Buckle up as we cruise through a short but striking stretch of South Dakota’s iconic Black Hills — driving about 6 scenic miles north along U.S. Highway 385 from the Crazy Horse Memorial to Hill City. This brief run may be short on miles, but it’s long on scenery and historic significance, serving up glimpses of rugged granite peaks and thick pine forests that define this corner of the northern Great Plains.
Our journey kicks off at the Avenue of the Chiefs — the main access road leading visitors to the Crazy Horse Memorial. If you’ve never stopped here before, it’s worth pausing to take in the massive, still-in-progress mountain carving dedicated to the Lakota leader Crazy Horse. As we pull out and merge northbound onto U.S. 385, the monument looms behind us, while the dense pine canopy of the Black Hills quickly closes in ahead. This region is a hiker’s dream, with trails branching off in every direction, inviting you to park the car and wander under the ponderosa pines.
Heading north, the two-lane highway twists gently through forested hillsides. Keep an eye out to the west for St. Elmo Peak, a rugged granite outcrop that breaks through the tree line and adds a dramatic punctuation to the rolling green backdrop. This area is rich with wildlife — it’s not unusual to spot deer grazing along the roadside or a flock of wild turkeys darting into the brush. Travelers with a few extra minutes might detour onto nearby backroads leading to trailheads and picnic pull-offs peppered throughout the Black Hills National Forest.
Just past St. Elmo Peak, we reach the intersection with SD-87, a scenic byway of its own that winds through more of Custer State Park’s backcountry. We stay true to U.S. 385 for another quick jaunt, rolling downhill towards the intersection with SD-244. This crossing marks a major junction for Black Hills explorers: SD-244 heads east straight to Mount Rushmore National Memorial — only a few miles away and another must-see marvel for any road trip in the region.
Though our official drive ends here at SD-244, Hill City itself is only about a mile up the road. If you’re feeling peckish or in the mood for some local arts and crafts, Hill City won’t disappoint. This quaint mountain town bills itself as the “Heart of the Hills” and is packed with galleries, coffee shops, and western boutiques, plus the historic 1880 Train — a working steam train that connects Hill City to Keystone and is a favorite with families and history buffs alike.
For a route so short, this leg along U.S. Highway 385 offers an excellent taste of the Black Hills — a region best explored slowly, windows down, and camera ready. Whether you’re on your way to or from Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, or Crazy Horse, don’t rush this portion; the forested hillsides and hidden viewpoints reward those who linger.
🗺️ Route Map
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