Choose your travel window
First trip
Early June or mid-September
Most major attractions are running, but parking and lodging pressure are easier than in July.
Lowest rates
May, late September, or October
Shoulder season can be excellent for drives and hiking. Expect cooler mornings and some seasonal closures.
Family schedule
Late June through July
You get the fullest attraction schedules and warmest pool weather. You also get the most traffic and the highest room rates.
Quiet roads
Weekdays in early June or October
A good compromise for photographers and couples who would rather stop at an overlook than circle for parking.
Planning around one stop? Use the best time to visit Mount Rushmore for crowds, parking, and memorial hours, or the best time to visit Deadwood for Main Street seasons.
Once you have dates in mind, find the best town for your itinerary and compare Black Hills hotels by town.
Book the experiences around your dates
Compare guided drives, wildlife tours, and Mount Rushmore combinations before popular summer dates fill.
We earn a commission on Viator bookings, at no extra cost to you. Check dates and final prices on Viator. Tour information collected May 15, 2026; not live availability.
Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour
Confirm group format · 9h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (34 reviews)
Route and experience details
What makes this tour unique is the combination of three of Western South Dakota's most iconic destinations, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, into a single, comprehensive, and fully narrated experience. Over 8-9 hours, you'll not just see these landmarks, but gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their history, cultural significance, and natural beauty. We always give the guest time to buy their lunch during the tour.
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From USD 312
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Custer State Park Wildlife Loop and Needles Highway Tour
Confirm group format · 8h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (2 reviews)
Route and experience details
What makes this tour unique is its immersive journey through Custer State Park's Wildlife Loop, offering a chance to witness the majestic buffalo herds, especially enchanting in springtime with the adorable newborn calves. Beyond the buffalo, you'll encounter a diverse array of wildlife, from graceful antelope and deer to playful prairie dogs and the charming begging burros, all set against the backdrop of scenery. The 7-8 hour narrated experience provides an in-depth understanding of the park's ecosystem and its inhabitants, making it more than just a sightseeing tour, but an educational and wildlife adventure.
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From USD 291
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Check dates on Viator (opens in a new tab)Summer: easiest, busiest
June through August is the safest choice when your itinerary depends on every attraction being open. Build in early starts, reserve lodging ahead, and expect slower drives near Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and the Needles Highway. Confirm Mount Rushmore tickets and hours for your dates; entry is free and parking is $10.
Fall: cooler and calmer
September and October are strong for scenic drives, hiking, and photography. The Buffalo Roundup brings a major crowd in late September, so book that weekend early if it is part of your plan. The next roundup is Friday, September 24, 2027.
Spring: good value, variable weather
May can look green and feel wonderfully quiet, but mountain weather changes quickly. Verify cave-tour, lodge, and road schedules instead of assuming the summer calendar has started.
Winter: a different trip
Winter works for travelers who want snow, indoor museums, or a quiet base in Rapid City. It is a poor fit for a checklist itinerary built around every scenic road and seasonal attraction.
The Black Hills month by month
Highs and lows are the NOAA 1991-2020 normals for Rapid City Regional Airport, rounded to the nearest degree. Mount Rushmore and the interior Hills run several degrees cooler. Hours come from the National Park Service and road rules from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
| Month | High / low (°F) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | 36 / 13 | Coldest month. Mount Rushmore grounds open 6 am to 9 pm; Needles Highway closed to vehicles. |
| February | 38 / 14 | Still winter. Ski and snowmobile season runs December to early March. |
| March | 48 / 23 | Snow is still common. Mount Rushmore grounds go back to 5 am to 11 pm on March 10. |
| April | 57 / 31 | Snowiest month on average (10.1 in). Needles Highway reopens April 1 at the earliest. |
| May | 67 / 42 | Wettest month. NPS lists May as less busy than summer at Mount Rushmore. |
| June | 78 / 52 | Long days and full schedules. Afternoon thunderstorms begin. |
| July | 86 / 59 | Warmest month and the busiest at Mount Rushmore. |
| August | 85 / 56 | The Sturgis Rally (August 6 to 15, 2027) fills rooms across the Hills. |
| September | 76 / 46 | Best balance. Lighting program runs through September 30; Buffalo Roundup on the last Friday. |
| October | 60 / 34 | Quieter roads. Grounds close at 9 pm, no lighting program, first snow possible (3.0 in). |
| November | 47 / 22 | Winter hours start November 1; one Custer State Park lodge stays open. |
| December | 37 / 14 | Mount Rushmore buildings close December 25; grounds stay open, weather permitting. |
Snowfall and rainfall for every month are on the Black Hills weather page.
October
October is quieter than summer, with a Rapid City average high of 60°F and lows near freezing. The ranger-led lighting program at Mount Rushmore ends September 30, the grounds are open 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Needles Highway closes to vehicles with the first snow. Rushmore is open all year; our Mount Rushmore timing guide covers fall and winter visits. Closures, fall color and events for the month are in the Black Hills in October.
November
Winter hours start November 1. The Mount Rushmore visitor center closes at 5:00 pm, Custer State Park keeps only Creekside Lodge and a few cabins open, and the Black Hills firearm deer season runs all month. Thanksgiving falls on November 26 in 2026. What stays open, and the holiday events that start Thanksgiving weekend, are in the Black Hills in November.
December to March
See Black Hills in December for what is open and closed. Winter suits a slower trip built around snow and a few open sights. Mount Rushmore's grounds stay open 6:00 am to 9:00 pm through March 9, 2027, and its buildings close only on December 25. Needles Highway stays closed to vehicles until April 1 or later, while Wildlife Loop Road is open year-round. Travel South Dakota calls December through early March the time for skiing and snowmobiling; our Terry Peak ski guide covers lift prices and opening dates. January is the coldest month, with an average Rapid City low of 13°F, so check road conditions on SD511 before each drive. Several Keystone lodges close for the season, so winter trips usually base in Rapid City or Hill City; see our Keystone hotels page for which are seasonal. Planning beyond the Hills? Read the best time to visit South Dakota.
Dates that can change the answer
- Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: early August can fill rooms far beyond the usual summer pattern.
- Buffalo Roundup: late September is memorable, but nearby lodging and roads are busier. The 2027 roundup is September 24.
- School breaks: late June and July are easiest for families, but not the cheapest or quietest.
- Road work and weather: check current conditions before committing to a long scenic loop.
Visiting more of South Dakota?
Most western South Dakota trips pair the Black Hills with Badlands National Park, about an hour's drive east of Rapid City, so the same windows apply. The difference is heat. Badlands summer highs regularly top 100°F with almost no shade, so July and August hikes there work best at sunrise. Late May, June, and September are easier on both halves of the trip.
If you're planning the whole state, Badlands and Sioux Falls included, our best time to visit South Dakota guide covers it month by month. For typical highs and lows by month, see the Black Hills weather guide.
How many days do you need?
Three full days covers Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and one cave or scenic drive at a brisk pace. Four to five days feels less rushed and gives you room for Badlands National Park or Deadwood.
Where should you base yourself?
Rapid City has the broadest services. Keystone is convenient for Mount Rushmore. Hotels in Custer SD are better for park mornings. Deadwood suits a Northern Hills itinerary.
Best time to visit the Black Hills: FAQ
Is October a good time to visit the Black Hills?
Yes, if you want quieter roads and can handle cool mornings. Rapid City averages a 60.4°F high and a 33.7°F low in October on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the caves stay open, but the Mount Rushmore lighting program has ended for the year and Needles Highway closes to vehicles with the first snow.
Is Mount Rushmore open in winter?
Yes. The grounds are open 6:00 am to 9:00 pm from October 1, 2026 to March 9, 2027, and the visitor center is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from November 1. All buildings close on December 25; the grounds and parking stay open that day, weather permitting.
When do Black Hills roads close for winter?
Needles Highway closes to vehicles with the first snow of the season and does not reopen until April 1 or later. Iron Mountain Road closes periodically in winter until crews can clear it safely, and Wildlife Loop Road stays open year-round. That is per South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks; check SD511 before you drive.
When is the next Buffalo Roundup?
Friday, September 24, 2027, in Custer State Park, according to Travel South Dakota and Custer State Park Resort. The event is free and open to the public.
Pick the season that matches your priorities
Decide whether you value full schedules, lower prices, quiet roads, or warm weather, then build the route around that choice.