Mount Rushmore
Check It Out!
Books – Non-Fiction
Secret Denver: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure
Eric Peterson & David Lewis
The Carving of Mt. Rushmore
Rex Alan Smith
Devil’s Tower – Stories in the Stone
Mary Alice Gunderson
Out of Rushmore’s Shadow: The Luigi Del Bianco Story
Lou Del Bianco
Badlands: The Story Behind the Scenery
Joseph W. Zarki
Theodore Roosevelt in the Badlands
Roger L. Di Silvestro
The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend
Bob Drury and Tom Clavin
Wind Cave National Park: The First 100 Years
Peggy Sanders
Books – Fiction
Lead Me Home: Hardship and Hope on the Oregon Trail
Theresa Hupp
The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey
Rinker Buck
Shadow of Devil’s Tower
Peter Leavell
An Obvious Fact: A Longmire Mystery
Craig Johnson
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
Tom Robbins
Badlands: A Ranger Sam Burrack Western Adventure
Ralph Cotton
The Cold Dish: A Longmire Mystery
Craig Johnson
The Legend of Colton H. Bryant
Alexandra Fuller
For Younger Readers
Tracks, Scats and Signs
Leslie Dendy
Trees, Leaves & Bark
Diane Burns
Mount Rushmore – 57 Facts for Kids
Peter Neilsen
The Oregon Trail (Box Set)
Jesse Wiley
The Mystery at Devil’s Tower
Carole Marsh
Badlands National Park Activity Book
Little Bison Press
Family Friendly Movies for Tweens and Teens
PG
- Devil’s Tower features heavily throughout the film, even before it is identified as such. The Main character forms the structure without concentrating – ie) absentmindedly shopping mashed potatoes into the Tower’s shape
- The famous landing scene is filmed on location
PG
- Scenes were filmed at both Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Sylvan Lake
- The Mount Rushmore scene features a hidden chamber behind the head of former President Abraham Lincoln. As it turns out the filmmakers didn’t just “make it up” when it came to the secret chamber, there is in fact a room carved into the monument
PG-13
- Most of the movie was filmed in South Dakota, and is one of the most famous movies to be filmed in the Black Hills
1959
- Scenes were filmed in the Black Hills and at Mount Rushmore – and in true Hitchcock fashion – not without some controversy!
R-Rated Films
R
- The scene where Alex is running with horses – is the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in Hot Springs
R
- You will recognize some spots from Dances with Wolves as scenes were filmed along the Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills
- Mt Rushmore also makes an appearance
RVs in the Badlands
Series
RVs on Screen
Ultimate Road Trip Playlists
We’ve curated a handful of Spotify playlists to pair perfectly with your travels!
Famous Musicians From Colorado
Famous Musicians From South Dakota
Podcasts
We’ve curated a handful of podcasts to pair perfectly with your travels!
- Episode 28: Badlands Fun Facts
- Episode 45
Recommended Maps
Recommended Guides
Campground Fun
S’mores Sticks
These are a must have for campfire nights! You can roast hot dogs and marshmallows all night long on these!
Table Top Fire Pit
So you can still enjoy s’mores even if there is a fire ban.
Disposable Charcoal Grill Pan
Check to be sure there aren’t any fire restrictions before you purchase this.
Fairy Lights
Bring some of these solar or battery-powered lights and hang them around your campsite…instant style for the environment!
Wint-O-Green Lifesavers
These are a must. Get a fresh pack, wait for night time around the campfire. Pop one in your mouth and crunch/grind it with your mouth open. You are in for a surprise! Trust us 🙂
Pop Up lantern
For those after-dark trips to the campground bathroom, or set it up on your picnic table for the evening.
Fire Starter
Helps with starting your campfire!
Kitchen & Bathroom
Drip Coffee Maker
An easy coffee solution for campsites without electric hookups (your RV’s coffee pot will only work when you have electricity).
Meat Thermometer
Make sure your meat is cooked through on the grill!
Disposable / Compostable Dishware / Utensils
Save on dishwashing and water.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Save space in the RV bathroom.
Microfiber Towel
Compact, lightweight, super absorbent, and quick drying. Great for carrying with you to lakes, rivers, or rafting trips, or just as an extra towel in the RV.
Useful for RV Travel
Power Bank
A portable charger for your devices.
Sasquatch Multi-Tool
Fun and useful! Has a bottle opener, cord cutter, screwdrivers, butterfly wrench, can opener, and 4 hex wrench positions.
Loop Earplugs
These earplugs filter sound waves to reduce noise while still allowing you to hear music and speech clearly.
Sleep Headband Bluetooth Headphones
Use to mask noise/listen to music via Bluetooth, to help you sleep better. Good for side-sleepers who find earbuds uncomfortable!
Magnetic Hooks
Put them on the back bumper – and hang bathing suits to dry. Just remember to bring them in before you drive away!
Grill Gloves
To move the hot grill off the table when you are done grilling.
Dishwasher Gloves
Keep hands clean during the task of dumping your waste tanks!
AC Inverter
You can use this to charge your phone or run low-power devices on household (AC) current without running the generator or plugging into shore power. (More on all of that in your Adventure Kit!)
Out & About
Binoculars
If you’re looking for an outstanding pair of binoculars, these are a great choice
Binoculars
A less expensive binocular option.
Hiking Poles
Hiking with poles improves balance and stability, reduces strain on joints, and increases walking speed.
Sun Hat
Useful for face and neck sun protection.
Kids Camera
Ideal for ages 3-8 years, this camera is easy for little hands to hold. Has video mode, selfie mode, in-built games, neck lanyard, and comes with an SD card
Disposable Camera
Consider for younger children, especially if they don’t have a phone yet.
Day Pack
A lightweight backpack is useful for carrying water and other supplies when you are out exploring.
Walkie Talkies
These are great for exploring. Give one to your kids (make sure you test it first). Then off they go!
Wet Wipes
Very handy.
Pet Waste Bags
Small and easy to carry for packing out trash.
National Park Passport
Preserve your memories of America’s national parks with this compact passport book.
Games For in the RV
Wiki Stix
Make sculptures on the windows!
Window Art
You can put up your creations on the RV windows!
