hours without extended stops, so plan fuel and restroom breaks around Buffalo, Casper, and Cheyenne. This is an ambitious same-day return after the monument visit; if anyone is tired, stop overnight around Cheyenne or Denver rather than pushing through after dark. Otherwise, expect a late-evening or after-midnight arrival in Edmond, with construction, weather, and mountain traffic capable of adding time.