Mt. Rushmore Area

 Did the Rushmore area last July. Stayed at KOA in Rushmore. Central, easy in/out, but big and commercial. Great place if you have kids, ton of things for them to do and easy trip to everything in area.

I've stumped for the Mammoth Site at Hot Springs, SD before. If it's you're kinda stuff, it's pretty fascinating. I hope to get back there again.

Custer State Park is a must do if camping in SD.  An easy drive to Mt. Rushmore, and a great park with lots of wildlife.  I also like the Mammoth Site and Windcave.  In the badlands there is the Minuteman Missile National Monument near Wall that was good for me being an old missleman from my military days.  Devils Tower is a powerfully spiritual area for me.  A KOA by the main gate is the only nearby camping I know of.  When we were there a small town rodeo was going on by the entrance that was fun, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind played outside every night unless it rained. 

Another site to consider is the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana.  A fire several years ago cleared brush and prompted surface collection of battle artifacts and re-interpretation of the battle.  Now there is also a monument to fallen Indians across the road from the 9th Cav monument.  I felt it was well worth the visit.  We camped in a little private campground in the nearest town.  I can't recall the town or the campground name.  It was by a river and quiet but run down.