Grand Canyon AND Mt. Rushmore

[madlibs]

Yep, I know they're not near each other, but we're looking at visiting both of these places next week instead of going to the UK. (Too expensive right now. )

So I just looked up both places on the National Park Service's websites. I can see we'd need to fly into RAP to visit Mt. Rushmore, but that's where my knowledge stops. Have any of you been there? Recommendations on somewhere to spend the night?

What about the Grand Canyon. So far, all I've found out is that we'd have to visit the South Rim, as the North Rim (Utah side) isn't open yet. I can't tell where the best place to fly into would be. Actually, I don't know anything about this area at all. If any of you that live out that way or those of you that have visited could offer some advice/ tips, they'd be appreciated! (Anything is welcomed... websites to check out, good hotels, restaurants, best (commercial) airport to fly into... whatEVER you have to offer. )

Thanks!