Dave from Sacramento, CA on 07/25/24 1:30:27 AM
ANSWER TO MY ORIGINAL QUESTION:
Getting to Mount Rushmore from the Mickelson Trail is not terribly difficult, but there are a few steep grades. My 10.5-mile (each way) route and recommendations:
Right next to where the trail hits Main Street in Hill City, find Old Hill City Road. It only goes in one direction (south).
Stay on Old Hill City Road for approximately 3 miles, then turn right onto Palmer Gulch Road. This is a dirt/gravel road that is packed tight and in great condition. You will see a "No Outlet" sign, but ignore it -- this road takes you where you want to go.
When you get to the KOA campground, keep going straight, toward the entrance that is on the other side of the campground. There are signs about private property, etc., but there will be a lot of people riding bikes and golf carts around the very wide paved streets, and it seemed like an innocuous violation to make the brief journey through the campground. The entrance is on Highway 244. This will be approximately 4.6 miles into the ride.
Turn left onto Highway 244 and follow this highway until you see the entrance to Mount Rushmore, which will be on your left, approximately 10.5 miles into the ride.
Some things to consider:
I HATE riding on highways or any busy streets, and I didn't feel unsafe on this route. Old Hill City Road and Palmer Gulch Road had almost no traffic, and they make up 40 percent of the ride. There were quite a few vehicles on Highway 244, which makes up the other 60 percent, but there were only two very brief portions (like 100 yards each) in which there wasn't a good-sized shoulder.
The drivers were respectful and gave plenty of room when I was there.
I had a flashing red tail light as well as a Garmin Radar that has a red light, and I wore a bright-colored jersey. I strongly recommend these basic precautions to increase your safety.
Old Hill City Road and Highway 244 both have some sections with very steep grades. I walked the bike up the steep parts, and probably ended up hiking a couple miles in each direction. I rode down the descents quickly and made up for the slow climbs.
In addition to the paved shoulder on Highway 244, there was plenty of grassy area near the shoulder, which allowed me to get even farther away from the cars when walking. I recommend wearing some good walking shoes. I had cycling shoes in one direction and flip-flops in the other, and survived okay, but some tennis shoes would have been a lot better.
You don't have to pay to enter the Mount Rushmore memorial on a bicycle.
There are bike lockers at Mount Rushmore, on Parking Level 1 (pretty much in front of you, slightly to the left, when you enter the park and start seeing employees directing cars to the parking lots). There are four bike lockers/cages there, and the locks are supplied. Go to the parking area office (right near the entrance, a short walk from the lockers) to get a key. There is no charge, but they will take down your name and info to make sure you return the key. When I was there, the employee with the keys was the only one in the entire place who knew that the bike lockers existed, and there was a pretty significant language barrier with the majority of the other employees. Ignore them when they say the lockers don't exist, and just follow the signs to parking level 1 and check the corner nearest the entrance.
They have vending machines with water and other beverages and snacks, in addition to a great cafe, so you will be able to refuel for the return ride/hike.
I hope this is helpful. I have been to Mount Rushmore a few times, but getting there on a bicycle was especially fun. I stayed at one of the hotels right next to the trail, so it was easy to hop back on the Mickelson Trail to continue my up-and-back on the day after my Rushmore side trip.