Spend a day visiting Mount Rushmore [1], the Needles Highway [2], and Sylvan Lake [3]. Add a day to hike Harney Peak [4], followed by a trip to Hill City [5] to enjoy the boardwalk shops and art galleries [6]. The best attractions include Reptile Gardens [7] and Bear Country U.S.A. [8]
On the third day, Prairie Edge [9] is a must see in Rapid City [10], and the Journey Museum [11] provides the best overall introduction to Native American culture and to the history and geology of the region.
Add a visit to Crazy Horse Mountain [12] and Custer State Park [13]. Drive the Wildlife Loop [14], traveling from the State Game Lodge [15] south. Continue south to Wind Cave National Park [16] for a cave tour [17], and visit the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs [18].
Add a day trip to Badlands National Park [19] and a day trip to Deadwood [20].
Slow everything down. Do the Badlands with an overnight stay to enjoy the park at its best at sunrise or sunset. Expand your time in the Northern Hills [21] to include a trip to Spearfish [22]. Visit the D. C. Booth Fish Hatchery [23] and the Termesphere Gallery [24]. Drive down the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway [25].
Hike one or more of the falls trails [26], visit the Homestake Mine in Lead [27], and spend the night in Deadwood [20].
Spend a night in Custer State Park [13], dine at the State Game Lodge or the Bluebell Resort [28]. Enjoy horseback riding in the park [29] or a chuck wagon dinner [28]. Add Jewel Cave National Monument [30] to your itinerary.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/mount-rushmore-national-monument
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park/sights/needles-highway
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park/outdoor-recreation/hiking/sylvan-lake-shore-trail
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park/outdoor-recreation/hiking/harney-peak
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/hill-city
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/hill-city/shopping
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/rapid-city/sights/reptile-gardens
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/rapid-city/sights/bear-country-usa
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/rapid-city/sights/prairie-edge-trading-company-and
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/rapid-city
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/rapid-city/sights/journey-museum
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer/sights/crazy-horse-memorial
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park/sights/wildlife-loop
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park/accommodations
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/wind-cave-national-park
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/wind-cave-national-park/cave-tours
[18] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/hot-springs/sights/mammoth-site
[19] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-badlands/badlands-national-park
[20] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/deadwood
[21] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills
[22] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/spearfish
[23] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/spearfish/sights/d-c-booth-fish-hatchery
[24] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/spearfish/sights/termesphere-gallery
[25] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/spearfish/spearfish-canyon-scenic-byway
[26] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/spearfish/spearfish-canyon-scenic-byway/hiking
[27] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/lead/sights/homestake-visitor-center
[28] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park/food
[29] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park/outdoor-recreation/horseback-riding
[30] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer/sights/jewel-cave-national-monument