DFW to Mount Rushmore

[Olsenbum]

Thinking of taking a motorhome trip from Dallas/Ft Worth to Mount Rushmore. We aren't new to RV'ing but are new to long trips., mountain driving, etc. Any suggestions on routes, precautions and must see places along the way? We haven't settled completely on Mt Rushmore, so does anyone have other destinations that you would recommend for rookie long distance travelers?

[RVThere]

Mt. Rushmore is a great place for a 1st long trip as there are many places to go in a relatively small radius. It was our 1st long trip back in 1998.

1. Mt. Rushmore
2. Crazy Horse
3. Custer State Park
4. Needles Highway (NOT in RV! I made that mistake)
5. Wall Drug
6. Woolly Mammoth Site
7. Badlands
8. Minuteman Missile Site
9. Deadwood
10. Devil's Tower

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by RVThere

Mt. Rushmore is a great place for a 1st long trip as there are many places to go in a relatively small radius. It was our 1st long trip back in 1998. 1. Mt. Rushmore 2. Crazy Horse 3. Custer State Park 4. Needles Highway (NOT in RV! I made that mistake) 5. Wall Drug 6. Woolly Mammoth Site 7. Badlands 8. Minuteman Missile Site 9. Deadwood 10. Devil's Tower

X2!

Don't miss the night time show at Mt. Rushmore. I was much more impressed by it than I thought I would be.

Hart Ranch is a great place to stay and fairly close. We've been full timers for 7 years and Hart Ranch is one of the nicest places we've stayed.

[spinn]

X2 on Hart Ranch DW and I were there last July and it was great. Very nice park exceptionally well maintained

Steve

[Steve N Sal]

Mt. Rushmore is a great trip and as suggested see the night show. All the surrounding areas mentioned are great as well. Have a great time.

[ga traveler]

as someone who has driven many Diesel Pushers to shows and from shows, when in the mountains, never lug a diesel. keep the rpms up, so the water pump can keep the engine cool. (of course, do not over rev the engine) If it has one,make sure the Jake brake is working. Use the engine brake it will save your brakes and maybe your life.

[Tom3205]

OK Another "rookie" trip, would be Dallas, to Cuidad, to Albuquerque, and back. That loop would give you quite a ride. Lots to see between Dallas, Cuidad and Albq. Carlsbad caverns, white sands, Roswell [area 51], In Santa Rosa there is the famous "blue hole". South from Amarillo, to Duo Palo canyon.... But its not like going to Rushmore. Heck.... just do them both !!!!

[Mac99]

Don't know what you are driving, but as it relates to the post by
ga traveler, diesels are at their optimum comfort pulling up
hills at 75% of their rated rpm, on my Cummins ISC, this is
1800-1900 rpm. This gives the best cooling performance and
a good horsepower output.
And I thought the Mt. Rushmore KOA was very nice, if you can
get a 50amp full hookup deluxe pull thru site, ideally #121-131.
But, you need to book it now ! There is much to do/see in the area.

[Mac99]

Another tip, figure on around 400 miles a day.
I've found everyone gets tired, especially the kids,
with anything more. We find well positioned
campgrounds at these intervals, and leave each am
around 8:30-9:00 and arrive around 4-4:30. Time
to set up and relax and keep it enjoyable.

[Olsenbum]

Thank you all! I appreciate your time and thoughts

[StephJohn]

Bear Country USA is a unique place. Drive your car through bears, wolves, elk, ect. Crazy Horse and Deadwood are cool too. Lots of unique things to do there. Enjoy!

[powerboatr]

Originally Posted by RVThere

Mt. Rushmore is a great place for a 1st long trip as there are many places to go in a relatively small radius. It was our 1st long trip back in 1998.

1. Mt. Rushmore
2. Crazy Horse
3. Custer State Park
4. Needles Highway (NOT in RV! I made that mistake)
5. Wall Drug
6. Woolly Mammoth Site
7. Badlands
8. Minuteman Missile Site
9. Deadwood
10. Devil's Tower

ditto all except 5, 4
we did the trip last june
we left dfw and went north through the east edge of co
to cheyenne (cheap fuel) and ran up to gillette and over to pine haven and used pine haven as a base to see the site
should have stayed in SD nearer the sites
great drive, lots of wind in wyoming
and the roads are ....well you know

[Theberrys]

We did Rushmore from Albuquerque. Took I 25 up and I 225 around Denver. A real nice trip. We picked up a dog in Madison SD. We stayed at the Custer KOA, not a resort but nice people and a tour guide is home based there so we took advantage of the tour and saw a lot more than if we had driven ourselves.
Here are some pictures of the trip
https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=ae67f...057%213841&v=3

If you plan a stop in Albuquerque your welcome to overnight at our house. I have water and 30 AMP service for friends that stop over in there travels. VegasDan stops here twice a year and we get an oil change in the spring. In any case you would be welcome. Plenty of room and it's about five miles off I 25 real close to the Isleta Reservation.

Dick

Here is a picture of the house.

[Olsenbum]

Thank you! What should I do to educate myself for mountain driving? In Texas it's just put it in gear and go, lol