South Dakota #2
Wind Cave, Rushmore and the Badlands

The southwest corner of South Dakota is a tourist's dream. Since the rest of the state is a little flat and unspectacular, both our drives are in the southwest. You start in Hot Springs, 53 miles south of Rapid City, and drive 13 miles north on U.S. 385 to the entrance of Wind Cave National Park. It is 17 miles straight through Wind Cave and Custer State Park to U.S. 16 Alt., but you might want to take the Wildlife Loop Road for the 20-mile ride around Custer Park. The antelope, elk, bison, bear, prairie dogs and other woodland friends are out waiting for you. Turn west on Rte. 16 Alt. to Custer and north nine miles on U.S. 385/16 to Rte. 244 east. Take that eight miles to U.S. 16 Alt., south to Rte. 36, west eight miles to Rte. 40, then southeast about 25 miles to Badlands National Park. The roads may still be gravel back here.

If you lose your nerve, go through Rapid City to Scenic. Follow signs to the Visitor Center, then turn north 12 miles to Rte. 44 at Scenic. From here, you can drive around in the Badlands for 70 to 90 miles. Wind Cave and Custer Parks are an animal lover's paradise. Four miles north of Custer on U.S. 385 is the Crazy Horse Memorial, the largest statue in the world that has been under construction for over 30 years. Mount Rushmore (You know

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