Mt. Rushmore is not exactly a dog friendly spot. Mom wanted to see it, and she wanted us to see this famous site too. Thankfully our navigator knew a good secret! We took the needles highway, and you know what? Mom says it is even better than going to the usual place people go to view the monument! As with the rest of our trip, we saw about three other cars in the hour or so we were on the highway, so it was really ideal! In this photo, Mt. Rushmore is the rock formation in the back of the photo, just to the left of Madison’s head.
The Needles highway is a beautiful winding road. We love all the nature, lot so of deer, rock formations and forests. Much of the road was narrow, and there are several very old rock tunnels which are single lane only. Since we were about the only folks on the road that day, Mom was able to get out and take a shot of Mt. Rushmore through the tunnel with the tunnel acting as a frame.
During normal tourist seasons the roads are full of cars, parking is hard to find, and getting shots like we did are pretty much impossible. We are very lucky we could get to see “the faces” as we did. In case you don’t know, the monument is depicts roughly 60-ft.-high granite faces of the U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Mom didn’t bring her best lens for long distance, so we could not get close up photos, but still, we got some decent shots. One spot we stopped at is the original viewpoint for the monument. We posed with Mom and the faces are behind us although you can’t really make them out because a cellphone camera was used to take the photo. Most people can’t use Mom’s manual camera, so we just go with the phone cam.
We saved the best photo of Mt. Rushmore for last. Although there is a spot where you can get out with your dogs closer to the monument, we would still choose to take the Needles highway because it is so scenic and there are less people, even in peak tourist times. The route we took was absolutely beautiful and it gave us a good look at the Black Hills as well. Have you been to Mt. Rushmore?
We are joining our friends at Living Laughing and Barking in Our Backyard is for their Nature Friday blog hop.
I don’t being in the parks when they are swamped with people and traffic. It’s not very fun. Your mom did get some great pictures, especially the one inside the tunnel – fantastic! I hope we can see Mt. Rushmore one day.
Mom doesn’t do well with crowds. She was a flight attendant for many years, locked in the plane with hundreds of people. We expected more people to be there, but it was awesome having almost every place we went to ourselves.
Wow – what a treat to see Mt Rushmore in person! You girls are so lucky!
It is huge! We can’t imagine seeing it up close because it is big from far away too.
wow you really sawit… I love it to travel with you and I often wish to be there…
It is pretty amazing to see.
What a gorgeous photo of Mt. Rushmore….just perfect. The 2nd photo framed WOW very dramatic. Very appropriate photo from Needles Highway. Kinda looks like it was taken thru a wide eye of a Needle. I would love to see this majestic piece of art.
Back when I was still working one of the Post Docs (whom I really liked) was from Italy took a road trip west one summer. When she returned, I was quite shocked to hear her say she did not like Mt. Rushmore. I won’t even write her description but I will never forget it. I was taught if you can’t say something nice say NOTHING. was very disappointed in her.
Hugs Cecilia
Wow, we have never heard of anyone that wasn’t amazed. As with everything these days there is controversy, but we find it to be a wonderful work of art.
My mom was just enthralled with your pictures of Mt Rushmore! That tunnel photo was spectacular. OMD your last picture was just thrilling❣ mom so Hope’s to go there, but she got a great peek through your trip. XOXO Sparkle
It is something everyone should see, and we would go the same route again and not go to the main place where all the tourists go.
What a wonderful adventure. I’m so happy you let me come along.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches all around and my best to your mom. ♥
You can always come along!
I think the best photo was the one framed by the tunnel ! Yeah Navigator!!
In person you could see the rocks that make the tunnel which was super cool.
You do have a clever navigator!
Gail visited Mount Rushmore in 1982. Such a long time ago that she forgot which state it’s in, and lost her pub quiz team a vital point a few weeks ago by insisting that the monument is in North Dakota!
North Dakota doesn’t have much of anything, but South Dakota has a ton of things to see.
that is breathtaking! I have never seen it in pawson!!!! Thank you for sharing!!
It’s definitely a beautiful place to see, and the faces just make it even more special.
You girls are taking in all the sites!
We did a week’s worth of sightseeing in about 2 days, but it was fun.
That really is a wonderful sight! Our Dad was out that way for business but didn’t get to go because of bad weather.
That is a bummer. It is definitely worth seeing.
We didn’t go to Mt. Rushmore in any of our family vacations as a kid, but maybe someday…
Mom went as a kid, but it is different she says when you are an adult. You appreciate it much more.
I love going on trips with you!
And we love going on trips!
How beautiful!! We have never been before, but it is now on our CeCe Bucket list!!!
xoxo,
Rosy, Sunny and Jakey
Between the Badlands and the Black Hills, could could spend several days. It is gorgeous and Rapid City is a nice city close by.
GREAT photos! I’d love to see Mt. Rushmore, but doubt I’ll ever get there in person. Every time I see photos of it, they remind me of an old Cary Grant movie – North By Northwest!
And that reminds Mom of being a flight attendant for Northwest 😉
You guys sure found some picturesque landscapes on your latest trip.
Lots of beautiful sites!
I have been in Mount Rushmore in 1971 ! Really underneath, at that time there were no tourists except a few Americans, it was amazing to see a worker climbing on the nose of one of the presidents. On the opposite side an Indian (don’t remember his name) was pointing his arm and we have been told that it would be finished in one year ! Now apparently in 2022 it is still not finished, lol ! The place is beautiful !
That is great that you were there! There is an indian, but we didn’t go there. We just wanted to see the presidents. It is an amazing thing!
You got some amazing photos! I would definitely like to see Mt. Rushmore someday.
It is truly amazing and you can’t imagine the size, even when you are there looking at it.