2023 Cross Country Road Trip – Day 20

Day 20

Today is going to be a jammed-packed day. We’re going to visit Devils Tower in the Northeast corner of Wyoming, then head into South Dakota to visit the Center of the Nation at Belle Fourche, Crazy Horse, and Mt Rushmore! Let’s go!

Our little road trip buddy is eagerly anticipating all the exciting places we'll be going to today. — *Our little road trip buddy is eagerly anticipating all the exciting places we’ll be going to today.*

Devils Tower National Monument in northeast Wyoming is America’s first National Monument. I’m sure you’ve also seen pictures of this unusual formation before, but it is even more imposing in person. There’s still a mystery of how it was formed and legends of its history, but the consensus is that it is a remnant of molten rock that has been exposed by erosion over the years. In either case, it is revered as a sacred place by Native Americans but also featured in pop culture, such as in the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Next, we go to the Center of the Nation! With the admission of Alaska and Hawaii to the United States, the US Coast Guard determined that the geographic center of the nation is Belle Fourche, South Dakota. This is a cool roadside attraction to stop at if you’re passing nearby. There’s a Visitor Center to learn more about the history of this region and the life of the pioneers who lived here.

Next stop, the Crazy Horse Memorial! This is humongous in person! There is a whole complex with exhibits and videos about the history of the monument and the people it’s honoring. Good to learn. Make a stop here too if you’re in the area.

To cap off the night, we made it to Mount Rushmore! This turned out to be a very moving stop. If you can make it here during the summer months, usually between May and September, try to stay until evening to catch the lighting ceremony. It is a very moving presentation.

There is also a Visitor Center with exhibits to learn more about the creation of this memorial and a walking path around the base of it for closer looks. This was another impressive site!

On this night, it was dark enough to see the Big Dipper and many other stars right over the memorial. So cool! These are my real pics of the stars. Click to enlarge.