Today we went to the City of Rocks National Reserve…what a beautiful place. It was so quiet, the views spectacular, totally amazing. The photos do not do the scenery justice. There are numerous campsites there, so if any one is looking to tent camp, and a few sites have room for small RVs..it would be worth it. The history of the California Trail goes through the park…for those who like to rock climb..this is the place. The weather today was crazy too..we had snow flurries with the sun shining…we loved it.

Road signs to City of  Rocks

California Trail Wagon- Vistor Center City of Rocks

Entrance to City of Rocks

City of Rocks – View from Circle Creek Outlook

City of Rocks – Old House

City of Rocks – Jim Sage Moutains – rock climbing area

City of Rocks – we named this Granite Samurai, don’t know if it really has a name.

City of Rocks – and our Jeep

City of Rocks – Rain/Snow clouds…beautiful

Today was a beautiful day. We were told they normally have snow on the ground….it was no where to be found…which was fine with us….it was a great spring day. Our day trip started in Custer State Park. We drove the Wildlife Loop Road….it was great scenery, there were large herds of buffalo’s through-out the parks open grasslands, and Pronghorns (aka Antelope) and Burros….we watched two buffalo’s knock heads…it was cool to watch.

Custer State Park – South Dakota

Buffalo Fight

Pronghorn – Antelope / Custer State park

Burros – Custer State Park South Dakota

We continued on the Wildlife Loop Road…drove up to Mt Coolidge Firetower….it was an amazing view…the firetower was built in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps….it rests atop a 6,023 foot peak and is no longer in use.

We continued on our Wildlife Loop Road drive and stopped at Legion Lake…the far side of the lake still was partially frozen…it would be great to go back in the summer and kayak on the lake…

Legion Lake – Custer State Park South Dakota

We finished the Wildlife Loop Road and headed to Mount Rushmore. We took the scenic route on US 16A  Iron Mountain road…it was a beautiful road trip…there were three tunnels to go through…which was really cool, and the Pigtail bridges was like being on a rollcoaster ride…of course not at roller coaster speed…the construction was amazing…

Mount Rushmore through Iron Mountain Road Tunnel

Mount Rushmore

We are so grateful that we had the chance to visit this beautiful National Monument…it was a beautiful day, not crowded..we took the Presidental Trail, which takes you right to the base of the mountain…it truely was Grand…looking forward to the next adventure….