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Visitors' Center -
While not a visitors' center, per se, the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce
wants you to feel welcome to stop by and let them tell you about
Sturgis. Their office is at 2040 Junction Avenue (about 4 blocks from
I-90 exit 32). Phone: 1-605-347-2556. Web site: SturgisCoC.
Bear Butte State
Park
- A holy mountain to the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes; they still
make pilgrimages to this spot. One of the rituals is to tie special
pieces of cloth - or pouches filled with meaningful articles - to the
trees to assist the ascension of prayers to the Great Spirit. The rock,
protruding above the desert floor like a bubble is just that, - a
volcanic bubble created millions of years ago. Artifacts have been found
in this area dating back 10,000 years.
Guides are available during the summer months at an 'interpretive
center' at the base of the rock. Tourists are restricted to daytime
hours to avoid conflicts with Native Americans meditating and/or
worshiping here.
For more information, phone 1-605-347-5240 or visit the web site:
BearButte.
From I-90 take exit 30 and follow SD-34 eastbound, through the
northern fringe of Sturgis, to SD-79. Turn left on 79 and follow it to
the Bear Butte State Park entrance road on your right (about 6 miles
from I-90).
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Mt.
Rushmore National Monument
The National
Monument is about 20 miles from I-90 but easily accessed by US-16. From
I-90 take exit 57 and follow I-190 to its end at SD-44 (Omaha Street).
Turn left, go 1 block to US-16 (8th Street) and turn right. Now follow
US-16 to US-16 Alt. Just watch for the signs to Mt. Rushmore). Follow
US-16-Alt through Keystone to SD-244 (again, watch for the Mt. Rushmore
sign). Turn right and follow 244 to the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial
parking area and visitors' center.
A film describing the history of Mt. Rushmore and the
contributions of the four sculpted presidents is shown every 15 minutes
at the Visitors' Center. During the summer months, a sculptor is
available to answer your questions about the sculpting techniques used
in creating these monuments. Each evening a special program is conducted
in the amphitheater. The conclusion of the program includes the playing
of our National Anthem and the lighting of the four presidents.
For more information, phone 1-605-574-3114
or visit the official NPS web site: Rushmore.
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