road trip planner south dakota

Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Planner and Itinerary

By: Author Wandermust Mummy

Are you looking for the ULTIMATE South Dakota Road Trip Planner?  With our South Dakota road trip itinerary we cover all of the main South Dakota attractions, tell you where to stay and what to see with 7 days in South Dakota. 

Important Note : This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Table of Contents

South Dakota Road Trip Planner Tips and Tricks

South Dakota has to be one of our ultimate US Bucket List experiences and one of the best US road trips that you can do. 

And South Dakota really has something on offer for everyone from amazing national monuments and national parks, great hikes and wildlife experiences as well as some great quirky in town attractions. 

In this South Dakota road trip itinerary we will cover all of the main sights but before we get onto our South Dakota road trip itinerary we thought it would be good to answer some of your frequently asked questions to help you plan your trip. 

How Long do you need for Your South Dakota Road Trip?

Tips for Visiting Mount Rushmore with Kids or Without

When you are looking to put together the first thing you will want to know is how long do you need for your South Dakota road trip itinerary? 

With all that there is to see in South Dakota, and also the likely distance you are traveling to get to South Dakota we recommend having a good amount of time for your Black Hills vacation. 

When we went to South Dakota we had 7 days in this amazing state and I think this is the perfect amount of time to tour this state. For this reason we have outlined out prefect 7 day itinerary. However if you don’t have as long as this feel free to cut out the days that appeal least to you so you have the right amount of days. 

We recommend a minimum of 4 days in South Dakota to ensure you see a good amount of this state’s amazing scenery and attractions. 

Should I drive or Fly to South Dakota?

When you are traveling to South Dakota you really have two options of how to get there 

• flying and 
• driving. 

If you have a shorter amount of time for your South Dakota road your best option is to fly into the state. Most people who decide to fly into the state fo to either Rapid City or Sioux Falls and then rent a vehicle. 

Out of these two options we recommend Rapid City as this is more centrally located to the main attractions.

However if you have more time we recommend driving into South Dakota as this will reduce costs of having to hire a car on arrival.  South Dakota as a state really doesn’t have any public transport to speak of so you will need to have a car with you to fully experience this amazing state.

When we visited South Dakota as part of a large road trip to Yellowstone and Utah, we flew into Denver which is only a 6 hour drive from South Dakota.

If you plan to road trip from other states we recommend trying out some of our other road trip guides:

• Denver to Mount Rushmore Road Trip. 
• Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip

Best Time to Visit South Dakota

There are definitely better time to visit South Dakota than others. 

Although not the official state motto, South Dakota is colloquially called the Blizzard State. Therefore it should come as no surprise that we don’t recommend taking your South Dakota family vacation in Winter or winter adjacent months. 

The best time to visit your South Dakota vacation for weather has to summer, however you should also expect crowds to be high during this period (But no where need as crowded as other Northern national parks such as Yellowstone). 

And if you are visiting South Dakota in summer you need to plan for walking in heat – so be sure to check out our South Dakota Summer packing list. 

Peak season in South Dakota technically runs from1st May and ends around 30th September which is when we recommend ed most people, particularly families with small children travel to South Dakota.

It is also worth noting that if you visit South Dakota in Fall (September or October depending on the year) you will see some amazing fall colors especially in the Spearfish Canyon area. 

Where to Base Yourself for your South Dakota Road Trip

Where to stay for this South Dakota Road Trip itinerary

The first questions when you plan a trip to South Dakota has to be about where to base yourself or whether to travel.

South Dakota is a large state with lots to see. However for 7 days in South Dakota we recommend basing yourself out of the West of the state in the Rapid City, Custer State Park and Black Hills area. 

If you only want to stay in one location for this road trip, which is especially helpful if you are doing a South Dakota road trip with family or with toddlers and kids, then we recommend Rapid City.

Rapid City is within easy driving of all the major South Dakota attractions so is very convenient. 

If you are looking for convenient places to stay in Rapid City with good family friendly amenities then the following are in prime positions:

• La Quinta  
•  Fairfield Inn & Suites

Alternatively you could based your self out of Rapid City for some of the itinerary before moving on to some lodges or more nature focussed accommodation near Badlands or Mount Rushmore. 

Some great places to stay with older children include:

• Mount Rushmore Under Canvas or 
• Custer State Park Lodges. 

The Perfect South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

Note about this South Dakota Road Trip Planner and itinerary : The days here are put together to make the most of your time in South Dakota however the days are designed so they can be done in any order.

Day 1 of the perfect South Dakota Itinerary 

Today is all about the outdoors and the thing that was top of my SD Road trip bucket list was  The Badlands National Park.

Badlands National Park

Badlands with Kids – A must for your South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

Badlands National Park is one of the lesser visited parks but it is still worth getting to the Badlands National Park for sunrise. Watching the sun rise over the majestic geological formations of the Badlands is simply breathtaking and well worth the early start. You will also be rewarded with having the park entirely to yourselves. We visited over labour day weekend and we didn’t see people for at least an hour after our arrival.

Depending on which direction you are arriving from, will depend on which entrance you arrive through. We came in via the Pinnacles Entrance as this is the closest (less than an hours drive) from Rapid City.

The Badlands is name because historically this unique landscape was impassable to man. The local Lakota Tribe called the area mako sica traditionally which literally translates to land bad hence why we call it the Badlands today. 

It is worth stopping at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center at the Badlands as a great place to learn more about the park. Also if you are visiting this national park with kids you will want to pick a Junior Ranger pack. The Centre is open daily (Christmas and Thanksgiving exceptions). 

There are lots of great Badlands Hikes, including some easy Badland hikes that are suitable for novice hikers and people traveling to the national park with toddlers . 

Another must do in the Badlands, whatever type of traveler you are is to drive the Badlands scenic loop road, officially known as Highway 240. The views from this scenic byway are beautiful and take in many of the parks biggest highlights. 

The scenic highway is over 40 miles long and without stopping would take an hour to drive. However this would be missing out on so much. 

Our South Dakota Road Trip Planner featured the Badlands on Day 1

To be able to avail of some of the fantastic Badlands hikes as well as photo opportunities we recommend spending at least half a day of your South Dakota itinerary for this park. 

Also although there is plenty of things to do on the Scenic byway we also  recommend taking a slight detour at the start of your day to see Roberts Prairie Dog Town. These creatures are great to watch but if travelling with children please make sure they do not get too close.

The Praire Dog Town should be on your South Dakota Road Trip Planner

Once you have visited the Prairie Dog Town you can continue down the road. This is optional but we were glad we did as we saw the most spectacular herd of bison running here. It was a better bison experience than we had even in Yellowstone.

South Dakota Trip Itinerary – Visiting Badlands

Once you have detoured enough, head back towards the loop road. 

Some of our favourite hikes that we did on our trip with kids in Badlands were: 

• The Notch Trail (1.5 miles)
• Cliff Shelf Nature Trail (0.5 miles)
• Fossil Exhibit Trail (0.25) – this was my toddler’s favourite hike and is sure to be a favourite amongst any kids with the bronze wast fossil replicas and is a very easy boardwalk hike.

There are a few more strenuous hikes for those feeling more adventurous.

For more information on the best and easiest hikes in Badlands National Park click here. 

For those that are in a RV or who enjoy camping there are campgrounds within this national park that you can stay at. The most popular place to camp in the park is at Cedar Pass Campground followed by Sage Creek Campground.

Permits are not required in the campgrounds but it is always prudent to inform rangers of camping plans in more primitive campsites.

But if you prefer a lodge accommodation over camping and want to stay in the park then there is just one option which is Cedar Pass Lodge. 

Cedar Pass Lodge is made of wooden lodge cabins and have beautiful views of the national park. However it is worth noting that as this is the only lodge in the park, that is gets booked up very quickly. Therefore we recommend booking Cedar Pass Lodge well in advance to avoid disappointment. 

If you are not staying the park though we recommend heading to

There is no way you can miss Wall Drug. Whatever direction you are driving towards Badlands from you will see constant billboards for Wall Drug and really can not be missed.

It is one of those great American roadside attractions and an absolute must see in South Dakota. It is a wild west themed souvenir superstore. But alongside the gift shops there are also restaurants, a museum, a dinosaur and more. Families will really love it. 

It is a great place to get souvenirs from, stop for refreshments and use have a wander. You simply must try the donuts when you stop.

No South Dakota itinerary is complete without stopping at Wall Drug

If you want to stay close to Badlands, and you can’t get into the Cedar Pass lodge then your next closest place is the hotels in Wall. Again these hotels fill up quickly especially in peak season so again it is imperative that you make reservations early. 

We recommend spending one day of your South Dakota itinerary at the Badlands but if you want to do lots of hiking you could extend your time in the park. 

And as an added bonus, if you have extra time in your Badlands itinerary you could also stop at the Minuteman Missile Site. From the Ben Reifel Visitor Centre, it is only a 16 minute drive to get to the missile site. 

The Minuteman Missiles are a part of the Cold War history and were located in the great plains ready to be fired if need arose. At the site you can see the Missile launch areas as well as learn about the Cold War history. 

Day Two of the perfect South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary 

Today is another day of bigger hitter tourist attractions, indeed one of the biggest in the whole of the US and features the iconic Mount Rushmore alongside some other big South Dakota attractions. 

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore Instagram Captions and Quotes

For me no South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary is complete without visiting Mount Rushmore. Mount Rushmore is one of the most famous and iconic tourist attractions in the US and a must for any USA Bucket list and certainly at the top of most people’s South Dakota bucket list. 

AS this is one of America’s most famous and revered attractions it should come as no surprise that Mount Rushmore gets very busy. For this reason we advise you to get to Mount Rushmore very early. 

When we visited on the  Labour Day Weekend we arrived at 5am and literally had the place to ourselves. Therefore my top piece of advice for creating your road trip to Mount Rushmore vacation itinerary is to get to Rushmore early – very early.

For those that don’t know Mount Rushmore is a a huge sculptural craiving in the granite of the Black Hills featuring four of America’s famous presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

The monument was completed in 1941, and was carved by sculptor Gutzon Borglum with his son and took just under 15 years to complete (1927-1941). 

I have been asked a few times since we went to Rushmore what was the experience like and how long we actually spent there. I will be honest, I didn’t time our visit but we spent well over an hour at the monument and we could have spent longer if we had done hikes while we were there.

Some of the attractions and things to include when visiting Mount Rushmore include: 

• Strolling the Avenue of Flags
• The Sculptors Studio 
• Lincoln Borglum Museum
• The  Presidents Trail – a hike which will take on an uphill trail to get a closer look at the sculptures.
• Eat the Famous Memorial Team Ice Cream

toddler at Mount Rushmore – Mount Rushmore with kids

The Avenue of Flags is a great place for those looking for great instagram photos and captions for Mount Rushmore as this avenue contains all the state and territories flags alongside the dates when they were admitted into the Union. 

In the Lincoln Borglum Museum has many interactive exhibits and is a great place to learn about the sculpting process. 

But perhaps the best thing to do at Rushmore is the President Trail. The trail is only 0.5 mile however don’t let the shortness of the trail fool you. It is more intensive than you think. There are well over 400 steps on this trail that takes you to get a closer look at the presidents heads. 

It is also a great place to spot wildlife though obviously not the best place in South Dakota for wildlife encounters

Also, although we recommend going to Mount Rushmore in the morning, if you can make your way back to Mount Rushmore in the evening, we recommend it. There is the Evening Sculpture Lighting Ceremony that is held nightly at the monument and is a beautiful way to see the sculpture all lit up. 

Now I wouldn’t plan a Mount Rushmore road trip itinerary as the only activity to do in one day but you could certainly plan to spend half a day there. 

For a complete guide to visiting Mount Rushmore including all of our top tips and for a full Mount Rushmore itinerary  check out this post.

Crazy Horse Monument

Why you Should include Crazy horse on your South dakota Road Trip itinerary

Once you have finished at Mount Rushmore we recommend taking a short 25 minute drive from Rushmore to the Crazy Horse Monument.

The Crazy Horse Monument is not as well known as Mount Rushmore but just as impressive. Here instead of the presidents being sculpted into the Granite, Crazy horse, Lakota warrior is depicted instead.

The Monument has been under construction since the 1940s and is no where near completion however it is still worth a visit. As once this monument is completed it will be the largest sculpture in the world. 

There is also a visitor center here when you can learn more about the battles between the Lakota Tribe and Government as well as more on the life and heritage of the Lakota.

The final stop of the day will be your second national park of your South Dakota road trip as you are heading to 

Wind Cave National Park 

Wind Cave is actually one of the oldest National Parks in the country and one of the largest cave systems in the world too! 

It is a great place to view wildlife but on your national park bucket list should be one of the guided tours of the caves. Be sure to check tour timings online here and plan your day accordingly.

Alternatively you could spend the afternoon at 

Keystone 

Keystone is known as the gateway to Mount Rushmore and is a town full of activities. If you are short on time for South Dakota vacation and you are most interested in Mount Rushmore then Keystone is a great place to base yourself out of. 

A popular place to stay out of Keystone is Mount Rushmore Under Canvas. However this is really for those traveling as a couple or with older instead of those traveling with younger children or toddlers. 

If you are traveling to Mount Rushmore with kids then they may enjoy the gold panning activity. 

However one of the most popular activities from Keystone is the 1880 Train from Keystone to Hill City, South Dakota. The train is a two hour round trip and is something my train loving son would adore. 

Day 3 and 4 of Your South Dakota Itinerary 

While on our South Dakota road trip itinerary so far we have hit two national parks, today is all about one of South Dakota’s most famous and beautiful State Parks, Custer State Park. 

Custer State Park

Custer State Park is renowned for having some amazing scenic drives as well as some of South DAkota’s best wildlife opportunities. 

Custer State Park, in my opinion,  in any other part of the country is likely to be national park due to the wildlife and drives. And in fact this is the largest state park in the whole of the US. 

There are 3 main parts of the scenic drive known as the Peter Norbeck Byway. These are:

• the Wildlife Loop
• Needles Highway, and
• the Iron Mountain Road. 

On top of these roads are favorite things to do in Custer State Park are:

Driving the Wildlife Loop

The wildlife loop is actually an 18 mile stretch of road that forms part o the Peter Norbeck Byway. We recommend heading to this part of the drive first thing in the morning if you can. Otherwise head there for dusk.

It is well known that animals are more active at sunrise and sundown so if you want to see wildlife this is the best time to go. 

Wildlife that you can see on this drive and that we did see include:

• Prairie Dogs
• Whitetail and Mule Deer
• Birds including eagles and hawks for instance. 

We actually found that we had better bison experiences in South Dakota over Yellowstone. And this is no surprise when you find out that there is a herd of 1000+ bison in Custer! In fact this herd is bigger than any other in the country.

This is definitely a highlight for any wildlife lover in South Dakota. 

Driving the Iron Mountain Road 

The Iron MOuntain Road is also known as 16A. There are lots of switch backs on this road and some amazing tunnels through the tunnels of the mountain. 

This road connects Mount Rushmore and Custer STate Park. 

Although they road is not all that long you will need at least an hour and a half to complete this road as the recommended speed limit on this is 20mph due to the bend and pigtail curves. 

Needles Highway

Perhaps the most famous of all the scenic roads in South Dakota is the Needles Highway. 

The Needles Highway, or Highway 87 (SD 87) as it is otherwise known, is a 14 mile long drive that goes through forests and amazing rock formations made of granite that shoot up from the ground like needles, hence the name. 

This is something you can definitely only do in South Dakota in Summer as this road shuts during the Winter. The reason for this is because it is quite a challenging drive and there are many tight tight tunnels to go through. 

In particular the most notorious tunnel is the Needles Eye tunnel. Please note that only small cars can actually fit through this very small tunnel. RVs and Trailers and larger vehicles definitely can not pass through. 

As only one vehicle can get through this tunnel at one time we advise doing this drive very early in the morning. The reason for this is that later in the day there can become a real logjam as you wait for cars to come through from both sides. 

Also it is worth noting that this drive is very popular with motorcyclists, especially around the Sturgis Rally weekend. 

If you plan to drive both the Iron Mountain Road and the Needles Highway you can expect it to take 2-3 hours. But if you are traveling at peak season and later in the day then it can take longer. 

Other great things to do in Custer State Park include:

• having a picnic on Sylvan Lake. 
• Black Elk Peak Hike if you are a more accomplished hiker. 

And on top of these natural attractions there are a few other activities that appeal to travelers but particularly for families. 

Some activities that you could do in Custer State Park include horse riding, restaurants, safari jeeps and more. We also recommend booking dinner in the park at the 

Chuck Wagon Dinner 

This is a traditional dinner from the Bluebell Lodge in the park. You take a 45 minute hayride through the park to go to a chuck wagon feast complete with food and singing. Just be sure to book this experience in advance as it does get filled up early. 

You can stay in the park at the Lodges, the most popular being the Bluebell Lodge, but be sure to make reservations early as this does get filled up very early. 

For more information on the perfect way to spend time in Custer check out our  two day Custer State Park Itinerary. 

Day 5 of your South Dakota vacation itinerary 

On Day 4 of our South Dakota vacation itinerary we recommend heading away from Rushmore and Rapid City towards the Black Hills and Deadwood. 

The first activity of the day is to drive the 

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

You may think after driving The Needles Highway and the Iron Mountain Road that south Dakota wouldn’t have many more scenic drives left to offer. However then you drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. 

This road is 22 miles long and will take you roughly two hours to drive if you want to stop at some of the amazing overlooks. 

Some of the most popular stops are at the many waterfalls along the road including but not limited to:

• Bridalveil Falls,
• Roughlock Falls, and
• Spearfish Falls

There is also a huge hydro power plan on the route that is worth stopping to see and film buffs will recognise much of the terrain as filming locations for the award winning film Dancing With Wolves. 

Once you have completed your drive we recommend the next stop on your trip as the town of Deadwood. 

Deadwood Cemetry

Deadwood is renowned because of its connections with many of the Wild West Era heroes and because of its popularity on film and screen such as in the TV show Deadwood with Timothy Oliphant and Ian McShane and also in films such as the classic musical Calamity Jane. 

In case you haven’t watched the TV show which tells the story of the towns foundation, Deadwood was founded in 1876 during the Gold Rush. 

It attracted many of Wild West America’s most famous people such as Wild Bill Hicock and Calamity Jane, both of whom have graves in the Deadwood cemetery. 

Deadwood was a dangerous place and largely abandoned at the close of the Gold Rush but now it is a popular tourist attraction in South Dakota. 

Some highlights on a trip to Deadwood are strolling down main street, finding famous graves in the graveyard or watching a recreation shootout. 

Black Hills National Forest

For those looking for some more outdoor pursuits I recommend visiting the Black Hills National Forest and enjoy some more hikes. 

Or alternatively you could go to Sturgis the town famous for its Motorbike rally but also for having a great Motorcycle Museum. 

Day 6 of your South Dakota Road Trip 

Ok, I know that this is your South Dakota Road Trip planner, however we recommend nipping just over the South Dakota border into Wyoming to visit 

Devil’s Tower National Monument

DEvils Tower National Monument

It would be a travesty to close to a national monument and not visit which is why we recommend heading to the Devil’s Tower. 

Devils Tower is a stroking geological feature and was famously the filming location for the culmination of the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It truly is a great place to spend a morning. 

Once you are finished we recommend heading into Rapid City to spend your last afternoon. 

Rapid City is a great city that has a lot to offer no matter what kind of traveller you are. We have a whole guide on visiting Rapid city with kids here but for your afternoon we recommend heading to one or two of the below attractions, depending on which appeals to you most. 

Dinosaur Park

A visit to Dinosaur Park for your south dakota vacation itinerary

A visit to Dinosaur Park is a must for your South Dakota vacation itinerary.  The Dinosaur Park was created to capitalised on the tourists visiting the area to see Mount Rushmore and to help spark economic growth in the region. 

The Dinosaur Park in Rapid City contains seven dinosaur statues on a hill overlooking the city and is now on the National Historic Register of Places.

At the park you can see the five original dinosaurs ( an apatosaurus, a T Rex, a Triceratops, a Stegosaurus and a Trachodon) as well as two other statues added at a later date. 

Admission to see the dinosaur park is free so it is a great thing to do if you are on a budget.

While there it is worth completing the Skyline Drive as it offers unrivalled views of the city.

Storybook island

Things to do In Rapid City with kids / Best Things to do in Rapid city with toddlers

If you are visiting Rapid City with toddlers or younger kids this quirky free attraction is a must. It is a small park created by the Rotary club of Rapid City and contains statutes of all the main storybook and fairytale characters

President Walk

Things to do in Rapid City

Another must in the centre of Rapid City is to walk the avenue of Presidents. The bronze life size sculptures are a really quirky way to end your visit to south Dakota.

All around the city you will find bronze statues of the presidents of the United States in famous poses. 

What else to add to your 7 day South Dakota Road Trip Planner

For your last day in South Dakota we recommend selecting the option that most appeals to you form the below, or covering something you missed off the above.

Some options for your final day include:

Bear Country

A drive through park that will guarantee bear spotting. This is a great addition to a road trip to South Dakota for people who want to see a bear but haven’t had any luck at seeing them in the wild. We tried during our trip but we didn’t see a bear unfortunately and this is a must do for us on our next visit to the area. 

The Reptile Gardens

The Reptile Gardens is a  guiness world record holding collection of reptiles. This was a huge hit with our toddler and I would say is one of the best things to do in Rapid City with toddlers. 

FAQS about planning a trip to South Dakota

How far out do you need to start planning a trip to south dakota.

We didn’t have much lead in time when we were planning a trip to South Dakota. We started planning about two weeks prior to our trip and we were travelling at peak season.

However we did find that some of the accommodation we initially considered such as places to stay near Mount Rushmore, Badlands and accommodation in Custer State Park were actually already fully booked.

If you want one of these accommodations, which I think really will enhance your experience then I would recommend that you start planning a trip to South Dakota about a year out however we are proof that you can plan last minute road trip to South Dakota. 

Should you buy an America the Beautiful Pass for this trip?

America the Beautiful Pass is an 80USD pass that grants you access to all the National Parks and some national monuments. However it does not grant access to the State Parks such as Custer. 

In this guide we recommend visiting Badlands (20USD Admission), Devils Tower (25 USD), Mount Rushmore (free)  and Wind Cave (free admission but tour is an additional fee). Custer State Park is outside of the America the Beautiful remit. 

Therefore if these are the only parks you plan to do in the year, it will not be a cost saving. However if you plan to visit more national parks and national monuments then the America the Beautiful Pass may be worth it for you. 

How far is Badlands National Park to Mount Rushmore – can you do it in a one day?

If you only have one day in South Dakota then it is possible to do Badlands and Mount Rushmore in the same day.

The time between Badlands National Park to Mount Rushmore is  about an hour and a half depending on traffic and which Badlands entrance you are at.

If you want to travel from Wall south Dakota to Mount Rushmore the driving time is around 1 hour 20 minutes. 

If possible however I would visit the Badlands and Wall on a different day to Rushmore to maximise time in your itinerary. 

Have you done a South Dakota Road Trip? What would you add to this itinerary? 

Saturday 15th of June 2019

Iron Mountain Road outside of Keystone is a must do. With the pigtail bridges, spectacular overlooks, and tunnels framing Mt. Rushmore I would put it on par with needles highway.

Angharad Paull

Monday 20th of May 2019

I've been to the Badlands - but a long time ago, I remember loving the name! This looks fab, what a great itinerary and I didnt know where Mount Rushmore was either! #fearlessfamtrav

Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays

Sunday 19th of May 2019

South Dakota is now on my list, ashamed to admit that if asked I would not have been able to tell you where Mount Rushmore was before! #FearlessFamilyTravel

MomOfTwoLittleGirls

Saturday 18th of May 2019

That looks like an awesome family trip. It's definitely one I'm pinning for our future US trip. To see running bison is a must!! #fearlessfamtrav

Nicky@Go Live Young

Friday 17th of May 2019

What a fantastic destination for a family road trip. The scenery looks amazing. The US is somewhere we need to explore a lot more of #fearlessfamtrav

Ultimate 2024 South Dakota Road Trip Planner: Attractions + Itineraries

Welcome to our ultimate South Dakota road trip planner!

Whether you are planning a Mt Rushmore road trip or Black Hills road trip, this is for you!

We created this planner to help you plan a trip to South Dakota and it contains all the essential information you need to plan your trip today including budget and costs, what to eat, where to stay, etc.

Love this itinerary? Get the eBook!

Make your trip planning easy with our in-depth South Dakota Road Trip eBook. Access itinerary recommendations, attraction information, and gorgeous photos on the go!

In this South Dakota travel planner, we show you how to drive to South Dakota and make the most of your time in the stunning landscapes and splendid isolation of our favorite Midwest US state.

Not many actually make this road trip due to its faraway location in South Dakota but those who do are rewarded by the stillness of the Badlands, the beauty of the Black Hills, and the magnificence of Mount Rushmore.

Also read: 35 Amazing & Incredible Things to do in South Dakota

Here you will find recommendations for a variety of South Dakota trip itineraries as well as get more information on South Dakota road trip must-see attractions including Mt. Rushmore, Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, Badlands and surrounding area, Custer State Park, Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon, and Rapid City.

Our mission? To make sure you have a blast in South Dakota!

“The road goes up hill and down, and it is rutted and dusty and stony but every turn of the wheels changes our view of the woods and the hills. The sky seems lower here, and it is the softest blue. The distances and the valleys are blue whenever you can see them. It is a drowsy country that makes you feel wide awake and alive but somehow contented.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder

South Dakota is the ultimate road trip adventure. 

Driving through South Dakota involves Dusty unpaved roads through fascinating landscapes. Awe inspiring monuments and quirky roadside attractions. 

Wild West heroes and abandoned ghost towns. Gigantic underground caverns and stunning scenery. 

Gold Rush legends and Cold War relics. Nuclear missiles, street art, and dinosaur fossils. 

Most who visit South Dakota are surprised by the sheer variety of iconic landmarks and attractions found here.

Our story is also similar.

A few years ago while planning our next trip we came across Mt Rushmore State.

After researching the best road trip stops in South Dakota, we were stunned by what we discovered.

Unofficially nicknamed the Flyover State, South Dakota was supposed to be not that touristy – and yet, everything that we laid our eyes on indicated that a South Dakota Road Trip was the best thing that could happen to us.

And so we began our South Dakota family vacation trip planning, and now almost half a decade later, Badlands and South Dakota remain one of our favorite travel destinations in the USA .

Why Visit South Dakota

South Dakota road trip means abundant wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and a feeling of utter isolation.

South Dakota vacation also means travel deep within the American heartlands and through small rural communities where life is hard but simple and the people are down-to-earth but friendly.

The Lakota flag flies strongly over South Dakota and the rich Native American heritage and culture are as tangible here as the wind among the prairies.

South Dakota was formerly called ‘the Sunshine State’.

We always feel that the name suits the state so much better than the current Sunshine State of Florida.

While the winter sun inspires crowded beaches and fun vibes in Florida, the summer draws out the rich wildlife in South Dakota.

And paints the spectacular landscape in vivid colors.

Some come here for the road trip to Mount Rushmore; others for a Badlands road trip. 

We invite you to take this epic road trip through South Dakota and discover your own reasons for falling in love with this amazing state.

Also Read: 5 Reasons Badlands is better than Grand Canyon (Plus 2 reasons it’s not!)

South Dakota has a rich cultural and natural history which is evident in many of its star attractions including Wind Cave National Monument, the iconic monument of Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Badlands, Spearfish Canyon, and the Black Hills. 

South Dakota was purchased as part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

Formerly an Indian land, the Lewis and Clark expedition explored the area and the first American settlers came here afterward. 

South Dakota was part of the Gold Rush of the 1800s and mining towns and local gold mines were established in the area.

Today the abandoned mines and villages act as tourist attractions of the American West. 

The discovery of gold in the Black Hills and the establishment of settlements led to the Black Hills Wars between the Lakota Indians and the American Government.

South Dakota’s Native American and Wild West history can be discovered in places such as Crazy Horse Memorial, the Battle of Wounded Knee, and Deadwood.

The state’s wildlife ranges from extinct dinosaurs and wooly mammoth fossils to giant herds of bison and pronghorn antelopes.

You can also see a variety of birds, critters, and even snakes in the state.

Because of the ample attractions, South Dakota vacations remain the ultimate summer family road trip adventure.

Where to start South Dakota road trip

The only way to see South Dakota is on a road trip.

The state has no public transport of any sort and the few airports are spread far apart and are too expensive to fly in. 

So, exactly how far is South Dakota? And how to get to South Dakota?

Most visitors fly into Rapid City or Sioux Falls and rent a car or RV their way across the state. 

Denver, being just 6 hrs away from Rapid City and western South Dakota, makes an excellent option if you have the extra time.

You can also go on an epic Chicago to South Dakota road trip or Minneapolis to Mt. Rushmore Road Trip if coming from the Midwest. 

South Dakota road trip stops are connected to each other via scenic byways which are a destination in themselves.

The wide-open expanse of the prairies and freeways that go straight for miles is sharply juxtaposed against the turns and twists of the Black Hills, narrow passages of Needles Highway, and breathtaking tunnels of Iron Mountain Road.

Vacation in South Dakota is made for relaxed and aimless driving.

This is one road trip that you will remember above all others and the many attractions of South Dakota will call you back year after year.

When to go on a South Dakota Road Trip

Another unofficial nickname for South Dakota is ‘the Blizzard State’.

If that isn’t self-explanatory; the winter weather in the state is too severe to consider any kind of vacations in South Dakota.

Spring and fall can also be accompanied by sudden temperature drops, wind chills, and snowstorms.

The best time to plan your South Dakota Road Trip is from a week or two before Memorial Day to a couple of weeks after Labor Day.

If you are planning a trip in the summer, the temperature gets extremely hot in July August.

You need to be prepared for the extreme heat, especially if planning to hike.

Pack sunscreen, a hat, coolers, and carry lots of water.

If you visit in September, you will be treated to spectacular fall colors, especially in the Spearfish Canyon area.

That said, we know of several people who have planned a winter trip to the state and fallen in love with the winter scenery.

However, lots of businesses and attractions are often closed during off peak season. 

So if you do plan a winter trip, we recommend sticking to most popular attractions and places of interest. 

Dates wise, the peak tourist season begins 1st May and ends on 30th September. Most attractions follow these dates. 

Best of South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

In this itinerary, we recommend flying into Sioux Falls and then driving west on the I-90 before ending your trip at Rapid City. You can also complete the trip in reverse direction. 

Alternatively, you can also make a round trip from either Sioux Falls or Rapid City.

We have given plenty of options to customize your South Dakota itinerary. 

We recommend at least 4 to 7 days for this road trip to enjoy the many monuments, attractions, scenic drives, and hikes.

Note – Several of the attractions, especially the roadside ones, are operating with changed timings or closed due to the pandemic. We recommend researching before your trip. 

Here are the best things to do on a road trip to Mount Rushmore on a one week in South Dakota vacation.

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“The beauty and charm of the wilderness are his for the asking, for the edges of the wilderness lie close beside the beaten roads of the present travel.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Day 1: Sioux Falls & Mitchell

Start your South Dakota itinerary in the city of Sioux Falls.

Check out the major attractions of Falls Park, Sculpture Walk, and Old Courthouse Museum.

Enjoy the culinary scene of the city before seeing the roadside attractions on your way to Badlands National Park. 

Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, located in eastern South Dakota is famous for its waterfalls on the Big Sioux River.

Start your day in Sioux Falls at the Falls Park.

At the park, the Big Sioux River tumbles down quartzite rock formations to create a series of beautiful waterfalls. 

Visitors can watch them from many observation platforms in the park and have a nice meal at the Falls Overlook Cafe.

The area surrounding the falls is beautiful and has many biking and hiking trails.

The park also has many historic buildings including the Queen Bee Mill, a horse barn, and the Millrace Dam.

Other attractions in Sioux Falls include the St. Joseph Cathedral, Old Courthouse Museum, and the Pettigrew Home & Museum.

And off course, the legendary Sculpture Walk!

The Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk is an amazing outdoor gallery of stunning sculptures lining the road between Falls Park and the Washington Pavilion. 

If you have kids take them to see the Great Plains Zoo or the Butterfly House & Aquarium.

Also Read: Best Things to do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Where to stay in Sioux Falls

There are several options to stay in the city of Sioux Falls. You will find hotels, motels, and a variety of home stays. 

If you prefer to stay by the regional airport (FSD), then the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Sioux Falls – Airport is a great choice. Alternatively, you can also stay at AeroStay or Fairfield Inn & Suites. 

Downtown, stay near Empire Mall or in the City Center. 

For amazing views and character plus to stay close to the attractions, consider staying at Hotel on Phillips Sioux Falls . This is especially great for couples. 

Families love staying at the large rooms with kitchenette at Staybridge Suites – Sioux Falls Southwest or at Hyatt Place Sioux Falls South . Holiday Inn – City Center is also a convenient option. 

Click here to Book your Sioux Falls hotel now . 

We recommend spending about half a day in the city, having lunch, and then heading out to see the World’s Only Corn Palace at Mitchell.

The distance from Sioux Falls to Mitchell is about 75 miles and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to drive along I-90. 

If you have more time, you can also check out some of the top attractions near Sioux Falls which we have listed below.

Optional: Palisades State Park

Palisades State Park is located about 23 miles away from Sioux Falls in Garretson. The park can be reached in under 30 minutes by car.

This state park is one of the most beautiful and stunning places in South Dakota.

Here you will find stunning Sioux quartzite formations lining the Split Rock Creek. 

The tall quartzite cliffs seem to rise vertically from the water.

Scenic overlooks located atop the cliffs can be reached by hiking or mountain biking. 

Canoeing and kayaking or fishing in the creek is also popular along with camping, wildlife watching, and photography. 

Optional: Good Earth State Park at Blood Run

Another great option for a day trip from Sioux Falls is the Good Earth State Park at Blood Run.

It is located just 10 miles away and can be reached in 20 minutes. 

The park is a great place to visit for history and culture lovers.

The park and it’s surrounding area was inhabited by Native Americans for  thousands of years. 

In fact, it is one of the oldest sites to be continuously inhabited by humans in the US. 

At the park visitor center and museum, you can learn more about the Oneota Culture.

You will find several interesting exhibits and interpretative signs throughout the park. 

The park is also popular for hiking trails on the open grasslands, views of the Big Sioux River, and wildlife viewing opportunities. 

Optional: De Smet

De Smet is located 100 miles to the Northwest of Sioux Falls and is popular with literary travelers.

It was here that Laura Ingalls Wilder lived for many years and half of the Little House on the Prairie series books are set in De Smet. 

The primary attraction of De Smet in South Dakota is Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes.

Visitors can take a tour of the homestead and experience for yourself the prairie life in the books. 

Visitors can also see other historic sites in De Smet including the De Smet cemetery, the Surveyor’s House, and Main Street. 

The Wilder Welcome Center and De Smet Depot Museum are also great places to visit. 

After seeing all the attractions in and around Sioux Falls, head west on I-90 towards Badlands National Park. 

Alternatively, you can also stay the night in Sioux Falls and see the Corn Palace and other roadside attractions the next day.

Here are some of our favorite roadside attractions that make this road trip memorable!

Porter Sculpture Park, Montrose

Located at the Montrose exit off I-90, between Sioux Falls and Mitchell, you will find the Porter Sculpture Garden.

You can even see sculptures from the highway. 

This sculpture garden is located on private property of the sculptor and can be seen with tickets (10 for adults, kids under 12 free).

You can even meet the sculptor and talk with him. 

The collection includes several amazing sculptures of various sizes and they are accompanied by poems.

The sculptures are stunning and the park is one of the best Instagram spots in South Dakota. 

We definitely recommend stopping at this unique roadside attraction and appreciating the artwork.

Keep aside an hour or so to see the entire park. 

Mitchell Corn Palace

The Corn Palace at Mitchell – a one of a kind attraction – is a building completely decorated with corn. 

The Corn Palace is created to pay tribute to the efforts of the region’s farmers and to display the products of the harvest each year. 

On the exterior, you will find elaborate corn murals using grains, ears, and husks of different colors.

The effect is quite stunning.

Exhibits inside the palace showcase decorations from previous years and tell the history of Mitchell.

A new theme and design adorns the Corn Palace every year.

This is one of the popular tourist attractions in the eastern part of South Dakota

The Corn Palace is fun to visit, pretty unique, and photogenic – and also completely free!. 

To know more, read our Visitor’s Guide to the Corn Palace at Mitchell.

Other Things to do in Mitchell

The city of Mitchell has many other attractions besides the Corn Palace. 

Visitors can explore the Mitchell archeological site. It is a national historic landmark and you can see remains of a prehistoric Indian Village.

This is a great place to visit with the kids as they can understand the archeological process at a live site. 

The Mitchell site is located next to the shores of Lake Mitchell and is a great location to spend time outdoors.

The lake has biking trails and picnic areas.

You can also visit the Dakota Discovery Museum to understand life on the prairies and the state’s history.

Where to stay in Mitchell 

Mitchell is not very big, and you can easily stay near the Corn Palace and see nearby attractions in a day. 

Some of the best hotels to stay in Mitchell include the Thunderbird Lodge , which is popular with couples for its indoor hot tub or Hampton Inn Mitchell , which is popular with families. 

Other family friendly options include Holiday Inn Mitchell or the Ramada Mitchell .

For a budget friendly stay, consider Super 8 Mitchell or Motel 6 . 

Click here to Book your hotel in Mitchell now .

Dignity Statue, Chamberlain

In Chamberlain, on the banks of the Missouri River, you will find South Dakota’s newest tourist attraction. 

The striking Dignity sculpture is an amazing and awe-inspiring work of art.

The 50 feet tall statue represents a Native American woman and is created by sculptor Dale Lamphere. 

The traditional dress with the diamond quilt is one of the most beautiful things that you will see.

The majestic statue honors the Lakota and Dakota Native American tribes and their culture. 

The statue is located between exit 263 and exit 265 on the Interstate and is definitely one of the best stops on a South Dakota road trip. 

Skeleton Man Walking Skeleton Dinosaur

Looking for something truly quirky and unique? Find the skeleton man walking the skeleton dinosaur! 

The sculpture has a skeleton man holding an axe and leading a skeleton T-Rex on a leash.

You can’t go near the sculpture, but it can be easily seen and photographed from far. 

Or to get even closer, consider visiting the 1880 Museum! 

This attraction is located before exit 170 on the westbound I-90. 

Original 1880 Town Museum

Just a short distance from the skeleton man sculpture, you will find the 1880 Town Museum.

In fact, it’s said that the skeleton man and skeleton dinosaur are walking towards the 1880 Town! 

This attraction is located in Murdo and has several historic buildings belonging to that era.

You will also see movie props from the film, Dances with Wolves. 

Other fun things to do include feeding popcorn to a camel named Otis, renting period costumes, and taking a close up photo of the dinosaur sculpture.

Optional: Sitting Bull Monument

3 hours north of Murdo, South Dakota you will find the Sitting Bull Monument. 

The monument is located near Mobridge on the banks of the Missouri.

This is said to be the final resting place of the Native American (Sioux) spiritual leader, Chief Sitting Bull. 

At the memorial, you will find a six feet tall bust of Sitting Bull.

It is carved by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski who is also the sculptor of Crazy Horse Memorial. 

The Sakakawea Monument is also located nearby on SD Highway 1806. 

After seeing all the roadside attractions, drive towards Wall, South Dakota.

The total distance from Sioux Falls to Wall is roughly 4 hours without stopping at the roadside attractions.

However Custer / Badlands National Park and Wall is in the Mountain Time Zone while Mitchell is in the Central Time Zone, so you will gain an hour on reaching Wall.

You can stay in the town of Wall for the night or camp in Badlands National Park. (See below)

Travel Tip – If you have less time or are starting your road trip from Rapid City, skip this day. Continue straight onto Day 2 and start your trip from Custer / Badlands National Park.

Day 2: Badlands National Park

Your next stop is the famous Badlands National Park of South Dakota. 

Hike up to the beautiful Badlands Wall to see the panoramic view and drive the Badlands Loop Road to see wildlife. 

Fall in love with the alien landscape and experience what the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright felt on seeing the Badlands.

On the way, check out the iconic Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

Sip on coffee and take a photo with the mythical jackalope at the Wall Drug Store.

Badlands National Park

Located in the northern Great Plains, the Badlands are one of the major landmarks of the Midwest.

The formation of the Badlands began millions of years ago when the White River carved its way on the flat surface of the Great Plains.

Layer after layer of rock was exposed in a variety of geological formations as the river kept changing its course.

Over time, a maze of spires, pinnacles, gullies, buttes, mounds, and valleys covered this part of the great plains.

This unique terrain was almost inaccessible and unpassable to man, hence the name ‘badlands’.

The Lakota Indians were the first to call the area ‘mako sica’ literally meaning ‘land bad’.

The Badlands National Park protects over 244,000 acres of these badlands.

One of the best places to understand the park geology and see fossil specimens is the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.

The Badlands Wall, a 50-mile long escarpment of erosion, lies between the uneroded Upper Prairies and the completely eroded Lower Prairies.

The Upper Prairies are flat and grassy and give no clue of the unique topography on the other side of the Badlands Wall. 

Many hikes in Badlands National Park take visitors up to the Wall and offer beautiful panoramic views of the eroded landforms.

The Badlands Loop Road also takes you up the mountain passes where the Upper prairies transition to lower prairies.

The process of erosion continues even today. The Badlands continue to be sculpted by water, wind, and sun.

The park has two units: North Unit & South Unit. Most amenities and activities are in the North Unit.

There are several things to do in Badlands National Park, many of which we have highlighted below.

Watch the Wildlife At Badlands National Park

The Badlands are covered by sparse vegetation but are home to abundant wildlife.

Most of these animals survive on the stretches of prairie within the park. 

Visitors to the park can spot a lot of the Great Plains wildlife including herds of bison, deer, mountain goat, sheep, pronghorns, elk, coyotes, and prairie dogs.

You can also see a variety of birds including eagles, hawks, pheasants, western meadowlarks, and magpies. 

Mountain lions also live in the area and are seen by few lucky tourists.

See the fossils in the park

While the bison, coyotes, and mountain lion are most dangerous to tourists today, many more dangerous and magnificent beasts lived on the Great Plains in prehistoric times. 

Some of these include Titanothere and Brontothere, belonging to the family of horses and rhinos.

Archaeotherium, belonging to the family of pigs and hippos, also lived here as did a variety of hippo ancestors, dog ancestors, rabbit ancestors, and camel ancestors.

Many rich fossil beds are hidden in the Badlands and preserve these extinct mammals.

These fossils attract many paleontologists and biologists to the Badlands.

The area has also yielded fossils of extinct species of turtles, crocodiles, snails, and birds.

Visitors can see them at the Visitor Center and on the Fossil Trail. 

Contrary to popular reports, no dinosaur fossils have been discovered in the park.

Drive the Badlands Loop Road

Driving the Badlands Loop Road is an unforgettable experience.

We can never forget the first time we drove the park loop road.

The views from the road are beautiful.

And if you happen to drive during a rain shower in the summer, you may be able to see a rainbow!

We did – it rose majestically, before our eyes, over the never-ending prairies of the Upper Plains. 

And then the road dipped over a pass and the green grasslands suddenly gave way to the desolate awe-inspiring colorful badlands!

We had no inkling, no clue – the abruptness of the transition took our breath away. 

It was the most wonderful introduction to this iconic national park.

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Plan a memorable road trip today. Visit Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, and the Black Hills. Enjoy hiking and scenic drives. Explore hidden gems including Historic Deadwood and Mitchell Corn Palace. Make the most of your time in South Dakota with our guide!

The Badlands Loop Road, officially known as Highway 240, is among the top 5 Scenic drives in the state . 

It is a two-lane paved road that takes visitors through the Northern Unit of the Park.

The road is 40 miles long and needs an hour to drive through without stops. 

The road has many scenic overlooks and trailheads, so we would recommend keeping aside half a day to a day for this road.

Most visitors stop every now and then to explore the park and view its highlights.

Each scenic overlook provides a unique view over the Badlands.

Driving the Badlands Loop Road is exciting and amazing.

The road has spectacular landscapes and many overlooks to explore the Badlands.

Go Off-roading At Badlands National Park

Along with the Badlands Loop Road, there are many other opportunities for off-roading and driving along gravel and unpaved roads inside the park.

Visitors can follow many of these roads to see beautiful, unobstructed views of the park.

The Sage Creek Rim Road is a gravel road along the North Rim of the Badlands Wilderness Area.

This road is recommended for high clearance 4WD vehicles only but it is in great condition for a gravel road and we could easily drive it with a 2WD vehicle.

It provides many opportunities to see wildlife, landscape, and geological formations up close. Keep aside an hour or two to drive this road.

To explore the Sheep Mountain Table area, visitors need to take the Sheep Mountain Table Road.

Enjoy the hiking trails at Badlands National Park

Hiking the badlands is our favorite way of exploring this National Park.

While the Badlands Loop Road takes you around the beautiful vistas, hiking lets you explore the badlands from within.

You can climb around the pinnacles and buttes and appreciate their beauty and barrenness up close.

The national park has many miles of designated trails to satisfy everyone from preschoolers to the most adventurous explorers. 

Some of them are accessible and family-friendly while others take you uphill to the Badlands Wall.

Some of the most popular trails include the Door Trail, Window Trail, Fossil Exhibit Trail, Notch Trail, and the Castle Trail. Most of the trailheads are along the Badlands Loop Road.

Our personal favorite by far is the Notch Trail. It is famous for its exceptional views.

The trail is strenuous, along cliff edges, and has a vertical log ladder to ascend the Badlands Wall. The view from the top is breathtaking.

To read more about hiking in Badlands National Park, see our Guide to Hiking in the Badlands .

Camp At Badlands National Park

If you have the time, we definitely recommend camping at Badlands. 

Camping in Badlands National Park and seeing the starry night sky is an amazing way to experience this dramatic landscape. Plus, you wake up to stunning views of the Badlands Wall.

Also Read: Best Camping in the USA

The most popular place to camp is the Cedar Pass Campground. 

The campsites at Cedar Pass are located smack dab in the middle of the prairies and surrounded by the unique Badlands formations.

The campground has about 100 campsites with covered picnic tables.

All the sites are located on flat ground.

The views at sunset and sunrise from the campsites are gorgeous.

The other campsites are located in the Sage Creek Campground near Badlands Wilderness Area.

These campsites are primitive and can be accessed via an unpaved road. The Badlands wildlife, including bison, frequently wander near the campground.

Apart from the designated campsites, Badlands also offers backcountry camping. 

Backcountry camping offers best-uninterrupted views of the Badlands and complete solitude from other visitors.

This is a popular option for backpackers.

While a permit is not required, informing park rangers of your camping plans is highly recommended.

Badlands campsites are surrounded by the Badlands Wall and have beautiful views

Best Places to Stay near Badlands National Park

If you prefer not to camp, the only option to stay inside Badlands National Park is the Cedar Pass Lodge.

The lodge has beautiful Black Hills pine cabins which are tastefully furnished with handcrafted furniture and have relaxing deck chairs to enjoy beautiful Badlands views.

However, the cabins are limited in number and we recommend booking them in advance.

The Cedar Pass Lodge also has dining amenities.

Where to stay in Wall, South Dakota

Visitors often prefer staying in the town of Wall, which serves as the gateway to the national park. 

There are many hotels and motels located in the town near the Wall Drug. 

Most popular chains including America’s Best Value Inn , Days Inn , and Best Western Plains Motel are located here.

These hotels also fill up fast during the peak summer season and advance reservations are highly recommended.

Not many AirBnBs and vacation rentals are located near Badlands.

Click here to book your hotel in Wall, South Dakota now . 

While we have suggested a minimum of one day at Badlands, we ideally recommend 2 to 3 days to explore this extraordinary landscape. 

Plus there are other attractions near Badlands which make excellent reasons for spending more time in the area.

Optional: Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

If you are a military enthusiast, then you will love visiting the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. 

Minuteman Missiles played a very important role in the Cold War. Several were located in the Great Plains, ready to be deployed at the slightest need. 

After their decommissioning, most of the missiles were removed but the one near Wall, South Dakota was converted into a tourist attraction. 

The national historic site comprises 3 distinct areas located about 10 miles apart near the town of Wall along the Interstate. 

Delta-01 Launch Control Room is located at Exit 127 and can be seen on a ranger guided tour.

You can also see the Delta-09 Minuteman Underground missile silo on a self-guided tour at exit 116. 

And lastly, there’s the Visitor Center at exit 131.

Here you can understand the history of the Civil war, see exhibits, and learn more about the nuclear missiles. 

Teens and warfare enthusiasts love visiting the site to see the nuclear missile. 

Optional: Wall Drug

The town of Wall, located near the entrance to Badlands National Park, is home to the Wall Drug Store, one of the area’s major tourist attractions.

The Wild West-themed sprawling shopping mall had humble beginnings as a pharmacy store and now attracts over two million tourists every year.

You will see large billboards advertising the Wall Drug throughout your South Dakota Road Trip, especially on I-90. 

Visiting the ‘Wall Drug’ is a fun and fascinating experience.

The whole Cowboys / American West theme is attractive and elaborately executed.

The mall is really huge.

It has gift shops, restaurants, photo booths, a western art museum, and even a dinosaur! Talk about being a hit with families.

And yes, it offers free cups of ice water and bumper stickers, as promised in the many ads.

This is a good place to buy South Dakota souvenirs and get food. 

There is also a Dairy Queen in the town of Wall and the blizzards and ice-creams feel great on a hot summer day.

Warning – The Wall Drug is rather touristy and always crowded, so if you hate fudge/popcorn/taffy/kids rides/old time photos style typical tourist attractions, then maybe skip a visit!

Day 3: Custer State Park & Crazy Horse Memorial

Next, make way for Custer State Park. Spot the famous bison herds and see a roundup if you are lucky. 

Go hiking in the park, swim in the mountain lakes, and enjoy the scenic views.

Drive the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway which is made of 3 amazing roads: the Wildlife Loop Road, Needles Highway, and the Iron Mountain Road. 

Save time by visiting the famous Crazy Horse Memorial as a day trip from the park on this day.

Custer State Park

Custer State Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is the largest state park in the country.

The park is famous for its abundant wildlife sightings.

The state park’s Wildlife Loop Road is one of the best places to see wildlife in South Dakota.

The drive from Badlands to Custer State Park is about 1 hrs 15 mins or 70 miles. 

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Custer State Park.

Drive the Wildlife Loop Road

The Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park is an 18 miles long scenic drive which is part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.

The best time to drive the road is at sunset and just before sunrise for watching wildlife.

The scenic road is one of our favorite places to spot wildlife in the USA.

This is also the best place to watch American bison.

In fact, Custer has a herd of 1300 bison that freely roams inside the park and they will cross your path! 

While driving the Wildlife Loop Road, visitors often need to stop to let a herd of bison pass at a leisurely pace.

You will also see prairie dogs near the prairie dog town.

It is fascinating to watch the prairie dogs stand over their burrows and keep watch for predators. 

Other wildlife that you will see on the road includes mountain goats, deer, and begging burros.

The road has many opportunities to photograph the wildlife and we recommend carrying a good camera as well as a quality new zoom lens on your road trip – you will definitely put it to great use throughout the South Dakota road trip.

The Wildlife Loop Road is also popular with wildlife photographers and nature lovers.

To see incredible pictures of the wildlife in Custer State Park, read our post Wildlife of South Dakota and Northern Great Plains

Camp At Custer State Park

One of the best ways to experience Custer State Park is by camping.

The park has 9 different campgrounds and all have scenic campsites.

Most of the campsites are on a first come first serve basis, so you need to reach early to select a good site.

The most popular campgrounds include the Blue Bell Campground and Center Lake campground which has a same-day reservation policy – hence popular with many. 

All of the campsites in Center Lake are located around the mountain lake and shaded by pine trees.

They have grills and picnic tables.

There are lots of water activities available on the lake including trout fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.

The lake also has a boat dock to launch boats and a swimming beach.

Overall, Center Lake Campground is a great place to base your stay in Custer State Park.

The park also has furnished cabins with electricity but you need to book these far in advance.

Blue Bell Lodge has over 20 cabins while Legion Lake Lodge, Sylvan Lake Lodge, State Game Lodge also have many rustic cabins that are perfect for a relaxing stay. 

Other things to do at Custer State Park

Besides the Wildlife Loop Road and camping, Custer State Park has many other things to do for couples, families, and kids.

Fishing for trout in the mountain lakes is a popular activity.

The park has a total of 4 large mountain lakes that are stocked with fish in the summer.

There are also many hiking and biking trails in Custer State Park.

The park also has equestrian trails and horse camps and is great for those who love horse riding.

You can also drive along the backcountry roads to explore the park and enjoy the fresh mountain air and open pastures. 

Custer State Park is one of the best family destinations in the country.

If you have more time, you can easily spend 3 to 4 days in the park.

To see an epic bucket list of all the activities that you can do in the park and plan your trip, read our post on Best Things to do in Custer State Park .

Crazy Horse Memorial

After spending some more time in Custer’s wilderness and driving the Wildlife Loop Road, make a day trip to see Crazy Horse Memorial. 

The Crazy Horse Memorial is dedicated to the Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. 

The carving is still a work in progress, but when complete it will be the largest mountain carving in the world.

The memorial is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota and half an hour’s drive away from Custer State Park Visitor Center. It makes a great day trip from the park.

The memorial is being built in honor of the Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, who fought against the American settlers and US Federal government in the 19th century to preserve the Indian territory.

The sculpture has the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, sitting on a horse and pointing towards the Black Hills. 

The memorial is constructed entirely on private land using private funds.

Proceeds from visitor tickets go towards the completion of the sculpture.

The memorial also has a visitor’s center, where you can read exhibits about Crazy Horse and the 25 years’ worth of battles between Lakota Indians and the US Government.

The visitor center also offers many opportunities to learn about the Lakota way of life, heritage, and culture.

Seeing the memorial up close is amazing.

The sculpture is colossal and immense. Learning about the Lakota history of the area is a poignant experience.

The memorial also has an on-site museum with a vast collection of Native American artifacts and artwork.

This is a unique roadside attraction and a must while visiting the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

We would recommend everyone to visit the Crazy Horse Memorial as a tribute to the great Lakota warrior.

To plan a trip to the memorial, read our post Visitor’s Guide to Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota

After seeing the memorial, return to your campsite in the park or lodging in Custer. 

If you have more time, go swimming in the park’s mountain lakes or hike or put up a hammock against the pine trees and read a book.

Travel Tip – If you are short on time, you can see Custer State Park’s Wildlife Loop Road, other scenic drives, Crazy Horse Memorial, as well as Mt. Rushmore in just one day. It will be hectic but manageable since the attractions are fairly close to one another. 

Optional: Custer

Many visitors often skip the town of custer itself for the many attractions in the Black Hills. 

However, if you have the time then definitely spend some time exploring Custer and its charming streets. 

Custer is the oldest town in the Black Hills.

Within the town, you will find fun things to do including the 1881 Courthouse Museum and the Four Mile Old West Town. 

Walk in the town and enjoy local shopping in stores like the Custer Candy Company and the Good Karma Jewelry. 

To get outdoors, rent an ATV or go for a hot air balloon ride over the Black Hills or learn rock climbing among the spires of needles Highway.

A variety of outdoor gear and tour operators are located in Custer. 

You can also attend events like the Old Country Fair, Gold Rush Days Festival, and the Tesla Car Rally. 

Where to stay in Custer, South Dakota?

If you don’t want to camp in Custer State Park or stay in one of its pine cabins, then stay in the city of Custer. 

Custer provides an excellent base to see all the attractions in the Black Hills including Mt Rushmore, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, and even Hot Springs. 

One of our top recommendations for a great place to stay in Custer is the EO Bungalows Black Hills .

The 19th century buildings and atmosphere make it a favorite with couples and those looking for a relaxing getaway. 

For families, we recommend the Bavarian Inn in the Black Hills which has a swimming pool or Chalet Motel in Custer , which has really pretty cabins and a very convenient location. 

Another great option is Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins .

You will love the pretty cabins and the location on the prairies amidst the Black Hills. 

Other comfortable and convenient options include Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Custer or Best Western Buffalo Ridge . 

Day 4: Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway & Mt. Rushmore Itinerary

Next day, get ready to explore the rest of Custer State Park’s scenic drives.

This is, by far, our favorite day in the Black Hills.

You will be driving on the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, through the granite tunnels on Iron Mountain Road, and see the incredible Needles from Needles Highway Scenic Overlook before arriving at Keystone, South Dakota.

Then see the iconic monument of Mt. Rushmore.

This is one of the most revered attractions in the country and Mt Rushmore family vacation is one the bucket list of most travelers.

Explore the charming town of Keystone that has sprung up beside the memorial and have fun at its many attractions.

You will also have one of the best meals at our favorite restaurant in Keystone.

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway

As road trip lovers, we enjoy driving on twisting and challenging roads.

Hence, we particularly looked forward to this scenic byway.

The three scenic drives of Wildlife Loop Road, Iron Mountain Road, and the Needles Highway are together called the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.

The scenic drives are truly breathtaking and open up to beautiful vistas.

They pass through fascinating geological landforms and are constructed in awe-inspiring ways.

This route is consistently placed among America’s Top 10 scenic byways.

It has also been named as one of the Most Outstanding Byways in America.

The Iron Mountain Road and the Needles Highway parts of Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway represent unique driving challenges and are delightful to drive.

Iron Mountain Road

First up on your itinerary is the spectacularly engineered Iron Mountain Road, otherwise known as Scenic Highway 16A. 

The road connects Custer State Park with Mount Rushmore National Memorial and is a highlight of the trip.

“Legend says that engineers once declared the road unbuildable – and then the Iron Mountain Road as it is today took shape and form.”

The road has three pigtail bridges – which are spiral bridges that loop continuously over themselves – and three precise rock-cut granite tunnels. 

The tunnels are by far the star attractions of the byway.

The magnificent Black Hills scenery is always in view.

Driving the Iron Mountain Road is a delight. 

The recommended speed limit is about 20 mph. This is a road to be savored. 

Driving slowly allows drivers to negotiate the turns and twists in the road safely plus appreciate the beautiful mountain landscape. 

The lookout points are ideal to get down and enjoy the view.

The pigtail bridges and multiple switchbacks are gorgeous while the single-lane narrow tunnels are thrilling.

Mount Rushmore is in clear sight through the last two tunnels. 

The last tunnel in particular symmetrically frames Mount Rushmore and offers an incredible photo opportunity. 

This road is also popular with motorcyclists and bikers – you can easily rent bikes in Rapid City to drive the byway. 

You will need about an hour and a half to complete the drive at a leisurely pace. 

We recommend driving this route in the morning when the sun is behind you to enjoy the beautiful views.

While Mount Rushmore National Memorial is directly in front of you after exiting the last tunnel on Iron Mountain Road, there is another scenic drive to look forward to before reaching the Memorial.  

Needles Highway

Next up is the Needles Highway – a spectacular 14 miles long drive through dense pine and spruce forests and needle-like granite formations. 

The Needles Highway drive takes about an hour to complete and is closed in winter.

The Needles Highway is officially Highway 87 (SD 87). 

Driving the Needles Highway is not for the faint-hearted.

The road makes several sharp hairpin-turns and passes through incredibly tight tunnels.

For most of its length, the road is surrounded by craggy, sharp granite formations that seem to rise towards the sky and jab the clouds.

Hence their name, the needles.

The granite needles are a product of millions of years of erosion by the wind, rain, snow, and sunshine.

The highlight of Needles Highway is the Needles Eye – a fantastic rock formation just southeast of Sylvan Lake end of the drive.

The formation is visible only on walking out of the car.

There are parking spaces near the side of the road before the Needle’s Eye. 

The area near the Needles Eye has big sharp rock formations and is a haven for rock climbers.

The Needles Eye tunnel is not easy for larger vehicles to pass through and needs extra care while driving. 

It is suitable only for smaller cars and not for RVs or trailers.

The scenic byway has many opportunities to see wildlife along the route.

We saw whitetail deer and mountain goats while driving the Needles Highway.

Driving both the scenic byways of Iron Mountain Road and the Needles Highway should not take more than 2-3 hrs and once you near Mount Rushmore, the road is pretty much straight.

Keystone, South Dakota is the gateway to exploring Mount Rushmore National Memorial. 

It is a charming but touristy town with many other attractions apart from the memorial.

Keystone is also the perfect place to base your stay near Mount Rushmore Memorial.

The town has many lodges and hotels that cater to visitors. It also has eateries and restaurants.

Keystone is a great place on your South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary to learn more about American history in a natural setting.

While Mount Rushmore is Keystone’s premier attraction, the town’s other beloved activities include Big Thunder Gold Mine where kids can pan for gold and the National Presidential Wax Museum which has lifelike figures of all US Presidents.

The Gutzon Borglum Historical Center in Keystone is dedicated to the life and work of the sculptor of Mount Rushmore.

The Keystone Historical Museum is dedicated to local Keystone history. 

The museum is also a great place to learn about the Ingalls family and the life of Carrie Ingalls, one of South Dakota’s pioneer women.

Carrie Ingalls was the younger sister of Laura Ingalls, who wrote the celebrated Little House on the Prairie series of children’s books. 

If you love literary trivia, then the museum is a must-visit.

To try some of the Midwest’s famous home cooking, visit Peggy’s Place.

This is a great spot to enjoy breakfast or lunch in Keystone.

You can order comfort food like chicken fried steak and a buffalo burger.

The prices are high since it’s near a tourist attraction, but we really enjoyed our meal here.

Where to Stay in Keystone

There are plenty of places to stay in Keystone, South Dakota for all budgets. 

Our top favorite is Under Canvas Mt. Rushmore .

You will be glamping in the gorgeous Black Hills scenery near Mt Rushmore. 

The Luxury tents here are popular with families as well as couples.

You can enjoy s’mores by the campfire at night, star gaze, or hike on trails around the property. Book this hotel now . 

Other great options include the historic building with terrace at Roosevelt Inn Mount Rushmore or the K Bar S Lodge located inside the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve.

It has great views of the landscape from its terrace.

Powder House Lodge is also an amazing place to stay and enjoy the nearby attractions. 

Another option is to stay in nearby Hill City at the charming Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites which has a great atmosphere and swimming pool.

If you want a charming pine cabin with a balcony, then consider the Mountain View Lodge & Cabins . 

Click here to book your hotel near Mt. Rushmore National Memorial now. 

Mt Rushmore National Memorial

For most Americans, this is a highlight of the South Dakota road trip. 

One of the iconic images of America, Mount Rushmore is everyone’s travel bucket list.

Mount Rushmore is a behemoth sculpture of 4 US President heads carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore. 

It is located among the Black Hills of South Dakota and is fantastic to explore.

Completed in 1941, the Memorial was specifically planned and executed to bring visitors to South Dakota. 

Well, it has succeeded and how!

Today Mount Rushmore receives over two million visitors annually and is South Dakota’s top tourist attraction. 

The Memorial has also been featured in many movies, books, and other works of fiction.

The 60-foot sculptures of heads of US Presidents who are carved on the mountain include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

The monument was carved by sculptor Gutzon Borglum with the help of his son Lincoln Borglum from 1927 to 1941.

Visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial is an amazing experience.

It is one of the best places to learn about the birth and growth of the USA.

Our other top favorites include Washington DC, New York , and Philadelphia.

Things To Do At Mt. Rushmore

Contrary to what many people think, Mount Rushmore vacation is not just about seeing the sculpture from a distance, taking a few photos, and rushing off.

Sure, you could do that but you will be missing out on a lot.

Consider below recommendations while planning a trip to Mount Rushmore.

The on-site museum has interesting information about the Memorial and there are many things to do around the sculpture.

The memorial is beautifully designed and planned.

Take the kids to see Mt. Rushmore!

Be inspired and awed. Make magical memories. Plan your trip with our South Dakota Road Trip guide. Access itinerary recommendations, attraction information, and gorgeous photos on the go!

The Avenue of Flags contains all state and territories flags and the dates they were admitted to the Union.

The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center has many interactive exhibits and videos.

Visitors can watch on film the methods used to carve the hard granite rock. 

Of course, you must hike the Presidential Trail. This is by far the #1 thing to do when visiting Mount Rushmore. 

The 0.5-mile-long trail goes around the base of the monument and has 422 stairs.

Hiking the trail takes you up close to the sculpture.

On the trail, you can see the carvings from different vantage points.

You can also spot wildlife on the trail including mountain goats and deer.

The memorial also has Junior Ranger programs and Evening Sculpture Lighting Ceremony.

We definitely recommend visiting towards the evening to see the sculpture lit up.

To explore other attractions at the memorial including George Washington’s favorite ice-cream, read our post Visitor’s Guide to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Optional – Black Hills Railroad

If you have more time – Consider a trip down a vintage 1880 Train from Keystone to Hill City, South Dakota!

The Black Hills Central Railroad was built back in the day to carry the gold found in the Black Hills.

It later also serviced the mills and carried timber.

The railroad is the oldest continuously operating railroad in the US. 

On the route, you can see views of Mt. Rushmore, the Black Elk Peak, and lots of wildlife.

The trip is 2 hours long roundtrip and has an additional 15 minutes of layover.

The depot in Hill City also has an adjacent train museum which is fun for the kids. 

Travel Tip – These scenic drives have many twists and turns and are not popular with those who get car sick. But do not miss out on the spectcaular scenery! You can drive at slow speeds (~10 – 12 mph) and take some Dramamine to make the trip smoother.

Day 5: Black Hills Itinerary

Use this day for planning a trip to the Black Hills.

Wake up to a fresh day in Custer State Park, pack your tents, and enjoy the early morning sun filtering down the pine trees. 

Today, you will be exploring the many things to do in the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

There are many attractions in the Black Hills.

We recommend picking your favorites and spending a day here to see them.

If you want to see everything in the area, then we recommend spending at least 2 to 3 days in the Black Hills.

Here are some of our favorite things to do in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Also Read: 38 Amazing Things to do in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Wind Cave National Park

South Dakota’s Wind Cave National Park is one of the most underrated national parks in the country. 

Under the flat grassy prairies, lies the beautiful Wind Cave.

This geological wonder is one of the largest and longest cave complexes in the world. 

Inside the cave, you can see intricate box work and frostwork calcite formations on a guided tour. 

The caves’ complex, interconnected passages cause air to rush out from the openings, leading to its name, the Wind Cave. 

On the grasslands above the cave, you will find a variety of wildlife including elk, deer, and bison. 

The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs

The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs is famous with budding paleontologists for the large number of intact Columbian and woolly mammoth skeletons discovered in the on-site sinkhole. 

Visitors can view the active dig site on a self guided tour.

Along with the Mammoth fossils, you can also see fossils and remnants of other Ice Age animals including sloths, camels, llama, and more. 

The Mammoth Site is an amazing interactive educational experience for the kids. 

Optional: Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave, located in the Black Hills, is also famous for its intricate jewel-like calcite formations. 

Jewel Cave is the third longest cave in the world. Visitors can see the cave on a guided tour.

There are tours of varying difficulty for all skill levels. 

The area around the cave also had many hiking trails and canyons, which are popular with outdoor explorers.

You can also spot wildlife in the area. 

Optional: Black Elk Peak

Black Elk Peak is the tallest peak in South Dakota.

It is located in the Black Hills and the trailhead begins in Custer State Park at Sylvan Lake. 

The climb to the top is strenuous but you are rewarded with stunning views of the area.

A fire tower built by the CCC on top of the peak still stands. 

Optional: Black Hills National Forest

Black Hills National Forest is an amazing wonderland of pine trees, dense trailheads, spectacular wildlife, waterfalls, and recreation activities. 

We definitely recommend stopping at the Black Hills National Forest if you have the time. 

Travel Tip – This day and the attractions are entirely optional if you have only 7 days to see South Dakota. 

Day 6: Rapid City

Rapid City is one of the best cities to visit in South Dakota.

We definitely recommend spending a day here to see all the tourist attractions, especially if you have kids. 

The many dinosaur themed attractions in the city make it very popular with families.

Here are some of the best things to do in Rapid City . 

Dinosaur Park

Right in the middle of downtown, located on the top of a hill, you will find the Rapid City Dinosaur Park.

This park was built during the Great Depression era and is one of the oldest dinosaur attractions in America. 

Kids can climb the dinosaurs including T-Rex and Triceratops.

The views of the city from the park are also pretty. 

If you love street art and murals, consider visiting Art Alley in Rapid City. 

This attraction is located between 6th and 7th Street on Main Street in downtown.

It is located close to restaurants and shopping. 

Here you will find the alley covered with vibrant, beautiful, and thought provoking artwork.

The murals cover a variety of subjects and are very interesting. 

This spot is a great hit with those who love taking photos for Instagram. 

Museum of Geology

If you want to see even more dinosaurs, then visit the Museum of Geology.

Here you will find a variety of fossils, skeletons, and other remains of the prehistoric beasts. 

Kids love seeing the almost complete skeletons of several dinosaurs.

Other museum collections include gems and minerals, historic artifacts, and are fascinating to see. 

Plus the best part is that it is free, making it very popular with those on a budget. 

Reptile Gardens

Reptile Gardens Zoo in Rapid City is home to a variety of snakes, alligators, other reptiles, and animals. 

They have a lot of amazing exhibits and the zoo is a great place to visit for the whole family. 

Kids enjoy seeing the prairie dogs, turtles, crocodiles, alligators, snakes, and bald eagles at the zoo. 

We recommend about one and half to two hours to see the zoo. 

Chapel in the Hills

If you like seeing unique buildings, then visit the Chapel in the Hills in Rapid City, South Dakota. 

This chapel is modeled after the famous Borgund stavkirke in Laerdal, an original stave church in the Norwegian style of architecture.  

The exact replica has many beautiful architectural features, rich wood carving, and is a very beautiful building. 

South Dakota Air & Space Museum

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum is located just outside the Ellsworth Air Force Base in the Black Hills. 

The museum has a large collection of aviation exhibits including vintage aircrafts, bombers, nuclear missiles, and more. 

The museum is free and a fun thing to do for aviation and aircraft lovers. 

Where to stay in Rapid City

We recommend staying close to Downtown Rapid City. 

Popular hotel chains in this area include Best Western Rapid City Rushmore or Holiday Inn Rapid City – Rushmore Plaza or Staybridge Suites Rapid City . 

Courtyard By Marriott or Residence Inn by Mariott is also a great choice for families due to their spacious suites with sofa beds. 

We have also enjoyed our stay at Best Western Ramkota in the past.

However, this is one of the most popular budget friendly chains and we definitely recommend advance reservations. 

If you like independent and boutique hotels, then try the Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City .

This historic hotel has charming architecture and an on-site Irish pub!

It is especially popular with couples looking for a romantic getaway. 

Grand Gateway Hotel with its indoor pool and a waterslide is great for families.

However, it gets sold out pretty fast for popular weekends so book now . 

If you want to stay near the Rapid City Regional Airport, then good nearby hotels include Baymont By Wyndham and Home2 Suites by Hilton . 

Day 7: Deadwood & Spearfish Canyon

Today, you will enjoy the many things to do near Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.

Spend the day in Historic Deadwood. Watch a shootout reenactment on the Main Street, visit the Deadwood cemetery, and see the Tatanka bison sculpture.

Then drive down Spearfish Canyon and enjoy the waterfalls.

End your day trip at the Motorcycle Museum in Sturgis. 

Historic Deadwood is one of the most fun things to do in South Dakota.

This Wild West Town was established in 1876 when gold was discovered in the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

It attracted many popular Wild West heroes including Calamity Jane and Wild Bill.

Violence, gun fights, and bar brawls were common and Deadwood was a dangerous place to be. 

The mining town was abandoned after the Gold Rush and has been converted into a popular tourist attraction. 

Visitors can enjoy a trip to Deadwood and admire the historic buildings, gamble in a casino, visit a museum, see the graves of Wild West heroes in the Deadwood cemetery and watch a reenactment of the shoot out. 

Spending a day in Deadwood is great fun and definitely one of the amazing things to do in South Dakota. 

Tatanka Bison Sculpture

A few miles away from Downtown Deadwood, you will find the Tatanka Bison Sculpture.

Commissioned by Kevin Costner, the sculpture pays tribute to the Native American legacy and culture. 

Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is one of the best scenic drives in South Dakota. 

The road is 22 miles long and takes about 2 hours to drive considering the attractions.

You will be driving along the curving Spearfish Creek. 

The route has many scenic vistas, overlooks, picnic areas, trailheads, and waterfalls.

Bridalveil Falls, Roughlock Falls, and Spearfish Falls are most popular to visit. 

The road is stunning in fall when trees lining the canyon floor turn color.

You can also bike the canyon or drive a motorcycle to enjoy its scenic vistas. 

Optional: Sturgis

If you have more time, consider visiting Sturgis, South Dakota.

The city is famous for its annual motorcycle rally. 

Visit the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame to see vintage bikes and memorabilia.

History lovers will enjoy the Old Fort Meade Museum and its many interesting exhibits. 

That’s it!

Return back to Rapid City for your flight home after the awesome South Dakota road trip. 

Next Step: Book Your Trip

Click here to Book hotels in South Dakota now

If you have less time: Western South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary 4 Days

Visitors can also complete this Great American road trip in less time by focusing on a Mount Rushmore road trip. 

If you are short on time, we would recommend 4 Days in South Dakota road trip itinerary as follows.

You will be seeing the top 3 attractions of Mt Rushmore, Badlands, and Black Hills. 

Rapid City – 1 Day

Rapid City is the closest airport to Mount Rushmore.

Use this as your base for visiting South Dakota on a tight timeline. 

Spend a day in the city, pick up your rental car, and visit Rapid City’s top attractions including Dinosaur Park, Art Alley, and Reptile Gardens. 

Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse – 1 Day

The next day, make your way to Keystone to see Mt Rushmore. 

See the carved sculptures and the visitor center, hike the Presidential Trail, and spend some time in downtown Keystone. 

Then visit the Crazy Horse Memorial and understand about the Lakota Culture.

Stay the night at Custer. 

Custer State Park Scenic Drives & Minuteman Missile Site – 1 Day

On this day, spend time in Custer State Park.

Drive the scenic drives of Wildlife Loop Road, Iron Mountain Road, and the Needles Highway. 

See the state’s amazing wildlife and be enchanted by the tunnels and bridges along the way.

Hike inside the state park and go for a swim in the lakes. 

See the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site and stay in the town of Wall. 

Badlands National Park & Wall Drug – 1 Day

End your trip at Badlands National Park. Drive the Badlands Loop Road to enjoy the dramatic vistas from the overlooks.

Hike the park trails to get closer to the geological formations. 

Also see Wall Drug along the way and drink it’s 5 cent coffee.

Head back to Rapid City for your return flight. 

Let us help plan your trip!

With its diverse range of tourist attractions, phenomenal landscapes, and sheer beauty – this is undeniably the trip of a lifetime! Get all the information in this post without ads, right on your phone, or print it out to refer to on the go!

4 Day South Dakota road trip will be hectic but possible.

However we do not recommend keeping any less time for this road trip. 

Some other alternatives to shortening your itinerary include skipping the day in Black Hills or seeing the attractions in eastern part of the state on a separate trip if you have 5 to 6 days. 

You can also start your trip in Sioux Falls and drive straight to the Black Hills.

The distance from Sioux Falls to Mount Rushmore is 5 hrs 30 mins or 370 miles. 

If you have more time: South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary 10 Days to 2 Weeks

We have a couple of more South Dakota Vacation Ideas for those who like slow travel and enjoy experiencing more off the beaten path attractions. 

The state has enough attractions to keep you busy for months.

Custer State Park alone is worth a week-long trip for the entire family.

2 Weeks in South Dakota

For this detailed South Dakota itinerary, see all the attractions in the state, including the most underrated ones that we have listed above as optional. 

Experience a shootout in Historic Deadwood and enjoy the underground geological formations at Jewel Cave National Monument.

Take the Black Hills Railroad from Keystone to Hill City. 

For more adventure, take the hiking trail to the top of Black Elk Peak, the tallest point in South Dakota.

See the Reptile Gardens in Rapid City. 

Road trip through the granite spires of Needles Highway, then spend time camping at Custer.

Drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and enjoy the waterfalls along the way. 

Spot wildlife including bighorn sheep in Black Hill National Forest and see the Minuteman Missile near Wall Drug. 

Let the kids experience a day as a paleontologist at Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, then take them to climb the dinosaurs at Dinosaur Park in Downtown Rapid City. 

You can also consider a trip along the southeastern part of the state near Yankton & Vermilion.

The major attractions here include the following:

Lewis & Clark National Recreation Area

In Yankton, along the banks of the Missouri, you will find the Lewis and Clark National Recreation Area.

The park has an excellent campground and great scenery. 

The lake is also beautiful and the area and its variety of outdoor recreation activities are popular with families. 

National Music Museum, Vermilion

Vermilion’s National Music Museum is one of the hidden treasures in South Dakota. 

This is said to be one of the best music museums in the US and has a variety of musical instruments from different countries and continents. 

The collection spans hundreds of years and you can see vintage musical instruments from many countries.

The museum is a must visit attraction for those who love music. 

Or you can see the Petrified Wood Museum in Lemmon near the northern border. 

Petrified Wood Museum, Lemmon

In northern South Dakota, you will find the town of Lemmon.

A major attraction here is the Petrified Wood Park and Museum located in the center of the town.

The park was built by the town men during the Great Depression.

They used the nearby Petrified Wood fossils to create a beautiful rock garden. 

Visitors can see a variety of sculptures including a castle, wishing well, fountain, and conical trees.

Inside the museum, you will find historic artifacts and exhibits from the pioneer era. 

South Dakota Wyoming Road Trip

Many visitors plan a combined road trip to South Dakota and Wyoming.

This is certainly feasible if you have more time. 

You can easily see highlights such as Yellowstone and Devil’s Monument. 

Devil’s Tower National Monument

One of the best ways to spend more time in the region is to combine it with a trip to Wyoming and see Devil’s Tower National Monument. 

Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming is located just a little over 1 hour 30 minutes away from Rapid City, South Dakota.

The distance is about 110 miles. 

This iconic butte located in the Black Hills of northeastern Wyoming is a unique granite formation.

It rises 1267 feet above the surrounding landscape and looks stunning in pictures. 

This is the very first national monument to be established in America.

Visitors can hike the trails around the base of the monument while rock climbers can attempt to reach the very top. 

A lot of Native American legends surround the Devil’s Tower making it a sacred place for the indigenous people.

Yellowstone National Park

For even more amazing natural wonders, visit the geothermal playground of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. 

It is 9 hrs away from Rapid City and one of the top visited national parks in the country.

There are many things to do in Yellowstone. 

See the Old Faithful geyser erupt or go on the park’s scenic drives.

Have amazing wildlife encounters or enjoy hiking in the area.

Spot bubbling sulphur pools and take a dip in a hot spring in the park. 

Grand Teton National Park

Also located in Wyoming, south of Yellowtsone you will find the beautiful Grand Tetons. 

This national park has stunning scenery, jaw dropping mountain views, amazing hikes, abundant wildlife, and gorgeous fall colors. 

The panorama of snow capped mountain peaks and lush green valleys are a stark contrast to the mixed grass prairies of South Dakota. 

Best of Dakotas Road Trip

For the truly unbeaten path, consider extending your South Dakota vacation itinerary to North Dakota and Medora. 

This charming mountain town is the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the North Dakota Badlands. 

Enjoy your trip to Medora with a quick stroll around the town.

See the historic buildings, many souvenir shops, and the Western vibe of this place. 

End your day with the amazing Medora musical and steak fondue dinner.

This amazing show dedicated to the life and legacy of FDR is absolutely must see. 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Spend a day hiking in Theodore Roosevelt National park and experience the difference in North Dakota’s badlands and South Dakota’s badlands. 

See the bison and wild horses in the park.

Understand Roosevelt’s legacy at the visitor center. 

There are several other things to do in the park including panoramic outlooks and unique geological formations. 

Visit the nearby town of Dickinson and the amazing Badlands Dinosaur museum with kids. 

This is honestly one of the best dinosaur museums in the country and has complete skeletons of many prehistoric beasts.

Their gem collection is also great.

Dickinson also has great street art and murals as well as many cool restaurants.

More Destination Guides

Read our South Dakota travel guides below to plan your trip now

Badlands National Park Guide

Mt Rushmore Guide

Custer State Park Guide

We hope you liked our guide to the ultimate road trip to South Dakota.

Do you need any more information for trip planning? Let us know in the comments.

11 thoughts on “Ultimate 2024 South Dakota Road Trip Planner: Attractions + Itineraries”

I loved reading about your experience in South Dakota. Your descriptions really made it come alive for me. Happy travels!

After reading your post I would like to share my story. 15 years ago I came home from work and told my children we are going to Mount Rushmore. At the time they were teens of 16 and younger. The response was what is there to do? Long story short to this day they all talk about the vacation being the best ever! Thanks for the memories.

Thank you so much for outlining this amazing trip! We are following it exactly and we are so excited! Your coverage is so complete and including the history of the area is fantastic as well. I did find another lodging option for The Badlands area…Frontier Cabins in Wall, SD- it’s only about 8 miles form the park entrance. We can’t wait to start driving from Denver!

What a wonderful description! I love all the details you included. Thanks to you we are even more excited to visit SD. I originally planned to see Badlands on our way from Sioux Falls to Custer, but now I see that we need to spend more time there – I had no idea it was so beautiful. Thank You and happy travels 🙂

Thank you for such an inspiring and comprehensive post. My family will be doing a week long South Dakota road trip around Memorial Day and this post is great for planning purposes. Thank you!

We hope to travel this summer end of August. Any issues pulling a travel trailer? 30’ in length.

Thank you for an inspiring post! We are headed to the Badlands for our first “long” RV trip later this month. I am definitely excited to visit an area that I only have vague memories of as a child. I’ll appreciate it much more as an adult!

Great post! Thanks so much!

Planning a trip to Mount Rushmore next year with our grandchildren. Thanks for a very informative article. Appreciate the history as well as your itinerary and pictures but also what to see and do if you have less time in a specific area. I’ve read a lot of trip reports but this was by far my favorite.

Thank you for sharing! We are making a return trip to celebrate our 40th anniversary in mid-May. Our first trip was 30 years ago and our boys were very young. We drove across Nebraska for Day 1 and entered Custer Park the next morning. We also took in free museums, gold mining, and of course Bear Country. It was a great trip then and I’m sure we will enjoy it again. Thank you for your info on the scenic drives – we did not know about these then and we will definitely be doing these drives.

Thank you for taking the time to put this together. Driving from Connecticut to south Dakota soon. This was helpful as we will only be here 2 days. Wish me luck

Comments are closed.

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The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary: Where to Stop, What to Do, and More

Discover Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, Sioux Falls, and more on a road trip through South Dakota.

Scott Bay is a magazine editor specializing in travel, architecture, and gear. He was previously an assistant editor at Travel + Leisure . His work has also appeared in Wired , Architectural Digest , Wallpaper , Robb Report , Saveur , Daily Beast , and more.

South Dakota was made for road trips : There are scenic, paved roads that lead to national treasures, natural anomalies , perfectly preserved Wild West towns, and plenty of quirky attractions. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, or nature lover, this Midwest state delivers. Read on for the ultimate South Dakota road trip itinerary, including where to stop, what to do, and more.

Sioux Falls

The state's largest city and likely the place where you'd fly into, Sioux Falls is the logical starting point for a South Dakota road trip. If you're driving west, follow this route, but if you're heading east or flying into Rapid City on the western side of the state, flip it. Sioux Falls is an ever-growing and extremely walkable city with lots of incredible food options. Stay at the Hotel on Phillips for an example of the posh direction the city is headed. After checking in and exploring the nearby falls the city is famously named after, grab a happy hour drink on the PAve rooftop. Phillips Avenue Diner or Crave are the best spots for dinner, and make sure to enjoy a cocktail at The Treasury , an upscale bar conveniently located back at the Hotel on Phillips.

Must-see Stop: About an hour outside Sioux Falls, stop by the world's only Corn Palace in Mitchell, established in 1892 as a premier roadside attraction, for a look at the famous murals and a photo-op with a giant smiling ear of corn.

Wall Drug Store

Located just outside Badlands National Park and about four hours from Sioux Falls, this massive, 76,000-square-foot roadside attraction started from humble beginnings, with just the promise of free ice water to entice passersby. Now, there are signs lining hundreds of miles of highway and displaying the many offerings of the beloved shop. Wall Drug Store now sports giant dinosaur and jackalope statues, ample souvenirs, a shopping mall, an art gallery, a restaurant serving delicious homemade doughnuts, and, of course, free ice water for the roughly 20,000 people who stop in every day.

Badlands National Park

Everything you need to know about badlands national park.

The surreal landscapes of Badlands National Park alone are worth the drive to South Dakota. From the rolling hills of the prairie lands protrude jagged spires that quickly expand to the horizon. The formations look like they could crumble with the slightest touch, but fear not, as they are solid and very fun to climb for all ages. Check into a cabin at the Cedar Pass Lodge for a night or two, and watch the sunset. The next morning, continue driving along the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway to glimpse wildlife such as bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs.

Deadwood and Rapid City

Make Rapid City your base for exploring Deadwood and the surrounding area, as the city provides hub-and-spoke-like accessibility to many of the places on this list. About a 45-minute drive from Rapid City, take a step back in time in historic Deadwood, with its Old West-style main street full of boutiques, restaurants, and charm — and yes, this is where the HBO series Deadwood was based and where you can visit the graves of Wild West heroes like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane at Mount Moriah Cemetery. After role-playing as Billy the Kid, head to the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City for the night. The city is set among the Black Hills, and the downtown area is a treat to wander through. The hotel's rooftop restaurant and bar, Vertex Sky Bar , is a nice spot for dinner. Another delicious spot is Murphy's Pub & Grill .

Must-see Stop: If you'll be spending a day or two in Rapid City, swing by Main Street Square , a public space that's home to family-friendly festivals, live music, a splash park in summer, and a rocking ice skating rink in winter. The Journey Museum & Learning Center is also worth a look, with exhibits highlighting the area's Native American culture and history as well as the Black Hills' dinosaur days.

Custer State Park

Leave early in the morning to enjoy the fresh pine air of Custer State Park , where herds of roaming bison regularly cause traffic jams (if this happens to you, just keep your distance, stay in your car, and get those cameras ready). Head to Blue Bell Lodge for a perfect few hours of horseback riding through fields of flowers and trickling streams in the surrounding forests. Then, grab a bite at the lodge's restaurant before heading to picturesque Sylvan Lake. After an afternoon of water activities, drive to Custer for a pint and dinner at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company and Pounding Fathers Restaurant (open seasonally). Finally, cap off the day with some much-deserved shut-eye at Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins .

Must-see Stop: If time allows and you're heading from Custer up toward Mount Rushmore, make time to visit the Crazy Horse Memorial , an impressive monument carved into the side of a mountain that's dedicated to the life and story of the famous Oglala Lakota chief. Stop by the on-site museum to learn more about the area's rich Indigenous American history and culture, then snap some photos of the massive (and still-under-construction) mountain sculpture.

Mount Rushmore

On day four, it's finally time to see the Founding Fathers' faces carved into the mountain — the enormity of the sculpture is truly a sight to see. Under Canvas has set up camp near Mount Rushmore National Memorial (seasonally from early May to late September), so you can enjoy luxury tented accommodations that evening, along with on-site dining and camping activities.

Needles Highway

The last day brings a scenic, 14-mile drive along giant granite spires. On this drive, there will be breakneck turns, hand-carved tunnels, and vistas that will instill the wonder of South Dakota and solidify the past five days of incredible adventure in your memory forever. Continue your road trip through Wyoming, Utah, and Montana, or stop here — the choice is up to you.

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South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary (4 + 7 Days)

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: June 4, 2020

UPDATED: February 16, 2024

A South Dakota road trip offers scenic byways, famous attractions and national parks. You can drive Needles Highway to Sylvan Lake and Black Elk Peak, and you can drive Iron Mountain Road from Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore. South Dakota’s Black Hills are beautiful and filled with family friendly activities.

In this guide, we’re going to show you exactly how to plan the perfect South Dakota road trip itinerary for 4 days or 7 days based entirely on our own experiences in the area.

Introducing South Dakota

South Dakota is undoubtably most famous for Mount Rushmore, but there’s so much more to see in the beautiful Black Hills region.

We’re confident you will be left stunned by the awesome hiking and scenic drives on offer. And if you’re the type of traveler who prefers to get away from the crowds , South Dakota’s Black Hills are definitely for you.

Our South Dakota Road Trip Experience

We’ve explored far and wide throughout South Dakota’s Black Hills on two separate occasions, first in the fall of 2019 and again in the spring of 2021. We love the area and consider the Black Hills as one of the best road trips in the US .

We’ve personally visited every place, attraction, park and scenic road listed in this guide. Our itineraries are tried and tested , so you can rest assured they work. Read more about us .

Here’s a short YouTube video we put together with a GoPro from our first visit to South Dakota.

About This Guide

Planning the perfect South Dakota road trip itinerary begins with creating a priority list of attractions, hikes and scenic drives.

We’re going to start by showing you the 4 most unmissable places to visit in the Black Hills, followed by other places you should visit with more time . Later in the guide we will show you exactly how to plan South Dakota road trip itineraries for 4 days and 7 days .

Unmissable South Dakota Road Trip Stops

So what are the places you simply cannot miss on your visit to South Dakota?

Well, we’ve seen all there is to see in South Dakota’s Black Hills and here are the 4 stops we think all first time visitors should prioritize.

• Badlands National Park
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Custer State Park
• Black Elk Peak

Let’s take a closer look at each stop.

1. Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park should be included in every South Dakota road trip itinerary. It’s unique landscape is incredibly photogenic , there’s loads of fun short hikes and it can be accessed in less than one hour from Rapid City.

We think Badlands is one of the best US national parks because it’s so easy to visit, there’s never any crowds and the topography is spectacular. You’ll only need around 4 or 5 hours to fully explore Badlands.

Read more in our Badlands travel guides :

• Best things to do in Badlands National Park
• The best hikes in Badlands National Park
• How to hike Notch Trail in Badlands
• Best hotels near Badlands National Park
• Best Badlands National Park photo spots

2. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

How could you go to South Dakota and not see one of America’s most famous monuments ? It would be like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. Mount Rushmore is located just 5 minutes drive from Keystone , which is one of the most popular places to set up base for a South Dakota road trip.

The iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial is carved into a towering granite rock formation, which faces directly into the sun at dawn . We watched a stunning sunrise at Mt Rushmore when the former presidents faces turned from grey to pink and orange.

You can either look up at Mt Rushmore from a huge amphitheater or you can walk the Presidents Trail which is a boardwalk with over 200 steps taking you closer to the giant sculpture.

Read more in our Mount Rushmore travel guides :

• How to visit Mount Rushmore for the first time
• 10 best things to do near Mount Rushmore
• Best hotels near Mount Rushmore

3. Custer State Park

Custer State Park is one of the largest and best US state parks . We’ve been to dozens of amazing state parks and Custer is definitely up there as one of our favorites. If you’re planning a South Dakota road trip with your family, Custer State Park is one place you definitely can’t miss.

You can drive an 18-mile wildlife loop to see animals, hike several picturesque trails and take on 2 of the most scenic drives in America. Here’s a time-lapse for one of the two drives called Iron Mountain Road .

Read more in our Custer State Park travel guide:

• 6 best things to do in Custer State Park

4. Black Elk Peak Hike

Black Elk Peak is our top hiking recommendation for your visit to South Dakota. If you love to hike in new places, don’t miss the chance to summit this amazing trail. It’s a moderately difficult 7-mile roundtrip hike with magical views from the top.

We hiked Black Elk Peak during our first South Dakota road trip and it blew us away. You’ll find it included in our popular list of the 50 best hikes in the US .

Read more in our Black Elk Peak hiking guide :

• How to hike Black Elk Peak Trail in South Dakota

Places To Visit With More Time

We’ve covered the absolute must visits on your South Dakota road trip, but there’s loads more fantastic places you can also explore if you have more time or you like to create action packed itineraries .

We consider South Dakota’s Black Hills to be one of the best US vacation spots for a reason!

Here’s a list of the places you should visit with more time:

1. Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial is a partially carved mountain sculpture , which has been under construction since 1948 but is still a long way from completion.

If it’s completed, Crazy Horse will be much larger than nearby Mount Rushmore. Entry fees are surprisingly steep for Crazy Horse but all proceeds go directly into furthering construction efforts.

2. Deadwood

Deadwood is a popular Wild West gold rush town , which has retained elements of its old western appearance.

You can stop for a hot chocolate in a quaint cafe next to the site where Wild Bill Hickok was assassinated in 1876, walk the historic main street and soak up the unique western architecture .

Further Reading: Where to stay in Deadwood SD

3. Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower is a remarkable and quite literally unmissable rock formation just across the border from South Dakota into Wyoming. The enormous igneous rock formation dominates the skyline and it’s even more impressive from close up.

You can hike an easy and relaxing loop trail around the base of Devils Tower but we also highly recommend the awesome view from Joyner Ridge .

Further Reading: How to visit Devils Tower National Monument

4. Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park is one of the longest and most complex cave systems on the planet. It features unique formations known as boxwork.

You must join a daily ranger-led tour in order to walk through the vast Wind Cave network. Here are tour times throughout the year. Some tours can be reserved in advance but others are first come first served only.

There’s also a handful of nearby hikes with excellent views and you might even see wildlife roaming freely on the surrounding prairie.

5. Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave is the third longest cave in the world with 208 miles of mapped and surveyed passages. Similarly to Wind Cave, ranger led tours at 9:00am and 2:45pm are the only way to go inside the Jewel Cave network.

Jewel Cave features more common cave formations like stalagmites and stalactites, whereas Wind Cave features boxwork which is a rare honeycomb-like formation. We think Jewel Cave is the more attractive cave , but there’s more to see and do around Wind Cave.

6. Spearfish Canyon

The 20 mile drive through Spearfish Canyon scenic byway is one of the best hidden gem spots in the Black Hills. It’s a lovely drive within itself, but there’s also loads of great places to stop along the way including waterfalls and hikes.

We stopped to hike Devils Bathtub Trail which turned out to be a really fun unmarked trail running alongside a creek with plenty of crossings.

Now you know the best places to visit on your road trip through South Dakota, let’s get into the itineraries.

4 Days South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

We’re beginning with a 4 days South Dakota road trip itinerary that assumes you are booking a hotel in Keystone for the duration of your trip. Use the map above to see the attractions we recommend for each day.

Days 1, 3 and 4 are full with what we consider the most unmissable attractions. Day 2 has room for you to include your other top priorities, but we’ll also show you how we would spend the second day which you can see in the map above.

Day 1 – Badlands

Start the day by visiting the fantastic Minuteman Missile National Historic Site where you will learn all about the Cold War , including decommissioned US Nuclear Missile locations in South Dakota.

Next, enter Badlands National Park and spend the day hiking, exploring, wildlife spotting and taking photos of the alien-like landscape.

Later, drive to Wall which is just outside the northwest Badlands entrance to check out Wall Drug Store . Finally, drive to Keystone , grab dinner at old-west themed  Red Garter Saloon and check into your hotel.

Day 2 – Mount Rushmore

The major thing to see on day 2 is Mount Rushmore . You can do that any time of day and it really only takes a few hours at the most. Personally, we think sunrise is the best time of day to see the sculpture because it’s really quiet and the colors are amazing. But we know sunrise isn’t for everyone!

Remember, you can go to an evening lighting ceremony at Mount Rushmore between June and September for a unique experience.

You’ll have action packed days 3 and 4 , so day 2 in this itinerary is the day to visit other places on your Black Hills wishlist like Deadwood, Wind Cave or even Devils Tower.

Personally we would do Mt Rushmore for sunrise, then drive to either Wind Cave or Jewel Cave (pre-booking a tour in advance), stop at Crazy Horse next on the way up to Deadwood , drive Spearfish Canyon and visit Devils Tower . It would be a long and busy day but it would mean seeing everything.

Day 3 – Custer State Park

Start the day by driving the super-scenic Iron Mountain Highway from Keystone to Custer State Park. You’ll love driving Iron Mountain Road which is essentially non-stop curves, hairpins, narrow tunnels with Mount Rushmore views and even pigtail turns.

Go to the Custer State Park visitor center and watch the movie narrated by Kevin Costner. Next, pay the $20 entrance fee for Custer State Park (good for 7 days) and drive the one way wildlife loop for 18 miles, Hopefully you’ll be able to see plenty of animals roaming. They’re most active in the morning and late afternoon.

After the wildlife loop, enter the east entrance to the awesome Needles Highway and drive as far as Cathedral Spires Trail , which is a popular short but moderately difficult hike. Complete the scenic Needles Highway drive, leaving to the west and without stopping at Sylvan Lake .

Day 4 – Black Elk Peak

Start the final day by driving to Sylvan Lake and the trailhead for Black Elk Peak . This amazing hike is the perfect way to finish a short but sweet South Dakota road trip. You already have your 7 day pass for Custer State Park so you won’t have to pay again to enter the Sylvan Lake area.

Hiking the moderately challenging 7-mile roundtrip Black Elk Peak Trail will take up a huge chunk of your day . However, if you’re an experienced hiker you can also take on the tough Sunday Gulch Trail which is located on the opposite side of Sylvan Lake.

Not a hiker? No problem!

You can change day 4 on this itinerary to instead visit the northern parts of the Black Hills. Your day would include Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish Canyon and Devils Tower. In this case, change your day 2 to focus more on the southern areas of the Black Hills.

7 Days South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

Let’s move onto our 7 days South Dakota road trip itinerary which covers all points of interest and takes things slowly . This itinerary assumes you are booking different hotels throughout your trip for the most efficiency.

Use the map above to see the most efficient one week South Dakota road trip. We’ve included hotel icons at the end of each day so you know where to stay every night.

Day 1 – Badlands National Park

Pick up your hire car at Rapid City airport and drive east on I-90.

Stop at Wall Drug and visit the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site before spending the afternoon soaking up extra-terrestrial views from scenic overlooks, hiking and spotting wildlife in Badlands National Park .

Our to hiking picks are Notch Trail and Door Trail . We highly recommend you stop at every overlook but definitely don’t miss Yellow Mounds for something a bit different. Stay in Badlands for sunset.

Either camp in Badlands, stay at Cedar Lodge inside the park or drive to Wall to stay in one of five hotels.

Day 2 – Badlands + Wind Cave

The beauty of having more time is that you can make the most of the best light . We highly recommend heading back into Badlands in the morning for sunrise .

This is also the time to hike any trails you missed yesterday like Castle Trail . If you didn’t arrive into Badlands until later on day 1, hike Notch Trail and Door Trail today. Once you’re done in Badlands, drive all the way down to Wind Cave National Park .

There’s a great little hike you can do near Wind Cave called Rankin Ridge Trail , which leads a wonderful viewpoint overlooking the park. Next, stop in at Wind Cave visitor center to get information about cave tours for the next morning if you haven’t already booked a tour online.

Check into a hotel in nearby Hot Springs .

Day 3 – Wind Cave, Needles Highway + Cathedral Spires

Get an early start and be at Wind Cave visitor center around 30 minutes before it opens for the day. Cave tours are split between advanced tickets and first come first served which sell out quickly after opening. And you can do more than one tour.

Grab lunch in Custer and then drive the famous Needles Highway scenic byway beginning on the east side. You’ll pay $20 entrance fee for Custer State Park at Needles Highway south entrance and it’s good for 7 days.

Stop at Cathedral Spires trailhead and park on the tight U-bend. The Cathedral Spires trail really showcases the natural beauty of the famous granite rock formations in the Black Hills.

Drive back to a Custer hotel for the night.

Day 4 – Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake + Black Elk Peak

Arrive at Custer wildlife loop as early as you can to stand the best chance of seeing animals when they’re most active. Drive slowly through the one way park and maybe even get out of your car to walk up a hill for a better view.

Drive Needles Highway again or take SD-89 for a more direct route to Sylvan Lake . There’s loads to do around Sylvan Lake, especially when the weather is warmer. Families can relax and have a picnic, the kids can swim or hike around the lake in a loop, and the adults can even take on Sunday Gulch .

However, our top recommendation for day 4 is to hike Black Elk Peak . You can see into 4 US states from the summit and even the trail itself is picturesque.

Once you are down, drive back to Custer again for the night.

Day 5 – Jewel Cave, Crazy Horse, Iron Mountain + Mount Rushmore

Arrive to Jewel Cave early to ensure you get onto a cave tour before they sell out. Jewel Cave is just 15 minutes drive from the town of Custer. After your cave tour you could hike the 5.5 mile roundtrip Hell Canyon Trail or you can drive straight to Crazy Horse .

You can actually see Crazy Horse from the main road without having to pay entry, which is helpful to know if you’re trying to balance the budget or you’re short on time .

Next, grab lunch in Custer before driving to the southern entrance for Iron Mountain scenic byway near Custer State Park visitor center. At the other end of the awesome Iron Mountain Road it’s finally time for you to visit Mount Rushmore !

By now it will be getting to the later part of the afternoon or early evening. You might be able to see the sun disappear behind the presidents heads and you also might want to stay for the evening light show .

Check into a Keystone hotel.

Day 6 – Deadwood + Spearfish Canyon

If you’re interested in photography, we highly recommend you wake up early and see Mt Rushmore at sunrise . It is just a few minutes drive from Keystone so you are perfectly located.

Later in the morning you can take US-385 north for 1 hour until you reach the small town of Deadwood . Once you arrive, walk down the historic main street, learn about famous Wild West characters and stop in somewhere for a coffee or a beer.

Spearfish Canyon is one of our favorite parts of the Black Hills. From Deadwood, take US-14 southwest as far as Cheyenne Crossing and Savoy. Stop first at Savoy to see Roughlock Falls . You can also hike Iron Creek or Devils Bathtub , before stopping at Bridal Veil Falls on the roadside.

Check into a hotel in Spearfish .

Day 7 – Devils Tower + Rapid City

Take either I-90 and US-14, or WY-24 to Devils Tower . We took the latter and it was a very peaceful drive. Spend the late morning walking around the base of Devils Tower and enjoying the views over this unique geological feature.

Before leaving, don’t forget to drive up to Joyner Ridge which has the best views of Devils Tower across the meadows.

Finally, you’ll drive I-90 to Rapid City to spend the afternoon relaxing around town. Rapid City is filled with excellent restaurants and it’s the best place to spend the night before flying out of Rapid City airport the next morning.

South Dakota Road Trip Packing

Packing for your South Dakota road trip will depend entirely on what time of year you decide to visit.

We first visited South Dakota in October when the weather was perfect for hiking in shorts and t-shirts but it was cold in the morning and at night.

The second time we visited the Black Hills in April and there was a lot of snow on the ground , which of course meant it was much colder.

If you visit in summer you can expect hot days so your packing list will look very different to a spring or fall trip.

Here’s a quick packing list of items to remember no matter when you visit the area:

• America the Beautiful Pass – REI
• Car emergency kit – First Secure
• In case of snow – Snow Brush
• Hiking shoes – Men | Women
• Day hiking backpack – Best day bags
• Down Jacket – Men | Women

Further Reading: Essential road trip packing list

Where To Stay

You won’t have any issues finding places to stay on your South Dakota road trip.

We’ve written a comprehensive guide to the best hotels near Mount Rushmore , which goes into far greater detail on choosing the perfect places to stay in the entire region.

You might also want to read our ultimate guide on how to book the cheapest hotels  to learn about ways you can save money.

Below you will find our recommended lodging options for each stop along this South Dakota road trip itinerary.

1. Badlands Lodging

Campgrounds

There are 2 campgrounds inside the National Park: Cedar Pass RV Park and Campground has facilities but Sage Creek Campground is primitive (without facilities).

Cedar Pass Lodge is the only accommodation located within the park.

There are five hotels in Wall near Badlands National Park:

• Badlands Frontier Cabins
• Best Western Plains Motel
• Americas Best Value Inn Wall
• Days Inn by Wyndham Wall
• Travelodge by Wyndham Wall

Further Reading: Where to stay near Badlands National Park

2. Mount Rushmore Lodging

Camping is very popular around the Mount Rushmore area. Black Hills National Forest has around 30 campgrounds to choose between.

Keystone is the most convenient place to stay near Mt Rushmore. It has a very central location among the best things to do in the area.

Here are some of the top rated hotels in Keystone:

• Rockerville Lodge + Cabins
• Comfort Inn + Suites
• Powder House Lodge
• Roosevelt Inn
• Rushmore Express + Suites

Further Reading: The best hotels in Keystone SD

3. Custer State Park Lodging

Custer State Park has 10 campground options available, including in the foothills of Black Elk Peak near Sylvan Lake.

If you’d prefer to set up a base closer to Custer State Park’s wildlife loop and Black Elk Peak, stay in the town of Custer which is in between the two attractions.

Here are the best value hotels in Custer to consider:

• Chalet Motel
• Chief Motel
• Rocket Motel
• Comfort Inn
• Holiday Inn Express

Further Reading: The best hotels in Custer SD

Camping Special

Are you planning to camp during your road trip through South Dakota?

We’ve teamed up with The Dyrt to offer our readers an exclusive no strings attached 30 day free trial with The Dyrt PRO .

This is our favorite camping app because it finds the best campgrounds along any driving route and there are no additional booking fees. You can also use Dyrt Alerts to receive notifications when sold out campgrounds have cancellations.

In Conclusion

South Dakota’s Black Hills region has a wide range of attractions and activities to suit travelers of all ages and preferences. If it’s your first time in South Dakota, you shouldn’t miss Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park and Black Elk Peak.

We’ve enjoyed two fantastic road trips through South Dakota. We think 4 days is easily enough time to see the highlights of South Dakota’s Black Hills but 7 days would allow you to slow down, see fewer attractions each day and have a more relaxing experience.

More From South Dakota

• Exactly how to hike Black Elk Peak Trail
• The best things to do in Custer State Park
• Complete Mount Rushmore vacation planner

More US Road Trips

• Best stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip
• Best places to visit on a New England fall road trip
• How to plan a Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip
• How to plan a Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip
• Complete guide to the best Utah road trips
• The perfect 3 day Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary

Want more South Dakota content? Head over to our South Dakota Travel Guides to explore Mount Rushmore, Badlands, the Black Hills and beyond.

We hope this South Dakota road trip itinerary guide helps with planning your Black Hills vacation!

Please let us know if you have any questions or need help planning your trip in the comments section below.

Happy road tripping,

Mark and Kristen

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All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

4 thoughts on “South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary (4 + 7 Days)”

6 Seniors going on a South Dakota trip in May, Not many hikers in our group. What would be the best location to stay so we only have 1 location to drive out from each day. Moving each day is not real practical for us. Also, any ideas replacing the hiking parts of the tour. Great info, thanks so much.

Hi Jim, great to hear you have a trip to SD planned. Rapid City could be the best place for you to stay – it has a greater hotel selection, more places to eat and drink, and it has easy access to I-90 so you can easily reach Badlands, Devils Tower and all other spots in the Black Hills. If you’d rather be right in the Black Hills, you can stay in Keystone near Mt Rushmore, or in Custer which is close to Sylvan Lake and Wind Cave. It depends on how many days you are going for and what you would prefer to see, but there’s plenty to keep you occupied even without the hikes. Have a great trip!

Really enjoying your national park posts, keep them coming.

Glad you’re enjoying the US National Park posts Graham, we’re enjoying writing them!

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The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip – Itinerary through the National Parks

Jennifer melroy.

• Last Modified April 22, 2021
• First Published on February 5, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! Read the full disclosure policy here

There are few images of the United States more iconic than Mount Rushmore.  Carving the faces of four presidents into the side of a mountain was a brilliant marketing ploy for a state that didn’t appear to have much tourism appeal.  Black Hills, South Dakota is a land of history and natural beauty.  The Black Hills feature many of South Dakota’s points of interest. One of the best ways to explore the Black Hills is to take a South Dakota road trip.

Help support this site by purchasing one of our National Park Shirts, Poster, and other gear . Every purchase includes a donation to the national parks and helps keep National Park Obsessed’s website free to use and producing more national park guides.

Looking for more help planning your next adventure? Join the National Park Obsessed Facebook Group here to connect other national park lovers, trade advice, or see inspiring photos of the National Parks?

This post was originally published on 08 June 2019. It was updated on 02 February 2020 to account for recent changes.

When is the best time to visit Black Hills, South Dakota?

Getting around the black hills, south dakota, history of the black hills, day 1 – rapid city, day 2 – minuteman missile and badlands, day 3 – badlands, day 4 – wind cave and mammoth site, day 5 – custer state park, day 6 – jewel cave, day 7 – crazy horse and mount rushmore, day 8 – devils tower, day 9  – head home.

The best weather is between May and September.  The Black Hills have milder weather than the surrounding areas.  Summers are cooler and winters are warmer.  Most of the tourism occurs between May and September.  Outside of this, many of the tourist attractions will be closed or reduced hours.

May sees an average high of 66˚F and a low of 42˚F, but be prepared for colder weather.  Temperatures are as low as 20˚F.  May is the wettest month in South Dakota which makes it the best time of year to try and find fossils in the badlands .  Most of the rainstorms are short and quick.

June has an average high of 76˚F with a low of 51˚F while July sees an average a high of 85˚F with a low of 51˚F. August features an average high of 84˚F with a low of 56˚F.  In September the weather starts to cool with an average high of 73˚F with a low of 45˚F .  

Related – National Parks of South Dakota

Getting to Black Hills, South Dakota

There are limited public transportation options for getting to the Black Hills.  The closest airport is Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP).  Denver International Airport (DIA) is the closest major airport, but it adds 12 hours of driving to this road trip.

Greyhound bus lines have several buses that pass through Rapid City.

Estimated Drive time to the Black Hills

• Sioux Falls, South Dakota – 5 hours
• Denver, Colorado – 6 hours
• Fargo, North Dakota – 8 hours
• Omaha, Nebraska – 8 hours
• Jackson Hole, Wyoming – 8.5 hours
• Minneapolis, Minnesota – 9 hours
• Salt Lake City – 10 hours

Public transportation is limited to Rapid City.  Outside the city, a rental car is necessary to get around.  At the airport, you can rent cars from most of the major car rental companies.

Get help Planning a National Park Road Trip

The Black Hills have a long and storied history.  These hills are actually a small mountain range in western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming.  The mountains rise out of the Great Plains.   The mountain’s name comes from the Lakota (Sioux) language.  The mountains are named after their dark granite and pegmatite.

The earliest artifacts date back to 11,500 BC.  The land has been occupied by the Arikara, Cheyenne, Crow, Kiowa, and Pawnee tribes.  With the arrival of the Lakota (Sioux) tribes in the 1700s, they pushed the other tribes further west.

The first European arrived in the mid-1700s. These were French fur trappers and they had a few dealings with the various tribes.  As the United States expanded the conflict between the tribes and the United States increased.  In 1868, the Fort Laramie Treaty was signed.  It “forever” protected the Black Hills from European-American settlement.  That lasted about eight years.

There’s gold in them thar hills

With the 7th US Cavalry unit confirming the discovery of gold, the 1875 gold rush occurred and thousands of European-Americans invaded the Black Hills and founded the towns of Deadwood, Lead, and Custer. By 1875, the Sioux had had enough and they fought for control of their land (which was rightly theirs by the Laramie Treaty).  Lead by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, the Sioux made a valiant fight and gained victory at Little Big Horn. In the end, the US Army prevailed and the Sioux lost their land and were moved on to smaller reservations.  In 1980, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the land was illegally taken and the US government was forced to pay for the land.

Week-long Road Trip thru South Dakota’s Black Hills Itinerary

This is a 7 day Badlands Itinerary with two travel days on each end.

This road trip does not include a trip to the Wounded Knee Memorial. This Memorial is located about an hour from Scenic, South Dakota or an hour and a half from Hot Springs, South Dakota. This important historical site was home to two atrocious incidents of brutality by U.S Federal Government. It is possible to add a visit during day 4 or 5. The site consists of a small museum and memorial. If you are looking to learn more on the history of Wounded Knee visit the Wounded Knee Museum in Wall, South

South Dakota Road Trip Map

South Dakota Vacation Itinerary

• Day 1 – Travel Day – Free day in Rapid City
• Day 2 – Minutemen Missile National Historic Site – Badlands National Park
• Day 3 – Badlands National Park
• Day 4 – Wind Cave National Park – Mammoth Site
• Day 7 – Crazy Horse Memorial – Mount Rushmore National Monument
• Day 8 – Devils Tower National Monument
• Day 9 – Travel Day

South Dakota Road Trip Day 1

• Arrive in South Dakota
• Free activities

Fly into Rapid City, South Dakota and pick up your rental car.  Depending on when your flight landed and how you are feeling, feel free to hit the town and explore Rapid City. Unless you plan on eating out the whole trip, stop by the grocery store.

Free-time Activities

The Journey Museum and Learning Center – The Center is an interactive museum covering the history of South Dakota.  It starts with the fossil records and examines the geology of the region.  Then it moves on to the archaeology and Native Americans.  The final exhibit is on the pioneer and gold rush history.

Admission – $10

Museum of Geology – The museum is run by the South Dakota School of Mines.  The collection focus on the incredible fossils of the surrounding areas.  South Dakota was where Sue, the famed T-Rex at Chicago’s Field Museum, was found.  The Badlands are well known for their fossils as well.  The collection also includes rare minerals from countries around the world.

Admission –  Free

Places to Eat

Firehouse Brewing – Spend any time on an interstate in South Dakota and you are sure to see an antique fire truck parked on the roadway advertising Firehouse Brewing.  The Firehouse is in an actual firehouse.  They brew a wide range of beer and offer quality American fare with a fresh twist.  Read the TripAdvisor Reviews .

Main Dishes under $27.00

Hotels near Rapid City

• Booking.com
• Read Reviews on TripAdvisor.

South Dakota Road Trip Day 2 – Activities

• Tour of Delta-01
• Window Trail
• Notch Trail

It is about an hour and 15-minute drive from Rapid City to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.  Depending on your Delta-01 tour time, head straight to the 01 facility.  There are two parts to the Historic Site.  Delta-01 is the Launch Control Facility and Delta-09 is the missile silo with a model missile in it.  The visitor center has exhibits explaining the history of the Minuteman Missile program.

As soon as you book your flights – make your reservations for the Delta-01 facility .  The tours are limited to 6 people per tour and happen throughout the day.  Cost is $6.00 and reservations are required.  Try to get an earlier tour time.

Once you have seen Delta-01 and Delta-09, head south and into Badlands National Parks Northeast Entrance.  Head towards Ben Reifel Visitor Center,  along the way stop at overlooks, enjoy the views and take a few hikes. Before you get to Ben Reifel, there is a parking lot for several hiking trails.

There are three short Badlands trails to hike at this overlook.  The first is the 0.25-mile Window Trail.  This short trail leads to a window in Badlands Wall.

The second trail is the Door Trail.  This boardwalk leads out into the badlands and lets one walk out into the badlands.  The trail is the 0.75-mile trail.

The last trail is 1.5 mile Notch Trail.  Carry a bottle of water for this trail.  The trail a steep trail and involves climbing a log ladder.  The trail ends with an amazing view of the White River Valley.

Places to Eat near Badlands National Park

Cedar Pass Lodge Restaurant – Cedar Pass is the only dining option inside of Badlands National Park. The restaurant offers locally inspired dishes and typical American dishes. They are well known for their Sioux Indian Tacos with fresh fried bread. Read the TripAdvisor Reviews .

Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill – The Wagon Wheel is located in Interior, SD near the park’s southern entrance. This is a popular local waterhole. They serve American fare and feature bison burgers. Read the TripAdvisor Reviews .

Hotels near Badlands National Park

• Hotels Combined
• Super 8 Kadoka  – A clean chain hotel located near Minutemen Missle NHP – Read the TripAdvisor Reviews or Book Now .
• Best Western Plains Motel – A top-rated hotel in Wall, South Dakota – Read the TripAdvisor Reviews or Book Now .

Camping in and near Badlands National Park

The park has two campgrounds in the park.    Cedar Pass Campground is located on the east side of the park and takes reservations.  About 30 minutes away is the  Sage Creek Campground .  This primitive campsite doesn’t have water but is open for anyone to use.

South Dakota Road Trip Day 3 – Activities

• Ben Reifel Visitor Center
• Badlands Scenic Drive
• Saddle Pass
• Fossil Exhibit Trail
• Wounded Knee Museum

Enjoy the sunrise and then take a morning nap.  Stop by Ben Reifel Visitor Center and check out Paleontology Lab.  The Paleontology Lab works on the fossil discovered in the park.  They prepare the samples and are happy to share what they are working on.

Head out into Highway 240 Badlands Loop Road.  The loop will take several hours to drive.  Take your time and explore the many overlooks.  Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep and bison.

There are several hiking trail options.  If you are looking for a longer hike. Hike up the Saddle Pass trail (0.13 miles) then use the connector to meet up with Medicine Root Trail for a 4-mile loop through the grasslands.

The other option is to start at the Fossil Exhibit Trail and then hike out the Castle trail for a couple of miles and come back.  The full Castle trial is 10 miles.

A must-do trial is the Fossil Exhibit trail which explains many of the fossils found in the badlands.

If you aren’t camping at Sage Creek, head out the dirt road towards Sage Creek and enjoy the Badlands Wilderness Overlook, Sage Creek Overlook and Robert’s Prairie Dog Town.

Once you are done in the Badlands head back towards I-90.  Stop in the town of Wall and visit the Wounded Knee Museum. This museum covers the events of December 1890 and how the Lakota homeland was stolen. After the museum, head over to the Wall Drug. Wall Drug is a massive tourist trap with just about everything you can think of.  If it is touristy Wall Drug has it.  Its fun to wander around and eat a few of their famous donuts.

Head towards Wind Cave National Park.  It is a 2-3 hour drive depending on your route.  Almost all the cave tours are first come first serve so you want to get to the visitor center at least an hour before it opens so you can get tour desired tickets.

Eat-in the car or stop at Wall Drug and grab some grub.

Places to Stay

Wind Cave National Park had a first come first serve campground called Elk Mountain Campground.

The closest hotels are located in Hot Springs, South Dakota.  Check out these hotels here .

• Americas Best Value Inn Hot Springs – A family-friendly hotel with free breakfast – Read the TripAdvisor Reviews or Book Now .
• USA Stay Hotel and Suites – A budget hotel with an indoor pool and sauna.  – Read the TripAdvisor Reviews or Book Now .

South Dakota Road Trip Day 4 – Activities

• Wind Cave National Park
• Mammoth Site & Museum

Please note: Wind Cave guided cave tours have been suspended since June 29, 2019 due to a broke elevator. As of Febuary 05, 2020, the park is examining if the exisiting elevator system is repairable or does it need to be replaced. The park hopes to have an update by the end of March 2020 on summer cave tours. While the cave is the main draw for Wind Cave, the park offers numerous wildlife viewing oppounties along with several great hiking trails.

Get to the Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center as early as you can.  Tour tickets are limited and usually sell out quickly. Try to get early morning tours if you can.

There are three regular tours of the cave – Fairgrounds, Natural Entrance, and Garden of Eden. All the tours cost between $10.00-12.00 per person.

The tours don’t overlap that much so you can do all three if you wanted.

Fairgrounds explores the upper and middle levels of Wind Cave and provides viewing of Wind Cave’s famed boxwork.  This tour is strenuous with lots of stars and takes about an hour an half.

Natural Entrance showcases the hole that leads to the discovery of the 6th largest cave in the world and explains how the cave got its name.  This tour is an hour and a quarter.

Garden of Eden is a short hour-long tour in the upper level of the caves with minimal stairs.

Once you have your cave tickets you can plan the rest of your day.  Wind Cave offers some great hiking through the grasslands and wildlife viewing or head down the Hot Springs, South Dakota and visit the Mammoth Site.

Mammoth Site is an active paleontological dig.  The site was discovered during a construction project in the 1970s.  The site has produced countless mammoth bones from a complete skull to tusks.  Their collection of bones in unmatched.  Entrance fee is $10.14 +tax .

There are lots of dining options on Hot Springs.  Check out the farmhouse Woolly’s Grill and Cellar for amazing steaks.

There are several options.  The first is to camp in Custer State Park.  The park has several campgrounds and there are several campgrounds near the town of Custer as well.

There are several lodges and cabins in Custer State Park.  These can be seen here .

If staying in or around the town of Custer, book four nights as a base for exploring over the next couple of days.  Check out Custer hotel’s here .

South Dakota Road Trip Day 5 – Activities

• Custer State Park

Custer State Park is a massive state park with over 71,000 acres to explore.  The park has some of the best wildlife viewings anywhere in the United States.  Pronghorn, bighorn sheep, elk, burros, and bison are seen daily in the park.

Start the day with a drive around the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road.  The loop will take about an hour and expect frequent stops for wildlife.  Please maintain a safe distance from all wildlife (at least 100 yards from all animals).

Next head out the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.  The Byway includes the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road.  You will get a chance to explore the Needles (the originally planned site for Mount Rushmore), explore the rocky peaks of the Black Hills and your first views of Mount Rushmore. The entire Byway takes about 2-3 hours to drive depending on stops.

There are several trails in the park.  Check with the visitor center for guidance on which trails will compliment your drives and give the best views or chances to see wildlife.

The park offers boat and kayak rentals as well as horseback riding tours.

Almost all the Custer State Park lodges offer dinning.  They feature local dishes in a rustic setting.

South Dakota Road Trip Day 6 – Activities

• Jewel Cave National Monument

Today is another early morning.  Most of the Jewel Cave tour tickets are first come first serve. Jewel Cave is completely different than Wind Cave.  The caves are 30 miles apart.  Jewel Cave is the 3rd largest cave in the world.

You can pre-book your Scenic Tour 72 hours in advance but the rest the tours are same-day tickets. While the Scenic tour is a must to see the jewels of Jewel Cave, the lantern tours a must.  Experience the cave as the original visitors did.

Tour tickets cost $12.00 for the Scenic tour and $31.oo for the lantern tour.

The Scenic Tour takes an hour a half and enters thru a man-made entrance.  The tour is strenuous and has lots of stairs but visits many of the calcite crystals.

The Lantern Tour enters thru the historic entrance and you get to carry a lantern as your guide leads you thru the cave. The tour takes about 2 hours.

After the Lantern Tour, head down in to Hell’s Canyon. The trail is a 5.5-mile loop that takes between 2-4 hours to hike.  The trail starts off steep but then levels out as it enters Hell’s Canyon and provides amazing views.

Custer has some great dining options.  Check out Black Hills Burger and Bun Co for amazing local beef.

South Dakota Road Trip Day 7 – Activities

• Crazy Horse Monument
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial

From Custer drive up to the c ontroversial Crazy Horse Memorial.  This statue is a work in progress.  It has been slow going since 1948.  The project was started by Henry Standing Bear of the Lakota (Sioux Tribe).   The project was planned and started without the permission of Crazy Horse’s relatives and that is one of the main reason the statue is controversial (that and carving up a mountain that Crazy Horse fought to protect from American exploitation).  The project does pay respect to the Lakota culture and is designed as a cultural center to support education.

The center costs $12.00 per person 0r $30.oo per carload.  A bus ride to the bottom of the mountain for a close-up view is $4.00.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is free to enter but packing is $10.00.    Upon entering the memorial, check out the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and watch the film about carving Mount Rushmore.

After that head out to the Presidential Trail and to get a close-up view of the sculpture. The trail is a 0.6-mile loop with a few stairs.

Check the times of the ranger programs. Head over to Carver’s Studio to learn in-depth about Gutzon Borglum and how they managed to carve the mountain and view his original scale model.

End your day by watching the Mount Rushmore Illumination show.   Once you have seen the show head back up to Rapid City.

Laughing Water Restaurant at Crazy horse off the chance to try local Lakota dishes such as buffalo stew.

For dinner, check out the Carvers’ Marketplace at Mount Rushmore National Monument.

South Dakota Road Trip Day 8 – Activities

• Devils Tower National Monument

Today, make the two-hour drive from Custer, SD over to Devils Tower, WY.  Devils Tower National Monument is a giant laccolithic butte made of igneous rock.  The tower might not be in South Dakota but the formation is part of the Bear Mountains which make of up the Black Hills.

Spend a couple of hours hiking around Devils Tower (and look for aliens).  The Tower is a spiritual place for many local Native American tribes.  Please respect their beliefs and do not touch the prayer bundles around the area.

Rapid City has a range of hotel offerings.

• Hotel Alex Johnson  – A historic hotel in downtown Rapid City – Read the TripAdvisor Reviews or Book Now .
• Comfort Suites Hotel  – Award-winning chain hotel – Read the TripAdvisor Reviews or Book Now .
• Days Inn – An affordable option family-friendly option – Read the TripAdvisor Reviews or Book Now .

If you have some time before your flight, check out more of Rapid City.  Or grab brunch at Tally’s Silver Spoon.

What are you most looking forward to on your South Dakota Vacation? Any other recommendations for a Black Hills, South Dakota Road Trip?

Feature Image Mount Rushmore – Photo Credit:  Wilson Hui

20 Comments

Kavita Favelle

Rushmore is definitely one of the more controversial sites to visit, considering the destruction to a site of native american significance, in order to create one of significance to the USA. Still, it’s super impressive to see sculpture on this scale! Great to know about practical tips, where to stay and other sites worth visiting in the vicinity.

jennifermelroy

I agree. I get sad everything I look at it but it was a brilliant marketing ploy. I did its job. It is a major roadside attraction in the United States. Without it, South Dakota wouldn’t have the tourism industry it does.

Oh wow.. What impressive natural wonders, South Dakota has. Personally, I’d love to check out the Badlands and the Mammoth Site. It’ll be interesting to check out the mammoth bones that archeologists have found.

The Badlands are amazing. I love getting to hike and explore the park. It is a great place to try your hand at locating fossils.

That is a good trip planned out for a week. Fossils interest me a lot, I would definitely want to see them. The sculpture in that scale is astounding. If I visit it will be mainly for this.

The fossils are great fun if you can find your own.

Lovely photos! Yes, I do want to see all of those featured here, but I especially loved the Jewel Cave! It looks so stunning!

Jewel Cave is so much fun to visit. I wish we could tour more of the cave.

Sandy N Vyjay

This sounds like an amazing road trip. I was fascinated reading about the history of the Black Hills, especially the Gold Rush and the conflicts that the region has seen over time. Mount Rushmore is, of course, an iconic place and something that I have dreamt of ever since watching the climax scene in the Hollywood classic North by Northwest. In all a terrific experience to cherish for a lifetime, I am sure.

North by Northwest help show the world the monument. I love that movie.

Reshma Narasing

I love road trips, and Mt. Rushmore is on my list for long! But couldn’t know that you could combine with the gorgeous Black Hills to make a grand trip for almost a week! I loved the details that you have shared. Thanks!

Mt. Rushmore is worth one afternoon in the region and honestly this road trip just scratches the surface of the Black Hills.

Suruchi Mittal

What an adventure Land. The Black hill in South Dakata are so fascinating. Personally I would like to check Mammoth site, and Jewel site. They look just amazing. Great writeup.

Jewel Cave is one of my favorite caves in the USA.

So much of natural beauty here. And the wildlife looks amazing too. Those mountains look as it they have been painted with stripes – which is so amazing. I definitely am intrigued by the caves that you mentioned here. Guess, the only way to satisfy my curiosity is to get there. Lovely post and pictures.

Both Wind Cave and Jewel cave are amazing. They are so close together but so different.

Greg Goodman

Welp, I guess I have to visit South Dakota now! Thanks so much for providing such a detailed itinerary and photos to get me excited. Day 7 will probably be my favorite, as I’ve always wanted to photograph Mt. Rushmore.

South Dakota is a great place to visit. There is so much to do. This road trip only scratches the surface.

So glad that I found this! We were contemplating a visit this year but to make it work with other commitments our trip was going to have to be in April. We thought that might be too early, and you confirmed that with your May-September suggestion. We’ll get there later this year or next, but I’m saving your ideas for when we do go. Thank you.

You can pretty much go anytime but the warmer months mean more things are open.

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South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary – The Best Attractions to Visit

This one-week South Dakota Road Trip itinerary covers all the major South Dakota attractions.

Visit Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore. Drive incredible scenic routes. Find hundreds of miles of hiking trails, from beginner level to expert. Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest give the outdoor enthusiast lots of different options.

South Dakota has something for everyone!

Table of Contents

South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

Our 1-week South Dakota road trip itinerary hits all the best places to visit.

• Day 1 : Badlands National Park and Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
• Day 2 : Rapid City
• Day 3 : Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Day 4 : Custer State Park
• Day 5 : Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument
• Day 6 : Black Hills Scenic Drives
• Day 7 : Towns of Deadwood , Lead and Spearfish

South Dakota Attractions Map

Must-Sees in South Dakota

Badlands national park.

Badlands National Park, with an area over 200,000 acres, showcases a colorful landscape of eroded buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires. The White River Badlands contain some of the richest fossil beds in the world and the larger beds are exposed in the park boundaries. The park includes the largest protected prairie in the US National Park system supporting a wide variety of wildlife. Bison, deer, coyotes, turtles, butterflies, and eagles are just a few. This is one of the best places to visit in South Dakota.

Traveling the Badlands Loop Road the beauty of the badlands is everywhere. There are pull-offs and parking lots along the way so stop, stretch and explore the countryside. Visit Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Learn more about the Badlands, its wildlife, fossils and geology.

Badlands Loop Road provides access to the trailheads of the park’s established hiking trails. Notch Trail is 1.5 miles (2.4 miles) round trip and recommended for an overview of the valley. Climb a log ladder and follow a ledge for a dramatic view of the White River Valley. We hiked Cliff Shelf, a quick half mile (0.8 km) loop which has boardwalks and lots of stairs. The view was worth it.

The park entrance is about 8 miles south of the city of Wall on US 240, an hour east of Rapid City. The park is open year-round and an entrance fee applies which provides access for 7 days. Campground and lodge accommodations are available in the park.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Visit the immense 60-foot tall wall of carved faces. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln look out over the valley from the top of Mount Rushmore. This is a “bucket-list” destination for many people.

The information center, the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Guzton Boglum’s studio provide information about the creation of the memorial. The sculptor worked from the studio and it displays his 1/12th scale model of Mount Rushmore. The 0.6 mile Presidential Trail starts nearby and allows a closer view of the memorial. There are plaques along the trail highlighting each president as his face becomes visible on the mountain. On the Avenue of Flags, see flags from all US states (50), districts (1), territories (3) and commonwealths (2).

The best time of day to visit Mount Rushmore is the morning.  Crowds are thinner.  More importantly, the presidents’ faces are free of shadows in the morning light, perfect for photos. In the evening, the memorial is illuminated. A special lighting ceremony is held nightly from Memorial Day weekend through September 30th.

The memorial is 30 minutes south of Rapid City via Highways 16 and SR244 and is open year-round except for Christmas Day, though some areas may be inaccessible during the winter months. There is no entrance fee however a parking fee is charged.

In addition to visiting Mount Rushmore there are many things to do in the Black Hills.

Black Hills Attractions

The Black Hills are an eroded mountain range in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. The highest peak in the range is Black Elk Peak at 7240 feet (2,200 metres). The peak is about 4 miles (6.3 kilometres) west of Mount Rushmore as the crow flies. Much of the range is protected and open for recreation as Black Hills National Forest. Rapid City , in the foothills is the gateway to the Black Hills.

The Black Hills best attractions are:

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial ,
• Custer State Park ,
• Wind Cave National Park ,
• Jewel Cave National Monument ,
• Black Hills National Forest .

Custer State Park

South Dakota’s oldest state park, and largest at 71,000 acres, offers lots of recreation options in a stunning setting. See abundant wildlife, enjoy hiking, camping, boating and more all just 30 minutes south of Rapid City. There are several Visitor Centers, museums and historic sites.  The park is open year-round for a small park fee.  

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road

The 18-mile, wildlife loop passes through grasslands and hills covered in pine where much of the park’s wildlife is found. Bison, pronghorn, whitetail and mule deer, elk, coyotes, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, and a variety of other birds share the grasslands. The landscape is incredible. Guided tours are available.

The park’s bison herd is one of the world’s largest publicly-owned herds, about 1,300 strong. The annual roundup occurs on the last Friday of each September and is open to the public. This roundup helps maintain a healthy balance between the number of bison and available food. Once corralled, the herd is checked, vaccinated and typically about 200 animals are chosen to be sold at auction in November.

Custer State Park Hiking

There are plenty of hiking options in the park. We hiked to Cathedral Spires, rated a strenuous hike, it was about 1¼ miles one-way. The scenery is outstanding.

Custer State Park Lakes

Boating, fishing (with a valid license) and swimming are popular in the park. Restrictions exist on the types of boats allowed on some lakes so check before launching.  

Wind Cave National Park

The park protects one of the most complex underground mazes in the world.  95% of the world’s boxwork is in Wind Cave National Park. Boxwork, a rare calcite formation, looks like honeycomb and is between 60 to 100 million years ago. The park is open year-round. There is no fee to enter the park itself but a fee is charged for cave tours.

The only way to visit the cave is on a ranger-led tour. A number of tour options exist of varying lengths and difficulties. Fewer tours are offered in the winter months. All tours start from the visitor center which has exhibits about the park’s history and wildlife.  For detailed information about the tours, tour times and reservations, visit the Wind Cave National Park’s Guided Tours webpage.

The park has more than 30 miles of hiking trails which cut through grasslands and pine forests. We enjoyed hiking the short Rankin Ridge Nature Trail. The trail leads to the highest point in the park rewarding hikers with spectacular views, including bison in the valley below. The park is about 1.25 hours south of Rapid City. 

Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave is the 3rd longest cave in the world. About 200 miles have been mapped so far. The monument gets its name from the jewel-like calcite crystals found in the cave. Ranger-led tours of varying lengths and difficulties leave from the visitor center. There is no fee to enter the monument itself but a fee is charged for cave tours. For detailed information about the tours, tour times and reservations, visit the Jewel Cave National Monument’s Guided Tours webpage.

Wildlife is often seen on the monument’s two hiking trails. The monument is open year-round and is located about an hour southwest of Rapid City (13 miles west Custer).  

Black Hills National Forest

Hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping and much more are all available in the 1.2 million acres of the Black Hills National Forest.

Crazy Horse Memorial

The memorial, when complete, will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, mounted and pointing to the horizon. The visitor complex includes an orientation center, gift shop, restaurant, museums and displays. About 45 minutes southwest of Rapid City (10 miles south of Hill City), it is open year-round with an entrance fee.  Native Americans are divided in their views on the appropriateness of the memorial.

Hiking in Black Hills National Forest

Hiking options abound in the national forest.  In the northern section, Roughlock Falls is worth the 2-mile (3.2 km) round-trip hike.  The trail parallels Roughlock Falls Road hugging the Little Spearfish Creek with beautiful views, wildlife and trout fishing. Spearfish Falls are close by. They are visible from the main road or, for a closer view, take the easy 1-mile (1.6 km) round-trip trail.

Black Hills Central Railroad

See the beauty of the Black Hills riding a vintage steam train. The 1880 carries passengers between Hill City and Keystone from early May until early October. Travel round-trip (2¼ hours) or one-way from either city. The South Dakota State Railroad Museum at the depot in Hill City displays memorabilia from former South Dakota railroads.

Black Hills Scenic Drives

Almost all the roads in the Black Hills are “scenic drives” but there are a couple routes that are stellar. It’s the perfect way to link places on the itinerary together.

The Peter Norbreck Scenic Byway connects many of the highlights of the Black Hills. A national scenic byway, its 70 miles (110 km) winds over spiral bridges, through rock tunnels and around rocky peaks and forested hills.  Take a day and tour the entire byway.

Iron Mountain Road is an 18-mile (28-km) section of the Peter Norbreck Scenic Byway. It winds between Mount Rushmore and the intersection of US16A and SD36.  Its tunnels frame Mount Rushmore. This section takes about an hour to travel depending on the number of photo stops.

The 14-mile (22-km) Needles Highway is another section of the Peter Norbreck Scenic Byway. It travels through pine and spruce forests with meadows surrounded by birch and aspen. Rugged mountains of the Black Hills make an incredible backdrop.  It takes between 45 minutes and an hour to travel the highway and it is closed in winter.

Travel the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway , through Spearfish Canyon’s 20 miles of beautiful scenery. Waterfalls and hiking options are throughout the canyon. At a minimum, the drive is 30 minutes long, but allow longer to stop and admire the scenery. Bridal Veil Falls is right at the roadside and definitely worth a stop.  

Best Cities to Visit in South Dakota

The 2 nd largest city in South Dakota, Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills and a great base for a road trip. Enjoy its family-friendly things to do.  In the summer, Main Street Square has bubbling water jets for the kids to play in which are lit at night. The square has a small concert stage. It’s a good starting point for the City of Presidents Walk .

Twelve intersections along Main and St. Joseph Streets (between 4 th and 9 th Streets) display life-size bronze statues of 43 former presidents of the United States. Walk these streets and see many beautiful buildings. Plaques explain both city and building history.

The circa 1930 Dinosaur Park is on the register of National Historic Places. The kids can climb on life-sized dinosaurs while the adults get a panoramic view of the Rapid City skyline.

This is the home of the infamous Wall Drug. It opened in the 1930’s as a drug store. During the depression, they erected lots of billboards advertising “free water” along the interstate. The idea was to capitalize on the increase in traffic from the newly opened Mount Rushmore. It worked! Wall Drug is much more than a drug store today.

Today, the wild west-themed shopping mall consists of a drug store (where it all began), gift shops, restaurant, chapel and various other stores.  There are historic photos, an arcade and a panning/mining experience for the kids.

The water is still free and a cup of coffee is only 5 cents! It’s fun place to spend an hour or two.

In downtown Custer, several intersections have colorful painted bison. Created between 2007 and 2016, they were an art project showcasing original bison artwork. Contributions came from artists around the US. Many were auctioned off. These are the beautiful remainders. The downtown has unique shops and cafes to explore.

The Homestake Gold Mine removed copious quantities of gold and silver from beneath Lead over 126 years. Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center explains the mine’s operations before it closed in 2001 and the science behind the lab. The lab occupies some of the 370 miles (595 km) of tunnels which go as deep as 1.5 miles (2.4 km) below ground. The Sanford Underground Research Facility carries out research to help further our knowledge of the universe including the role of neutrinos. Take the great trolley tour offered in the summer for a small fee. It tours the town and some of the surface buildings at the research facility. The free visitor center is open year-round.

Deadwood, a National Historic Landmark, began as a gold mining town in the 1870’s.  This was the wild frontier. Infamous gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok was shot here in 1876.  Many of the buildings were built in that era. Using a portion of the state taxes collected from gambling, Deadwood restores its early buildings and preserves its past.  Take a very informative walking tour of town or a trolley tour is available.

Mount Moriah Cemetery , high on a hill, offers a beautiful view of the city within Deadwood Gulch. This is the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. People have been visiting these famous residents since Wild Bill’s death. The cemetery’s last burial was in 1949. The cemetery is open year-round and the visitor center opens from Memorial Day to mid-October.

Spearfish thrives as an access point to the Black Hills and a center for arts and culture. Another town built due to mining, its picturesque downtown includes some buildings as old as Spearfish itself. There are plenty of options for shopping enthusiasts, from clothing to antiques, with coffee shops, cafes and more.  The beautiful clock tower is topped by a Termesphere painted by Spearfish’s own Dick Termes.

The Termesphere Gallery is an absolute must-see. We were spellbound.  Dick Termes uses six-point perspective to paint entire worlds on a sphere. Many of the spheres are suspended and attached to small quiet motors. The motor turns the sphere to showcase the whole work of art. The gallery is free and open daily in the summer or by appointment.

Belle Fourche

Belle Fourche, a small city of about 5,500 people, is home to the Center of the Nation monument. The monument sits in a beautiful park by the Belle Fourche River. Flags of the 50 US states surround a 21-foot-diameter monument constructed of South Dakota granite.  The visitor center and Tri-State Museum are close by. For purists, the actual geographic center is about 20 miles northwest of Belle Fourche.

Places to See in Eastern South Dakota

Driving from the east? These are a few things to do in eastern South Dakota.

Porter Sculpture Park

Porter Sculpture Park is a quirky collection of metal artwork by Wayne Porter set in an 18-acre grassy field.  He is self-taught. He adapted the blacksmithing skills his father taught him creating larger-than-life art. One of his largest pieces, a 60 foot bull head, needed to be brought to the site in 2 pieces.  The park is open daily mid-May to mid-September for a small entrance fee. It is just off I90 about 30 miles west of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Mitchell Corn Palace

Murals made of corn and other grains decorate this multi-purpose facility’s exterior. There’s a new theme each year.  New murals, designed by local artists, replace the previous year’s art. In 1892, the first murals showcased the riches of South Dakota agriculture and encouraged settlement in the area. They have been created annually ever since.  Inside displays describe the history of the palace, how the murals are created and show photos of many of the past murals. It’s free to visit. They open daily, except for Sundays from December to April and several major holidays. The corn palace is on Main Street in Mitchell, about 70 miles west of Sioux Falls on I90.

Dignity of Earth and Sky Statue

The 50-foot high stainless steel sculpture of an Indigenous woman in plains-style dress holds a star quilt. She stands high on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. Dale Lamphere, a South Dakota artist, created the statue to honor the indigenous people of the Great Plains.  For a great place to stop and stretch along the I90, stop and see Dignity of Earth and Sky at the Chamberlain Interstate Welcome Center (I90 mile post 264). The overlook of the Missouri River is impressive also.

Pierre, the South Dakota State Capital

Pierre, a small city of about 14,000 people, is the 2 nd smallest state capital in the US. South Dakota became a US state in 1889 but it wasn’t until between 1905 and 1910 that the State Capitol building was constructed. The Capitol features a copper dome, columns and walls of granite and limestone.  The building has a central rotunda similar to the famous US Capitol building.

Bronze statues of some of the South Dakota governors are found around the State Capitol.  Follow the trail of these life-sized statues from the State Capitol grounds to downtown Pierre to the Missouri River.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

The national historic site preserves two areas that were part of a Minuteman missile field in southwestern South Dakota. The field was created during the Cold War and dismantled as a result of the 1991 START treaty.

There are three separate areas included in the site: 1) Visitor Center, offering a film and exhibits providing background of the Cold War and nuclear armament, 2) Launch Control Facility Delta-01 and associated underground Launch Control Center, and 3) Missile Silo Launch Facility Delta-09.

Start at the Visitor Center at I90 exit 131. The site is open daily except for government holidays and Sundays and Mondays in the winter. There is no entrance fee. A tour of the underground Launch Control Center at Delta-01 is offered for a fee and must be booked in advance.

Side Trip – Devils Tower National Monument

With a couple more days, Devils Tower National Monument in neighboring Wyoming is worth adding to your road trip.  It is about 100 miles west of Rapid City and unforgettable. The +1200-foot monolith is visible for miles. Its short hikes are a great way to experience this unique park.

Be sure to check out our article How to Visit and Hike Devils Tower National Monument to plan your visit to the Tower.

Side Trip – Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, established in 1947, protects about 70,000 acres.  It is split into 3 units. The Elkhorn Ranch Unit is tiny and preserves the Roosevelt “home ranch”. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is often needed to reach it. The entrance to the North Unit is about an hour north of I94 off US85. The South Unit is both the easiest to access and the largest at just over 46,000 acres. Both the North and South Units offer scenic drives, hiking trails and camping. Spend a day or many relaxing and rejuvenating, just as Roosevelt did.

The park honors President Theodore Roosevelt who came to what was the Dakota Territory in 1883 to hunt bison.  Returning in 1884 to grieve the loss of both his mother and his wife, he became a cattle rancher.  The ranch eventually failed. Roosevelt credited his experiences in these badlands, part of what became North Dakota in 1889, with his need to preserve nature for future generations. During his 8-year presidency he protected over 230 million acres of land in the US.

The entrance to the South Unit is in the city of Medora, on I94 about 2 hours west of Bismarck. The scenic drive, formerly a 36-mile loop, is now a 48-mile (77 kilometre) out-and-back drive. It is about a 1.5 to 2 hour journey without stops, which is unlikely. The views are too beautiful.

There are lots of hiking options, from short and paved to a strenuous backcountry trail.  We did the short Wind Canyon Trail (0.4-mile/0.6-km loop) which follows a cliff edge overlooking the Little Missouri River. It is rated easy with gravel and dirt surfaces along with stairs. Photographers favor this spot at sunset. Wind Canyon was eroded by wind rather than by water erosion more typical in the badlands. Bison and wild horses frequent the valley visible from the viewpoint. 

The park is open year-round. An entrance fee is charged. The South Unit Visitor Center in Medora opens daily with extended hours in the summer. The Painted Canyon Visitor Center (on I94 about 8 miles east of Medora) operates May through October. The North Unit has a Visitor Contact Station. Rangers here assist with trip planning and back country permits.  The Contact Station is open daily June through October and closed the rest of the year. Campgrounds are open in both units year-round. There are no utility hookups and only limited services mid-October to mid-May. If winter camping, check ahead for road closures.

If coming from Bismarck on I94, stretch your legs along the way. Stop at New Salem and see Salem Sue, the Holstein cow. She’s 38-feet high and 50-feet long and made of fibreglass. Exit at Gladstone to experience the Enchanted Highway. From I94 travel 32 miles south to Regent through scenic farm country. At intervals along the way find large scrap metal sculptures. The first is the I94 exit.

South Dakota Accommodations

Looking for a place to stay in South Dakota?

Rapid City Hotels

Make Rapid City your home base while exploring the Badlands, Mount Rushmore and all points south. Check out these great options.

• Staybridge Suites Rapid City / Rushmore – Exceptional
• Howard Johnson by Wyndham Rapid City – Where We Stayed
• Holiday Inn Rapid City – Great Value

Spearfish Hotels

Make Spearfish your home base while exploring the northern Black Hills area and surrounding cities. These are some options.

• Spearfish Canyon Lodge – Best rated on Booking.com
• Hampton Inn Spearfish – Great Value

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Valerie Vanr

Valerie is the Co-founder of AvrexTravel.com. Val enjoys travel photography and writing informative City Walking tours.

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The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip 3 Day Itinerary

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The ultimate 3 day South Dakota road trip itinerary with Badlands and Black Hills.

A South Dakota road trip has been on my bucket list for years. When a friend of ours told us he grew up in Sturgis and could show us around from his point of view as a former local, we were more than thrilled to accept his offer. This South Dakota road trip itinerary features the southwestern portion of South Dakota. We had one long weekend to see as much as possible (and we definitely did). This road trip featured beautiful views, interesting history, and even a gun show! 🙂

Day 1 of the South Dakota road trip:  

We arrived in Rapid City at about 430 PM. We were picked up at the airport by our friend who joked that the cows in the runway had to be moved before the plane could land.   I realized what he meant by that when we pulled out of the airport. The airport looked like it had been built in the middle of a field.

Cosmos Mystery Center   (Driving time- 45 minutes from Rapid City)

The first stop was to the Cosmos Mystery Center. We had previously enjoyed a similar mystery center in California and wanted to see how this one compared. We drove down a long driveway and made our way inside the building to purchase tickets. While waiting for the next tour, we shopped in the gift shop.

The whole idea of the Cosmos Mystery Center is to see why the land here is special. Here, water can flow upwards, shorter people can be taller than those taller than them, and you can at a 45 degree angle without falling.

The tour took less than an hour and we were ready to head out around 630. No South Dakota road trip is perfect without a trip to Mount Rushmore. It was only 20 minutes down the road and I wanted to see the Evening Lighting Ceremony that started at 9PM.

Mount Rushmore at night:

As we drove towards Mt Rushmore, we got our first glimpse at the famous 4 presidents carved into the side of the mountain. I could feel my excitement intensifying as we pulled into the parking garage. After purchasing our tickets, I made my way through the flags framing the Presidents in the distance. I feel like the amazing carving is something everyone should see once.  

Since we had not eaten yet, we went for a quick bite in Carvers café while appreciating the view of the famous 4 presidents. Here, there are several food choices that are available and then you sit where ever you chose. This is where I had my first bison burger.  

Don’t forget the famous Thomas Jefferson ice cream for dessert!

Supposedly Thomas Jefferson introduced ice cream to the US. So, while we waited for the evening light ceremony to begin, we enjoyed the delicious ice cream and tried taking photos of me picking George Washington’s nose (classy, I know!). It took a while for the guys to understand what I meant…just look at how “great” they were! 🙂

The evening ceremony started with a 20 minute video of the Mount Rushmore Project and then the lights were turned on to light up the presidents’ faces to the tune of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

My favorite part was the ending of the ceremony when past and present military members were asked to stand up on stage. The crowd was given a chance to honor these brave men and women.

**Make sure to bookmark this page as I will be updating it to include a link to compare Mount Rushmore: Day & Night!

The best place to stay in Rapid City, South Dakota.

That night, we checked in to the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City for our weekend stay. It is supposed to be haunted. There is a notebook kept at the front desk you can ask to read journaling spooky moments in the hotel. I asked the maintenance man if he was scared working in the basement of the hotel and he wasn’t. However, he did say he had one event he had trouble explaining what happened. Guess you will have to ask him when you stay there! 🙂

Click here to read some of the spooky stories from the journal and see more photos from our road trip and the hotel.

The Hotel Alex Johnson is within walking distance to everything in downtown Rapid City and we enjoyed staying here. Click here to look at prices for Hotel Alex Johnson.

Day 2 of the South Dakota road trip:  

We woke up early and ready to hit the road by 6AM. The goal was to see beat any crowds and hopefully see some wildlife.

Take Iron Mountain Road to Custer State Park

Looking for a place where the buffalo roam? Custer State Park offers 71,000 acres to view from the 18 mile Wildlife Loop Road. Early in the morning, you may be lucky enough to see some of the 1300 bison that call the place home. Along the way, we enjoyed the wide, open plains and beauty of the land. It definitely reminded me of the song “Home on the Range” and I sang it in my head as we drove through the beautiful park.

Despite leaving early, we didn’t see a lot of wildlife. We were told about attention loving burros that will come up to the vehicle and bison roaming the land, but we saw neither. I think if we had drove down some of the side roads we may have seen them. We did see a multitude of prairie dogs. Those suckers are fun to watch!

Tip: There’s a new Visitor Center in Custer State Park that opened in 2016. Here, you will find information on all the park offerings.

Take Needles Highway to Crazy Horse Memorial

Needles Highway was such a sight to see and was the highlight of the morning. The road, once thought impossible to build, had us oohing and aahing at the impressive granite spires as we drove along the national scenic byway.

Crazy Horse Memorial is where we found the world’s largest in progress mountain carving. Starting in 1948, the sculpture in the Black Hills began and will eventually be 563 feet high and 641 feet long.

*We decided we were going to save this carving for when its completed (but you can most definitely go now and then!).

Mt. Rushmore during the day

I wanted to compare Mt Rushmore in the day versus the night so we stopped here again on our way north to Spearfish Canyon. The view is quite different in the morning because the sun shines on the carving.

I took the 0.6 mile Presidential trail that begins at the Grand View Terrace to see the variety of viewpoints of the presidents.  

Then, I visited the Sculptor’s Studio where people can see Gutzon Borglum’s original models of the presidents scaled on a 1:12 ratio. It’s pretty interesting to see all the plans and tools used.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

We drove the 19 mile road on Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway to see the breathtaking rock walls, canyons, creeks, and waterfalls offered along the drive north. We stopped at Roughlock Falls State Nature Area. This is the perfect place for a picnic.

Belle Fourche – Center of the Nation

When I found out we were so close to this photo opportunity I knew I couldn’t miss it! Belle Fourche is where people can stand in the geographic center of the nation’s 50 states. To mark the location, there’s a 21 foot in diameter compass that represents the center of the nation.  

The town is small and the GPS didn’t give good directions to where the marker was. We just happened to pass by it on our right as we were coming into town, otherwise, we would have missed it.

Here’s where our friend used to live, so we got the grand tour with local information on past floods and happenings in the Sturgis area. This is where the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is every year.  

Since we were close, we decided to drive by Bear Butte. This is sacred ground for the Plains Indians. The area was established as a state park in 1961 and many religious ceremonies are held here throughout the year. Bear Butte is a place of meditation, prayer, and peace to the people who come to visit. You may see prayer cloths and tobacco bundles tied to branches of the trees but I’ve heard it is unkind to take pictures of them.

Since we were ready to get to Deadwood (and grab a bite to eat!), we just drove by. We did see some bison in the field here.

Lead, South Dakota

This little town right before Deadwood may not be on visit list, but I advise stopping here. There’s a huge mine here in the town of Lead that you just HAVE to see. Before the Homestake Mine closed in 2002, it was the deepest, largest, and most productive gold mine in the Western Hemisphere. This is one of the mines that made those greedy men looking for gold even hungrier for it!

More recently, the mine has been used for experiments in which this 100,000-gallon cylindrical tank was used in the below picture. You can watch a video explaining more with a great article from USA Today by clicking here: “Secrets of the Universe may lie in an old gold mine in South Dakota.”

Wanting to replay the Wild Wild West? Visit Main Street in Historic Deadwood! Once, a mining camp during the gold rush in the late 1800s, the entire town has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. This is where we watched a re-enactment of a Wild Bill shootout at the Old Style Saloon No. 10. We arrived just in time to join the crowd lined along the street. When the gun fight began, everyone drew their attention to the actors. There was even an interactive portion the kids participated in.  

While we waited for the trial, we stopped at a nearby restaurant for quick bite to eat. When the actors were in the street again continuing their skit, we made our way where the trial was to be held. It was interesting to see this played out. I was even asked to join them onstage as a witness!  

Deadwood is full of history. I learned a lot about the town’s outlaws, such as Wild Bill Hickok.

Tip: Deadwood has a brand new visitor center that opened in 2017 and there are many casinos to play a hand of cards if you feel the desire.

Day 3 of the South Dakota road trip:  

We began another day bright and early. First, we walked a couple blocks over to Hardees for a quick to go breakfast for our drive to the Badlands. It was nice to have a so many restaurants so close to our hotel. We really think the Hotel Alex Johnson is a great place to stay in Rapid City.

Rapid City – City of Presidents

While walking down the sidewalk, we took notice of the many life sized bronze statues of our nation’s past presidents. Since it was early in the morning, we had the street pretty much to ourselves so it was the perfect time to take a stroll and find our favorite president standing on the street corner. Rapid City is known as the most patriotic city in the United States and has been given the nickname “City of Presidents.”

Tip: Stop by the visitor center for a free “City of Presidents” book or click here to find an interactive walking guide of the City of Presidents .

As we drove down the highway, we noticed the many popular “Wall Drug Store” signs offering free ice water. On the Wall drug store exit there was an 80 foot dinosaur! Not a real one. This one greets visitors to the town of Wall! We stopped for the photo op and decided to stop back on the way back towards Rapid City.

Badlands National Park

A South Dakota road trip is not complete without the 31 mile drive along Badlands Loop Scenic Byway to see panoramic views of the 244,000 acre Badlands National Park. This park boasts a variety of landscapes from spires, canyons, gorges, pinnacles, and buttes in multiple colors based on the various rock types.

Can you imagine what the early settler thought as they arrived to the Badlands from the prairie?

I could have spent days on the trails here as the views were amazing.   The rock formations and colors were beautiful. Click here to look at our photo gallery of the Badlands.

Badlands Prairie Homestead

We stopped at the Prairie Homestead to see the sod house that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a good place to learn about the history of the early settlers; how they used to live, money given to them by the government.

There were many prairie dogs poking their heads up here.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Just down the road from the Badlands and next to the interstate 90 is a museum with information about the United States’ missile program. We learned a lot and left with many what if questions. It’s amazing how close we come to an all right missile crisis.  

Once a classified nuclear missile site, the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is now a national park! Check out the self- guided tour of missile silo Delta-09 and other exhibits from the missile program from the Cold War. We listened to an audio tour of the site to learn more information. Here is the number to call: 605-301-3006 ( Click here for more info. )

  If planning ahead, you can be one of 6 lucky people scheduled for a ranger led tour of the Launch Control Facility Delta-01.

Wall Drug Store

Next, we headed towards the Wall Drug Store. Once just a pharmacy that greeted people with free water, it now entices customers with nickel coffee, delicious donuts, and a bunch of history. In fact, the town has been named the #1 roadside attraction in America!

We stopped here for lunch.

Rapid City Art Alley

We finished the day by driving around the Rapid City and exploring the town. There are a few overlooks that gave quite a view of the city (and some dinosaurs!).

We found Art Alley right behind our hotel ( Hotel Alex Johnson ) on the alley between 6th and 7th Streets. It is full of bright colors and freedom of expression. Make sure to take a stroll down this street and marvel at the artwork.

Places I would have went if I had time:  

Wind cave national park.

One of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world is under a prairie in western South Dakota. The maze-like passageways and rock formations carved by water make up the Wind Cave and is a sacred place for the Native Americans.  

While at Wind Cave, chose one of the guided tours. There are easy trails that are on well-maintained paths (may take 1 hour), or strenuous hikes of the beaten path.

Jewel Cave National Monument

If time allows, enjoy the 1279 acre park that features the third longest cave in the world, the Jewel Cave with 180 miles of mapped passageways. If you are able to climb the 700 stairs and have an hour and a half to spare, take the Scenic Tour of Jewel Cave to see its amazing rock formations and illuminated caverns.

Click here for our South Dakota road trip photo gallery.

I also would have went down the side roads at Custer State Park in search of the Bison. I feel I just didn’t spend enough time in that beautiful state park.

The Rapid City area is such a beautiful area of the country and makes for a great road trip because there’s so much to see in such a close area. It’s a perfect family road trip because of the family friendly fun in Deadwood and Rapid City. There’s plenty of hiking trails throughout all of the southwestern state. I highly encourage you to take a South Dakota road trip!

What questions do you have about this itinerary? Let me know in the comments & don’t forget to share with your friends!

If you enjoy this post, please share it with your friends!

my 24 year old son and I will have 4 full days, flying in and out of Rapid City. Should we stay in Rapid City the whole time?

I would try our itinerary and use Rapid City as the home base! Spend at least 1 day exploring Rapid City. 🙂

We always like Hill City as a central spot.

It’s about a 5 hrs from Sioux Falls to Rapid city. Stop in Mitchell to see a palace with the outside completely made of corn into beautiful murals. Mitchell is about an hour outside of Sioux Falls. Travel another three hours to get to wall South Dakota and make a stop at wall drug. Shortly passed wall are the badlands. That is a definite stop for seeing this national park

We are flying into Sioux Falls and driving to/from Rapid City. Any recommendations of what to see along the way?

Unfortunately, I haven’t been that way. I recommend the app Roadtrippers for sites and things to do along the way.

Great looking itinerary – thank you for sharing! We are doing 3 days, as well, but we arrive around 11 AM and can’t check-in to the AirBnB until 4:00 PM. I really want to see Mr. Rushmore at night. Would you recommend doing some type of tour in Rapid City (Presidents), etc., check-in to airbnb, have dinner and then head out to Mt. Rushmore for a night view.

I would just make my way to Mt Rushmore to see it during the day and night. Grab some ice cream while waiting on the night show!

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The Traveling Child

If kids live there, kids can visit!

South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary: Mount Rushmore, Badlands & More

September 22, 2021       Destinations , North America , South Dakota

Visiting South Dakota has been on our families list forever so we were thrilled when South Dakota Tourism invited us to visit. We would spend the 4th of July weekend exploring the Southwest part of the state from Mount Rushmore to the Badlands to Custer State Park and more. We break it all down for you here in our South Dakota road trip itinerary to make planning your own trip easier.

How Many Days Should Your South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary Be?

Our South Dakota road trip was focused on the Southwest part of the state and we spent 5 days exploring. If you want to cover the Sioux Falls area as well know that it’s a five hour drive from Rapid City so you should add at least 3 days to your trip. With five days in the SW region we got to do a lot but if you have the time to extend your trip I recommend it so you can move at a slower pace and make a few more off the beaten path stops.

How to Get to South Dakota Affordably

As a family of four we’re always looking for deals when we travel. Coming from Miami , flying into Rapid City was the best way to kick off our South Dakota road trip. Scoring flight deals , like our $209RT flights to Tokyo thanks to Scott’s Cheap Flights has allowed us to travel frequently and these deals are oftentimes how we choose where to go next. The airlines that fly into Rapid City are Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, and United who have direct flights from Atlanta , Minneapolis, Las Vegas , Dallas, Chicago , Phoenix, Denver, and Salt Lake City . We flew United with a connection in Chicago before arriving in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Renting a Car for Your South Dakota Road Trip

The rental car companies that service Rapid City Airport are Alamo , Avis , Budget, Hertz , Enterprise and National. We rented from Hertz because as a family traveling with two kids in car seats Hertz offers a free car seat if you’re a AAA member which we are. This easily saves us $13-$16/day. Nothing we did on our road trip calls for an off road vehicle so any car you rent will be fine.

Our South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary Map

We drove just over 350 miles on this road trip but with most places being only 30-60 minutes from each other it doesn’t feel like you’re driving for that long. I wasn’t able to add every single stop we made since Google Maps limits the amount of entries but it’s a good gist of our route.

Respecting the History of South Dakota

Before we get into our South Dakota road trip itinerary I just want to point out when traveling the US it’s important to remember this country was colonized and the land we live on belonged to other people before wars and disease killed many and they were pushed onto reservations. South Dakota in particular is sacred land of the Lakota people, one of the three prominent subcultures of the Sioux people. 

Unfortunately during our visit to South Dakota in July 2021 the Historical Center on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation was closed because of the global health crises so we didn’t get to experience it. If it’s open during your visit it’s only 90 minutes from downtown Rapid City, 54 minutes from Badlands National Park, and 80 minutes from Wind Cave National Park. It can easily fit into your itinerary and I highly recommend adding it.

Where to Stay on Your South Dakota Road Trip

Since most of the key points of interest are only 30-90 minutes from Rapid City you technically could use it as your home base, driving back and forth each day. As another option you could drive to the other cities, spend the day exploring and sleep in the same town before moving on to the next destination. It’s really up to you on if you prefer not to worry about driving back tired after a day of exploring or if you rather not have to worry about packing up all your things each morning to move to a different accommodation. If you’d like to stay in local communities, you Vrbo is a great option. If you’d like more traditional accommodations, here are a few recommendations in each city:

The Rushmore Hotel & Suites, BW Premier Collection : If you want to be near all the action in Downtown Rapid City this is the hotel to stay at. We were able to keep our car parked for free at the hotel and walk up and down Mainstreet. It’s perfect as it’s lined with lots of restaurants to choose from, our favorite with ¿Que Pasa? Don’t forget to get dessert at Silver Linings Ice Cream Shop.

Courtyard by Marriott by I-90: If being downtown isn’t that important to you and you’re looking for the newest hotel in town, this is the place for you. Opened in summer 2020 it’s close to the airport and highway you’ll take to most stops on your road trip.

Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort : We love glamping, so much so we’ve done it in Fort White, FL , Kenya , Naples and more. If you too are intrigued by camping but need some luxuries Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort is a great option. Just 20 minutes from Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave, Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park it’s a great place if you plan on spending 1-2 days exploring what this area has to offer.

Under Canvas Mount Rushmore : Just 10 miles from Mount Rushmore Memorial is Under Canvas, another luxury glamping option. This campsite is only open May-September so plan accordingly. They provide luxury tents that sleep anywhere from 2-6 people and have their own private bathroom inside the tent. They’re equipped with beds and mattresses and most also have a deck with chairs.

Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish Canyon Lodge : About an hour from Rapid City, Spearfish Canyon is known for its naturalistic activities. Lots of people book ATV rides in this area along with checking out the area’s waterfalls.

South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary Day One

Depending on the time you arrive in Rapid City, you’ll want to take it easy. We arrived at 4pm and by time we checked-in to our hotel and got settled it was after 5pm. Since we ate at the Chicago airport we weren’t that hungry and decided to ease our way into our adventures.

With the holiday weekend Downtown Main Street Square had a lot of activities going on. There was live music and lots of vendors on the street you could buy food and trinkets from. We walked around for a bit before having dinner at ¿Que Pasa? Cantina.

Be sure to save room for dessert because around the corner from ¿Que Pasa? Cantina is Silver Linings and you’ll want to stop there. They specialize in premium small batch ice cream so everything is extremely fresh.

South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary Day Two

Custer state park.

On our first full day in South Dakota we drove 40 minutes to Custer State Park. There is so much to do in the park and we started in the Visitor’s Center. Here you can find out the programming for the day which varies but includes archery, rock climbing, guided family hikes , educational lectures and more. It’s also a great place to learn more about the animals you may see as you drive or hike the park. 

Afterwards we headed to the Peter Norbeck Education Center which is a great stop if you’re on this South Dakota road trip with kids. It’s a very interactive building and they lead family hikes and educational programs here. If your kids are trying to earn a Jr. Ranger badge they can complete some of the required activities here.

Next we drove the Wildlife Loop where you are bound to run into herds of Buffalo. It’s an 18 mile drive but can take up to two hours as once people see a herd they drive very slowly trying to get pictures. Also sometimes the Buffalo are just walking in the street without a car for the cars and you have no choice but to slowly trail them.

Towards the end of the scenic drive you’ll come to an area most known and the Begging Burros. It’s clear why it’s called this when you see all the wild donkey’s begging for food. There are signs that clearly state not to feed them but people come with carrots and apples just to do so. We only watched them and took a few photos.

Be on the lookout for Prairie Dogs throughout the park. While having the name dog they look nothing like dogs, more like guinea pigs or other small rodents. They dig these holes in the ground and poke out of them throughout the day. We’d soon find out we’d see them multiple times throughout this South Dakota road trip.

Sylvan Lake

It was time for lunch and so we headed to Sylvan Lake, a part of Custer State Park but on a completely different side. We ordered a pizza from Pizza Mill, picking it up on the way. At Sylvan Lake there are picnic tables or you can bring a blanket and picnic on the ground. 

After stuffing our faces it was time to walk off the food we walked the trail around the lake. It took us about an hour or so to hike the whole thing but we also made multiple stops, climbing up some of the rocks, taking pictures or going to the top of the waterfall.

Crazy Horse Memorial

Besides the monument the site offers several museums, The Indian Museum of North America, Sculptor Home & Studio, The Native American Educational and Cultural Center and the Mountain Carving Gallery. Be sure to save enough time to walk through these as well.

Not far is Crazy Horse Memorial which is a must do. It’s the world’s largest mountain carving. The purpose of the memorials foundation is to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Natives. 

South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary Day Three

Mount rushmore .

We got up early on our 3rd day to beat the crowds at Mount Rushmore and I’m so glad we did because we also beat the extreme heat. It’s free to visit, you just have to pay the $10 parking fee. Inside you can purchase a $6 audio tour or just walk around reading the signs. 

Besides the amphitheater area where the monument is, there are two museums and a walking trail here. The museums have tons of information on how the monument was funded as well as the materials used to build and maintain it. There is a theater where you can watch videos of the process as well. Depending on how much you read and how much of the trail you walk you can spend as little as 15 minute, just looking at the monuments for as long as 1-3 hours getting the whole experience and eating at the restaurant.

Rush Mountain Adventure Park

After learning some history it was time for fun! Just 20 minutes from Mount Rushmore is Rush Mountain Adventure park. Here they have lots of activities to keep you busy for an afternoon. We got wristbands so we could have unlimited rides but they also sell single ride tickets for each attraction. 

Not included in the price is the Rush Mountain Cave, it was an additional $5 per person. This one hour tour goes through the cave located at the park. The cave is 58 degrees year round so be sure to bring a jacket. Inside the cave you’ll learn the history of how it was found, how people used to get through it before it was dug out enough to stand and more. We really enjoyed it and it’s worth the additional $5.

Next we went on rides starting with the Mountain Coaster. We first went on a mountain coaster in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and then again on our fall trip to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and were so happy to have the chance to go on one again. You control the speed so if you don’t necessarily like roller coasters I still recommend going as you can go as slow as you want down the mountain. We went at least 5 times!

My little thrill seekers were very excited about the next attraction here, zip-lining. After I couldn’t finish all 5 lines on our last zip-line adventure at Gatorland in Orlando, FL , shamelessly walking down the tower to quit, I decided to sit this one out but the rest of the family did it. Our 7 year old was able to go alone while my 5 year old rode with her dad.

On the premises is also a ropes course (you need sneakers for this) and a 3D ride. One thing I will say is if you’re particular about food please eat before you come here. They have a small snack shop with pretzels, hot dogs and pizza but you won’t find any healthy or vegan options here and honestly the pizza wasn’t that good if you don’t eat meat like me. We drove through a really cute town on the way from Mount Rushmore and I wish we had stopped to eat at one of the restaurants there instead.

Black Hills Rodeo

Never in my life would I think I’d end up at a rodeo with my family but I guess there is a first time for everything. When in Rome, right? The other guests sitting near us were more than happy, and even excited to share their love of the sport and teach us exactly how it works. Spoiler alert, it was epic and we all agreed we’d go to one again. We even witnessed one of the most epic rides by a Hawaiian teenager who stole the crowd’s hearts.

South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary Day Four

Badlands national park.

We absolutely love visiting National Parks and because of that we have an America the Beautiful National Park annual pass. The pass is $80 for a year, granting access to every National Park in the US. The fee covers your entire car (up to 15 passengers). If you don’t have an annual pass not to worry, you can pay at the gate. The cost is $30 and gives you access for 7 days.

The park is filled with various viewpoints on Badlands Loop Road which we made stops at along the main road. Our favorite viewpoints were Pinnacles Overlook, Yellow Mounds Overlook, Conata Basin Overlook, Panorama Point, White River Valley Overlook and Big Badlands Overlook. Click here for tickets to a private tour of the Badlands National Park.

There are also lots of hiking trails but what’s unique about Badlands is you can actually hike anywhere unlike most parks that only allow you on designated paths. Some of the top hikes in the park are:

• Door Trail 0.8 miles
• Window Trail 0.3 miles
• The Notch Trail 1.5 miles
• Saddle Pass Trail 0.7 miles
• Castle Trail 11 miles
• Fossil Exhibit Trail 0.4 miles

Don’t forget to stop at the Visitor’s Center for lots of information on the park. Our favorite section here was the fossils room. Here they have so many fossils found in the park and you can watch the paleontologists working on getting off the packed dirt to the actual fossils. If you’re traveling with kids this is where they get their booklets for the Junior Ranger Program.

Even if everyone we met on our South Dakota Road trip didn’t tell us we couldn’t leave without visiting Wall Drug the signs on the way to Badlands National Park would have for sure sparked our interest. There are literally hundreds of signs on the way in. We personally decided to go there for lunch halfway through our visit to Badlands but you will do a lot of backtracking so if you bring your own lunch you can stop for dinner on the way back to Rapid City. 

It’s an old pharmacy, hence the name Wall Drug, that has been turned into king of a whole compound. The pharmacy still exists but there are also loads of souvenir shops, an ice cream parlor, food hall and donuts. Well actually there’s a play area and lots of other things too!

South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary Day F ive

We drove 10 minutes from our hotel, The Rushmore Hotel & Suites, to Dinosaur Park. This free outdoor park has concrete replicas of prehistoric reptiles. Kids can walk around reading the signs telling them the names of the creatures. They’re also able to climb up on some of the dinosaurs. It’s nothing expansive but a great way to get the kids out, you don’t need more than 30 minutes here.

Another animal centric activity is Reptile Gardens. It’s a huge indoor/outdoor facility with various exhibits. We enjoyed watching the snake show, looking at some of the largest alligators/crocodiles we’ve seen with being able to feed them and getting to pet animals like this tortoise.

Things We Didn’t Have Time to Add to Our South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

As with most trips, unfortunately you just can’t do everything. However, if we had more time or if we ever make it back here are a few activities we wished we’d have time for.

• Devils Tower
• Gold Mining in Deadwood

We had so much fun on our South Dakota road trip. Since we didn’t get to explore the Sioux Falls area and heard great things about it from friends that have been we’d love to revisit some day. Until then, if you’ve decided to visit South Dakota we hope this itinerary leads you to a great time!

The Traveling Child is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to  amazon.com ,  amazon.co.uk ,  amazon.ca . Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

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Black Hills Road Trip Itinerary: South Dakota Here You Come

Badlands and Black Hills Road Trip – 7 Day Itinerary If you are looking for a classic All-American vacation, you are heading to the right place. A Black Hills road trip in South Dakota encompasses everything a trip should be: endless opportunities for scenic drives, unforgettable scenery, must-experience historic sites, and exhilarating outdoor adventures. Pick your favorite travel companion and get planning!

How Many Days to Spend in South Dakota

Whether you are planning to stop in South Dakota on a cross-country road trip (click here to see our full itinerary) like we did or it is the main destination, you will only be disappointed if you do not plan enough days.

This seven-day, fun-filled itinerary will help you create a memorable trip that you will be talking about for years to come.

How to Get to the Black Hills

The Black Hills of South Dakota is in the southwest region of the state. Flying is the quickest form of transportation to the area. Flights are anywhere between one to four hours from many major U.S. cities. Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the closest airport. It houses Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Connection, Frontier, Northwest, and United. Rental cars are then available to get you around on your trip.

The Black Hills also provides a PERFECT opportunity to hop in your vehicle to see what you can find on the road. We drove the 850-miles or so from Chicago on a mega road starting with Badlands National Park.

READ NEXT: OUR TOP PICKS FOR A MIDWEST SPRING BREAK TRIP

If you are interested in renting an RV from your home state, check out RVShare, one of the largest RV rental marketplaces.

Where to Stay

Take your pick of lodging choices in the area, anywhere from romantic B&B’s to basic tent sites. There are options for any type of traveler. I would recommend one location for the first six days. Near Mount Rushmore, in Custer State Park or Rapid City and one overnight near Badlands National Park. We camped in Custer State Park and loved the location for a base.

Lodging Options near Mount Rushmore

• Cabin with Black Hills Views ($$)
• Holy Smoke Resort ($$)
• K Bar S Lodge ($)
• Powder House Lodge ($)

Lodging Options near Custer State Park

• Rocket Motel ($$)
• Custer State Park Lodges ($$)
• Bavarian Inn ($)
• Custer State Park Campgrounds ($)

Lodging Options near Rapid City

• Emerald Hills Bed & Breakfast ($$)
• Comfort Inn & Suites ($$)
• Grand Gateway Hotel ($)
• Country Inn & Suites ($)

Lodging near Badlands National Park

• Travelodge Wall ($)
• America’s Best Value Inn – Wall ($)
• America’s Best Value Inn – Kadoka ($)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, if you book through our link we will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the blog.

Here’s your South Dakota road trip planner:

Begin the day exploring the largest state park in South Dakota, Custer State Park . If you need convincing to start here read our post about 10 Reasons to Visit Custer State Park .

Start with an early morning drive on the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road . Begin at the Visitor Center on the east side of the park. Pick up maps, use the restroom and fill up water bottles. It should take about an hour to drive through slowly and take pictures.

Be on the lookout for bison, elk, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, deer and coyotes. If you like to check out lodges like us, stop at the Blue Bell Lodge for breakfast (or just a coffee if you’ve already eaten) toward the end of the loop. The log cabin has a cozy indoor dining room or a patio overlooking the French Creek.

After your break, head north on SD Highway 87 to the Mount Coolidge Fire Tower . Drive up a 1.2-mile gravel road to the summit where you can soak up views of the Black Hills. You’ll be 6,023 feet above the forest.

On a clear day, you can see the major sites in the area including Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Needles.

DETAILS: 1 – 7 day admission is available at Custer State Park per car. Only people traveling non-stop on US Highway 16A are exempt.

*TIP: Oversized vehicles & campers are not allowed on the road up to the fire tower.*

Take in a breather at Legion Lake for a picnic and/or Legion Lodge for lunch.

Then start the afternoon with an awesome ride on Iron Mountain Road , a winding two-lane road with stunning scenery to Mount Rushmore National Memorial .

Not only does Highway 16A have tree-lined roads and pigtail bridges, but the 18-mile drive also has three tunnels with framed views of the iconic Mount Rushmore to get you excited about your visit.

*TIP: Be prepared if you have any travelers that are prone to car sickness

Thus arrive at one of the most recognizable monuments in the world, Mount Rushmore National Memorial . The massive heads of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln welcome you to South Dakota.

First, watch the short orientation film then walk the Presidential Trail for better views. Plan to spend about two hours here and don’t forget to try Thomas Jefferson’s original ice cream recipe.

DETAILS: Admission to the park is free but there is a charge for parking.

Take a drive to Keystone for dinner and choose the Old Western-style Ruby House Restaurant , get local wild game at the Powder House Restaurant or if you are traveling with children check out the Chuck Wagon Dinner Show .

CHECK OUT OUR BEST FREE APPS FOR A U.S. ROAD TRIP

Today is the day to get out in nature. Hike to not only the highest peak in South Dakota but east of the Rockies too, Black Elk Peak which was formerly known as Harney Peak.

Take Trail #9 near Sylvan Lake which is forested most of the way but opens to a few expansive views of the rock spires and Black Hills. It is 3.3 miles one way and is considered moderate difficulty. There are gradual inclines and some flat surfaces in the beginning that led us to steep inclines and stairs close to the tower.

Once you reach the 7,242-foot peak topped by a stone fire tower, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Black Hills National Forest. Without delay, take a break to have lunch at the top and to enjoy the scenery. The fire lookout, dam and pumphouse were built in 1939 and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Making the trail a loop, connect to Trail #3 then to #4 (it is well-marked) on the way down with a detour to Little Devil’s Tower . It is a 3-mile strenuous scramble that climbs 600 feet to spectacular views of Cathedral Spires and South Dakota’s highest peak. It was one of my favorite spots of the trip.

It’s been a long day. If you feel like getting off your feet and taking a ride, hop back in the car. Hill City is about 35 minutes north of the trailhead. It is the second oldest town in the Black Hills and is lined with restaurants, art galleries, shops, wineries and breweries.

It is also home to the 1880 Train, a steam locomotive that takes visitors on a scenic round-trip ride to the town of Keystone.

DETAILS: Don’t forget to pack a lunch and bring your Custer State Park pass.

Wind Cave National Park , the first cave to be designated as a national park in the world, is the first stop on your agenda. It is known for its unusual boxwork formations, mineral cave formations that resemble honeycomb patterns.

Take your pick from three regular walking tours: Garden of Eden (easy), Natural Entrance (moderate), and Fairgrounds (strenuous). For the most popular tour, join the Natural Entrance Tour, walking in the main entrance discovered long ago and lasting a little over an hour.

DETAILS: Go early and plan to wait if visiting during summer hours.

After the cave, let’s go back to the Ice Age at The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs . It is home to the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world with currently sixty-one: 58 Columbian and 3 woolly mammoths. Enclosed is a prehistoric sinkhole that is still being excavated today.

Depending on the weather, you can stop at Evans Plunge , the world’s largest natural warm water indoor swimming pool. Natural spring-fed waters maintain an average pool temperature of 87 degrees Fahrenheit so certainly not something you want to do on a hot summer day. But with waterslides, a sauna and steam room it would make for a relaxing end of day activity.

Start the morning with a wonderful drive along Highway 87, otherwise known as Needles Highway ; it is 14 miles of hairpin turns, impressive rock creations, and one-lane tunnels. Immediately the drive will have you in awe of the natural beauty surrounding the area.

Along the drive, stop off to hike Cathedral Spires , a 3-mile moderate out and back. Shortly after the Needles Highway Scenic Overlook (you can find both on Google Maps), you’ll come to the trailhead. Do not let the “moderate” description frighten you, if you’re not an avid hiker. It’s achievable for most people and is a beautiful hike. It starts out easy taking you through open flatlands of a pine forest dotted with mammoth granite spires then gains some elevation towards the end. Take in the views of the hills at the end and don’t forget to look for mountain goats!

After the hike stop at Sylvan Lake Lodge to check out what the park considers its crown jewel. Picnic on the grounds or have lunch at the restaurant.

This afternoon visit the future world’s largest mountain carving at Crazy Horse Memorial . Begin your visit at the Orientation Center. The short film, “Dynamite and Dreams,” will help you gain an introduction to the memorial and its history. It’s entertaining and informative and will give you a better understanding of the sculpture.

Then walk through the Indian Museum of North American and Native American Cultural Center to learn about the American Indian heritage before heading out to the observation deck for views of the massive monument. For an additional fee, you can take a bus to the bottom of the monument for better views.

Don’t forget to stop at the information desk to get a return ticket for the “Legends in Light” laser light show they perform in the evening from the end of May to the end of September.

Drive through an outstanding landscape with soaring limestone bluffs, a glistening creek, wildflowers and three flowing waterfalls on Spearfish Canyon National Byway . The 20-mile byway is north of Custer State Park along Highway 14A and is an incredible road. Several scenes from the movie, “Dances With Wolves” were filmed in the canyon.

Coming from the south, pull over at Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Gushing waters greet you after a short trek along boardwalks. If you are feeling really adventurous and you like swimming holes, look for Devil’s Bathtub , a favorite with the locals.

The town of Spearfish has many restaurants to choose from: Steerfish Steak and Smoke or Philly Ted’s are popular. If you enjoy breweries, Crow Peak Brewery was named the best in all of South Dakota by Thrillist.

Or you could wait until you head around to historic Deadwood, a throwback to the Wild West. Follow the footsteps of legendary characters like Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane, gamble in one of the many casinos, stroll down Main Street, stop in the charming Celebrity Hotel, hit a gold mine, or learn a few things about the history of the Black Hills at the Adams Museum.

Start your day with a tour of the third-longest cave in the world at Jewel Cave National Monument . Arrive at least 30 minutes before opening as tours book up early. The Scenic Tour is one hour and twenty minutes bringing you 380 feet below the visitor center. Get the nitty-gritty on the history and current research of the cave tunnels, where the jewels are, and the full stalagmites – stalactite circuit. There are various other tours including a shorter Discovery Tour, strenuous Historic Lantern Tour and a Special Wild Caving Tour.

DETAILS: Annual National Park Pass does not include any tour. Discounts available for youth 6 -16 and children under the age of 5 are free.

Take a break at Baker’s Bakery Café in downtown Custer for breakfast/lunch. Not only is the food good – homemade bread and big portions – but they have pastries to die for. The cookies are the size of my head and the caramel rolls are mouth-watering.

Take the afternoon to get back to Custer State Park for a short hike like Badger Clark Historic Trail or for a water activity on one of their many pristine lakes.

Spend the day exploring the 244,000 acres of other-worldly landscape at Badlands National Park and the fun roadside attractions in the area. Do not miss the 31-mile scenic Badlands Loop Road taking advantage of every pull-off and overlook. Get on your feet and take our favorite hike in the park: Notch Trail. Also don’t miss the Window and Door Trails.

If you have time get off the beaten path on Sage Creek Rim Road to look for buffalo and bighorn sheep. Make sure to check with a ranger on road conditions before taking the drive.

Just northwest of Badlands National Park on I-90 is Wall Drug , a kitschy family-owned drug store opened since 1931. Roadside attractions are synonymous with American road trips so make sure to visit and experience this world-famous wacky place.

RELATED: Top 6 Things to Do in Badlands National Park

What would you add to our Black Hills Road Trip?

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• About Author
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Angela E. is a travel writer from the Chicagoland area who has visited all 50 states in the US and has traveled extensively around the world. She is passionate about exploring the great outdoors and hiking in particular. Her love for nature has taken her to some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. She has written extensively about her travels on her own website, Dang Travelers, and has been published in collaboration with other travel websites and multiple visitor bureaus around the country.

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13 Responses

Vedante | the lavish nomad.

Thanks for creating such a detailed itinerary with so many tips and the maps definitely come in handy. Also, I’m sure the lodging options are going to be of so much help to people who are actually planning to take a similar trip. As for me, I am nowhere close to the US at the moment but when I get there, I will probably do a similar road trip in South Dakota 🙂

Dang Travelers

You are welcome! Definitely add South Dakota to your list when you make it over.

knycx.journeying

Thanks for sharing the maps and it’s a detailed itineraries for traveling in South Dakota! I think the Mount Rushmore is defiintely the highlight of the entire trip but I had no idea that there are so many places to explore in the area, including hills, national park, scenic drive, cathedral, and monuments~ I will make it down in case I am visiting the state in the future 🙂 @ knycx.journeying

Yep, there’s tons to do in the Black Hills!

aimee horgan

I love how detailed this post is, it goes through absolutely everything you need to know for a road-trip to South Dakota – I love the detail in the maps too. I haven’t been to this part of the U.S yet but I especially like Badlands National Park, all those rolling green hills remind me a little of New Zealand.

Thanks Aimee! Hopefully you get a chance to visit soon!

Sounds like a pretty epic trip. I would love to see this. Getting a camper sounds like a fun idea too. I would really like to visit and this is really detailed. Mount Rushmore is also on my list so its good to see options of where to stay.

Epic indeed. The Black Hills was surprisingly beautiful.

Tamara Wilcox

Sure enjoyed your detailed journey through Black Hills! I love how you added short hikes, stops for refreshment, and even the idea of checking out kitschy places like Wall Drug. Great idea to add ideas for lodging for all budgets. Great photos, by the way. This is a road trip my husband and I would love to make. Maybe even this fall!

Sounds like a plan

Thank you for this amazing Itinerary! We are heading there next week! We are in a 28′ RV. Other than renting a car to drive the Needles Hwy, are there any other roads we should be concerned by? Thanks!

Oh yay! That’ll be an amazing trip!! Iron Mountain Road was a bit windy and narrow with tunnels so that one might be an issue as well, but that’s all I can think of.

Kendall Cavender

This was super helpful for planning our trip – thank you for the detailed itinerary!

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Simple Purposeful Living

Intentional Living Made Easy

Ultimate Family-Friendly South Dakota Road Trip 5-Day Itinerary

June 14, 2021

We just got back from a whirlwind road trip to South Dakota and y’all, I don’t mean to sound bossy but you need to add this vacation destination to your list because I think it’s the best kept secret. So, I thought I would share our South Dakota road trip itinerary and favorites so you can enjoy too!

South Dakota Road Trip Day 1

Day 1 was our travel day but we made it fun with lots of interesting pit stops along the way. There’s so much to see as you head out to western South Dakota.

Quick Tip – A fun activity we did along the way was look for state license plates, we ended up finding 43 or the 50 states and the kids were so excited every time we spotted a new state.!

Falls Park – Sioux Falls, SD

Our first stop was at Falls Park for lunch at the Falls Overlook Cafe. We had the street tacos and nachos and they were delicious. They also have fun themed hard serve ice cream if you are in the mood for a sweet treat. You can climb up and see the falls from the lookout and it’s a great place to stop and stretch your legs!

Corn Palace – Mitchell, SD

Next, was the infamous Corn Palace. Every year they create new art out of corn all over the outside of the building. We spent about 45 minutes looking around and shopping in the expansive gift store. If you are looking for any “corn-themed” gifts, this place has you covered. Another free pit stop minus the shopping ;)!

Dignity of Earth & Sky Statue – Chamberlin, SD

Standing at 50 feet tall on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, Dignity is a stainless steel monument created to honor the Dakota and Lakota people who call the great plains home. The statue is located at a rest stop at mile marker 264 (and accessible from both directions). The rest area also includes a great visitor’s center with a great display all about Lewis & Clark that our kids enjoyed!

Stop by the visitor center counter for free coloring books and flyers for local attractions as well. Once again it’s completely free, boasts beautiful views and a great way to stretch your legs.

Wall Drug – Wall, SD

Back in the 1930’s, times were tough so the local pharmacy started offering free ice water to travelers as a way to get them to stop and spend money and it worked. Wall Drug is still a popular tourist attraction and the gateway to Western South Dakota.

We had buffalo burgers in the cafe and did a little shopping. The backyard is fun for the kids. They can jump inside a conestoga wagon, “ride” a horse and sit atop an 8 foot jackalope.

We spent the night at the Best Western Plains motel. They offer complimentary breakfast & have an indoor and outdoor pool. Wall, SD is a convenient place to stay if you plan to visit Badlands National Park!

South Dakota Road Trip Day 2

Badlands National Park

We got an early start to avoid the heat and crowds and entered the park via the northeast entrance (exit 131 via HWY 90). We got in free because Vera is going into 4th grade. Did you know every 4th grader gets a free pass for the year, check it out here.

A great place to stop to get your first view is the Big Badlands Overlook before heading down the road to do a few hikes. We enjoyed the Door Trail first. You take a boardwalk out into the badlands and then the kids enjoyed following numbered poles out into the badlands. There is loose gravel and I slipped so be careful! The views are stunning and the kids loved the less than a mile walk.

Next up, we did Notch trail. Instead of being on top of the badlands, now you walk through them. There is a wooden ladder about halfway up the trail you can traverse to get up to the top of the badlands. Scott and I both took turns going up with our older kids.

We packed a back pack with water bottles and took frequent water breaks because it can get hot out there!

After our hikes, we stopped by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. It does get crowded but there are some nice animal displays the kids can look at and make sure to ask where the animals are in the park that day. They usually know!

You can also get lunch at the Cedar Pass Lodge (I heard the Indian fry bread tacos are delicious). It’s just down the road from the visitor center but we were a bit too early so I would suggest stopping at Subway or packing a picnic to take with you to enjoy!

From there, we followed the Badlands loop road stopping occasionally at the scenic overlooks. The Fossil Exhibit trail was a bit of a let down since there are no “real” fossils, just explanations, FYI!

Make sure you continue past the Pinnacles Overlook on to the Sage Creek Rim Road to Roberts Pairie Dog Town. Not only were there lots of very active prairie dogs but we also saw a herd of bison out there as well. Quincy may or may not have picked up bison poop while there :)!

We spent about 4-5 hours there before grabbing a late picnic lunch and heading into Keystone, SD (about 1.5 hours away).

Big Thunder Gold Mine – Keystone, SD

Since we had a little time before we could check-in to our hotel, we stopped by the Big Thunder Gold Mine to mine for gems and gold. I would suggest gem mining for the younger kids because the gems are much easier to spot and there’s a bigger return on their investment. We paid for one gold mining pan and Scott and the big kids worked together to pan their 4-6 gold flakes.

Que Pasa Cantina – Rapid City, SD

After mining for gold, we toured the touristy town of Keystone before heading back to Rapid City for dinner (about a 20 minute drive). Mexican food is always a winner for us so we tried Que Pasa Cantina, owned by Firehouse Brewing (you’ll see a million fire trucks on the way to Rapid City). Up the street, they have a fun little splash pad for kid and the cutest kid’s toy store we stopped in and enjoyed.

Holiday Inn Express – Rapid City, SD

We stayed the Holiday Inn Express and it was in a very convenient location in Rapid City. However, Scott and I both said next time we would stay in a cabin in Keystone or at one of the lodges in Custer State Park since part of the charm of South Dakota is the beautiful Black Hills National Forest.

South Dakota Road Trip – Day 3

Bear Country USA – Rapid City, SD

Open daily from May to late November( check the website for hours here ). Just 8 miles south of Rapid City on HWY 16 heading toward Keystone.

We were told to get there early since the animals are more active in the morning and they were. We unbuckled the kids and let the little kids sit in the front seat with us. Bear Country USA boasts the largest privately owned black bear population along with lots of other native animals to the area. Its a drive thru wildlife park that takes about 45 minutes.

Then, you get out of your car to see a few more animals including cute bear cubs and the gift shop! We all loved this stop and it was in our opinion worth the money. We paid the maximum vehicle price of $65. Kids under 5 are free. Get more information here.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial – Keystone, SD

After Bear Country, we headed to “the heads” as our kids called it. There is no entrance fee but $10 parking charge. We found our state flag and walked down the mezzanine before sitting down in the bleachers in the shade at the end. We watched this youtube video with our kids while we sat there.

Then, we went down below to tour the museum area. We enjoyed the informative displays & watched the 15 minute video before taking the walking path in a big circle towards the monument, then back to the sculptor studio to see the prototype the sculptor Borglum used. There are less people here so we snapped several good family photos along the walking path.

We finished our trip with some Thomas Jefferson vanilla ice cream for lunch. Thomas Jefferson is said to have created one of the first ice cream recipes so of course we had to enjoy the view and eat ice cream! The portions are LARGE!

Rush Mountain Adventure Park – Keystone, SD

Western South Dakota is known for their mines and caves so of course no trip to South Dakota would be complete without a cave tour. Wind Cave National Park is nearby but they do not take advanced reservations and we didn’t want to chance going and not getting is so instead we toured Rushmore Cave at Rush Mountain Adventure Park.

We all loved the cool 58 degree temperature in the cave and one hour information-packed tour. We wiggled through tight spaces, enjoyed big open cave rooms and tiny ones too. Check out rates and hours here.

Then, we took turns riding the Alpine coaster. Vera wasn’t quite tall enough so we took turns taking the 3 kids. Solon was able to ride alone. You can get a wristband which I would suggest if you get there with enough time because one ride was just not enough!

Powder House Lodge – Keystone, SD

We finished the day having a nice dinner at the Powder House Lodge. It had an old supper club vibe and we sat outside. We enjoyed Bison steaks because when in South Dakota, you eat bison! Check out the restaurant and lodge here.

South Dakota Road Trip – Day 4

Custer State Park

First of all, this park should be a national park. I have never been to a state park quite like it. We loved our day here. We grabbed a picnic lunch, there are lodges and places to eat but there were lots of beautiful picnic areas as well.

We started our day driving the Iron Mountain Road from the Black Hills National Forest into Custer State Park. There are several tunnels you go through, make sure you look back because every one has a view of Mount Rushmore, so cool.

Then, we paid our $20 entrance fee and headed to the Visitor Center (near the east entrance). Make sure you ask a park ranger at the visitor center where the bison and burros are in the park, they will know!

From there, we headed to Wildlife Loop Road to see the bison, it was baby season, enough said. Then, on to feed & pet the wild burros. They love carrots (bring your own).

We had lunch at the Blue Belle picnic area before heading up to Needles Highway . I made Scott drive, such a cool drive but boy howdy there are not enough guardrails and no pavement markings! We stopped toward the top of Needles Highway right before Needles Eye Tunnel to do the Cathedral Spires Hike.

Cathedral Spires Hike takes you up to and around the Cathedral Spires. It’s a “moderate” hike but Quincy did the whole thing. It’s about 3 miles round trip. Be sure to wear good tennis shoes or hiking shoes and bring water for everyone. We saw a mountain goat when we got to the top!

We finished our day by driving through the iconic Needles Eye Tunnel to Sylvan Lake. There is a beach and you can jump off some of the cliffs into the water, it was too late in the day so we didn’t do it but the big kids have it on their list for “next time”.

There are lots of cabins around Sylvan Lake I would stay at next time or The State Game Lodge looked like a cool place to stay too! Check out those lodging options here.

We wanted to do a chuck wagon dinner but we didn’t reserve it in time. I would either suggest the Blue Bell Lodge Chuckwagon Cookout (Call 605-255-4531 to make reservations in advance) or KOA Mount Rushmore Chuck Wagon Dinner & Show ( book here ).

Mount Rushmore Brewing Company – Custer, SD

Since, we couldn’t reserve a chuck wagon dinner, we headed to Mount Rushmore Brewing Company. Scott enjoyed a flight of their craft made beers and we had pizza. I highly suggest the prime rib flatbread! Check out the restaurant here.

Crazy Horse Memorial

The Crazy Horse memorial is still being constructed and you can pay $35 to park & tour the visitor’s center and then, an additional cost to take a school bus up closer. I suggest just driving by on your way home from Custer on HWY 385.

South Dakota Road Trip – Day 5

D.c. booth historic national fish hatchery.

This was a fun stop for the kids and free (minus the fish food). There are raceways full of rainbow and brown trout, plus a museum and railcar they used to transport the fish from the hatchery back in the day. We spent about an hour touring it and feeding the firsh before heading into Spearfish Canyon.

Before heading into Spearfish Canyon, we picked up a picnic lunch. We stopped at Bridal Falls first along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. You can hike down from the lookout, cross the creek and get right under the falls which the kids loved. I would suggest water shoes like Keens or Tevas for this day!

After Bridal Falls, we drove just up the road and had a picnic before hiking to Devil’s Bathtub (Solon’s favorite of the trip). It’s a mile walk that took us about an hour. It’s very rocky, lots of roots and you cross the creek several times but all of our kids, including 4 year old Quincy did it and loved it.

The trail head is hard to find so ask others when you arrive, you backtrack a bit to a private driveway to the trail head and from there as long as you follow the creek, you will find it. We wore bathing suits under our clothes, packed towels and water bottles in our back pack. We also brought a chnage of clothes to change in the car when we were done.

There’s a natural “slide” into the Devil’s bathtub. FYI, Solon ripped his shorts he went down so many times so don’t wear your brand new swimsuits!

Deadwood, SD

After the hike, we finished driving through the byway. You can stop at a few other waterfalls but our kids fell asleep so we drove through Lead into Deadwood. It’s kind of a touristy town and that’s not really our thing but we did stop and walk the main street and got ice cream.

Deadwood is a famous old west town known for it’s gambling and brothels. The kids didn’t really care about Wild Bill Hickok so it’s a quick stop, if that.

Many Other South Dakota Attractions

We had a very full 5 days and there were things that we didn’t do or didn’t interest us. However, we all said this was one of our very favorite trips. The drive out is full of so many fun things along the way, it doesn’t feel like a day in the car. You can even stop in De Smet, SD to tour the original Laura Ingalls home.

Our biggest regrets were not staying in Keystone at a lodge or cabin and not getting a reservation for a chuck wagon dinner, other than that we loved it all!

The scenery and beauty of western South Dakota rivals any other western state. The people are kind, the views are breathtaking and the adventure is waiting. We can’t recommend this road trip enough. Have you been? If you have a favorite, leave a comment below. I hope you enjoy South Dakota as much as we did. Happy trails to you!

Need More Travel Inspiration?

Check out these travel tips posts:.

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15 Road Trip Game Ideas

Best Packing Tips to Simplify the Process

Best Vacation Meal Planning Tips

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Anna Maria Island Travel Guide

New Smyrna Beach Travel Guide

South Dakota Travel Guide

MN North Shore Travel Guide

Magnolia 2-Day Girls Trip Travel Guide

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Visiting Mount Rushmore is on the top of many peoples “must-do” list when they are in the Rapid City, South Dakota area. Honestly though, while beautiful to look at, it’s not an attraction that can captivate your attention for an entire day. The good news is that there are lots of lovely sites to visit in the Black Hills area of South Dakota. We’ve put together this Road Trip Planner to show you our itinerary that took us through Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, the Black Hills, and the Badlands!

Rapid City is the largest city in South Dakota, and an excellent choice for a place to stay for a tour through the area. It’s centrally located, has a lot of hotels (including some dog-friendly ones), and is relatively affordable. On top of all the large tourist attractions, there are many smaller, locally owned, businesses in the area to keep you and your family entertained. This planner only covers one of several great drives in the area, but for us it was the best way to see the key points we were interested in.

Road Trip Planner –  The Route

This Road Trip Planner assumes that you will already be in the Rapid City, SD area and begins from there. When you leave Rapid City  (H and A on the map below) you’ll want to head South on Highway 16 towards Mount Rushmore. There will be a LOT of signs for this :-). You’ll continue on that route for a total of about 18 miles and then go south on Route 16A until you connect with SD 244 West. If you look up at this point you’ll see Mount Rushmore in the distance :-) (point B) Follow the signs into the park if you’d like or do a drive by and stop in the designated pull outs.

Once done with Rushmore, continue west on 244 and be on the look out for the intersection of 244 and 87 South. You have two choices here. Go South on 87 and follow my route OR continue on HWY16 towards Crazy Horse . If you go towards Crazy Horse you can loop back to 87. If you skip Crazy Horse (like we did) continue South on 87 for about 50 Miles. It’s a lovely drive through the Black Hills. You’ll pass the Blue Bell Lodge which is a good landmark to look out for. After that you’ll want to make a Left on Wildlife Loop Road which is just a bit further.  You’ll pay the park entrance fee for Custer State Park , but its totally worth it. Take the 18 mile loop through the park and it will take you back to Highway 16. Go East to HWY 36 and then it will connect you to Highway 79 North back towards Rapid City.

To hit the Badlands next, take 79N to 44E about 32 miles and into the scenic route running through the southern portion of the Badlands. It’s a scenic drive through scrubland and you’ll pass a neat little abandoned town on the way. While on 44E  you’re looking for Highway 240N. This will take you through the Badlands National Park and an amazingly beautiful drive that will last about 30 miles. We spent a couple hours here, with lots of stops and lookouts.  If you stay on 240 it will take you to Interstate-90 at Wall, SD. Stop for refreshments and fun at Wall Drug and the surrounding area. Then hop onto Interstate 90 and go West until you hit Rapid City again. This whole route took us about 8-9 hours to complete so you should plan on getting started pretty early. As you can see in our pics below, the sun started setting towards the end of our trip through the Badlands.

Road Trip Planner – The Photo Tour through South Dakota

The trip down to Mount Rushmore was the shortest part of our day. It was a quick jaunt down the road and then BAM! Faces in the mountain!

We then continued on our scenic drive through the Black Hills. The mountain, forest and views were beautiful.

There were also some great opportunities for wildlife spotting as we headed towards the Wildlife Loop Road of Custer State Park.

One of the coolest parts of the drive for me were the tunnels you had to drive through. Being from Florida, any time I get to road trip through the mountains and their tunnels it’s pretty cool since they are so exotic to me.

It was right after this tunnel that we ran into Lauren’s favorite critters on the whole trip. We pulled into the parking area right after the tunnel and met these little guys.

We loved the chipmunks so much we even made a video about them!

After our run in with the chipmunks, we arrived at the main entrance to Custer State Park.  We were hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the 1,300 hundred or so bison that freely roam the area.

After a short drive we found exactly what we were looking for! BISON!

And apparently Bison have no sense of privacy at all :-)

As we continued driving through the Custer Park wildlife loop, we were surprised to find some other critters. They’re not as rare or majestic as the Bison we saw, but they WERE rather friendly. Beware of eating in the car with the windows down… they WILL steal your food!

After we finished our loop through Custer, we made our way back on the highway. Following the planner we had to head back towards Rapid City and then take the road through the Buffalo Gap Grasslands. This would eventually lead us to the back entrance of the Badlands National Park. Along the way we found two unexpected things. The first was that there is this quaint miniature town called Longhorn, which is all but deserted, along the route.

The second is the fact that apparently, prairie dogs have: THE PLAGUE!!!

Thankfully we managed to avoid contracting THE PLAGUE!!! and made it to the Badlands safely :-)

Badlands National Park  has a little bit of everything for everyone. There are lots of gorgeous panoramas to be seen along the winding road trip through the park.

The rock formations, formed through years of erosion, are absolutely stunning.

Unlike many parks, the roads are great to drive on.

The Badlands also has some great opportunities to spot wildlife if you arrive when the animals are active. We were lucky to catch this coyote as he went along his business.

We also came across some big horn sheep, which were a pleasant surprise.

The lay of the land changes often as you drive through the Badlands as well.  In between all the rock formations and canyons, there are lovely grasslands to enjoy.

Sadly though, like all good days they eventually have to come to an end.

Road Trip Resources

For more information on your visit to South Dakota take a look at these helpful sites.

Travel South Dakota

Custer State Park

Mount Rushmore

You can also check out our recently updated Ramblin’ Guide to Rapid City with even more things to do and road trips to take!

It’s also worth noting that Badlands National Park IS pet friendly. Please check here for all their guidelines.

Where to Stay in Rapid City

Hotel Alex Johnson 523 6th Street Rapid City, SD 57701

• Located right in the heart of downtown Rapid City, SD this historic hotel is fantastic for a romantic weekend getaway or just a bit of pampering while on vacation.

Holiday-Inn Express 645 East Disk Drive Rapid City, SD 57701

• Easy Interstate access from I-90, Free Breakfast, Wi-Fi, Free Indoor Pool with Slide & Hot Tub, Business Center.

La Quinta Inn & Suites 1416 North Elk Vale Road Rapid City, SD 57701

• Right off the interstate the property is Pet Friendly , Free Breakfast/Wi-Fi, and is attached to an indoor water park

 If you enjoyed this Road Trip Planner for Mount Rushmore and the Rapid City area, you may also enjoy these posts.

The essential road trip packing list, how to plan a road trip rambler style, road trip planner for the grand canyon south rim, we’d be honored if you would subscribe to our newsletter or connect with us via social media on facebook , twitter , +kenin , tumblr , pinterest , and youtube , share this:, 42 thoughts on “ road trip planner for mount rushmore, badlands and custer park, sd ”.

This is a great resource for exploring Mount Rushmore, The Badlands and Custer State Park. I’ve bookmarked it for future use. Great job.

Thanks Donna! It was a lot of fun. Hope it comes in handy for you.

Thanks for sharing! The Badlands and Mount Rushmore remains one of our family’s most favorite trips to date. So much to do, and a great destination for families on a budget. Hoping to get back there again soon.

Forgot to mention – there’s so many different things to do too! Our trip, though to the same area, was the same, yet quite different! Did you see the Bedrock City just outside the park? We also panned for gold, took a horseback ride and a hayride, and got trapped in our car by a wandering bison! Thankfully he lost interest and moved on. lol

We didn’t hit Bedrock City in SD we visited the other on e in AZ instead. There was a whole lot of fun to be had in the area, we were there for a very short time though. We will definitely be going back!

I am so exited, we are driving to mount Rushmore and Yellowstone this December. thank you for your post I can’t wait to be there.

This post gave me chills and butterflies in my stomach. I visited all these places as a child, on a marathon family road trip with my family. I will never forget it as long as I live. LOVE LOVE that all the wildlife (bison, mules, adorable burrowing mammals) is still as I remember it. :)

Glad I could bring back the Warm and Fuzzies for you. :-) It’s such a great area, and we left so much unexplored.

Don’t forget that there are TONS of great hiking opportunities in all those places. Cathedral Spires trail and Mt. Harney in Custer, the Badlands has some gorgeous hiking opportunities. You’ll miss out on so much if you just stay in your car.

There are tone of hikes in the area. we only had one day which is why we put together this route. You could easily spend a whole day in the Badlands or Custer.

It’s been 15 years since I did a portion of that trip. Totally worth doing, and look at all the things in your roadtrip planner I missed!

We really had a great time there. It should be on everyones list of they are anywhere near the area.

I haven’t been to South Dakota and honestly it’s been low on my list of experiences in the American West to consider. But this really shows what’s available. Thanks for the post.

Lance, we were in the same boat until a friend changed my mind. We were planning our Florida to Alaska road trip with a friend and mentioned that we were going to do a drive by of Mount Rushmore on our way to Glacier National Park in Montana. He showed us some pictures and we quickly changed our minds. Needless to say we are very happy that we did.

Thanks, this is so helpful. I’m bookmarking this so that I can refer to it when I do this road trip! Really want to see Mt. Rushmore sooon :)

Awesome! Let us know when you do. I would love to see it from someone else’s perspective.

My husband and I love to hike and so we are looking forward to our summer road trip to the Badlands and Mount Rushmore. I also love deserted old towns, so thanks for the info. on Longhorn. We just got back from a road trip to Florida and I have a lot of good info on my site http://www.myhearttravels.com

There isa lot of great hiking in the Rushmore/custer/blackhills area. You’ll absolutely love it. The Badlands had some short trails along the scenic loop that we walked, but we didn’t have time to explore too deeply. If you are going to hike the badlands in the Summer, you want to be really careful with dehydration. It gets very hot and arid there. What part of Florida did you visit?

Great photos – I have always thought that it would be cool to see Mt. Rushmore but didn’t realize that there were other things to do nearby! We visited Grand Canyon National Park during spring break and there were signs there warning that squirrels carried the plague – who knew?!?

I didn’t either! Our original plan was to cut through the Dakota’s on the way to Canada, then a friend told us to check out the badlands. A little research later… viola!

Just came back from South Dakota. Visited Mt. Rushmore, Custer, Windcave and Badlands. It was an awesome experience. I feel like an American!

What are your thoughts on doing this trip March 29-April 3rd with young teens?

The trip would be great with teens, I think they would enjoy it quite a bit. it may be busy as it may be spring break for your area, but no where near as busy as the summer.

THANKS!!! I have 1 day free on a business trip next week to Rapid City. I’m going to skip Mt Rushmore and visit Crazy Horse then quickly get to those gorgeous bandlands. This is an excellent travel planning post. I’m printing and packing it with me. Cheers!!

Kenin, Wish you would include the Mammouth Museum in Hot Springs., SD. If you have’t been, it is amazing. It is an actual excavation site hidden by a museum. They also have time in summer that you can volunteer to find mammouth bones. Love you site. Getting lots of ideas.

I couldn’t find any mention of how many days does it take to make this RT? We are flying into Minneapolis, MN and get a rental car and head west. We will start on Friday and have two weeks to bum around. Any ideas on what we could take in during that time limit? No hurry, please, we’re 70! Thanks for any suggestions (other than backpacking or climbing! :)

Hi Mary Sue,

We have a second post about the Rapid City area that has a lot more “things to do” here: https://www.theconstantrambler.com/ramblin-guide-to-rapid-city-sd-from-the-badlands-rushmore-sturgis-custer/

While you’re in Minneapolis make sure to check out the Weisman Art Museum (just the building is incredible) as well as Hell’s Kitchen for some fun & tasty food.

What a thoughtful and insightful article! We are flying out to Denver next week and driving up to Cheyenne, then heading over to the Badlands and the Black Hills for a one-week vacation. We’re spending four nights in a cabin in Custer State Park and I am so excited about doing lots of hiking and relaxing. You have inspired me to create a trip blog. Thanks so much and hope you continue to have wonderful travels!

Thank you. We are planning a trip to Mt. Rushmore and surrounding area in September. This is perfect for us.We will be coming from Kansas City so we might do the route in reverse.

Have a great time Rusty! Let us know if you have any other questions :-)

Thank you, thank you!!! This was awesome!! We followed everything you said plus we even added a stop at Bear USA. It was a fabulous day!!

So glad to hear that you enjoyed it!

This is a really helpful post! The black hills are such a cool area to explore.

We are planning our family camping road trip this June! Can’t wait to see these places! Thanks for the great information and pics!

My husband and I are planning a trip the end of August of this year. We have always wanted to go out west for years. I have a terminal illness, so we bought a new van so I can lay down and rest when I need to on our trip. We are coming from WV,so I am trying to find things to do in each state for here to SD, that doesn’t require a lot of walking or climbing. I can’t wait to see buffalo in the wild and someone mentioned something about panning for gold I would love that. It can’t get here quick enough. Thanks for the pictures and information!

do you recommend a guided tour of the area ? Coming from Florida and staying 1 night in Sioux Falls .What would you recommend to Rapid City ? I90 or Backroads

Quite frankly that all depends on which you prefer. Personally I normally favor backroads, but you’ll make the trip faster on the interstate.

Thanks so much for your import on South Dakota, I am planning to do this, this summer for our 50th wedding anniversary. We are from West Michigan and these are going to be our first stops. Then we want to venture to Bryce, Zion and sequoia. Then doing route 66. What are your thoughts on all of this?

I am planning to fly in on 5th march and have a whole day 6 march and plan to rent a car. Is it easy and safe to drive in early march. How would you plan the drive to cover Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse and Sylvan Lake Custer State Park , Mt Coolidge, Needles Highway and Iron Mtn Road .

It’s really hard to answer that question, as the weather can be quite unpredictable that time of year. I’d say you’d want to plan for the worst and then be pleasantly surprised if the weather holds up.

Great post! My husband and I are heading out there next week. Quite different views than Wisconsin where we live. Great blog too. We write a blog too called, “Adventures in Travel”.

We are planing our Wedding Honeymoon through South Dakota on the Harley. Can not wait to see this amazing state. What is the average weather during late July early August?

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South Dakota Road Trip – 7 Stops You Don’t Want To Miss

South Dakota. Driving east on I-90, the state seems pretty boring and flat. Then just before you hit the Wyoming border, BOOM! You got Rapid City, the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills! Our opinion quickly changed about a South Dakota road trip. Here is our recommendation for an epic South Dakota Family Vacation!

If you have even more time look to add this road trip into a National Park road trip and continue on the adventure!!

Table of Contents

South Dakota Road Trip Route

The Badlands

The Badlands are awesome! They are so beautiful and unlike landscapes you would normally see in the United States. It is so weird how they aren’t there and then all of a sudden you drive into the park and there are these amazing formations everywhere. It’s like you’re on another planet!

When we went, it was hot. Like hot with a capital H. O. T!! They say that happens in the Badlands and it is usually warmer than other areas. It must have to do with the ground and how it reflects or absorbs the heat (I don’t really know what I am talking about), but just believe me when I say it gets HOT! Like regularly 100+ in the summer.

Hiking In The Badlands

There are some really cool hiking areas, like the Notch Trails, so be prepared by bringing water and not going too far down a trail without having water with you. Plus if you are going to be climbing, make sure your kids have Keens or running shoes on. We had regular flip flop sandals and we were slipping all over the place.

There are lots of opportunities to get out and climb and see some amazing views! Even though it is hot, you can still look for wildlife like prairie dogs. It was too hot for our kids and I don’t blame them.

We spent a lot of time in our car driving around and checking things out. Then we would jump out of the car to check out a cool spot for 5 minutes then jump right back in the car. You can drive Badlands Loop Road for a great look at the north part of the Badlands.

They do have a nice air conditioned visitor center with a museum, an opportunity to get your Junior Ranger badge, and even get a Badlands tattoo!

I would expect nothing less from a place called the Badlands! If you are continuing your trip east from the Badlands, check out Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Learn more about boondocking in Badlands National Park . This is another area with few places to stay. So if you’re looking for a lot of vacation home, hotel, or campground options during your South Dakota family vacation, you’ll probably have to look farther out.

Nomad View – There is an epic camping spot you can stay at right outside the park. It is on BLM land so it is free but there are no hookups and it can get crazy windy. But the views are amazing! If you are interested in staying here and boondocking check out our post for tips on boondocking.

We weren’t sure what to expect of a city in South Dakota that’s near Sturgis and Deadwood, but we were pleasantly surprised by how cool the downtown area was! If Rapid City isn’t on your list of places to visit on your South Dakota road trip, it should be.

They have an awesome square in the city that has a stage for music, a large open grassy area, and a splash pad for kids. The square is also surrounded with restaurants and shops. We ate down the street at the Firehouse Brewing Company . It was a great family friendly restaurant with a nice outdoor eating area and the kids all left with fireman hats. Score!

After dinner we walked down the street and hung out in the square, played tag on the grass, danced on the stage, and of course got soaked in the splash pad. When it gets dark you can keep playing in the colorful lights that go on display making it look like the water is changing colors.

They also have amazing murals on the outside walls of the buildings and statues on the street corners throughout the downtown area. I am sure the city has even more to offer, but our kids were happy and content in the square so we just hung out there.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

Even though it’s an hour driving west of Rapid City, Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is a gorgeous 20 mile drive through the Black Hills of South Dakota . With vertical cliffs and high walls, some of the canyons only get 1 hour of sunlight a day. This drive should make your list of things to do on your South Dakota road trip!

Dinosaur Park

**Temporarily closed. Reopening in May 2024 hopefully!

This is a free park at the top of Rapid City where the kids can climb around on dinosaurs. There is also an amazing view of the city from here.

The Dinosaur park has a gift shop/concession area. I think it is worth a stop if you are in the area!

Where to stay

Vacation home.

Luxurious Purle House – Renovated historic home located just 5 minutes from all the downtown shops and restaurants. Take a walk or ride your bike!

Staybridge Suites Rapid City – Rushmore – Located in Rapid City just miles away from downtown, the Rushmore Mall, and museums, this hotel offers a swimming pool and is pet friendly.

The Rushmore Hotel & Suites – Just a 10 minute walk from downtown, the Rushmore Hotel is a great location to stay in Rapid City. It also has a martini lounge with live music on the weekends.

Bear Country

We almost didn’t go. We had just been to Yellowstone and we had seen multiple bears out in the wild. However, I read a few reviews and they were really good, so we decided to give it a try. I am really glad we did. It was really cool!

You drive in, pay, and then follow a road through the park which takes you right into the habitat of each of the animals. They had wolves, mountain lions, bears, and more! I mean Oh My!

When we got to the bears, we couldn’t believe how many there were. There had to be over 20 bears and they were right there next to your car. They were very clear about how you HAD to keep your windows closed at all times and I see why!

When you were done driving through, you pulled over in a parking lot and walked around to check out all the baby animals. There were the cutest bear cubs, baby foxes, and so many more adorable baby animals.

We highly recommend making this one of your stops on your South Dakota road trip! We have mixed feeling about zoos and animals in captivity. Especially since being at Yellowstone. But I have to say that the animals all looked well fed and happy.

**Open seasonally!!

Custer State Park

Custer State Park covers 71,000 miles and is South Dakota’s largest state park. While you are here we recommend you visit the Black Hills, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake and do the Wildlife Loop Road.

If you are looking for a unique adventure check out this hot air balloon trip over the Black Hills and Custer State Park!

Check out all the details below:

Black Hills

We were really impressed with the Black Hills National Forest area which includes Custer State Park and the stops we list below. There are so many great things to do in the Black Hills .

Iron Mountain Road

We drove this beautiful 17 mile road which consists of 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 tunnels, and some of the best scenery in South Dakota! As you drive, you go through these super tight square cut-outs in the mountains. A couple of them give you an amazing view of Mount Rushmore. If you have a high zoom lens for your camera, bring it with you because you can get some amazing pictures!

Norbeck Overlook

We stopped at Norbeck Overlook on the Iron Mountain Road and the kids did some impromptu rock scrambling. Then we continued driving.

When driving through, make sure the vehicle you have isn’t too tall or wide for some of the tunnels on the drive. There are literally square cut-outs in the rock that only a single car can fit through. Consult the all-knowing Google if you have a wide car or a dually truck. This was one of the coolest drives we have been on and is definitely a must on a South Dakota family vacation.

Needles Highway

Another must-see is Needles Highway. Seriously do it! You drive up to the top of the mountain and see these needle-like formations. They were really cool and looked like something out of the Lord of the Rings. Precious!

Once you reach the top you drive through this tight tunnel. It is a bit nerve wrecking but also really cool!

Sylvan Lake

At the top is Sylvan Lake. We brought our blow up paddle boards and got out to do some paddle boarding and to hang out by the lake. There is a beach area here as well but it was pretty busy so we opted to set up on the grass across the lake from the beach. It was perfect for paddle boarding.

You can also hike around Sylvan Lake for a nice easy walk.

Sunday Gulch Trail

An awesome 4 mile loop trail that is marked as Hard on All Trails . We did it clockwise which meant that we climbed up and out of the gulch at the end which was super fun. I would not want to go counter clockwise and climb down into the gulch first. It is hard but well worth it!

Wildlife Loop Road

We have done this drive a couple times and we have heard that you could see a lot of animals. Unfortunately we only saw a few our first time. It was a nice drive but after being at Yellowstone , it just couldn’t compare.

The second time we saw a huge herd of Bison. We were hoping to see the burrows but we never did. After seeing the bison (close by where we started) we didn’t see anything else and it was a somewhat long and boring drive . . . I guess it just depends on what animals are out.

If you are in the area, we still recommend you stop. It was really pretty and we know people who have had the burrows actually stick their heads in the window of your car! If you want to know more check out this post: Things do in Custer State Park .

Vacation Homes

The Wandering Goat – A 3-acre getaway provides a nice place to relax on the 3-sided porch to take in all the beautiful views after a day at Custer State Park.

Cozy Creekside Cottage – This cottage is a little off the beaten path but only a short drive to Custer State Park. The outside deck area has a grill and a gas fireplace.

Hidden Lake Campground and Resort – About a 45 minute drive from Custer State Park, Hidden Lake Campground is situated on a lake. Go canoeing, kayaking, or fishing during your stay.

Larsson’s Crooked Creek Resort – Located 2 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota this campground has 84 RV sites, 15 cabins, a 14-room lodge, and12 Presidential Creek Side Sites. Amenities include a barn with music and kids movies and an on-site café and bakery.

There are very few places to stay in this area so just be aware as you’re planning your South Dakota family vacation.

Mount Rushmore

I have mixed feelings about Mount Rushmore National Memorial . I mean it is a mountain with faces carved out of it . . . But it is one of those places that you can’t not do on a South Dakota road trip. I don’t know if it is the National Park setup that makes it that way or if it is just the awe of what they were capable of doing to the rock and how cool and detailed the faces are.

If you have never been, you should go. There is a museum area, a video, restaurant, and concessions. Plus your kids can get a Junior Ranger badge (check, homeschooling done for the day!).

We stayed late to see the lighting of Mount Rushmore. I wouldn’t recommend you do that. We thought there would be a light display or fireworks or something. Nope, they literally just put a spot light on the mountain, and prior to that, they talked for about 20 minutes. If your kids are older, they would enjoy the talk and presentation beforehand. With younger kids, they couldn’t have cared less. So we spent the majority of the time trying to keep them quiet.

Then when the light show was done, we sprinted for the car so we didn’t get stuck in the parking garage! So, if you are going to stay, you would want to watch/listen from as far back as possible so you can be the first one out. A trick Clark Griswold taught me 🙂

You don’t have to pay for getting into Mount Rushmore (this was a stipulation by the designer or something) but you do have to pay to park. Sneaky sneaky.

If you are looking for a tour so you don’t have to do the planning check out this Rapid City: Private Black Hills Monument Full Day Tour.

The Carriage House at McDonald Mountain Ranch – Although this is only a 1 bedroom cabin, it does have 2 bathrooms, 2 levels, and would be great for a quick stay. Offers a washer/dryer and is just a short drive from Mount Rushmore.

Keystone Escape w/ Amazing Mt Rushmore View – The porch views from this escape are breathtaking. This 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom cabin would be great for a family looking to explore Mount Rushmore.

Baymont by Wyndham Keystone Near Mt. Rushmore – Located in Keystone, South Dakota, this hotel is less than 2 miles from Mount Rushmore. Black Hills National Forest is only 12 miles away.

Ramada by Wyndham Keystone Near Mt Rushmore – Just minutes away from Mount Rushmore, this option offers an indoor heated pool, hot tub, gift shop, and fireplaces in the guest rooms.

If you are looking for more parks nearby, Wind Cave National Park is about a 30 minute scenic drive south of Custer State Park. If you have extra time, this stop would be a great addition to your South Dakota family vacation.

South Dakota has a lot to offer and you could either make it a quick stop as part of a longer road trip or you could stay in Rapid City for the week and spend a good day or two at each of the locations we mentioned.

We spent a week there and know there is a ton more to do, like the 1880 train in Keystone, South Dakota. Let us know in the comments of other places you have been to in South Dakota. I’m sure we’ll be back!

Also if you like this area we recommend checking out these other great posts for family vacations and road trips!

Things to do with kids in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Road Trip With Kids: 11 Tips To Make It Enjoyable For Everyone

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Utah Road Trip: All 5 Utah National Parks & More [Map Included]

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9 thoughts on “South Dakota Road Trip – 7 Stops You Don’t Want To Miss”

My kids are grown now – the youngest graduates from college this year but 5 years ago we took an epic out west road trip and included South Dakota in our trip. We went to several of the places that you went to including Custer State Park. But for us we saw so many animals there : coyote, prairie dogs, pronghorns, wild burros and a buffalo traffic jam. Then at Yellowstone – one moose and a few scattered buffalo. Go figure! My kids so loved this trip that my oldest – who is 27 – went back to SD this summer and did the Black Hills and Badlands on his own.

That is so funny! We saw HUNDREDS of buffalo in Yellowstone and several grizzlies, then in Custer, we did see the prairie dogs, but that was pretty much it. Like you said, go figure! That is very cool your oldest went back there. That means he really enjoyed the trip you took before 🙂 Great job!

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I am in the planning stages of this road trip. How long were you in the Rapid City/Badlands/Custer area? Where did you stay? Looking forward to your response.

We were in Rapid City for only a few days. We stayed at 3 Flags RV park.

This is wonderful, thank you! I’m wondering about your accommodations – did you move around, stay somewhere and use it as a home base for day trips? Other? Thank you so much!

We stayed at an RV park just outside of Rapid City. That offered a good base camp to everything in the area.

Thanks for the details…. very helpful for me since I am in charge to plan for a road trip to SD. How many days total is this itinerary?

Great! I would say a week would be good! But you could do it less time or more time. We usually prefer not to be rushed.

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South Dakota Road Trip – 3 Day Itinerary

By: Author Hannah

Posted on Last updated: 17 July, 2024

When most tourists visit South Dakota they drive through with a quick stop at Mount Rushmore, but what they don’t realize is that there are so many more things to do in South Dakota. Don’t get us wrong, Mount Rushmore is amazing but honestly even cooler things than the big faces here in South Dakota.

How Many Days to Spend on a Road Trip in South Dakota?

Where to stay on a South Dakota Road Trip

• 1.5 hours to Spearfish via Blackhills National Forest 385 goes through Deadwood 1 hour via 1-90 goes through Sturgis
• 40 minutes Mount Rushmore
• 1 hour Custer State Park
• 1 hour Badlands National Park

Related Article: Things to do in South Dakota

South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Rapid City to Spearfish

Check Hotel Rates Expedia |  Orbitz  

Day 2 Mount Rushmore

T he Alpine Inn only serves two things for dinner, filet mignon or a Spaetzle Primavera. We opted for the 9-ounce bacon-wrapped filet for $13.95 and we weren’t disappointed. This place is a steal, for less than $50 we each got a 9-ounce steak dinner, dessert, two beers, and a glass of wine.

If you visit during the summer, expect there to be a line before dinner service even starts. Their lunch menu is much larger.

Day 3 Badlands National Park

Wake up early and head back to Custer National Park for sunrise and a morning hike before continuing on your South Dakota road trip. The Badlands National Park is 1.5 hours from Custer State Park, it’s an easy drive down I-90.

On your way to the park make sure to stop at Wall Drug in Wall South Dakota. You will see sign after sign along I-90. It’s a great place to stop and have lunch before heading into the park. We suggest staying at a hotel in Wall  it’s only a 10-minute drive to the entrance of the park and it has good options.

We suggest trying to arrive around lunch, so you have most of the day to drive through the park and find the perfect spot for sunset. If you plan on waking up for sunrise the next day also scope out where to watch the sunrise, we suggest Window Trail on the east end of Badlands National Park.

Make sure to build time into your South Dakota road trip itinerary to watch the sunset in Badlands N.P.

The Badlands look out of this world. The park is 244,000 acres and is said to contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Apparently, even rhinos once roamed in South Dakota. Now you will find bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs.

For us the Badlands National Park perfectly summarizes this part of South Dakota, it’s amazing and nothing like what you expect. Before traveling to the Badlands and South Dakota we would have thought this park existed somewhere in the southwest of the country, not in South Dakota. The Badlands and our entire road trip in South Dakota surprised us in a very good way.

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Have you gone on a South Dakota road trip? What would you add to our route?

While Mt. Rushmore is what brings most people to South Dakota there is so much more to this beautiful part of the country. For more on South Dakota check out our Things to do near Mt. Rushmore Article .

This post was sponsored by Travel South Dakota . Thanks to Travel South Dakota for inviting to explore your amazing state. As always all of our opinions are our own. 

Randy Staub

Friday 19th of March 2021

I visited SD from Pa back in 1969 with my parents on a trip out west to California and Arizona (relatives in Mesa). It was the highlight of our entire trip. I was astounded by the Badlands, right after a severe thunderstorm evening. Then the sun came out the rock formations glittered. We loved the Black Hills ! A bison blocked our path in the Custer State Park Scenic Loop. I've always wanted to revisit. Now retired, I want my wife to see it as well. We are planning a trip from NC this September.

Monday 25th of May 2020

We are planing a 3 day roadtrip through SD this next month and this is perfect! Thank you so much - pretty sure we will make it to all of these stops you suggested. We are going to just stay in Rapid City for 3 nights as our home base. :) Excited and thank you for taking the time to do write this out!

Wednesday 26th of December 2018

Great article. Thank you

David Aquilina

Saturday 25th of August 2018

We will be driving from Minneapolis. So, I am thinking that we'd drive from Minneapolis to Wall, SD. Stay overnight in Wall. Then the next day (day 1) Badlands for the day and then drive to near Custer State Park and spend the night. The day 2, Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore, and stay overnight near there. On day 3, take the scenic route to Spearfish with plenty of stops along the way. Dinner and a good night's sleep in Spearfish and had back to Minneapolis the next morning.

Hannah Lukaszewicz

Monday 3rd of September 2018

Sounds like you've mapped out your trip perfect. There are so many great places to road trip to in South Dakota! Make sure to get up early for sunrise at Badlands National Park.

Thursday 19th of July 2018

I cannot say enough about the Black Hills. It was our first stop on a mega road trip across the states, and it blew us away. We loved the scenic drives like Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road and the hiking inside Custer State Park was exciting too. So many places, so little time! I know it's hard to plan and most people don't have the time to take off work, but I highly suggest to your readers to try to plan for a few more days to explore the area if possible. We were so happy we stayed for six days (including the Badlands) to explore. I would add a hike to Little Devil's Tower (3 miles round trip) with spectacular views of Cathedral Spires and the highest peak in South Dakota. And a drive on Spearfish Canyon National Byway, there are a few easy walks to beautiful cascading waterfalls. Thanks for all your tips!

The Black Hills are gorgeous! What a great place for your first stop on a USA road trip. The longer you have always the better, there are so many things to do see in South Dakota. Getting out for a hike is always one of our favorites too.

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Solo Female Travel

Ultimate 4-Day Dakotas Road Trip Itinerary

Buckle your seatbelts- the Badlands are calling! I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I fell in love with this stretch of the country ( especially the Black Hills of South Dakota ). The wide open road, big blue sky, and some of the most spectacular views. The Dakotas absolutely need a spot on your bucket list. This is the ultimate 4-Day Dakotas Road Trip Itinerary!

Day 1: Black Hills, SD

Start your day bright (well, dark ) and early! Sunrise at Mount Rushmore  is truly indescribable. Watching the colors change on the mountain every few minutes as the sun slowly rises over the horizon is an experience I’d recommend time and time again. Try to plan your arrival for about 20 minutes before the  official sunrise time . Even though it hasn’t peaked over the horizon, you’ll still get a soft orange glow over their faces (the famed “golden hour”).

After your morning at Mount Rushmore, make your way about 20 miles west to  Crazy Horse Memorial . You’ll pay a $12 entrance fee per person, but this covers parking, access to the museum, and terrace with views of the carving. Crazy Horse has been a work in progress for over 70 years (and will be for quite some time), and it’s so fascinating to see it incomplete. When I visited in September 2020, the face was finished and they were working on the arm. Once it’s complete, it will be a Native American man with long wavy hair riding his horse ( see here ). Hope I can see it complete in my lifetime!

Parks, parks, parks!

After back-to-back activities, take some time to refuel in the nearby town of  Custer . Custer has plenty of restaurants to choose from and plenty of side streets to make for easy parking. Just a couple miles outside of town, you’ll meet the entrance to  Custer State Park . This state park is spectacular, and frankly better than some National Parks I’ve been to. You’ll truly feel like you’re in the Rocky Mountains, rather than in South Dakota. Take the time do drive the  Wildlife Loop Road . Here you’ll see plenty of elk, deer, prairie dogs, and even buffalo!

Finally after a long drive, you’ll want to stretch your legs. Make your way down to  Wind Cave National Park  to wrap up your day! The park is located right next to Custer State Park and is an easy (and beautiful) drive down. Visit the  cave , do some  hiking , or even see some more  wildlife .

Day 2: Theodore Roosevelt NP, ND

Gas up the car because today you’re road tripping up to North Dakota! While the drive from Rapid City to Theodore Roosevelt National Park is around 4 hours , I recommend staying the night North of Rapid City to give you a leg up on your drive. I stayed in the town of Spearfish, SD and thought it was perfect (and cut about 45 mins off my morning drive). There are not that many highlights along the drive (this is the definition of “rural”), but there are a few to help break it up! If you’re willing to go a sliiightly our of your way, make a quick stop at the Geographic Center of the Nation in Belle Fourche, snap a picture on the ND/SD state line , and enjoy the views at Painted Canyon . After a long drive you’ll arrive in the town of Medora , which is the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I’d recommend going straight to the park when you arrive to beat as much of the crowds as you can – there will be time to explore the town later. After paying your $30 park entrance fee, make a quick stop at the Visitor’s Center to grab a map, hit the bathroom, and plan your day. The park itself is very easy to navigate. One road, Scenic Loop Drive, circles the entire park and makes it virtually impossible to get lost. Take your time along the drive, stopping at all the scenic viewpoints that your heart can handle. My favorite was Wind Canyon Trail that has incredible canyon views and overlook the Little Missouri River. I also really loved the Badlands Overlook and the Skyline Vista. Keep an eye out for the herds of Buffalo, prairie dogs, and wild horses throughout the park. The wildlife is the best part!

After a long day in the car, make your way back to the town of Medora for a little dose of civilization. The town is small (112 permanent residents, to be exact), but bursts alive in the summer months. I had more people in my graduating high school class! Stroll the few blocks of the town that will transport you right back into the Wild, Wild West. The wooden buildings and dusty roads will make you feel like you’re right in the middle of a movie set. You’ll even see horses walking the streets! Grab some ice cream at one of the many options , and enjoy the small town. Medora is also home to the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame , if that piques your interest. However, your visit to Medora or North Dakota is not complete without seeing the famous Medora Musical . This seasonal outdoor musical is known as “the rootin’-tootinest, boot-scootinest show in all the Midwest.” It’s tacky, kitschy, but a lot of fun. It’s a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt (who claims he never could have been President if it wasn’t for his time in North Dakota), and America as a whole. It’ll fill you with patriotism and pride, which is something we could all use a little bit of. After the show, you’re going to welcome a bed and pillow with open arms. Accommodations in Medora are limited, so I’d recommend making the 30-minute drive back East to the city of Dickinson, ND . I stayed at the Roosevelt Grand Dakota and thought it was great. Unbeatable prices and large clean rooms!

Day 3: Badlands NP, SD

Another big day- it’s time to road trip back to South Dakota and hit another National Park! From Dickinson, ND, the drive down to the Badlands is about 4.5 hours . Get up early, grab a coffee and a quick breakfast, download a true crime podcast, and hit the road. While you’ll be along a different route than on the way up, the drive is about the same. Expect many long, straight roads and passing through towns with a population of a few hundred people. Doesn’t get more rural than this! On this route, you’ll enter the park on the farthest East end (the “Northeast Entrance”), and work your way West through the magnificent pinnacles and canyons. The great thing about this park is that there is one road, making it virtually impossible to get lost or take a wrong turn. Before you make your way too far into the park, take a quick stop at the Visitor’s Center to grab a snack and bathroom break- you won’t see any more of these until you get to the other entrance on the West end of the park. From there, make your way along Badlands Loop Road (technically Route 240).

Views for Days

There are countless overlooks and pull outs for photo ops and exploration, but some of my favorites included Panorama Point , the Yellow Mounds Overlook , and Pinnacles Overlook . Spectacular views, and plenty of space for social distancing (and shameless photo ops). Wherever you choose to stop, the views won’t disappoint. Shortly after the Pinnacles Overlook, you’ll arrive at the Pinnacles Entrance, which is another main road into the park. You’ll have the choice to continue left and stay in the park or veering right to exit. Make sure you stay left- there’s more to explore (and even fewer crowds). Only a couple of miles down the road, you’ll come across the spectacular Hay Butte and Badlands Wilderness overlooks. Spend some time at each to take in the views, and then continue a short distance further to Roberts Prairie Dog Town . These little animals are so cute and fun to watch- just make sure you watch out for them on the road! After that, there isn’t much more to see along that road so it would be wise to turn back to the Pinnacles Entrance to avoid driving on very rural and rough roads- trust me!

Day 4: Rapid City, SD

After a busy few days in the Dakotas, a chill day will be just what the doctor ordered. Start your day with breakfast at Tally’s Silver Spoon and get the chocolate chip pancakes (trust me). If you’re visiting on a weekend or holiday, expect a wait for a table (especially in Coronavirus times, as there were 50% fewer tables). However, if you’re traveling solo and get lucky, you can walk right in and snag a seat at the bar. Another win for solo travel! Afterward, stroll along the downtown streets of Rapid City. Across the street from Tally’s is Art Alley , a public art display that is constantly changing. It’s a short alley that spans between 6th and 7th streets, but plenty to look at! Then, take some time to walk the city streets and do the Presidents Walking Tour. Rapid City is known as the City of Presidents, and they are very proud of that title! About a 12-block self-walking tour through downtown will bring you by bronze statues of every single US President (as of September 2020, Donald Trump was not yet included). The statues are life-size and showcase a snapshot of their life and presidency. You’ll be amazed how short some of them were (@John Adams what’s good). After a stroll downtown, make a visit up to the Chapel in the Hills . This is an exact replica of a 12th Century Norwegian Church – quite a bizarre thing to see in South Dakota. There isn’t much to do here other than walk the grounds and look at the church, but it’s beautiful and definitely worth the stop and photo ops.

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Home » Blog » 14 Best Stops on a South Dakota Road Trip

14 Best Stops on a South Dakota Road Trip

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South Dakota is a state that absolutely took our breath away. From the incredible vast badlands, to towering pinnacles, to roaring waterfalls and swimming holes, to historical monuments, South Dakota is a destination every adventure lover should have on their travel bucket list. In this Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Guide , we’re sharing all the bucket List destinations from Sioux Falls to Rapid City.

Disclaimer: This blog post is in collaboration with Travel South Dakota . Some parts of the article also feature affiliate links, which means we get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s one of the ways we can keep producing free guides and resources for our readers. Thank you for the support!

South Dakota Road Trip Planning 

Where to start and end your south dakota road trip.

To start your Day South Dakota road trip, you have 2 main options. You will be starting and ending your road trip in Sioux Falls , or more specifically, the rental car area near the Sioux Falls regional airport. You will end your South Dakota Road Trip in Rapid City.  

In saying that, you could jump on these itineraries at any stage of your South Dakota road trip and you may opt to start/finish in the opposite direction. We’d recommend giving yourself 5-7 days in total to complete all of the 14 best things to do in South Dakota. 

Getting Around South Dakota

The best attractions in South Dakota are fairly spread out, so we’d highly recommend having some sort of vehicle to get around. Public Transportation isn’t very accessible or abundant. If you’re flying into South Dakota, pick up a rental car from the airport, or check out the available rentals on Turo. 

Best Time To Go on a South Dakota Road Trip

The best time to take a road trip to South Dakota is definitely from Spring & Fall. The shoulder seasons typically have fewer crowds and more mild, enjoyable weather! Summer is also fantastic, however, just be careful about the heat as the temps get into the 90s in the middle of the day. Also, make sure to keep an eye out for thunderstorms as they are quite common in the summer.

14 Must See Stops on a South Dakota Road Trip

South Dakota Road Trip Stop #1 – Good Earth State Park, Sioux Falls

Good Earth State Park is definitely one of the top things to do in Sioux Falls for outdoor lovers. It makes for a nice sunrise or sunset location and has plentiful wildlife throughout the park.

It is a super historical area in terms of Native American history in South Dakota as well. Make sure to check out its thorough exhibits on the Oneota Tradition Peoples, including Omaha, Ponca, Ioway and Otoe. 

There is an $8 vehicle fee to enter, or you can use your South Dakota State Parks pass. For more info on the park, check out their website here .

Stop #2 – Falls Park, Sioux Falls

This area is definitely the best thing to do in Sioux Falls during your time on this side of South Dakota! The park itself is super beautiful and is surrounded by these cascading waterfalls and a fun watchtower to get a nice view from above. Every day, an average of 7,400 gallons of water fall over 100 feet each second!

Stop #3 – Corn Palace, Mitchell

The Corn Palace is a quirky and mandatory tourist stop along your road trip in South Dakota. It’s en route to the Badlands from Sioux Falls and makes for a great stop to break up your drive and grab some food in town. Make sure to pick up some home made popcorn balls for road trip snacks – they’re delicious! 

The Corn Palace is the world’s only arena made out of corn, and is continuously being maintained so that the corn doesn’t rot! It’s also named as one of the top places to play basketball in the USA.

Stop #4 – Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park is a must do during your South Dakota road trip. This was one of our favorite national parks that we’ve been to together so far and one of the highlights from our trip around South Dakota. The Badlands themselves are incredible, the sunsets were something else, and the wildlife was so abundant!  

How Long to Spend at Badlands National Park on Your South Dakota Road Trip

If you really want to experience everything in Badlands National Park, we’d recommend visiting for a minimum of 1-2 full days. You can definitely see all of the highlights of the park in one day though. 

Badlands National Park Weather

The weather at the park is pretty pleasant year round, however, it does get quite hot during the summer time so make sure to pack accordingly and to start your hikes early in the morning or late in the day to avoid those peak heat hours from 10am-2pm. 

Where to Stay at Badlands National Park 

We stayed at the cutest lodge in Wall at the Frontier Cabins . This was the perfect accommodation for us as it is a 10 minute drive away from the Pinnacles Overlook entrance to the park. We loved the cabins for a glamping feel. 

If you’re looking to camp, backcountry camping is actually permitted anywhere within Badlands National Park — no permit needed — as long as the campsite isn’t visible from any of the park’s roads or trails and is at least a half-mile away. They also have 2 established campgrounds if you’d prefer more amenities that you can book sites at here .

Hiking & Best Viewpoints in Badlands National Park 

In our opinion, the best hikes to do in Badlands are the Door Trail, Window Trail, Notch Trail which all leave from the same trailhead parking lot! The Castle Trail is another great trail for sunrise and sunset to see the golden hour glow on the Badlands. 

The best sunrise spots in Badlands are the Big Badlands Overlook, Panorama Point, the Door Trail, the Norbeck Pass area and the Dillon Pass area based on the positioning of the sun rising. 

For sunset, on the other hand, check out Pinnacles Overlook, Conata Basin Overlook, Bigfoot Pass Picnic Area, and the Norbeck Pass area. Our absolute favorite viewpoint in Badlands was the Pinnacles Overlook area for sunset time – just be warned it does get crowded! Get there early to reserve a parking spot. 

Don’t forget to stop by Robert’s Prairie Dog Town to watch the thousands of prairie dogs pop out of their holes! If you’re lucky, you’ll also find some other wildlife in this area. We saw a coyote, a badger, and some bison in this area during our visit. 

South Dakota Road Trip Stop #5 – Wall Drug

Wall Drug is a store located right outside of Badlands National Park that draws almost twice as many visitors per year! To truly understand its hype, you have to add this as one of your South Dakota road trip stops. 

The store is essentially everything you could possibly need in one establishment – from a cafe, to cowboy boot fittings to a bookstore to an apothecary. Make sure to visit the cafe and grab some of their famous $.01 coffee and if you’re visiting for lunch, they are known for their Bison Burger!

Stop #6 – Rapid City 

Rapid City is a perfect stop for your South Dakota road trip. In fact, if you are short on time and only have a few days to explore South Dakota, we’d recommend you starting and ending your road trip here rather than starting in Sioux Falls. 

We stayed at the Hotel Alex Johnson , which is a historical hotel right in the middle of downtown Rapid City, and is famous for its paranormal activity! Although we didn’t have any experiences during our visit, there’s a full guest book at the front desk detailing people’s encounters throughout the year. Their rooftop restaurant and bar, the Vertex, can’t be missed as well! They have the best views of Rapid City from above at night and great vibes.

Make sure to wander around downtown and check out all of the local shops! There’s a ton of quaint stores to check out. 

In our opinion, the best things to do in Rapid City are all surrounding the Black Hills Region! Before you head out to the adjacent Black Hills, stop by Black Hills Bagels for a delicious breakfast! 

South Dakota Road Trip Stop #7 – Deadwood

Deadwood is the most quintessential gold mining western town we’ve ever seen. If you picture a movie of a western cowboy showdown, it was probably filmed in a location modeled after this famous city. 

Stop by on your way into Spearfish Canyon for a bite to eat, or experience one of the famous ghost tours along your South Dakota road trip. 

South Dakota Road Trip Stop #8 – Spearfish

One of the best family friendly stops and most scenic spots along the way of your South Dakota road trip is going to be along the Spearfish Scenic Byway. This stretch of highway has so many natural hidden gems located right off the side of the road! 

We spent one whole day exploring this area and were able to hit several small trails and viewpoints in one day. However, if you’d like to take your time in this area and spread out your hikes, we’d say two days is a good amount of time to spend in Spearfish, South Dakota. Make sure to add the following stops along your itinerary in Spearfish: 

Roughlock Falls

• Mileage : 2.1 Miles Round Trip 
• Elevation Gain: 242 Feet

You can actually drive up and park right next to the falls instead of hiking if you are so inclined! Otherwise, if you decide to hike to Roughlock Falls , it’s a pretty mild, beginner and dog friendly trail with minimal elevation gain. We’d recommend hiking to the falls at sunrise or sunset for the best lighting if you are a photographer to prevent your highlights from being blown out.

Spearfish Falls

• Mileage: .8 Miles Out & Back
• Elevation Gain: 62ft

Make sure to park over by the Roughlock Falls Trailhead as well to avoid any parking issues. It’s a short minute or two walk away from the Spearfish Falls Trailhead next to the road.

This hike is beginner and family friendly, but we’d definitely recommend hiking earlier in the morning to avoid getting too hot in the middle of the day. 

Devil’s Bathtub

• Mileage: 1.6 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 190ft

If you only have time to do one hike while making your road trip stop in Spearfish, make sure it’s this one! The Devil’s Bathtub hike is super fun and filled with river crossings and swimming holes.

Bridal Veil Falls

This beautiful waterfall in Spearfish is quite literally right off the side of the highway. Simply park on the adjacent side of the highway where there is a giant pullout for parking and head on over to view the gorgeous waterfall! There is a boardwalk to view the falls from and this is accessibility friendly. 

Community Cave Trail

• Mileage: .6 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 180ft

The Community Cave trail is a popular hike in Spearfish, however, it’s not so easy to find! Make sure to have your trail data downloaded ahead of time as it’s quite easy to get lost on this trail since there are no manmade trail markers anywhere and it does involve one stream crossing. It’s a pretty short, but steep hike that takes you up a gully to a gorgeous cave often used for recreation and sport rock climbing. 

South Dakota Road Trip Stop #9 – Custer State Park

Drive the needles highway.

The Needles Highway in Custer State Park is easily one of the most beautiful scenic drives in all of the USA. It takes you among the gorgeous pinnacles all around Custer State Park. Make sure to give yourself at least 1-2 hours to fully explore the whole thing out and back. 

Take a Hike along the Cathedral Spires Trail 

The Cathedral Spires Trail is a great intermediate hike for those wanting to get right in the middle of the spires around Custer. It puts you up close and personal with the spires and takes you up and through a lush meadow. 

Watch a Sunset at Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake is a beautiful gem of the Black Hills area of South Dakota. Sylvan Lake is right next to the Black Elk Peak trailhead. It’s a top notch destination for sunset, but it can get fairly busy due to the National Treasure film series making the spot pretty popular! 

You can swim, boat (non-motorized only), paddle boat, canoe, kayak, and/or paddle board around Sylvan Lake and if you don’t have your own you can rent some! 

South Dakota Road Trip Stop #10 – Black Elk Peak

The tallest peak east of the Rockies is located right next to Custer State Park at Black Elk Peak. This was by far our favorite hike we did while we were on our South Dakota Road Trip. However, it was also the most challenging hike and is more suited for intermediate/advanced hikers. 

There are several different routes to attempt the hike up to the peak. We did the Black Elk Peak via Harney Peak Trail which was approximately 7 miles round trip from start to finish. The trail is super well marked the entire way! We’d highly recommend hiking at sunrise or early in the morning since the parking lot fills up pretty quickly and temperatures rise pretty high during the middle of summer. 

At the top of the peak, you’ll be greeted with 360 degree panoramic views from the fire lookout watch tower. The landscapes are gorgeous and, if you’re really lucky, you can even get a cloud inversion up here!

South Dakota Road Trip Stop #11 – Mt. Rushmore National Memorial

South Dakota is home to one of the most famous monuments in all of the USA – Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Mount Rushmore is the iconic memorial carving of 4 USA Presidents into granite rock. Although touristy, it should definitely be a road trip stop on your way through South Dakota.

We’d highly recommend visiting around sunrise if you want to enjoy the area without the crowds, and if you want to see the faces light up during golden hour! 

If you’d like to get a closer look at the faces, you can embark on the short Presidents Trail. Make sure to also check out the Avenue of the Flags. 

It costs $10 per vehicle to park on site and there’s plenty of parking available. 

South Dakota Road Trip Stop #12 – Crazy Horse Memorial

The Crazy Horse Memorial is quite similar to Mt. Rushmore in that its focus is on a carving into rock. However, the Crazy Horse Memorial pays homage to Native Americans and indigenous peoples in the area that made the Black Hills area their home thousands of years ago. 

Make sure to check out the Indian museum when you visit as well and watch the historic film that gives you an idea of the history of this monument coming into existence.

Unlike Mt. Rushmore, this monument still isn’t complete, even though it’s been in construction since 1948. Be aware that entry prices are steeper here, however, all of the entry tickets go towards future construction efforts. 

South Dakota Road Trip Stop #13 – Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave National Monument is one of the top things we did on our South Dakota road trip. These caves are super unique because they are covered in calcite crystals and have deep, wide open caverns that are incredible to see in person. 

Jewel Cave has 210 miles of cave networks currently explored! According to airflow studies, only 10% of the park has been explored, and scientists believe that there’s still thousands of miles of caves that exist below that we haven’t had the chance to see via expeditions just yet. 

Jewel Cave Tours

In order to see the cave, you do need a reservation for a tour in advance, whether you reserve it online or purchase a tour in person at the Visitor’s Center. However, if you try to walk in, it’s not guaranteed that you will be able to get on a tour so we would highly recommend buying your cave tour online on recreation.gov in advance. 

You can’t bring anything into the cave with you outside a sweater, your keys/wallet, a small camera and your person. Make sure to leave your bags and backpacks in the car! For more info on what’s allowed and not allowed in the caves, check out the park’s website here .

There are 4 different tour options available. We did the Scenic Tour and had a great time and learned a lot about the geological features of the cave! 

If you’re incredibly adventurous, the National Monument offers extreme tours on the weekends. In order to even go on these tours, you’ll have to prove your ability to crawl through a tiny cement block outside of the visitors center. We both managed to squeeze through, but if you’re claustrophobic we’d absolutely avoid signing up for this tour. 

Make your reservations for Jewel Cave National Monument here . 

South Dakota Road Trip Stop #14 – Wind Cave National Park

We actually preferred Jewel Cave National Monument over Wind Cave National Park! However, we still think this is one of the best things to do in South Dakota! 

Wind Cave National Park is known for its unique rock formation called Boxwork. In fact, this concentrated area contains 95% of the world’s boxwork. You can find it all over the 150 miles of caves below the park.

There are a few different tour options you can book to explore Wind Cave National Park. We did the Natural Entrance Tour. Similar to Jewel Cave National Monument, we’d highly recommend making reservations in advance to secure your time slot on a tour. You can do this on the recreation.gov website here .

Once you’re all finished at Wind Cave National Park, it’s a short hour or so drive back to Rapid City where you can return your rental car and head out on a safe flight home.

We hope you enjoyed this ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Guide! Let us know which of the 14 Best Things to Do in South Dakota you want to visit the most.

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Young House Love » Road Trips & Travel » A Summer Trip To South Dakota

| By John Petersik | August 12, 2024 |

A Summer Trip To South Dakota

I’ll be the first to admit that South Dakota wasn’t high on my vacation bucket list. But I ended up there this summer on a dad-and-daughter trip I took with some family members: and WOW, we loved it. It was a surprising and wonderful departure from our usual family trips, so I wanted to share some highlights in case anyone else is interested in breaking out of the more typical beach or theme park vacation routine.

Growing up on the East Coast and now living in Florida, I haven’t spent much time in the upper Midwest. So these sights may be old hat for some of you. But just like our trip to the California desert earlier this year, this was a chance for us to soak up some new-to-us geography.

Table of Contents

Why We Vacationed In South Dakota

South Dakota is home to lots of epic vistas, charming towns, and outdoor adventures. They have six major national parks, monuments, memorials, and historic sites including Badlands National Park , Wind Cave National Park , Mount Rushmore , and the Crazy Horse Memorial . There are also iconic “Western” towns like Sturgis, Rapid City, and Historic Deadwood. So there’s no shortage of places to explore.

But our reason for going was also personal. When my grandfather immigrated to America as a kid, his family landed in South Dakota. He moved away as a teen, long before my father was born, so it has been easy to forget that my family has roots in the state. So my dad suggested this trip to see some sights AND reconnect with extended family still living there.

The plan blossomed to include my uncle and cousins on my mom’s side, including one cousin whose daughter is close friends with our daughter – even though they live several states apart. So it became a chance to give the girls quality time together, while some other family members got together without being too huge of a travel group. (Sherry and I have also learned how great one-on-one trips with our kids can be – highly recommend).

Where Did We Go In South Dakota

We were only in South Dakota for 3 nights, so it was a pretty quick trip. Still, we managed to squeeze in a lot. My dad and uncle were in charge of the itinerary (which was a nice change of pace for me) and they did a great job of making the most of our time there. Here were our main destinations:

• Downtown Rapid City
• Circle View Guest Ranch
• Badlands National Park (seen below)
• Wall Drug in Wall, SD
• Mount Rushmore
• Custer State Park
• My extended family’s cattle ranch

Our daughter and I didn’t get to see much of Rapid City or Custer State Park because of our flight schedule, but the others seemed to really enjoy them. At Custer State Park they even had to wait for a herd of buffalo to cross the road!

Where We Stayed In South Dakota

One of my dad’s goals with the trip was to stay on a working farm and the whole trip came together once he found Circle View Guest Ranch . It’s about 60 minutes from the Rapid City Airport (where we all flew in) and just about 5 minutes outside the entrance to Badlands National Park. I can’t say enough good things about this place.

It’s a bed & breakfast with several rooms in the main house and a separate “bunkhouse” that sleeps 8. There’s also an 1880s homestead cabin with no running water or electricity if you want to really rough it! (spoiler alert: we didn’t). The spaces were all clean, comfortable, and more than well-stocked with amenities like coffee, books, games, and even foosball and ping pong.

The highlight for us adults was the breakfast every morning. The Kruse family, who operate Circle View and live on the lower level, invite all guests downstairs for a generous hearty family-style breakfast in their kitchen. This picture does not do it justice, but it’s the only one I got because I was too busy stuffing my face. They truly outdo themselves and I would come back for the food alone.

As much as the kids loved the breakfast (pancakes! smoothies!), they enjoyed the farm and the animals even more. There were dogs, puppies, cats, chickens, and even some hilariously vocal peacocks roaming around. At one point while I was on the phone with Sherry, one was screaming in the background.

The Kruse children even showed our collective kids some of the chores they do, like gathering eggs and cleaning out the chicken coops. I’m pretty sure more than one of our kids wanted to sneak a chicken home on the airplane.

Mostly it was nice seeing our daughter and her cousins having fun together against the beautiful backdrop of the Badlands.

They probably could’ve stayed at Circle View the whole time, just enjoying each other’s company and chasing chickens around.

What We Did In South Dakota

One of our days in South Dakota was mostly spent road-tripping a few hours to visit my dad’s cousin’s ranch. We learned a bit more about the cattle business, visited my great-grandfather’s grave, and had a fascinating chat with my dad’s uncle, who is a WWII vet. So while that was a high point of the trip for us personally, here are the other things we loved.

Horseback Riding

I’m largely indifferent to horses, so I almost opted out of this activity. I’m SO GLAD I didn’t. Just down the road from Circle View Ranch, another family member operates a small horseback riding excursion (we coordinated it through our hosts). She leads you on a gentle hour-ish ride on the outskirts of Badlands National Park. I can’t remember the last time I was on a horse (if ever) and it was a comfortable, easy ride.

My photos don’t capture how beautiful and serene it was, especially since we caught an especially vibrant bloom of yellow sweet clover. The wild thing about this trip is that so many of the photos we came home with made Sherry say: this doesn’t even look like it was taken in the US! What is this, the Netherlands!?!

Badlands National Park

Since Circle View was so close to the park entrance, we went there (or through it) a few times.

During our main visit, we did a couple of short (and flat) hikes from the Notch Trail parking lot. The views were spectacular and the kids loved scrambling up the rock formations.

Even if your kids don’t love hiking, these were crowdpleasers because there was so much fun terrain to explore.

About 45 minutes from Badlands is the town of Wall, home to the famous and kitschy Wall Drug .

It’s definitely a bit of a tourist trap, but it was still a fun stop (and lunch spot) for our group. This “drugstore” is more like a maze-like mall with souvenir shops, western gear, toys, books, and much more than we had time to explore.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

I had visited Mount Rushmore once in high school on a family road trip (we’d also stopped at Wall Drug then), but it wasn’t until this visit that I realized it’s more than just a carved mountain.

40-something me appreciated the educational displays MUCH more than 17-year-old me did. It was interesting to learn the complicated history and engineering behind the project. There’s also a short but stair-heavy hike (seen below) that offers some different angles of the site.

I wouldn’t say this stop was a huge hit with the kids, so we could’ve probably spent more time in Badlands instead.

Overall, I didn’t go into this trip expecting much more than just some quality time for my dad, cousins, and the girls – but I was so pleasantly surprised by how beautiful it was, how many new experiences we crammed into our three days there, and how much fun the kids had. My dad isn’t always known for his trip planning, but he knocked this one out of the park.

Other Kid-Friendly Trips We’ve Taken

If you’re interested in our take on other destinations or are in search of family-friendly trips, you might also enjoy these posts:

• New Orleans With Kids
• Palm Springs, California with Kids
• A Weekend in Charleston, South Carolina with Kids
• 2 Days In St. Petersburg, Florida with Kids
• Our Trip to Mexico with Kids… and a Dog!
• Costa Rica with Kids
• Hawaii with a Toddler
• A Guide to Our (Former) Beach Town: Cape Charles, Virginia
• Our Favorite Activities, Shops, & Eats in Richmond, Virginia
• Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage in Puerto Rico
• Our Favorite Spring Break Trip Yet

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Britain’s Violent Riots: What We Know

Officials had braced for more unrest on Wednesday, but the night’s anti-immigration protests were smaller, with counterprotesters dominating the streets instead.

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By Lynsey Chutel

After days of violent rioting set off by disinformation around a deadly stabbing rampage, the authorities in Britain had been bracing for more unrest on Wednesday. But by nightfall, large-scale anti-immigration demonstrations had not materialized, and only a few arrests had been made nationwide.

Instead, streets in cities across the country were filled with thousands of antiracism protesters, including in Liverpool, where by late evening, the counterdemonstration had taken on an almost celebratory tone.

Over the weekend, the anti-immigration protests, organized by far-right groups, had devolved into violence in more than a dozen towns and cities. And with messages on social media calling for wider protests and counterprotests on Wednesday, the British authorities were on high alert.

With tensions running high, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet held emergency meetings to discuss what has become the first crisis of his recently elected government. Some 6,000 specialist public-order police officers were mobilized nationwide to respond to any disorder, and the authorities in several cities and towns stepped up patrols.

Wednesday was not trouble-free, however.

In Bristol, the police said there was one arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle and a bottle was thrown. In the southern city of Portsmouth, police officers dispersed a small group of anti-immigration protesters who had blocked a roadway. And in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where there have been at least four nights of unrest, disorder continued, and the police service said it would bring in additional officers.

But overall, many expressed relief that the fears of wide-scale violence had not been realized.

Here’s what we know about the turmoil in Britain.

Where has the unrest taken place?

Protesters over the weekend took to the streets of a dozen cities across Britain, most of them in England. Trouble broke out from Aldershot in the south to Sunderland in the north and Liverpool in the west. Belfast, in Northern Ireland, was also drawn into the fray.

In some cases, the protesters were merely unruly, but in others the violence was more pronounced.

Where arrests have been reported

On Sunday, rioters set upon a hotel that was housing asylum seekers in the town of Rotherham, in northern England, breaking windows before surging inside as the police struggled to control them. No guests were injured in the melee, the police said.

In Middlesbrough, a group of rioters, some masked, hurled bottles and rocks at officers. Cars were set on fire, and at least nine people were arrested. On Saturday, a library and a food bank were set ablaze in Liverpool as groups damaged and looted businesses, and in Hull, fires were set and storefronts smashed in the city center.

Dozens of police officers were injured, including some who required trips to the hospital.

What set off the protests?

The unrest began after a teenager wielding a knife attacked a children’s dance class early last week in the seaside town of Southport, which is near Liverpool. Three children were killed, and eight were wounded.

The suspect was born and raised in Britain, but online rumors soon circulated that he was an undocumented immigrant. To counter those false claims, the authorities took the unusual step of publicly identifying him. The BBC has reported that the suspect’s parents are from Rwanda. The police have not disclosed a motive for the stabbing attack.

But with migration a flashpoint issue in Britain, especially on the far right, the rumors were all it took to set off violence.

Extremist groups urged their followers to take to the streets, and on the day after the stabbings, they began to do so, starting in Southport.

How have the authorities responded?

The weekend riots prompted a heavy police response. Nearly 4,000 additional officers were deployed, a law enforcement association said. And a government order gave officers in some places special powers to disperse any gatherings or “antisocial behavior,” the police said in a statement .

More than 400 people have been arrested, and about 100 have been charged, Mr. Starmer said after an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday — the second in two days.

The prime minister, who has characterized the riots as “far-right thuggery,” encouraged prosecutors to name and shame those convicted to dissuade others from joining the violent rampages.

“I’m now expecting substantive sentencing before the end of the week,” Mr. Starmer said. “That should send a very powerful message to anybody involved, either directly or online, that you are likely to be dealt with within a week and that nobody, but nobody, should involve themselves in this disorder.”

BJ Harrington, the head of public order for Britain’s National Police Chiefs’ Council, said that online disinformation had been “a huge driver of this appalling violence.”

Intelligence teams, detectives and neighborhood officers, Mr. Harrington said, were working to identify the people fomenting the violence.

“They won’t win,” he said.

How are the authorities handling online incitement?

Social media has acted as an accelerant throughout the protests, with disinformation fueling far-right and anti-immigrant groups . Britain and other democracies have found that policing the internet is legally murky terrain, with individual rights and free speech protections balanced against a desire to block harmful material .

In his remarks on Tuesday, Mr. Starmer said that some arrests involved people accused of inciting violence online.

The first person to be convicted over online posts since the riots, according to the Crown Prosecution Service , was a 28-year-old man from Leeds who posted messages on Facebook about attacking a hotel that housed asylum seekers. It said that the man, Jordan Parlour, had pleaded guilty and been convicted of using threatening words or behavior to stir up racial hatred.

Mr. Starmer has called out social media companies over misinformation on their platforms, but holding them accountable could be tricky. Britain adopted a law last year that requires social media companies to introduce protections for child safety and to prevent and quickly remove illegal content like terrorism propaganda and revenge pornography. The law is less clear about how companies must treat misinformation and incendiary language.

What are the political implications?

The riots are the first political crisis for Mr. Starmer, who took office a month ago after his Labour Party defeated the Conservatives, who had been in government for 14 years.

While in power, the Conservatives tried to capitalize on public unhappiness over immigration, vowing to reduce it (though failing to do so). But in recent days they joined Labour in condemning the violent protests.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, now the opposition leader, said the unrest had “nothing to do with the tragedy in Southport.” The police, he said, have “our full support to deal with these criminals swiftly.”

Megan Specia contributed reporting.

Lynsey Chutel covers South Africa and the countries that make up southern Africa from Johannesburg. More about Lynsey Chutel

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26 top places to see fall foliage in the u.s. in 2024.

Hit the road or the trail to view vibrant fall leaves across America.

The Top Places to See Fall Foliage

Getty Images

There's no other time of year quite like fall. Brisk, cool mornings give way to sun-warmed afternoons, and the dropping temperatures create a kaleidoscope of colors as the leaves change before winter sets in. The displays of color are different across the U.S., but they're all brilliant when leaf-peeping season is at its peak.

Peak leaf season varies by region and by year, depending on the weather, so it's best to check with local sources before you go. Many top destinations to view fall's splendor have leaf and foliage maps and trackers so you can follow the local predictions and current conditions – and arrive just in time for the best of the season. Some of these destinations will be familiar, while others are lesser-known locales where you can capture and embrace fall's beauty.

So, pack your jacket and jeans, then grab your camera to capture one of nature's best spectacle.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park covers nearly 50,000 acres along the rocky coast of Maine. Located about 160 miles northeast of Portland, the park boasts the diverse natural beauty of the Atlantic shoreline, including majestic mountains. Peak leaf season in Acadia traditionally falls in the middle of October. This is when you'll see the vibrant displays of oranges, reds and yellows, especially along the Acadia All-American Road, one of the best scenic drives to view the fall colors.

While visiting Acadia , plan to stay at the nearby coastal town of Bar Harbor , considered to be the gateway to the park. Bar Harbor Inn & Spa , situated along picturesque Frenchman Bay, is an outstanding choice for an overnight stay: The historic property offers impressive views of the water as well as Maine's Porcupine Islands. While in town, you can take a whale watching tour and treat yourself to a traditional lobster dinner at Beal's Lobster Pier.

McKenzie River Scenic Byway, Oregon

Melanie Griffin | Courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast

The 34-mile McKenzie River Scenic Byway extends from the vineyards of the Willamette Valley to the forests of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon , treating travelers and road-trippers to views of some of the Pacific Northwest's most beautiful landscapes. Plan your visit for peak season when the golds and reds are most vibrant, usually in mid-to-late October.

The McKenzie River boasts some of the best fly-fishing in Oregon, so anglers will want to cast off for native redside rainbow and cutthroat trout along the way. Other highlights include stops at local farm stands and at Goodpasture Bridge in Vida, which is the state's second-longest covered bridge. For an extended romantic getaway that includes days spent fly-fishing, whitewater rafting and hiking to waterfalls, make reservations at the Eagle Rock Lodge, a bed-and-breakfast for couples in Vida.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts

Situated about 130 miles west of Boston and surrounded by mountains, the Berkshires are one of the most scenic places to view fall foliage in New England . The leaves begin changing at the end of September, but peak season starts around mid-October. You can expect to see colors ranging from golden yellows to vivid oranges to deep reds. If you're up for a hike, take the Stony Ledge trail from the Williamstown side of Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts at nearly 3,500 feet. This route offers one of the best viewing points of the foliage from midway up the mountain.

Back on the ground, the Berkshires feature world-class arts and entertainment offerings along with a deep-rooted food culture with many locally focused dining options. You can also explore the apple orchards and hops farms along the Berkshire Farm & Table Beer & Cider Trail. For accommodations in the Berkshires , splurge on a stay at The Williams Inn, an upscale hotel with a contemporary design that emulates local farmhouse architecture.

Charlottesville, Virginia

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia, Charlottesville offers spectacular scenery accentuated by fall's vivid hues. Mid-to-late October is when you'll usually see the most dazzling red, orange and yellow leaves, but the colors can linger into early November, depending on the weather. Some of the best viewing spots with scenic overlooks are along the neighboring Blue Ridge Parkway and the connecting Skyline Drive in nearby Shenandoah National Park .

When you're not leaf peeping, plan to visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello: the former home, gardens and grounds of the third U.S. president. Travel along the Monticello Wine Trail to sample some of Virginia's award-winning vintages at wineries such as Michael Shaps Wineworks, Barboursville Vineyards and Jefferson Vineyards. In the evenings, travelers can unwind over a seasonally inspired dinner at Marigold by Jean-Georges before settling in at the beautiful luxury property Keswick Hall.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Courtesy of Visit Bucks County

Bucks County's picturesque country roads and covered bridges create an idyllic setting for viewing fall's colorful palette. Located in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania and bordered by New Jersey and the Delaware River to the east, Bucks County has a rich Revolutionary War history and is known for its thriving cultural and arts community. Peak leaf season typically occurs in mid-October, bringing vibrant hues of yellows, oranges and reds to the area.

For a scenic escape to the Pennsylvania countryside, make reservations at The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, a luxury B&B in Holicong. You can spend your brisk fall days exploring the shops and restaurants in New Hope or checking out the annual Scarecrows in the Village display at Peddler's Village in Lahaska. Visitors may also want to take a self-guided driving tour of Bucks County's 12 covered bridges or sip and savor local wines along the Bucks County Wine Trail.

French Lick West Baden, Indiana

Courtesy of French Lick Resort

Located in southern Indiana, French Lick West Baden is a resort community nestled in the hills of Hoosier National Forest that features some of Indiana's best leaf-peeping locales. The yellows, oranges and reds are usually the most vivid from mid-October and later, with peak colors appearing at the end of the month. For active adventures in the colorful scenery, go hiking, biking or horseback riding. You can also hop on board a train ride into the forest on the French Lick Scenic Railway. When you want to kick back and relax, spend an afternoon sipping wine with a view on a Fall Foliage Wine Cruise on Patoka Lake.

There are three hotels to choose from at the historic French Lick Resort, including the newest property, the 71-room Valley Tower Hotel. A must-see no matter which property you choose is the stunning atrium at the West Baden Springs Hotel . Spanning 200 feet wide and constructed more than a century ago, this engineering feat was once known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." While at the resort, you can enjoy all of the amenities, including three golf courses, two spas and a Vegas-style casino.

The Mississippi River Valley, Minnesota

Colorful wooded bluffs, steep hillsides and quaint river towns are all highlights of the Mississippi River Valley region in southern Minnesota – best enjoyed on a leisurely drive. The nearly 90-mile route from the town of Red Wing to La Crescent on U.S. Route 61 also features scenic overlooks, including two must-see locations at Great River Bluffs and Frontenac state parks. This drive along the Mississippi River – part of the 3,000-mile Great River Road, which begins in Minnesota and runs south through 10 states to conclude in Louisiana – celebrates peak fall colors from late September to mid-October.

As you take in the brilliant hues of russet, red and gold along the ride, be sure to stop for an afternoon snack at a roadside apple stand. Bird lovers may be eager to see the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota. While in this town, grab dinner and a beer before spending the night at Turning Waters Bed, Breakfast and Brewery. Further down the road, don't miss the town of Winona, home to the small but impressive collection of works that explore the human relationship with water at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Situated at 9,600 feet above sea level in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is one of the first places in Colorado to witness fall's brilliant changing of the leaves. While the aspen trees' golds, reds and oranges usually peak by late September, the season can linger into early October. For optimal leaf viewing, plan to drive the 22-mile Boreas Pass: This route begins in Como and heads north to Breckenridge.

While visiting, enjoy brisk fall days hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding or fly-fishing surrounded by the beauty of the Rockies. If you're in town in mid-September, don your best alpine gear and attend the festivities at Breckenridge Oktoberfest. For an extended stay with a view, reserve accommodations at The Lodge at Breckenridge . This property nestled atop a forested cliff is regarded as one of the world's highest-altitude hotels at 10,200 feet.

Hudson, New York

Nestled in the Hudson River Valley in Columbia County, around 120 miles north of New York City , Hudson is a small town that offers a distinct food, arts and farming culture. There's also a unique history to explore, especially when it comes to architecture: Known as a "dictionary of architectural history," Hudson boasts many well-preserved buildings from almost every major period in America. The area's bounty of trees produce brilliant red, orange and gold hues beginning at the end of September, with peak viewing time around mid-to-late October.

For a unique way to see the foliage, get a designated driver and plan a road trip around the Hudson Valley Wine and Craft Beverage Map, which features more than 100 wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries. After the drive, browse the town's boutiques and antique shops before checking into The Hudson Whaler Hotel, a beautifully restored property in the heart of downtown.

If you'd prefer to cruise the Hudson River Valley to see the fall foliage, American Cruise Lines offers summer and fall Hudson River cruise itineraries. The round-trip sailings from New York City include five stops in New York state: Catskill, Albany, Hyde Park, West Point and the town of Sleepy Hollow, which is the home of Ichabod Crane and the legendary tale of his flight from the headless horseman.

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Fall is harvest season in the Willamette Valley and one of the best times to visit the renowned wine region. The days are sunny and cool during peak foliage, which typically falls around mid-October. Leaf peepers can expect to see brilliant hues of yellow, orange and red against the deep green shade of the evergreen Douglas fir – the state tree of Oregon. Willamette Valley is home to more than 700 wineries, with many producing internationally acclaimed vintages, so you may want to hire a private guide to craft your itinerary around the best wines and the best views.

McMinnville is situated in the heart of wine country and is a perfect base for exploring the region. The historic downtown offers plenty of non-wine fun with quirky shops and art galleries and restaurants featuring locally sourced and award-winning cuisine – including ōkta, which is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Matthew Lightner. For an overnight stay, reserve accommodations at the luxury boutique Atticus Hotel. The 36-room hotel features seven distinct room categories, including the Luxury Bunkhouse that's perfect for a getaway with friends in Oregon's wine country.

Stowe, Vermont

Nestled at the base of Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, Stowe is one of the most picturesque villages in New England. It's also one of the best places to view the annual fall spectacle, with colors changing from early September through the end of October. Vermont is around 80% forested and boasts plenty of sugar maples, so autumn visitors can admire vibrant displays of red, gold and yellow leaves across the state. One of the prettiest drives to see the foliage is along the Smugglers' Notch Pass through the Green Mountains in Smugglers' Notch State Park.

If you're planning for several days of leaf-peeping activities, a room at the Austrian-inspired Trapp Family Lodge can be your home base while you go horseback riding, rent a canoe or hop on the seasonal Stowe Gondola SkyRide to the summit of Mount Mansfield for unparalleled views. Back in town, check out local breweries like The Alchemist or von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall.

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Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Set in the White Mountains of New Hampshire , Bretton Woods is one of the top destinations in the state to view fall foliage. Leaf-peeping season begins in mid-September and continues through late October – this is when the most vibrant yellows, oranges, reds and even purples will paint the surrounding mountains. Due to the many tree species, it can be hard to predict peak foliage in this area, but you'll likely have the most luck around the second week of October.

To enjoy the spectacle for several days, make reservations at the Omni Mount Washington Resort . This historic property sits at the base of the highest peak in the Northeast, giving guests a front-row seat to the show. During your stay, dash through the treetops on a zip line canopy tour, enjoy a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride or take a thrilling trip on the Mount Washington Cog Railway. You may also opt to take in the sights on a gondola ride and have lunch atop the mountain. Back on the ground, book a signature spa treatment and relax with expansive views of the Presidential Range, Crawford Notch and Mount Washington from the therapy rooms.

Northwoods, Wisconsin

The Northwoods of Wisconsin comprises five counties boasting thousands of lakes and vast forests perfect for fall leaf-peeping adventures. The northern part of the state offers some of the best foliage viewing in Wisconsin, typically between mid-September and early October, when you can see vibrant shades of orange, red, yellow and purple. If you want to experience the local art scene – and take in the autumn views – the Northwoods Art Tour takes place every fall in October. Visitors can stop at dozens of unique sites featuring artisan jewelry, pottery, woodwork, glass pieces, sculpting, painting and more throughout the Northwoods.

Stop for a few days in Boulder Junction to see more of the area and take in some of the outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, golfing, kayaking and more. Located in Vilas County, the charming town is home to hundreds of biking and hiking trails and nearly as many lakes. You'll also find cute local shops to peruse and casual restaurants downtown and on Main Street. Take your pick of rustic cabin-style accommodations and private rentals or reserve a room at one of the motor lodges in town: Boulder Bear or Boulder Junction.

Highlands, North Carolina

This picturesque mountain town sits at more than 4,100 feet in elevation on the Highlands Plateau in the Nantahala National Forest. Highlands is also located in a temperate rainforest, so the vegetation is lush and there are many waterfalls, rivers and lakes to explore in and around the area. Leaf-peeping season typically begins in mid-October, when you'll see leaves starting to turn bright yellow and orange, as well as deeper hues of red, rust and even purple.

There are many active outdoor activities to enjoy in this region, such as hiking, fly-fishing and golfing, but the community also has a vibrant cultural arts scene. During your visit, check out the exhibits at The Bascom (a visual arts center), as well as events at the Highlands Performing Arts Center and the new Mountain Theater Company. While in town, reserve accommodations at Old Edwards Inn and Spa . This beautiful Relais & Châteaux property, located in the heart of Highlands, puts visitors within walking distance of the many restaurants and boutiques located on Main Street.

Whidbey Island, Washington

The 55-mile Whidbey Isle Scenic Way is one of the driving routes along Puget Sound in what's known as "Washington's ultimate road trip": the Cascade Loop. Peak color along the loop typically occurs between late September to mid-October with brilliant shades of gold, orange, and red – and you'll have plenty of opportunities for leaf peeping with all the farms, parks, mountains and wineries along the way. The scenic drive on Whidbey Island begins as you cross over historic Deception Pass Bridge and head south toward the largest town on the island, Oak Harbor. This coastal city is home to Deception Pass State Park and many Garry white oak trees that are native to the Pacific Coast.

In Coupeville, the second-oldest town in the state, more than 100 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stop for photos at Fort Casey State Park and the Admiralty Head Lighthouse before feasting on local Penn Cove mussels at one of the waterfront restaurants. Other highlights on the drive include Greenbank Farm, where you can sample local wines and cheeses surrounded by the Olympic Mountains and the Cascade Range, as well as the town of Langley, known as the "Village by the Sea." This charming artsy community sits atop a bluff overlooking the Saratoga Passage and the Cascade Mountains.

Letchworth State Park, New York

Letchworth State Park, fondly known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," is home to some of the most striking fall foliage views in the U.S. The park's 14,300-plus acres of lush forest usually hit their peak in early-to-mid-October, when leaf peepers will be treated to yellow, orange and red foliage framing the magnificent Genesee Gorge and Genesee River. Explore this unique setting on miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, including the park's new Autism Nature Trail, a milelong hiking loop with marked sensory stations. You can also take to the skies in a hot air balloon with Balloons Over Letchworth, the only company that launches from inside the gorge.

While you're visiting Letchworth State Park, be sure to check out the surrounding Wyoming and Livingston counties for fun fall activities. You can soak in the views in Wyoming County with a Fall Foliage Train Ride on the Arcade & Attica Railroad, or head to Livingston for a free ranger-led walking tour of the Mount Morris Dam. When you're ready to relax, explore local craft beer, wine, cider and spirits along the LivCo Libation Loop. Stay the night in the heart of Letchworth State Park at the Glen Iris Inn, which offers convenient access to both counties and overlooks Middle Falls on the Genesee River.

Tunnel of Trees, Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Known as the Tunnel of Trees, this 20-mile scenic route follows the historic Michigan 119 highway between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. The area's canopies of golds, oranges, yellows and crimsons are on display typically from late September to mid-October. A few highlights for travelers include visiting the picturesque waterfront resort town of Harbor Springs and sampling authentic Polish cuisine at the iconic Legs Inn restaurant in Cross Village.

For overnight lodging, plan to stay at The Highlands, a Boyne Resort in Harbor Springs. This property offers many outdoor activities, including zip lining, horseback riding, biking and swimming. While here, reserve a seat on the Heather Express chairlift: This excursion to the top of the mountain affords incredible views of Little Traverse Bay, Harbor Springs and the area's beautiful fall foliage.

North Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada

North Lake Tahoe, which unfurls across both California and Nevada, is surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, so there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, from kayaking and paddleboarding to boating and relaxing on the area's many beaches. When it comes to viewing fall's splendor, hundreds of biking and hiking trails with 10-plus different species of native trees show off the red, orange and yellow foliage.

The best time to see the colorful leaves is from about mid-September to late October, especially at the top leaf-peeping locales: Tahoe Meadows, Ellis Peak, Mount Rose Summit and Sugar Pine Point State Park. For a memorable getaway, book accommodations at the Everline Resort & Spa at the base of Olympic Valley. Amenities at this luxury resort include a golf course with a view, a luxurious spa and various outdoor experiences, such as guided fly-fishing trips, hiking and backpacking.

The Ozarks, Arkansas

Situated in the northern part of Arkansas , the Ozark Mountains are the perfect destination to explore the outdoors and marvel at autumn's palette of bright golds, reds and oranges. The transformation typically begins around the second week of October, and peak colors appear by late October. One of the top spots to view the foliage is in the Buffalo National River area around the small town of Ponca. This beautiful wilderness destination in the mountains offers the opportunity to disconnect and get away from it all.

While here, take time to hike or float down the river – all the while keeping an eye out for wild elk. Fall is when the bulls are battling to become king of the herd, so they're especially active during this time of year. Plan to reserve one of the cabins in the mountains above Ponca. Vantage points from these properties yield incredible stargazing opportunities, as well as memorable sunrise and sunset views.

Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway, Maryland

The roughly 40-mile scenic drive from Emmitsburg to Point of Rocks runs along U.S. Route 15 in Maryland . Known as "hallowed ground" and considered sacred by some, this long stretch of road highlights significant Civil War sites and pristine natural areas, including Catoctin Mountain Park, home to the presidential residence Camp David. The best time to make the journey to view the foliage on the Maryland route is between late September and early November, with peak season around mid-October.

One not-to-be-missed detour is a stop to see the 78-foot waterfall and gorge in Cunningham Falls State Park. If you're after a challenging hike with great views, travelers say Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson can't be missed. Afterward, spend time exploring the shops, art galleries, distilleries, breweries and restaurants in the historic city of Frederick. You can book an overnight stay at one of the charming local B&Bs, such as 10 Clarke. If you're up for more fall festivities, visit nearby Gaver Farm in Mount Airy, whose Fall Fun Fest has a corn maze and more than 65 attractions, including a zip line, a chicken show, jumping pillows and giant slides.

Adirondacks, New York

The Adirondacks offer leaf peepers 10 distinct regional destinations covering more than 6 million acres in the northeast corner of New York state. Adventurers can head to the Lake Placid region in late September and early October to hike the Adirondack High Peaks, which offer the best mountain vistas during peak fall foliage. While you're in the region, be sure to visit the Olympic Jumping Complex. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the ski jumps for a bird's-eye view of the Adirondacks before heading back down on a zip line.

In the first two weeks of October, you'll find peak leaf peeping around Lake George, a popular vacation spot with 109 miles of shoreline and 300-plus islands. Hike nearby Prospect Mountain for a breathtaking view overlooking the lake's beautiful blue waters and the vibrant yellows, oranges and reds of the surrounding forest. For an authentic Adirondack stay without sacrificing resort luxuries, book a vacation rental at The Lodges at Cresthaven. Located on the shores of Lake George, this resort property offers a host of amenities along with Adirondack decor and panoramic views of the lake.

Anchorage to Kenai, Alaska

The epic landscapes of Alaska are awash with vibrant reds, purples, yellows and oranges – and even snow-capped mountaintops – from late August through September as fall arrives in The Great Land. The autumn colors across the state's vast wilderness, forests and tundra change quickly as winter approaches, beginning in mid-to-late August in the Arctic regions and lasting as late as October in southern areas like Tongass National Forest.

This roughly 160-mile drive on the Seward and Sterling highways from Anchorage to Kenai travels along two National Scenic Byways. You'll find many vantage points along the way to take in the jaw-dropping views and capture photos. The first 50 miles of Seward Highway follow the Chugach Mountains and the shoreline of Turnagain Arm, where you may catch a glimpse of Dall sheep, beluga whales and eagles. From Tern Lake to Skilak Lake on Sterling Highway, you won't want to miss the sight of the Kenai River's teal glacial waters set against the orange and yellow leaves.

For a side trip en route, visitors can plan to stay in one of the recently refreshed Signature Rooms at the beautiful Alyeska Resort, about 40 miles southeast of Anchorage. Indulge in a day at the Alyeska Nordic Spa and, if you visit by mid-September, take a ride on the aerial tramway to the top of Mount Alyeska for panoramic views from above. Be sure to save up enough energy to chase the aurora borealis in the wee morning hours, as the northern lights dance across the night sky from mid-August to mid-April in Alaska .

The Poconos, Pennsylvania

One of the best ways to view the Pocono Mountains' vibrant fall hues of reds, yellows, oranges and purples is with a scenic drive along U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania. This road meanders through charming towns like Milford, Hawley and Honesdale, where you can take in autumn festivities that include the Hawley Harvest Hoedown and Honesdale's Harvest and Heritage Days. Another optimal viewing spot for the foliage is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area with its 70,000 acres of forests and wetlands, the two tallest waterfalls in the state, and more than 150 miles of hiking trails.

The peak season for vibrant leaves in the Poconos depends on the region (north or south) and the progression of temperatures in the fall, but you can typically expect the best viewing from mid-September through the peak season in early-to-mid-October. For up-to-the-minute information, check the fall foliage forecast on the Poconos Mountain website . After a busy day of exploring, The French Manor Inn and Spa is the perfect place to kick back, relax and admire even more of autumn's beauty. This luxury property is perched atop Huckleberry Mountain in Newfoundland, offering spectacular views of the kaleidoscope of leaf colors.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

The majesty of Mount Rainier, with its summit reaching 14,410 feet above sea level, is even more breathtaking surrounded by fall's vibrant colors. While you can see the peak from miles around, a drive through Mount Rainier National Park can bring you up-close viewing of the spectacle. Top leaf-peeping areas include the White Pass Scenic Byway to Chinook Pass via Bethel Ridge – if you have a high-clearance vehicle. Visitors may consider making a side trip to Cash Prairie before venturing on to Timberwolf Mountain. Peak season to capture the brilliant crimsons, ambers and golds can vary, but it typically occurs between mid-October through early November.

While in the park, enjoy other favorite fall activities such as foraging for local mushrooms – chanterelles, hen-of-the-woods and matsutake, for example. You can also book an early-morning Elk Bugling Tour at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park to see the Roosevelt elk sparring during their "rut," or breeding season. For rustic accommodations to enjoy the great outdoors while visiting the park, reserve a cabin or campsite at Mounthaven Resort.

North Conway, New Hampshire

For prime autumn foliage in one of the best small towns for an adventure, head up to North Conway in New Hampshire . Located roughly 85 miles north of Portsmouth, this small town is encompassed by the White Mountain National Forest and home to Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast. With dozens of foot hike options through the surrounding 700,000 acres of protected forest, there's no shortage of leaf-peeping opportunities. Peak colors typically paint the landscape with vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow from the end of September into the first two weeks of October.

A ride along the Kancamagus Highway – affectionately called "The Kanc" by locals – is a must-do. The 34-mile scenic drive will immerse you in a fall wonderland as it winds through the New Hampshire countryside, but make sure to fill your tank before you set off, as there are no gas stations or stores along the highway.

While you're in the area, don't forget to indulge in North Conway's other unique activities. Enjoy the perks of tax-free shopping at Settlers Green Outlet Village or grab a chairlift ride at Cranmore Mountain Resort. If you decide to hop aboard the historic Conway Scenic Railroad, experience 360-degree views of the fall foliage in a deluxe dome car on the 1950s-era transcontinental streamlined train. When you're ready to settle in for the night, the Cranmore Inn, a boutique inn located in the center of town, blends modern amenities with historical charm.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses more than 522,400 acres across the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. The Smokies are known for their incredible display of autumn hues with about 100 species of native trees. At 4,000 feet in elevation and above, leaf peepers can expect to see intense shades of red, orange and brown during peak season, which is typically around early-to-mid-October. Lower-elevation towns like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg will experience peak color around mid-October to early November.

The highest summit in Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Clingmans Dome, sits at 6,643 feet and offers one of the best views of the foliage, with panoramic vistas from a 54-foot observation tower. The 11-mile one-way loop at Cades Cove (accessible from the nearby town of Townsend, Tennessee) is another top spot for seeing the colorful display in the park. This scenic valley features hiking trails, historic homesites, a visitor center, a campground, a riding stable and a picnic area.

Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove can be very busy with tourists in the fall, so another option is to take a drive on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which is a round-trip scenic route from downtown Gatlinburg. You can also head out on one of the many hiking trails in the park to see Mother Nature's spectacle. If you're planning to stay a few days to explore the park and the nearby towns, make reservations at the Historic Rocky Waters Inn, A Small Luxury Hotel in Gatlinburg. The property also offers curated guided experiences inside and outside the park for its guests.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi was born in Pennsylvania, one of the top places in the country (and the world) to view fall foliage, with the longest and most varied autumn season. She's also lived in other states known for their beautiful leaf-peeping seasons: Virginia, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Tennessee. Pratesi has been known to take road trips wherever she travels to view fall's kaleidoscope of colors, especially in the Pacific Northwest; in Western states like Colorado, Montana and Wyoming; and all along the East Coast. She also enjoys seeing autumn's colorful display from the deck of a cruise or river ship in the U.S. and along the coast of Canada.

Erin Vasta grew up in the Shenandoah Valley surrounded by prime leaf-peeping destinations. Through her travels around the East Coast, she has enjoyed taking hikes, scenic drives or historic train rides to see the fall foliage. Whether by planning the perfect leaf-peeping excursion or hopping in the car for an impromptu drive, Vasta believes there's no bad way to take in autumn's hues, but she hopes this guide will help you take full advantage of this incredible season.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Places to Visit in the Fall
• The Top Fall Family Vacation Ideas
• The Best Fall Festivals in the U.S.
• The Best Places to Visit in October

Fun Fall Weekend Getaways

Tags: Travel , Fall Vacations , Vacation Ideas , US Vacations

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Harris to embark on a seven-state campaign blitz with her VP pick

Vice President Kamala Harris will set out this week on a swing-state campaign blitz, giving her a far heavier travel schedule than her opponent, former President Donald Trump.

It will be a critical week for Harris, who is rushing to introduce herself to voters with just three months until Election Day. It will also be the first time she will appear with her yet-to-be-announced running mate.

Starting Tuesday, Harris will campaign across seven swing states over five days, one of the heaviest weeks of campaign-related travel in the general election.

Her team has vetted six contenders to be her running mate: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Walz, Shapiro and Kelly each met separately with Harris on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the meetings.

Harris is set to appear alongside her running mate for the first time Tuesday in Philadelphia , where the pair will kick off the cross-country tour.

Her travel swing is a stark contrast to the pace of Trump and President Joe Biden. Trump has delivered remarks in 10 states since the June 27 debate, while Biden traveled to campaign stops in eight states during the final 24 days of his candidacy. Harris’ travel this week will take her to seven states in less than a fourth of the time.

Harris will visit five states that she and Biden flipped blue in 2020: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia and Arizona. She will also make stops in North Carolina, which Biden lost by a slim margin, and Nevada, where Democrats won narrowly.

The trip highlights the generational gap between Harris compared with Biden and Trump, Democratic allies said.

Biden’s candidacy was consistently plagued by voter concerns about his age, and his final weeks as the presumptive nominee were punctuated by a stream of congressional Democrats urging him to pass the torch to a new generation.

“Age really does matter” when it comes to a candidate’s ability to commit to long campaign trips, said Amanda Renteria, who was the national political director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.

Harris, 59, is a generation younger than Trump, 78, and Biden, 81.

In 2020, Biden was the oldest presidential winner in history. If elected, Trump would be the oldest sitting president by the end of his term.

“It is amazing what candidates can do when they’re traveling around, and you don’t know what time it is, and you don’t know what day it is, but everyone’s in it,” she said. “And you can only sustain that for so long. And when you’re at the age of Trump, I don’t know how you keep up with that.”

Trump is scheduled this week to hold a rally Friday and deliver remarks at a dinner in Montana, a state he won in 2020 with 56.9% of the vote. He is also scheduled to hold a fundraiser Saturday in Colorado, which Biden won by a similar margin in 2020. Neither state is considered to be a swing state.

Reached for comment, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung pointed to the overall difference in the number of Trump and Harris campaign trips.

"In this cycle, President Trump has by far visited more battleground states, held more rallies, held more fundraisers, done more interviews and engaged with local reporters," Cheung said of Trump, who launched his campaign more than a year and a half before Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee.

"Kamala Harris can’t even give a simple media interview since she was anointed the Democrat nominee," he continued. Harris has not held a sit-down media interview since Biden dropped out of the race on July 21, though she has answered journalists' questions in media gaggles.

In the days after Biden's widely panned June debate in Georgia, his campaign was in damage control mode. Biden spoke at a North Carolina rally and traveled to fundraisers in New York, New Jersey and Virginia before he held a rally in Wisconsin.

His next campaign trips were to Pennsylvania, Michigan and Nevada, the last of which was cut short when he contracted Covid. Days later, he dropped out of the race.

Democratic National Committee spokesperson Abhi Rahman said that if Biden had stayed in the race, "I'm sure that there would have been blitzes like this, as well."

But now "there's definitely a lot of desire to make sure that the vice president is defining herself and her VP before Republicans get a chance to," Rahman said. "So the timing of this definitely goes with that."

When Biden was the presumptive nominee, the Trump campaign aimed many of its attacks at his cognitive ability, leaning into voters' concerns about his age. But with Harris' being a generation younger than Trump, Republicans have had to pivot their approach.

"I think she's making a point of her relative youth and vitality," said Bill Galston, a Brookings Institution fellow and official in President Bill Clinton's administration. "It's a point that she doesn't have to talk about because she's just showing it."

Harris' campaign swing is also consistent with how candidates typically pick up the pace as the election draws closer, said Aleigha Cavalier, a Democratic strategist at the strategy and marketing agency Precision Strategies. But she said Harris' travel pace compared to Trump's and Biden's is "a real advantage."

"I think the fact that she's willing and able to do this many events in a small amount of time is something that can make a real difference, especially when we're less than a hundred days out" from the election, Cavalier said.

Traveling for campaign events can create more opportunities for local media coverage, accelerate fundraising and identify potential future volunteers, said Eric Jaye, a Democratic consultant at Storefront Political Media, a campaign consulting firm. But most important, candidates are activating thousands of "micro-influencers" at rallies, he said.

"They're all holding up their phones, and they're all publishers," he said, adding that when rallygoers post pictures of themselves with a candidate, "that will go out to their networks, which is an endorsement for their networks."

"If you can get 10,000 people to share that they trust Kamala Harris, that has an impact as a form of media and communication in and of itself," Jaye said. "So essentially these are conventions of micro-influencers."

Already, the Harris campaign has touted a groundswell of volunteer support, noting in a memo released Saturday that over the previous 12 days, volunteers had placed 2.3 million phone calls and knocked on 172,000 doors.

The seven-state tour “shows that she has a ton of energy,” Renteria said. “It shows that her campaign is ready to go and is thinking through things and able to execute well. So it’s super exciting.”

Megan Lebowitz is a politics reporter for NBC News.