Mount Coolidge
Mount Coolidge
4.5
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This 6,000 foot tall mountain in Custer State Park provides views of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse.
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4.5
23 reviews
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DvM199
Walker, MN31 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
The drive up is terrifying and the drive down isn't much better. And I'm saying the AFTER driving Iron Mtn and Needles highways! But the view is so worth it!!!!! Elevation is 6023, so it's a bit lower than Mt Harney.
Written 28 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheExplorerFamily
Somerset, NJ7,156 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
This lookout Tower was built in the 1940s by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) as a look-out for forest fires, and sits atop a 6023 foot mountain peak. It awards breathtaking and gorgeous 360-degree views of the surrounding Black Hills. Our tour-guide had brought binoculars, and through those we could see Mount Rushmore, the Needles, Crazy Horse and the Badlands -- way, way out in the distance. Luckily for us, it was a clear day, and we could see a lot.
It was a very narrow and bumpy gravel road to reach the top, but it was completely worth it -- just for the amazing panoramic views. Thank Goodness, we had left the driving to the expert. It was harrowing enough just to sit in the van, and look down from the edges with no railings.
Just a word of caution. There are steps to go up to the Observation deck. It can also get really windy up there, so hold on to your hats and glasses. The place is obviously not for those who are afraid of heights.
It was a very narrow and bumpy gravel road to reach the top, but it was completely worth it -- just for the amazing panoramic views. Thank Goodness, we had left the driving to the expert. It was harrowing enough just to sit in the van, and look down from the edges with no railings.
Just a word of caution. There are steps to go up to the Observation deck. It can also get really windy up there, so hold on to your hats and glasses. The place is obviously not for those who are afraid of heights.
Written 29 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven_Y_12_12
Savannah, GA10 contributions
June 2013 • Couples
After touring Custer State Park we were told by one of the park attendants to drive up Mount Coolidge. We were hyped up after being in the middle of a herd of Buffalo so we thought why not. At first we thought this looks like a good view point so up we went. The road got steeper and narrower as we tried hugging the inside as there was no rails on the outside and it kept growing farther and farther down. We came to sharp switchbacks with slow signs and this was no issue as we went slower and slower and higher and higher. We were almost to the top when we looked at each other and said do we go on? There's nowhere to turn around so we finally reached the top and proceeded on rubbery legs to the look out where the view goes on forever. It is an awesome sight you'll never forget and the trip down is a piece of cake.
Written 25 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ebbtide123
Washington DC, DC946 contributions
Sept 2011 • Friends
Make a detour from Highway 87 to a gravelly road that takes you 6023 feet to the top of Mount Coolidge and its historic firetower, providing 360 views of the surrounding peaks including the famous Mt. Rushmore. The drive is not for the faint of heart and the lack of guardrails is enough to trigger high anxiety. Make sure to bring enough insect spray- the hardy bugs can penetrate a single layer of spraying. Tower binoculars on top allows you to see the details of the distant surroundings, magnifying the otherwise inaccessible tops of Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt and Jefferson.
Written 4 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WIatHeart
Greenleaf, WI148 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
Plan on taking your time on the 1.2 mile road to the top and make sure you're in a vehicle that has reliable breaks for the trip back down. The views are breath taking. You can see Crazy Horse and Washington from Mt Rushmore, though easier to see if you bring binoculars or a camera with a quality zoom. We were passing our binoculars around our family to all take a closer look.
Written 16 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick S
Gurnee, Illinois, United States578 contributions
June 2015 • Family
The drive up is full of switchbacks without guardrails. My mother-in-law kept her eyes closed the whole time but the rest of the family loved it! Once you're up top it's actually a little dizzying! The tower is at an elevation of more than 6,000 ft and you KNOW it when you're up there. Everything looks so far away!
It's free and a great place to stretch your legs during the long drive in Custer. There's a permanent portapotty up there and it's alarmingly close to the edge of the cliff. Be sure not to run out of the bathroom or you'll run right off the edge of the hill!
It's free and a great place to stretch your legs during the long drive in Custer. There's a permanent portapotty up there and it's alarmingly close to the edge of the cliff. Be sure not to run out of the bathroom or you'll run right off the edge of the hill!
Written 22 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HowlnBubba
Key Largo, FL1,395 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
The road up is only about a mile long, but it is dirt with switchbacks and no guard rails. I know this bothers some people, but take your time. It's worth it. At the tower at the summit, you can get a panoramic view of the Black Hills, Badlands, Ellsworth AFB, the Needles and, with good enough binoculars, Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore. It's pretty impressive!
Written 7 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MT1
Aurora, CO1,116 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
I'm not sure what it takes for views to impress Carrie S. but we drove both Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road and, while those have plenty of great scenery and views, the sheer magnitude of the panorama you get at the top of Mount Coolidge is simply unmatched in this area. This overlook is just a short drive up a good gravel road right off Hwy 87 north of Blue Bell Lodge.
As others have mentioned, the only real downside from my perspective are all the towers and guy wires obstructing views. There is a small man made structure on top so you can walk up a few stairs where there is a plaque pointing out some of the mountains you can see. From here there is a 360 degree view that affords unbelievable views on a nice day. With your naked eye you can make out the Crazy Horse memorial, Mt Rushmore, the Needles along the Needles Highway, Mt Harney, Custer State Park, etc. With binoculars you can check out Mount Rushmore and Craze Horse in more detail.
This is such an easy spot to get to and you get truly panoramic scenic views!
As others have mentioned, the only real downside from my perspective are all the towers and guy wires obstructing views. There is a small man made structure on top so you can walk up a few stairs where there is a plaque pointing out some of the mountains you can see. From here there is a 360 degree view that affords unbelievable views on a nice day. With your naked eye you can make out the Crazy Horse memorial, Mt Rushmore, the Needles along the Needles Highway, Mt Harney, Custer State Park, etc. With binoculars you can check out Mount Rushmore and Craze Horse in more detail.
This is such an easy spot to get to and you get truly panoramic scenic views!
Written 6 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Unionsuit
Knoxville, TN85 contributions
July 2014 • Couples
OK, you've seen all the natural sights and visited all the man-made ones in Southwest South Dakota, but you haven't seen the best until you drive (yes, I said drive) to the top of Mt. Coolidge, The gravel road is about 1 1/2 miles one way, but it is well maintained and plenty wide for two cars to pass (think twice about taking an RV). Once atop, you're rewarded with a 360 degree panoramic view of Wind Cave, The Needles, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the whole of Custer State Park, and Mt. Hornay. One slight drawback are the numerous towers and guy wires atop the mountain, but you can easily maneuver around them. The is a single port-a-pot at the top (didn't use). Be mindful of the weather though. You wouldn't want to try this if a thunderstorm is anywhere in the area. Notwithstanding, it is the best view in South Dakota.
Written 6 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lwiedel2
1 contribution
July 2014
The drive up is terrifying, but the views at the top are breathtaking. And I just got engaged at the top so the panic attack on the way up was worth it!!
Written 25 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It looks like there are tons of power lines or something....Is this a good place to take my family? Or are the views obstructed?
Written 19 February 2018
The views are NOT obstructed. The wires only go up the one side of the tower to provide electricity to the tower. They are annoying when you take a picture but are overlooked when you see all the beauty around you. Just go and see the area- breathtaking for sure.
Written 16 July 2019
It looks like there are tons of power lines or something....Is this a good place to take my family? Or are the views obstructed?
Written 19 February 2018
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