
The Black Hills in November 2026
Winter hours start November 1, one lodge stays open in Custer State Park, and the holiday events begin Thanksgiving weekend
Updated: October 26, 2026 | Corrected the Rapid City tree lighting time; linked the Christmas events guide
November in the Black Hills falls between the fall color and the holiday season. Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Wind Cave and Jewel Cave all stay open, but many seasonal services have closed. Only one lodge in Custer State Park still takes guests, Jewel Cave runs a short winter tour schedule, and Needles Highway shuts with the first snow. This guide lists the November 2026 hours and dates from the agencies and operators that run each place.
Thanksgiving is November 26, 2026. Mount Rushmore is open that day. The Custer State Park Visitor Center and the Jewel Cave visitor center are closed, per South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and the National Park Service.
Quick Answer
Mount Rushmore is open every day in November, with the visitor center closing at 5:00 pm. In Custer State Park, Creekside Lodge and a few cabins are the only rooms, and the park's restaurants, stores and gas stations are closed, so Custer town hotels are the nearest fallback. Wildlife Loop Road stays open all winter; Needles Highway closes at the first snow. The Black Hills deer season runs all month, the holiday events start on Thanksgiving weekend, and Terry Peak usually opens for skiing the first weekend of December.
“Creekside Lodge & a few select cabins remain open for limited service winter stays.”
What Changes on November 1
| Place | Late October | November 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Rushmore visitor center | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (Oct 1 to 31) | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily (Nov 1 to May 21) | NPS |
| Mount Rushmore gift shop and Carvers’ Café | Shop to 7:00 pm, café to 5:00 pm (Oct 15 to 31) | Shop 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, café 8:00 am to 4:30 pm | NPS |
| Custer State Park lodges | Seasonal lodges open through October | Creekside Lodge and a few select cabins only. Resort restaurants closed | Custer Resorts |
| Custer State Park Visitor Center | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, 7 days a week | Same hours. Closed Thanksgiving (Nov 26) | SD GFP |
| Jewel Cave | Fall tour schedule through Oct 17 | Winter tour schedule, Tue to Sat. Closed Thanksgiving | NPS |
Mount Rushmore
The NPS hours page lists the parking structure and grounds at 6:00 am to 9:00 pm from November 1 to March 9. The visitor center and Information Center are open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and self-guided tours inside the Information Center run 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The sculpture is lit from sunset to 9:00 pm, and the Sculptor's Studio is closed for the season. Entry is free; parking is paid. Current parking rates are on our Mount Rushmore tickets, hours and fees page. For how November compares with other months at the memorial, read the best time to visit Mount Rushmore.
Custer State Park
The park stays open, and the visitor center keeps its 9:00 am to 4:00 pm schedule seven days a week, apart from Thanksgiving. The entrance license is still $25 per vehicle for one to seven days or $20 per motorcycle. In winter the entrance stations switch to self-service kiosks, so you can buy the license there, online, or at Creekside Lodge when you check in. Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours are the only resort activity that keeps running, with limited daily departures.
Custer Resorts says every park hike stays open in winter when conditions allow except Sunday Gulch Trail, which closes because of ice. Its Winter Trail Challenge runs from Thanksgiving to April 1; pick up the trail list at the visitor center. Our best time to visit Custer State Park guide covers how the park changes across the rest of the year.
Jewel Cave and Wind Cave
Jewel Cave is on its winter schedule from October 18, 2026 into May 2027. The visitor center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and closed on Thanksgiving. Scenic Tours are listed at 9:00, 9:30, 10:45, 12:45, 2:15 and 2:45, and Discovery Tours at 9:45, 11:45, 1:45 and 3:45, but most of those times run first-come, first-served as staffing allows. The 9:00 and 2:45 Scenic Tours and the 1:45 Discovery Tour are the ones usually bookable on Recreation.gov, where booking closes at noon the day before. At Wind Cave, the park surface is open 24 hours, but winter storms can close park roads for a while, and tour times change with the season. Call (605) 745-4600 to confirm. Tour lengths are in our Jewel Cave guide.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse Memorial is open daily year-round. When we checked on October 3, its site listed 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, with the restaurant and snack shop open until 4:00 pm. It does not publish separate November hours or say whether Thanksgiving hours differ, so call (605) 673-4681 before you go. The memorial marks November as Native American Heritage Month. Admission is $30 per car with three or more people from October 1; see Crazy Horse Memorial admission and hours.
1880 Train
The Holiday Express is a one-hour round trip from Hill City to the "North Pole," where Santa boards for the ride back. Every passenger gets hot chocolate, a sugar cookie and a candy cane. The 2026 November departures are on November 25, 27 and 28, followed by select December dates through the 31st and two more runs on January 1 and 2, per the 1880 Train schedule. Ticket prices vary by date and time.
Book a Guided Day for November
Guided Black Hills and Mount Rushmore tours, if you would rather not drive mountain roads in winter conditions. Check each listing for November dates.
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.

Twilight Tour: Custer State Park & Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony
Confirm group format · 6h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Route and experience details
Experience the scenery of the Black Hills on this private afternoon & evening tour, designed to highlight the region’s most scenic drives & end with the Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony. First, we visit the tranquil Sylvan Lake, in pine-covered hills & dramatic rock formations. We continue with a picturesque journey along the legendary Needles Hwy, where towering granite spires, narrow tunnels, & sweeping views create an drive. You’ll have plenty of time for photo stops, short walks, and commentary from your knowledgeable local guide. Then, travel the engineering marvel of Iron Mt Rd, known for its pigtail bridges, scenic switchbacks, & tunnels that perfectly frame Mt Rushmore in the distance. We arrive at Mt Rushmore with time to explore, then as night falls, gather at the amphitheater for the Lighting Ceremony, a patriotic & heartfelt experience that includes a short film, tribute to veterans, & the illumination of the iconic carvings.
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From USD 760
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Western Horizons Hot Air Balloon rides
Confirm group format · 3h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Route and experience details
Western Horizons Hot Air Balloons offers panoramic views of the beautiful Southern Black Hills of South Dakota. Our hot air balloon rides last approximately one hour. The entire experience from pre-flight set up to post-flight refreshments can last from 2 to 3 hours. We fly out of Hot Springs, SD, just after sunrise, weather permitting.
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From USD 395
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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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Bike Adventure on the Mickelson Trail - Private
Private tour · 24h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (31 reviews)
Route and experience details
See the Black Hills in a unique way. Enjoy the quiet, scenic trail and let our guides tell you on some of the history, culture and flora and fauna of the area! Great fun for any fitness level - we can accommodate all in your group, even if some want to ride and others don't. This tour is customizable. Questions? Contact us for more information.
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From USD 375
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Badlands National Park - Sunset and Stargazing (Private)
Private tour · 7h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (26 reviews)
Route and experience details
A once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the incredible Badlands; first in the afternoon and into a golden sunset - followed by the official National Park stargazing program. The best of both worlds, this tour allows us the view wildlife and the parks formations before the sun sets, and then taking on the park after dark! Because Badlands National Park is not surrounded by big cities or other major sources of light pollution, night skies in the park are very clear. After dark, visitors can see many of the night sky’s greatest hits: constellations, the moon, satellites, and airplanes. But the special darkness of Badlands National Park helps visitors to see even more like planets, the Milky Way, star clusters, nebulae, the International Space Station, shooting stars, and, very occasionally, the aurora borealis.
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From USD 850
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Private Tour of the Badlands with Local Experts
Private tour · 9h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (25 reviews)
Route and experience details
The Badlands have many secrets and requires a seasoned guide to explain and reveal them. GeoFunTrek Tours' guides are local experts with decades of experience. We have no seasonal-guides, part-time guides or trainee-guides. This is a family-owned business and all tours are conducted by family members: Cindy, Christopher and John Esposti. We have the knowledge and skills to make your day one to remember. You will always get the A-Team when you tour with GeoFunTrek Tours! All tours are PRIVATE TOURS, exclusive to the group booking the tour, and no additional guests will be included. Children must be accompanied by one adult. Children 3 years and younger are free and will have their own seat. Children's car seats must be supplied by family members when required. Our vehicles are SUV's and a van may be rented for larger groups. Please enquire about vehicles if you have any questions. This tour is great for 3-generation families with Children, multiple couples and groups of friends.
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From USD 425
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Check dates on Viator (opens in a new tab)Scenic Roads in November
- Needles Highway (SD-87): closes to vehicles with the first snow and stays closed until April 1 or later. When conditions allow, SD Game, Fish and Parks says the road is open for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and skiing while closed to motor vehicles.
- Iron Mountain Road (US-16A): closes periodically in winter, depending on conditions and how quickly crews can clear it.
- US-16A in Keystone: closed at the S.D. Highway 40 intersection since October 5, 2026, for a bridge replacement, and SDDOT plans to reopen it by April 23, 2027. A short signed detour loops through town with temporary signals, a 12-foot width limit and a 50-foot length limit, so check the project page first if you are towing or driving a large RV.
- Wildlife Loop Road: open year-round, though the state asks for careful driving in winter conditions. Early morning and the hour before sunset are the best times to see bison on the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop.
Road status can change overnight, so check SD511 the morning you drive. Route details for each road are in our Black Hills scenic drives guide, and SD Game, Fish and Parks lists the tunnel sizes.
Black Hills Deer Season (Nov 1-30)
The Black Hills firearm deer season runs November 1 to 30, 2026, per the SD Game, Fish and Parks key dates. It is buck only. The 2026 license allocation for unit BH1 is 2,750 resident and 220 nonresident whitetail buck licenses, plus 200 resident and 16 nonresident any-buck licenses.
Under the state's big game rules, hunters with firearms must wear a fluorescent orange or pink hat, vest, jacket or similar garment above the waist, and shooting hours run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. If you hike national forest trails in November, wear a bright color yourself.
November Weather
47.3°F
Average high
21.9°F
Average low
0.47 in
Precipitation
5.7 in
Snowfall
Those are the NOAA 1991-2020 normals for Rapid City Regional Airport. The average high drops about 13 degrees from October's 60.4°F, and average snowfall nearly doubles, from 3.0 to 5.7 inches. Total precipitation is low, under half an inch for the month. Plan on below-freezing mornings, and carry an ice scraper and traction for trails. The month-by-month numbers are on our Black Hills weather by month page. Weighing a November trip against other months? Our South Dakota month-by-month guide compares them.
November 2026 Events
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5 | 37th anniversary of legalized gaming, plus Preservation Thursday | Deadwood |
| Nov 6-8 | Cadillac Jack's Tattoo Expo | Deadwood |
| Nov 7 | Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Stroll (21+) | Deadwood |
| Nov 11 | Veterans Day, NPS fee-free day | Badlands and other parks that charge entry |
| Nov 14 | Winter Marketplace Pop-Up (free) | Barnett Fieldhouse and The Monument, Rapid City |
| Nov 20-Dec 30 | Holiday Ho-Ho Horseshoes | Deadwood |
| Nov 25, 27, 28 | 1880 Train Holiday Express | Hill City |
| Nov 26 | Winter Trail Challenge starts (runs to April 1) | Custer State Park |
| Nov 28 | Winter Market, tree lighting and Festival of Lights Parade | Main Street Square, Rapid City |
| Nov 28 | Candlelight Christmas Tours | Historic Adams House, Deadwood |
Deadwood is closing out its 150th anniversary year, and the Deadwood listings come from the city's visitor site. The Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Stroll runs 1:00 to 6:00 pm with registration at the Deadwood Welcome Center. The Adams House tours run every half hour from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. In Rapid City, the Winter Market runs 1:00 to 5:00 pm on November 28, the tree lighting countdown at Main Street Square is at 4:57 pm, and the Festival of Lights Parade starts at 6:00 pm. Our Black Hills Christmas events guide has the full Holiday Express schedule and the December town parades. November 11 (Veterans Day) is a National Park Service fee-free day for US citizens and residents only; nonresidents pay the regular fee. In the Black Hills that matters most at Badlands National Park, where a private vehicle normally pays $30 for seven days. Mount Rushmore never charges entry.
Where to Stay in November
Inside Custer State Park the choice is Creekside Lodge, a few housekeeping cabins, and larger cabins such as Reunion, Tatanka and Gamekeeper's along Grace Coolidge Creek. Creekside's front desk keeps limited hours in winter, though management is on site around the clock. With park stores closed, Custer Resorts suggests buying groceries in Hermosa or Custer on the way in. Compare the park options in our Custer State Park lodging guide.
For most November trips a town base is simpler. Rapid City hotels put you closest to the Winter Market and parade and within easy reach of Mount Rushmore. Hill City hotels put you in the town where the Holiday Express boards, and Deadwood hotels suit the early-November weekend events there. Several Keystone lodges are already closed by November; our Keystone hotels guide lists each one's open dates.
November FAQ
Is Mount Rushmore open in November 2026?
Yes. From November 1 the parking structure and grounds are open 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, and the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Information Center are open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. There is no evening lighting program, but the sculpture is lit every night from sunset to 9:00 pm. The Sculptor’s Studio stays closed until late May.
Is Mount Rushmore open on Thanksgiving?
Yes. The National Park Service says the visitor facilities are open every day of the year except December 25, so Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) runs on normal November hours. Custer State Park Visitor Center and the Jewel Cave visitor center are both closed that day.
Is Needles Highway open in November?
Only until the first snow. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks closes Needles Highway to vehicles with the first snow of the season and does not reopen it until April 1 or later, and there is no fixed closing date. Wildlife Loop Road is open year-round, and Iron Mountain Road closes periodically when crews cannot clear it safely. Check SD511 before you drive.
Can you stay in Custer State Park in November?
Yes, with fewer choices. Custer Resorts runs its winter season from the end of October to the end of April, and only Creekside Lodge and a few select cabins stay open. Resort restaurants are closed, overnight guests get a continental breakfast, and Creekside sells limited snacks and firewood. Custer Resorts says no other stores, gas stations or restaurants in the park are open in winter.
When is deer season in the Black Hills in 2026?
The Black Hills firearm deer season runs November 1 to 30, 2026, according to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and it is buck only. Hunters with firearms must wear fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, and shooting hours run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Hikers in the national forest that month should wear a bright color too.
What is the weather like in the Black Hills in November?
At Rapid City Regional Airport, the NOAA 1991-2020 normals for November are a 47.3°F average high and 21.9°F average low, with 0.47 inches of precipitation and 5.7 inches of snow. The interior Hills run colder than Rapid City.
Related Guides
Coming earlier in the fall? The Black Hills in October guide covers the October 1 hour changes and fall color. To compare every season, start with the best time to visit the Black Hills. Going later? See the Black Hills in December guide. For a day-by-day plan, see the Black Hills itinerary.