south dakota to idaho road trip

12 Days Road Trip through Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas, & Wyoming

Teddy and I took the road trip of a lifetime in the late summer of 2022. We headed to five states that were new for the two of us to visit together – Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming. I’d been to each of these before, but some were brand new to Teddy. We wanted to see National Parks and Monuments, small towns, the open range and mountains, wildlife, and beautiful scenery of more rural parts of the United States. We accomplished all of that and so much more. This was also the trip where Teddy proposed and we were able to enjoy our new engagement in some of the most beautiful areas of the United States.

Below you’ll find suggestions on what to do each day if you plan to do some portion or all of this trip. I’ve linked both blog posts to a deeper dive into some of the areas as well as posts to business or location websites to help you in your research. Teddy and I don’t mind driving and being in the car for 3-6 hours a day to get places. We call these trips our “Scouting Trips” so that then we know where we’d like to go back to and where we’d don’t necessarily need to visit again. While some places like Glacier you may know ahead of time you’d like to visit for a few days, others like the Black Hills or the Bitterroot National Forest area you may not realize until you’re there. After each trip, he and I write down what we would like to revisit in the area and for how long and what we’re okay to not do again. We also include anything we missed or just didn’t have time for along the way. So by the end of each trip, we have a few additional trips planned in our minds for the future.

I’ve also included a map at the bottom of the post to show. you where exactly we went in each state. It doesn’t include every single stop but includes most of them. We drove about 3000 miles in 12 or so days which is about 250 miles a day or 4 hours of driving on average per day. If you’d like to travel slower than that, cut out some of the stops or add more days to your trip. We are fully aware that our travel style is not everyone’s travel style.

DAY 1 – Boise & Southern Idaho

• Fly into Boise. Depending what time your plane lands, grab lunch or coffee in town before beginning your exploration of southern Idaho .
• Visit Box Canyon. Go for a hike on the Box Canyon Springs Trail . We did part of this trail but the heat was quite awful the day we were there so we opted to just get a few looks over the trail, and not finish it completely.
• Drive 30 minutes east to Twin Falls. Check out the Perrine Bridge and see if you can spot any base jumpers. We saw so many the afternoon we were there.
• Walk under a waterfall at Perrine Coulee Falls . I’ve never been able to do that at a waterfall before, so this was a stop we both have as a highlight of our trip.
• Drive over to the 900 foot wide falls at Shoshone Falls. I do think it’s worth a look, but keep in mind it is man made because of the hydroelectric plan there. It’s not a fully “natural” waterfall.
• Head to South Market in town for dinner. It’s a food hall and you have an opportunity to try an array of food and ice cream!
• Stay overnight along I-84 (We stayed in Blackfoot)

DAY 2 – Tetons National Park

• Get up early the next morning and begin making your way to Wyoming. Try to get up early enough that you’re able to see sunrise in Teton National Park .
• Drive to Mormon Row and check out the various old barns along the dirt road.
• Check out the Snake River Overlook and Oxbow Bend
• Take the boat across Jenny Lake and then hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
• Get lunch in Jackson Hole downtown where there are quite a few options or grab coffee at Cowboy Coffee Co. in town. Stretch your legs and walk into some of the shops.
• Head back into the park and go on the hikes from String Lake to Leigh Lake . This is one of the most peaceful ares that’s easy to get to in the park. (And a special place for us since Teddy proposed here)
• Find a spot for dinner in the park at one of the Restaurants or back in Jackson. We enjoyed the sunset view at the Mural Room in Jackson Lake Lodge as an engagement celebration dinner. We probably would have eaten somewhere a little lower key if it hadn’t been for us celebrating.
• Check into your lodging for the night within the park or in Jackson. We stayed in a small cabin at Colter Bay which was perfect for us.

DAY 3 – Tetons & Yellowstone National Parks

• Get up early and go to Schwabacher Landing for sunrise. It’s one of the most magical experiences in the park. Try to get there 30 minutes before sunrise.
• Head into Jackson for Breakfast. Bonus points if it happens to be their farmer’s market day like it was when we went.
• Head back into the park and hike one of the trails like Taggart Lake or Moose Ponds . We opted to hike the other direction at String Lake which we didn’t see the day prior and because we wanted to take some photos of where got engaged.
• Drive north into Yellowstone National Park . It’s a pretty drive but not a lot along the way until you get into the park.
• Take the left at the branch to drive into the West Thumb toward Old Faithful. Since we both saw Old Faithful before, we skipped it, but if it’s your first time, it’s worth a stop.
• Head to the parking lot for the Fairy Falls / Grand Prismatic Overlook trail. Depending on how much energy you have, at least hike to the Grand Prismatic Overlook . If you want, you can head a few miles further to Fairy Falls. Our intention was to go to both on our trip but we had a thunderstorm roll in when we were hiking so we headed back to the car after the Grand Prismatic.
• Drive to West Yellowstone for dinner. We loved our food at The Buffalo Bar and highly recommend the Bison Queso and the Huckleberry Margarita
• Drive toward the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone area and check out some of the scenic stops along the way. We were able to see a bear along our drive!
• Stay overnight inside the park. We picked Canyon Village since it was a good location for us.

DAY 4 – Yellowstone National Park, Cody, & The Big Horns

• Get up early and try to go see some wildlife. We went to the Hayden Valley to hopefully see some wolves. Unfortunately no wolves but quite a few bison.
• The next stop was Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. While I appreciate the waterfall, I thought the view looking the other way with the red rocks into the canyon was even more spectacular.
• We grabbed breakfast at one of the lodges before heading out of the park through the east entrance. Teddy and I have both been to Yellowstone on previous trips, so we intentionally planned our time here to be just one day, especially since some portions of the park were still closed after the flooding earlier in 2022.
• Drive to Cody and stop in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West . Teddy and I are not really museum people but we went to this one for a few hours and loved it. It is 5 museums in one so I checked out the Plains Indian Museum and Teddy visited the Cody Firearms and part of the Natural History museum. To see this whole museum would probably take days, so choose 1-2 areas you’d really like to see.
• Have lunch in Downtown Cody. We ate at the Proud Cut Saloon . We loved the decor and the food was our vibe. Walk around some of the shops in town before heading further toward Ten Sleep.
• If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat in 10 Sleep before heading into Big Horn National Forest. There’s the Sleepy Coyote Cafe & Bar and 1 Cow.
• Go for a hike in the Bighorns. We loved the James T. Saban Lookout hike. It’s short but steep and had beautiful views. We were also the only ones there during our visit.
• Stay overnight in Buffalo.

DAY 5 – Devil’s Tower, Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial

• Drive to Devil’s Tower National Monument. Like most other days, this is a great one to get up early to not only beat the crowds, but to see Devil’s tower in a beautiful bluish purple light in the morning.
• Hike around the base of the Tower. You can choose either the Devil’s Tower Trail at 1.7 Miles or the Red Beds Trail at 2.8 miles. Or both! It’s really hard to describe our experience here but it felt a little magical, very peaceful, while also feeling like you were part of something bigger that happened there. Again, really hard to describe, but it was one of my favorite places on our entire trip and we were only there for about 2-3 hours.
• Head toward Rapid City, South Dakota.
• Take a cave tour through Wind Cave National Park . You’ll need tickets for this one since you can only do a guided tour, but worth it. It’s very different than other caves I’ve visited like Luray , Carlsbad , and Mammoth .
• Drive north after your tour into Custer State Park . On the way, check out the fire lookout hike to a firetower on Rankin Ridge .
• Drive the scenic Wildlife Loop in Custer. This one does cost an entrance fee, but is good for 7 days and you’ll use it the next day. Hopefully you will see bison, wild burros, and other unique animals along your drive!
• Drive into Custer for dinner. Go to The Begging Burro . Teddy loved his meal so much he wanted come back the next day. He got a Mezcal Steak and it was incredible.
• Watch the Light Show at Crazy Horse Memorial . While you wait for the show, visit the museum and learn about the individuals who lived in this area initially as well as the development and meaning of the Crazy Horse structure. This was another favorite stop.
• Pick a spot in the Black Hills to stay overnight. We opted to stead in Hill City because of it’s location to what we were doing in the area.

DAY 6 – Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Badlands National Park, Spearfish Canyon

• Walk the Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore . Did you know the park opens at 5 AM? If you get there at first light, again no crowds, and yes beautiful light on the faces of the rock, but also you can see an incredible sunrise over the parking deck.
• Drive to Sylvan Lake . Again, another perk of this being first thing in the morning is that the sunlight on the rocks and lake is beautiful but also it is not packed full of people. This was another really special place to use on our trip. It was peaceful, surprising, and majestic. The 1 or so mile walk around the lake is worth the stop. If you want, check out the Sunday Gulch Trail that starts at the back of the lake for a more epic hike.
• Since it’s still early, drive the Needles Highway and go through the tunnels with again, pretty much nobody else on the road. If you have time, stop at the Cathedral Spires hike. We wished we would have done the hike as it looks incredible.
• Wall Drug & Badlands National Park is the next stop. It was about lunch when we got there, so we ate at the Badlands Saloon & Grill after checking out the famous Wall Drug. We also picked up coffee at Wall Stompin Grounds Coffee House before heading into the park.
• Drive the Scenic Road from west to east in the park. Stop at the various pulloffs and if you can, download the GyPSy guide to learn about the park while you’re driving.
• Hike the Windows, Doors, or Notch Trail (or all 3) and visit the Ben T. Reiffel Visitor Center and learn about the wild and mind blowing animals that used to live in this park millions of years ago.
• Drive back toward Rapid City and check out Spearfish Canyon – both the waterfalls and the wildlife. We did a short waterfall hike and on the way saw mountain goats along the stream.
• Stay overnight in the northern part of the Black Hills.

DAY 7 – Theodore Roosevelt National Park

• Stop at Blackbird Espresso for coffee and breakfast in Spearfish before your drive to Theodore Roosevelt National Park
• Make the 3 hour drive north to Theodore Roosevelt National Park . Grab a picnic lunch in Medora or sit down to eat prior to heading into the park as there aren’t options inside.
• Choose a few hikes in the park you’d like to do as you drive the scenic route. We opted for the Wind Canyon Trail which was short and ideal for a very hot day. We stopped at Buck Hill as well as the Coal Vein Trail area.
• Go to the Medora Musical. We didn’t get a chance to do this as we were tired and wanted to get more sleep rather than stay up for the musical.
• Overnight in Medora or Glendive

DAY 8 – Glacier National Park

• Pack your snacks and drinks and get ready for a long day of driving. Depending where you stay overnight, you will have about 8-9 hours of driving ahead of you to get to Glacier .
• We stopped at Milk River Mocha for coffee along the way, and then grabbed gas and snacks at a gas statoin, but other than that we just kept doing so we could get to Glacier by late afternoon.
• We stayed in Apgar Village because they had 2 nights of availability and it was within the park which meant we didn’t have to get passes for those days into the park.
• We relaxed at our cabin along the river before heading into Columbia Falls for dinner at Gunsight Saloon and to watch the Penn State Game.

DAY 9 – Glacier National Park

• Time to get up early again. To get a parking spot and beat the crowds, you will want to get to the trailhead for Avalanche Lake early. We got there before the sun even rose and were able to see that bluish purple light again on the mountains and lake. We even got to see a bear from a safe distance at the lake. This 6ish mile hike is a must do on the trip. The waterfalls in the background of the lake are beautiful as is the trail.
• Drive to Polebridge Mercantile for a Bearclaw. Be prepared as the roads to get there are more country stone/dirt roads than paved but it’s worth it. You can even grab lunch there too at the food truck or cafe.
• Relax by Lake MacDonald in the afternoon before getting dinner in Columbia Falls, Apgar, or somewhere else in the park. Then drive up to Logan Pass to watch the sunset.
• Then back down the Going to the Sun Road to your accommodations for the night.

DAY 10 – Glacier National Park

• Another early morning. Get up before sunrise so you can get to the trailhead for either the Highline Trail or Hidden Lakes Overlook Trail in the morning. They both depart from Logan Pass. While we wanted to do part of the Highline Trail, heights aren’t really our thing and neither are crowds, so we opted for the shorter and less crowded hike.
• We drove down the other side of the mountain with the attempt to go to Many Glacier. It was already full by the time we got there, but if you are able to get in, please go. So many people told us it was their favorite part of the park.
• Otherwise, grab lunch in St. Marys at the Snowgoose Grill & Gift Shop. We had a bison quesadilla which was divine.
• Go back into the park and hike the St. Mary’s, Virginia, and Baring Falls Hike. We only made it to Baring Falls because of where we parked and the heat, but would have loved to make it to all of them.
• We were tired, so we headed to our lodge in East Glacier for the night. We had intended to do another hike in the evening, but decided dinner and relaxing at the lodge sounded more appealing.

DAY 11 – Missoula & Hamilton

• Drive 3.5 toward Missoula stopping in Columbia Falls on the way for breakfast at coffee at Copper Mountain Coffee. Make a short stop at Great Gray Gifts along the drive.
• Grab lunch in downtown Missoula and walk around the city. We enjoyed our lunch at Tamarac Brewing Company and had hoped for ice cream at Sweet Peaks but it was closed the day we were there. We walked around town for a bit before heading just outside of town.
• Hike the “M” Trail. We didn’t get to as the smoke was coming in from the wild fires in the area but plan to next time we’re in the area.
• Drive to Hamilton and hike Blodgett Canyon . This was another we didn’t get to do because the smoke was awful further south and it was not a good idea to be outside for longer periods of time.
• Enjoy dinner downtown and check out some of the spots where scenes from Yellowstone were filmed.
• Stay overnight in Hamilton.

DAY 12 – Red Fish Lodge, Stanley, & Craters of the Moon National Monument

• Continue the drive south toward Red Fish Lodge in Stanley, Idaho.
• Hike the Fishhook Creek Trail. You’ll start off by taking a boat over to the trail. This is another one we didn’t get to do because of wildfire smoke. The road we planned to take to even get to this area had intermittent closures so we ended up detouring over to Craters of the Moon National Monument.
• Get your permit at the Visitor Center to go into a cave at Craters of the Moon or just enjoy a hike like the Devil’s Orchard Trail in the park. Check out the splatter cone and Inferno cone along the Scenic Loop.
• Head into Ketchum for dinner and walk around the cute shops.
• Stay overnight in the Ketchum and Sun Valley area.

DAY 13 – Homeward Bound

• Drive to Boise for your flight. If you’re from the east coast, stop at Dutch Bros. one last time before you leave. Don’t forget to dispose of your bear spray at a local recycling facility or check with your hotel if they take them.

Below is the map of about what we drove on our 3000 mile trip.

Happy travels!

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meganywhere

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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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 5 Day Itinerary

South Dakota is a hidden gem full of amazing adventure opportunities and unlike anything my dad and I imagined. We had an unforgettable one-week South Dakota road trip that took us from the majestic landscapes of Badlands National Park to the historic charm of Deadwood. Along the way we drank nickel coffee at Wall Drug, fed prairie dogs, traversed the Black Hills and even ate popcorn at the Corn Palace. Here is the full itinerary if you want to follow along with us and you can find a map to all these spots on the Patreon .

Day 1 – South Dakota Border to Deadwood

Our first day in South Dakota entailed a morning drive through Spearfish Canyon where we hiked many of the waterfalls trails on our way to Deadwood. Once in Deadwood, we spent the rest of the day exploring the town and diving into cowboy history. Here is how we spent day 1 in South Dakota.

DC Booth Fish Hatchery

This historical fish hatchery, established in 1896, offers an educational and family-friendly experience with its engaging exhibits and picturesque grounds. Visitors can learn about fish conservation, explore the museum, and enjoy a peaceful stroll around the beautifully maintained hatchery ponds. Be sure to see Fish Car Number 3 which was a rail car that was used to transport fish.

Spearfish Canyon

Renowned for its stunning natural beauty, Spearfish Canyon features dramatic rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and lush greenery. The scenic byway is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, photography, and appreciating the rugged elegance of South Dakota’s landscape. Here are some of our favorite stops.

• Bridalviel Falls
• Spearfish Falls
• Roughlock Falls

Steeped in Wild West history, Deadwood offers a captivating glimpse into the frontier era with its historic buildings, lively casinos, and informative museums. The town’s rich past, including connections to figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, makes it a must-visit destination for history buffs and adventure seekers alike. We spent most of the day there and visited all these spots.

• Adams Museum
• Days of 78 Museum
• Roosevelt Friendship Tower
• Mt Moriah Cemetery
• Saloon No. 10 (where Wild Bill was shot)

Day 1 Hotel

We stayed at the historic Bullock Hotel and loved our time there. You can book it here .

Day 2 – Deadwood to Rapid City

For our second day in South Dakota, we drove the scenic route through the Black Hills and over to Mt Rushmore and Rapid City. Here is what we did.

Needles Highway

A must-drive for any road trip enthusiast, Needles Highway features narrow, winding roads that pass through dramatic granite spires and striking rock formations. The highway’s distinctive rock tunnels and sharp turns are perfect for a nice road trip, assuming your car can fit through the tunnels. Here are our favorite stops on the Needles Highway

• Sylvan Lake
• Needles Eye Tunnel
• Cathedral Spire Pullout

Iron Mountain Road

This scenic byway is renowned for its winding curves, picturesque tunnels, and breathtaking views of the Black Hills. Driving Iron Mountain Road offers a thrilling journey through stunning landscapes, including unique perspectives of Mount Rushmore framed by the road’s clever switchbacks and tunnels. There are three tunnels that perfectly frame the mountain. Here is where to stop on the drive.

• Norbeck Overlook
• Doane Robinson Tunnel
• CC Gideon Tunnel

Mt Rushmore

A visit to Mount Rushmore is a journey into the heart of American history and artistry, where the colossal faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are carved into the granite cliffs of the Black Hills. This iconic monument not only offers breathtaking panoramic views and a deep sense of national pride but also invites you to explore its rich backstory through engaging exhibits at the Visitor Center and the nearby Sculptor’s Studio. Here is what we did while there.

• Presidential Trail
• Visitor Center
• Sculptors Studio

We spent the night in Rapid City and explored the city for a half day, here is what we did.

• Dinosaur Park – Offering an adventurous trip back to the prehistoric era, Dinosaur Park features life-sized dinosaur sculptures that captivate visitors of all ages and has been a staple of Rapid City for almost a century. Its elevated vantage point also provides panoramic views of Rapid City.
• Walk of Presidents – The Walk of Presidents features bronze busts of all U.S. presidents, offering a unique outdoor gallery that blends history with public art. They are situated on every street corner in the downtown area.
• Firehouse Brewing Company – Housed in a historic fire station, Firehouse Brewing Company serves up craft beers and hearty pub fare in a lively, historic setting. It is South Dakota’s oldest brewery.

Hotel – Hotel Alex Johnson

We stayed at the Hotel Alex Johnson, which was a great historic hotel in the heart of Rapid City. You can book it here .

Day 3 – Rapid City to Wall

Day 3 was all about Badlands National Park. We drove there early and spent most of the day in the park, with a short excursion over to Wall Drug when the rain got the best of us. Here is how we spent day 3 in South Dakota.

Quarter Pounder Statue

Standing proudly in Murdo, the Quarter Pounder Statue is a quirky tribute to America’s love of fast food and to honor the famous sandwich that helped to McDonalds captivate the hearts of people worldwide. Assuming you like the sandwich 🙂

Badlands National Park

With its otherworldly landscapes of dramatic spires, deep canyons, and layered rock formations, Badlands National Park offers breathtaking vistas and unforgettable hiking experiences. Its unique geological features and diverse wildlife make it a must-see natural wonder in South Dakota. Here are all of the stops we did while exploring for one day.

• Big Badlands Overlook
• Notch Trail
• Window Trail
• Fossil Trail
• Overlooks on the drive through the park
• Sage Creek Rim Road

A legendary roadside attraction, Wall Drug offers a quirky blend of history, shopping, and classic American diner fare. Its vast array of attractions, from the free ice water and fantastic pie to old-timey museum exhibits.

Hotel – Best Western Plains Motel

Day 4 – Wall to Sioux Falls

This day was all about the drive. We spent most of the day in the car, with lots of roadside stops on the way from Wall, SD to Sioux Falls, SD. There are so many amazing roadside stops in South Dakota that it was a great day and here is what we did.

• Wall Drug – We just stopped into Wall Drug for breakfast. Hard to beat a donut and a nickel coffee!
• 1880s Town – Step back in time at 1880s Town, a living history museum that brings the Old West to life with its meticulously restored buildings and costumed staff. There is a lot to see here, especially if you are traveling with kids.
• Skelton Walking Dinosaur – Just like it sounds, there is a statue of a skeleton walking a dinosaur right alongside the road.
• Big Als Oasis -This charming pit stop is known for its eclectic collection of memorabilia and delicious, hearty food. Be sure to get a slice of pie.
• Dignity of Earth and Sky Sculpture – This stunning 50-foot-tall sculpture celebrates Native American culture with its elegant design and vibrant colors. It is right along the highway and a great quick stop.
• Corn Palace – Renowned for its unique corn-themed murals and annual corn palace festivals, the Corn Palace offers a fascinating and colorful display of local creativity. It’s a true icon of South Dakota’s rural charm and artistic spirit.
• Porter Sculpture Park – This outdoor gallery features an impressive collection of large-scale sculptures by artist Kevin Porter, set against the backdrop of South Dakota’s prairie landscape.

Hotel – AmericanINN by Wyndham Sioux Falls

Day 5 – Sioux Falls

We spent the entire day in Sioux Falls, exploring all the city has to offer. Sioux Falls is a vibrant city with a blend of urban charm and natural beauty. It is renowned for its picturesque Falls Park and thriving arts scene. Whether exploring the local museums, enjoying the Sculpture Walk, or relaxing at a cozy café, there’s something for everyone in this welcoming city. Here is how we spent the day.

• Josiahs Coffee House – Nestled in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls, Josiah’s Coffee House offers a cozy atmosphere with some of the best locally roasted coffee around. Be sure to try a pastry!
• Art Sculpture Walk – This delightful outdoor gallery showcases a diverse array of sculptures by local and national artists, adding a touch of creativity to your stroll through Downtown Sioux Falls.
• Old Courthouse Museum – Step back in time at the Old Courthouse Museum, a stunning example of 19th-century architecture that houses intriguing exhibits on the region’s history.
• Falls Park – A must-see landmark, Falls Park boasts breathtaking views of the city’s namesake waterfalls, cascading over dramatic rock formations. With scenic walking trails and picnic areas, it’s a great spot to spend a few hours and worth coming back to for sunset.
• Arc of Dreams – This striking public art installation spans the Big Sioux River and symbolizes the city’s spirit and ambition.
• Bread and Circus Sandwich Company – Known for its inventive and delicious sandwiches, Bread & Circus offers lots of great lunch options, with our favorite being the fried chicken sandwich.
• St Joseph Cathedral – This architectural gem features stunning neo-Gothic design and beautifully crafted stained glass windows with over 100 years of history in Sioux Falls.
• David Statue – An impressive replica of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, this statue stands proudly in the heart of Sioux Falls.
• CH Patisserie – Indulge your sweet tooth at CH Patisserie, where French pastries and desserts are crafted with precision and flair from an award winning chef.
• Great Shots – A fun spot for a golf adventure. Much like a driving range but with games you can play against your friends.
• Watecha Bowl – Experience a taste of Native American cuisine at Watecha Bowl, where traditional dishes are served with a modern twist. It’s a great place to explore new flavors and learn about indigenous culinary traditions.
• 81 Arcade – 81 Arcade offers a wide selection of classic video games and pinball machines. It’s a fun and retro spot where you can relive the golden age of arcade gaming and have a drink to go with it.
• Falls Park – We loved it so much we had to go back for sunset.

I hope you enjoy your time in South Dakota as much as we did. Be sure to check out the Patreon for the full map and watch the video to see how we explored all of these spots. Let us know what we missed in the comments!

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Badlands & Beyond: The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip (Map Included)

This post may contain affiliate links. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. I don’t endorse any services I don’t personally use or recommend.

Close your eyes & imagine your perfect road trip. Does a South Dakota road trip come to mind? Probably not, but it absolutely should.

When we set out on our cross-country road trip we expected very little of South Dakota. We were focused on the cozy New England vibes of Vermont, beachy Florida , and the stunning peaks of Glacier National Park . But we were completely blown away. Stunning scenery that changes from fiery fall foliage to towering granite peaks–throw in some bison, golden rolling fields, & the alien rock formations of the Badlands National Park and you get a good picture of South Dakota.

South Dakota has all the components of a perfect road trip. So, start converting your camper van & get ready to hit the road.

Need a Road-Trip Ready Vehicle?

RV Share is a great (cheap) way to test out if vanlife or RV life is right for you before you buy a vehicle of your own .

Of course, you can also do this South Dakota road trip in any old vehicle & stay in hotels along the way but if you want to really immerse yourself in the landscape I highly recommend making your vehicle your accommodation. It’s just one of the many benefits of vanlife.

Your Complete South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

Since South Dakota sits in the central USA and is spattered with sparsely populated towns it’s likely you’ll be combining this road trip with at least one other destination.

I’ll assume if you made it to South Dakota you’ll probably be interested in visiting Yellowstone National Park & Grand Teton National Park as well. So, for popularity sake–we’ll start our trip through South Dakota as if you’re driving East from Wyoming.

Spearfish & Deadwood

Welcome to South Dakota. These two charming towns will bring out your inner cowboy. You’ve probably heard of Deadwood, if not because of Wild Bill & Calamity Jane then from the popular TV show with the same name.

You could drive through these two towns in one day easily. Spearfish is known for its outdoor activities whether you like hiking, biking, or fishing –this is a good place to relax for an afternoon.

But in Deadwood you could also stop & explore the cobblestone streets, drink at some local watering holes, check out some famous headstones with names from the wild west, look at some bonafide fossils at Adams Museum, or check out some remarkably well-preserved mansions from another era.

Black Hills National Forest

The Black Hills provide the perfect backdrop to your longest stretch of roadway in South Dakota. & are in the heart of Native American territory. Specifically, the Lakota Sioux tribe . Why are they called the Black Hills? From a distance, the hills were blanketed in such a dense layer of thick green trees that the hills looked near black.

Taking the Scenic Route: From Deadwood, drive down HWY 385 through the Black Hills all the way to the Crazy Horse National Monument. Without stopping this drive will take about an hour and a half.

Crazy Horse National Monument

Mount Rushmore gets all the glory. & not to poo-poo the founding fathers because it is worth a stop but….it’s got nothing on the Crazy Horse Memorial. First, some quick facts.

• It’s the single largest mountain carving project in progress. Construction began in 1948.
• It’s likely it won’t be completed for hundreds of years.
• The famous sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski planned & sculpted Crazy Horse by himself (with the help of his family) until his death in 1982. Now some of his 10 children are continuing his work.
• Henry Standing Bear, the Lakota tribal chief of the area, commissioned the project & worked with Korczak Ziolkowski to create a design that the Native Americans could be proud of.
• Why is it taking so long? They have refused money from the government for the work because they wanted the sculpture to be done exactly the way the Native people wanted.

Be sure to visit the Museum during your visit because without context you might find the monument less than impressive. Because as I mentioned, it is unfinished. Only the face of Crazy Horse is completed, his body and rearing horse are yet to be sculpted.

Cost of Crazy Horse: $30 per vehicle. America the Beautiful Passes are not valid here.

Budget Traveler Tip : If you arrive before 8 AM, there won’t be anyone in the parking lot to collect money for tickets.

Who was Crazy Horse? The famous Lakota Indian war leader from the Black Hills who stood his ground to avoid giving up the land to U.S. troops. He stood his ground with Sitting Bull at the Battle of Little Big Horn against General Custer.

Take the Scenic Route: Continue along HWY 385 from Crazy Horse to Wind Cave National Park.

Wind Cave National Park

I’ll be honest, this is probably my least favorite national park I’ve ever visited. But that being said it is a national park and if caves are your thing you might enjoy a guided tour of this massive cavern.

Full Disclosure : Since I visited this National Park during COVID times we were unable to enter the cave. I’m sure it would be a lot more impressive if we had been able to go explore the different rooms of the cave.

Personally, my favorite part was the Pronghorn Antelope and Black-tailed Prairie Dogs frolicking around the protected land. & since it’s one of the least visited National Parks you’ll likely be one of very few visitors.

Take the Scenic Route : Continue down HWY 385 to Hot Springs.

Hot Springs

After a few days on the road (or a few weeks), you’ll be craving a nice soak in some natural hot springs. & this aptly named town in South Dakota is famous for them. Most of the hot springs have now been commercialized into spas or bathhouses but a few are still natural and raw.

For a relaxing soak the Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa comes highly recommended.

For a more natural environment check out the hot springs at Cascade Falls swimming hole .

Take the scenic route: This is the one time on this road trip I’ll have you backtrack. With so many scenic roads in South Dakota, it’s impossible to hit them all without a teensy bit of backtracking. Head back to Wind Cave National Park the way you came. From there take Route 87 into Custer National Park.

Custer State Park

You can easily spend several days in Custer State Park & I recommend allowing for at least two. Unfortunately, Custer State Park requires a separate fee for those who purchased the “ America the Beautiful Pass . The entrance fee is $20 and lasts for 7 days.

Day One: The Wildlife Loop & the Town of Custer.

Spend your morning driving from the wildlife loop. It’s a slow scenic drive along dirt roads where bison roam, pronghorn and bighorn sheep leap, and roaming donkeys clog the roadway. The loop in total will probably take you an hour and a half.

Take the Scenic Route : If you’re still up for a scenic drive I would continue along Route 87 until you hit 16A. At Route 16A go east until you turn north on Route 87 again. From here you can loop along Route 87 to Route 89 and head South to the town of Custer.

You should spend the evening & overnight in the town of Custer. I’ll get to the town of Custer in more detail below.

Day Two: Black Elk Peak Trail & Needles Highway

If I had to pick favorites, I would say these were my two favorite activities in South Dakota. Start your morning early from Custer and head back up Route 89 for about 15 minutes until you reach the Black Elk Peak Trailhead .

Black Elk Peak Trail

• Length: 7.4 mile total
• Trail Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Intermediate. The trail is gradually sloped and has a staircase to the fire lookout at the summit.

The trail is beautiful & the panoramic views at the summit are well worth the effort. Bring lunch and boulder your way from the fire lookout to the adjacent summit where you can sit against the cliffside and enjoy the stunning views from South Dakota’s highest peak.

After your hike (4-5 hours), you should drive the Needles Highway.

The Needles Highway gets its name from the tube-like spires of granite that jut out of the mountainous landscape. The roadway is narrow and guides you up through the mountains. Tunnels were carved in the hills, made intentionally small so that drivers would be forced to go slow and take in the surreal views.

Take the Scenic Route: From Black Elk Peak Trailhead just drive North on Route 87. Take Route 87 to HWY 385 and then East on Route 244 to wind across the mountains to Keystone & Mount Rushmore.

Custer doesn’t have a whole lot going on. I walked the single street that cuts through town and aside from a very sad pelt shop packed with the fluffy skins of some of my favorite animals, there wasn’t a whole lot going on.

I recommend stopping here for three reasons.

1. The Chislic at Buglin Bull Restaurant.

What is Chislic ? By definition, it’s little chunks of red meat, either seared or fried, traditionally served on a skewer and it’s one of two dishes that are 100% South Dakotan. This particular chislic is seared buffalo meat drenched in their homemade steak sauce and cooked to a tender medium-rare.

Chislic made the cut for my great American foodie road trip .

2. Mount Rushmore Brewing Company

Killer food & really great brews.

3. The Custer Buffalo Round-up

At the end of September, all the local farmers herd an impressive 1,300 buffalo through town. It’s quite a sight to see if you happen to be in the area.

Visiting off-season : Small cities in South Dakota, like this one, close from October to May during the off-season. Everything from breweries and restaurants to pie shops will be closed. The local clientele just isn’t enough to sustain a business in this low-tourism time.

Mount Rushmore & Keystone

Keystone is a great town to call it a night in. It’s also the gateway to Mount Rushmore. You might only spend about 5 minutes there but it’s still worth a visit. In the evening, there is a laser light performance & informative audiotrack. But the morning is really when the best views of our founding fathers can be seen.

Budget Traveler Tip : If you arrive for sunrise (when the golden light kisses the faces of the statues) parking is once again…free. Otherwise, it will cost you $10 to park.

Best of Keystone

• Turtle Town Ice Cream & Fudge Shop
• Red Garter Saloon

Take the Scenic Route : Take Route 16 through “bear country” until you hit I-90.

Wall Drug Store

If you’ve never heard of the Wall Drug store before….you will on the drive to the Badlands. They have about 100 billboards lining the road, in fact, they actually have a billboard in every single state in the U.S. After seeing 20 or so of these signs, we had already decided we were gonna see what this quirky little place was all about.

It’s a massive novelty/museum/souvenir shop. You can buy everything from huckleberry habanero jam, freshly made fudge, cowboy hats & boots, or you can sit down for a meal. The eclectic shop is covered in historical memorabilia, bison heads, and sits right outside the entrance to Badlands National Park.

Badlands National Park

The Badlands are what bring people to South Dakota.

It’s pretty much the only destination we had in mind when we hit the state line. & it didn’t disappoint.

The park is in a loop along highway 240 and the Purple Heart Memorial Highway. If you visit during the cooler fall or spring months you can even do some hiking inside the park.

Here are all the sights you have to hit along the way.

• The Door Trail. (0.8 Miles)
• Cliff Shelf Nature Trail. (0.5 Nature Walk) Full of lush desert vegetation at the base of the cliffside.
• The Notch (1.4 Miles) Trail through the rock formations up a massive wooden ladder.
• Saddle Pass . (0.7 Miles)
• Panorama Point.
• Yellow Mounds Overlook.
• Pinnacles Overlook. This is the best sunset spot in the park.
• Hay Butte Overlook.
• Roberts Prairie Dog Town.

Vanlife Tip : The Badlands are very easy to stealth camp in overnight. I wouldn’t even call it stealth camping. We just parked at Pinnacles Overlook and stayed all night. Star-gazing and night-time photography are such a big deal here that I think park officials don’t bother policing who stays overnight.

Must Eat in the Badlands

At Cedar Pass Lodge, the only accommodation and restaurant inside the national park, you’ll find the second iconic South Dakota delicacy that you absolutely must try.

The Buffalo Indian Taco.

It’s like if you put tasty ground buffalo & all the ingredients of a taco and heaped in onto a freshly fried doughnut. If you’ve never had Native American Frybread before you’re in for a treat. I could have eaten 20 of these puffy delicious mounds. Don’t miss this.

Spot Some Spectacular Sunflowers

Did you know that South Dakota is a major producer of sunflower seeds? This means that from late July through August, literal seas of golden heads turn South Dakotas farmland into a breathtaking attraction.

The fields start near the town of Philip and you’ll continue to see them all the way North and into North Dakota.

From the Badlands, I recommend taking I-90 to Route 73 and heading North from there.

Unfortunately, our visit was in late-September so we just got to witness seas of dead drooping blackened heads of the flowers instead.

You may have noticed that this road trip mostly takes you through the Southwest corner of South Dakota & that’s no accident. I wouldn’t completely write off the rest of the state BUT the scenery is far less dramatic and best described as monotonous once you start heading East through the state.

Complete South Dakota Road Trip Map

So, where do you go from here?

We recommend Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota or Devils Tower and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

South Dakota blew us away and was full of surprises. Follow this route and you’ll leave South Dakota with a newfound respect for a state so often overlooked as a major tourist destination.

Save this post for your next road trip!!

Further Reading...

The Best of Boulder, Colorado (On A Budget)

The Ultimate North Cascades National Park Itinerary (Map Included)

12 Outstanding US National Parks to Visit in Spring

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Idaho to South Dakota drive

Idaho to south dakota road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Idaho to South Dakota. If you're planning a road trip to South Dakota, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops . Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds . Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start at Idaho drive for about 1.5 hours

11:36 am   Salmon (Idaho) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:36 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

3:19 pm   Butte stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:19 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

day 1 driving ≈ 5.5 hours find more stops

11:00 am  leave from Bozeman drive for about 2 hours

1:05 pm   Billings stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:05 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

day 2 driving ≈ 3.5 hours find more stops

10:00 am  leave from Lame Deer (Montana) drive for about 3.5 hours

1:38 pm   Rapid City stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:38 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

3:58 pm   Badlands National Park stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:58 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

7:39 pm  arrive at South Dakota

day 3 driving ≈ 7.5 hours find more stops

Where should I stop along the way?

Salmon (Idaho) Butte   (6 answers)     questions about Butte:         Cowboy experience in Butte Bozeman   (31 answers) Billings   (17 answers) Lame Deer (Montana) Rapid City   (32 answers) Badlands National Park   (42 mentions)

What are some things to do in South Dakota?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to South Dakota.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a South Dakota to Idaho drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Idaho to South Dakota . Or get a full Idaho to South Dakota flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.

And if you know Idaho well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Idaho!

More info on this route:

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The Perfect Idaho Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal

September 17, 2020 //  by  Follow Me Away //   4 Comments

An Idaho road trip is perfect for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in nature. This northwestern state has plenty of nature getaways that can act as a fun family vacation or a romantic couples’ retreat. Use our Idaho itinerary to jump start some ideas for your road trip!

Idaho is known for its diverse landscape and this road trip will lead you to many beautiful sights! Rivers, lakes, mountains, and more await you on this very nature-focused adventure. Don’t forget to pack some hiking boots!

Idaho is beautiful and fun no matter the season and can definitely be enjoyed year-round. In the spring, flowers are abundant and the melting snow creates amazing waterfalls. Summer will give you the perfect weather for your time at the lakes. In the fall, the red and orange trees alone are worth the journey. Wintertime gives you the chance to try out some exciting winter sports.

Once you have your itinerary planned, download some road trip apps and pack your bags . Then, it’s time to get your unforgettable Idaho road trip started!

Save money on your trip to Idaho! Get a  FREE $55 Airbnb coupon  by using  our code  when you book! 

Start Your Idaho Road Trip by Flying into Boise

If you are flying into Idaho, you will want to choose Boise, the state’s capital, as your destination city. This is the only big city you will be seeing on your vacation, and it is the best place to start your Idaho road trip. If, instead of flying, you are driving into Idaho, feel free to start your itinerary at whichever stop is closest to your home.

Getting Around Idaho

Of course, you will need to rent a car if you are flying to Idaho. It is easy to book a car in advance and pick it up at one of the car rental places at the airport. Make sure you do some research to find the best price as well as the best vehicle for your needs.

Stop 1: Boise

Along with being Idaho’s capital, Boise is also the state’s largest city. As a modern metropolitan area, there are plenty of things to do that will keep tourists busy and happy. You should plan on staying here at least two to three days in order to take it all in.

Boise is very much a city that takes advantage of the beautiful nature that surrounds and weaves through it. There are parks to explore, many of which are found along the banks of the Boise River. You will not have to go far to find a good hiking or biking trail.

If you want to spend some time in the city, make sure you check out the cute downtown, where you will find an array of options for eating and shopping. There is also a ton of street art throughout the city to discover.

Things to Do

Find Animals at the Aquarium of Boise or Zoo Boise

If there are any animal lovers in your travel group, then Boise has a few attractions for you. First, check out the 10,000 square foot Aquarium of Boise, where you can discover many hands-on animal exhibits. Then, head over to Zoo Boise to find a ton of cool animals and interactive exhibits. There is also a pretty butterfly area.

Immerse Yourself in Culture at the Boise Art Museum

The Boise Art Museum houses rooms and rooms of modern art as well as an education center, rotating exhibits, and a sculpture garden. This museum opened in 1937 and has been drawing art lovers ever since. Come here to soak in some art!

Shop at the Capital City Public Market

The expansive Capital City Public Market has been happening since the ’90s and is the perfect place to pick up some ingredients for a meal cooked at your Airbnb or to get a snack. There are over 150 vendors as well as live music to enjoy as you shop. The Market is open in the summer on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

If you are traveling in winter, you might want to check out the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Center. Here, you can hit the slopes and have a thrilling time on the downhill slopes or cross country skiing trails. Whether you are a beginner or expert, these slopes are full of fun!

Where to Stay

Boise has plenty of modern places to stay.

Affordable: Hyde Park King Studio Suite . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: 26th Street Studio – West Downtown Boise . Check Rates: Airbnb

Luxury: HGTV’s Boise Boys Firehouse . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 2: Bruneau Dunes State Park

From Boise, drive for about an hour down Highway 84 until you get to Bruneau Dunes State Park. The sand dunes here are an example of Idaho’s natural diversity, and you will feel as if you have been transported to a desert as you hike along the dunes’ winding ridges.

Interestingly, this state park is home to the largest free-standing sand dune in the country. At about 470 feet, the peak of this landscape will offer amazing views for anyone daring enough to hike to the top. Hiking in sand is different than dirt, so be prepared for a bit of a harder trek.

Bruneau Dunes State Park is more than incredible scenes and hiking, though. If you want to add some exhilaration to your Idaho road trip, why not try sand sledding? This is the perfect activity for families with younger kids.

When night falls, be sure to check out the Bruneau Dunes Observatory for a chance to peek at the stars through a telescope. The observatory is open April through October on Fridays and Saturdays only.

You can camp at the park or stay in a nearby town.

Affordable: Thunder Bird Motel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Luxury: Hampton Inn & Suites . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 3: Shoshone Falls Park

From Bruneau Dunes State Park, keep south on Highway 84 for another hour and a half until you reach Shoshone Falls Park on the Snake River. This waterfall is referred to as the “Niagara of the West”, and it is in fact taller than the famous Niagara Falls at 212-feet. It is not nearly as wide though!

The best time to see Shoshone Falls is during the spring when the winter snow runoff heightens the flow. In summer, some water is diverted for irrigation so there is a little less. But the falls are still amazing to see at any time! There are a few different viewpoints where you can watch the tumbling water, so make sure to check out each.

The park here is one of the best places to visit in Idaho for families. Along with the falls, you will find areas perfect for a picnic lunch and fun playgrounds for kids to burn off some energy.

Check out Dierkes Lake Park next door to cool off in the water or maybe go hiking. If you are up for a longer hike, the 7.6-mile Canyon Rim Trail takes you along the scenic Snake River Canyon. As a bonus, the path is paved and well maintained!

Book a place in Twin Falls.

Affordable: Gorgeous 2 Bed/2Bath Home with Garage . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: Cozy Brick Cottage . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: Twin Falls Top Town House . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 4: Craters of the Moon National Monument

In just under two hours from Shoshone Falls Park, you will find yourself in another unique landscape. Craters of the Moon National Monument is so named because of the rugged, barren land leftover from ancient lava flows. It is a desolate place perfect for the setting of an apocalyptic movie–or a stop on your Idaho road trip! When you post some snaps on Instagram, people are bound to ask where on earth you are!

The park is about the size of the state of Rhode Island so there is plenty to explore, including cool rock formations, cinder cones, fissures, and lava tubes. Nature enthusiasts might want to seek out the occasional plant life, which is specially adapted to this area.

Drive the Scenic Loop

The quickest and easiest way to see the Craters of the Moon is by driving the 7-mile scenic loop road. This will take you through the park at a leisurely, air-conditioned pace. When you come to a site you want to see better, you can pull over and explore.

Discover Lava Tubes

One of the main things to do at Craters of the Moon National Monument is exploring lava caves. The otherworldly caves provide a once in a lifetime experience. Make sure to plan your trip later than mid-May to assure the snow blocking the caves has melted. There are five caves to choose from, each with a different level of difficulty. Head underground to walk where lava once flowed!

Hike Amazing Trails

There are also a few hiking trails here with such cool scenes they can’t be passed up. Like the cave trails, they vary in difficulty and length. The shortest trail is under half a mile while the longest is eight miles. Whichever trail you choose, make sure to stay on the designated path to avoid harming the fragile lava formations.

There are some campsites along the edge of the park or you can stay in an Airbnb nearby.

Affordable: Long Horse Ranch Cabin . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: River Street Roost . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 5: Mesa Falls

The next stop on your Idaho road trip is two and a half hours away at Mesa Falls, near the border with Wyoming. In fact, Mesa Falls is so close to Yellowstone National Park that you could easily make a day trip there if you have the time. And you should make time for it! Yellowstone is one of the most popular U.S. travel destinations for a reason! But, it is not in Idaho, so we are glossing over it for now.

Mesa Falls is located in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and is made up of an upper and lower falls. Surrounded by trees and a beautiful river canyon, this waterfall is worth a visit. Many photo opportunities await you!

Start off at the Mesa Falls Visitor Center, which is found in a historic 1915 inn and features natural and cultural exhibits. Around the corner from the building is a boardwalk and stairway, which will lead you to views of the gorgeous Upper Mesa Falls. If you are lucky, you may see a rainbow stretching across the canyon on sunny mornings.

Then, set out on the mile-long Mesa Falls Nature Trail, which ends with an overlook of the Lower Mesa Falls. Though not as big as its brother, this waterfall is still incredible.

There is camping available in the park or you can stay in one of the small towns in the area.

Mid-Range: Osprey Landing . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: Beautiful Home Near Yellowstone . Check Rates: Airbnb

Luxury: Targhee Ski Resort . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 6: Sawtooth National Forest

A four and a half-hour drive through the mountains will bring you to Sawtooth National Forest. This one of the major tourist destinations in Idaho, and it will quickly become clear why. This forest is over two million acres and there is so much to do and see, you may want to stay for at least two to three days.

Relax at Redfish Lake

Redfish Lake is the largest lake in the area and is worth a visit if you want to swim, kayak, or just chill and work on your tan. Check out the sandy Orval Hansen Point Beach to find picture perfect boat docks that will make a great place to pose for an Instagram shot.

Go Horseback Riding

There are a few places within the Sawtooth National Forest where you can book a trail ride. Is there a better way to experience nature than from the back of a horse? This is the perfect activity for families with kids, and it is sure to create lasting memories.

Soak in a Hot Spring

You will find Sunbeam Hot Springs right off Highway 75 so you will not have far to walk before you can settle into the relaxing water. This natural thermal hot spring is part of the Salmon River and is surrounded by evergreen trees. The spring is open year-round with water at about 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hit the Slopes

If you are doing your Idaho road trip in the winter, then you have to plan for some skiing or snowboarding while in the mountains. There are a few ski resorts to chose from, so you will not have to look far. It might be cold, by the adrenaline will warm you up!

There are a ton a beautiful campsites in the Sawtooth National Forest. If you don’t want to rough it, there are some Airbnbs nearby.

Affordable: Modern Elkhorn Studio in the Heart of Sun Valley . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: Downtown Ketchum Condo . Check Rates: Airbnb

Luxury: Creekfront Luxury . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 7: Payette National Forest

You will come to another beautiful national forest after a two and a half-hour drive north. Payette National Forest is also over 2 million acres and features a variety of ecology and landscapes. From grasslands to canyons to mountains, this area has it all!

If you are looking for a place to become one with nature on your road trip of Idaho, look no farther! This national forest allows you to hike scenic trails, fish in pure rivers, and swim in natural, mountain lakes. The forest turns fiery in fall but is still gorgeous year-round.

Hike to Goose Creek Falls

The hike to Goose Creek Falls is about three miles in and out, but the change in elevation makes the climb a bit harder than the short distance would suggest. The hike is worth it for the sight of the calming waterfall nestled among the trees.

Discover Hells Canyon

Hells Canyon was formed by the Snake River and is found on the border between Idaho and Oregon. This gorge is the deepest of its kind in North America and is 100% worth a visit! There are plenty of hiking opportunities here. Or take a boat tour of the river!

Book Here: Hells Canyon: Yellow Boat Adventure

Take a Dip in the Burgdorf Hot Springs

The Burgdorf Hot Springs are open to the public all year and are found at a rustic resort in the small town of Burgdorf. The water is an average of 113 degrees Fahrenheit, so you are guaranteed to enjoy some relaxing, muscle-melting water.

Camp in the forest or stay in the city of McCall.

Affordable: Studio Retreat . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: Lovely Cabin w/Fireplace . Check Rates: Airbnb

Luxury: Large, Modern, Luxurious Cabin . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 8: Coeur d’Alene

A five-hour drive from Payette National Forest will land you at Coeur d’Alene, the last stop on your Idaho itinerary and one of the most popular vacation spots in the state. Here you will find Lake Coeur d’Alene, a pretty, bright blue lake which boasts 135 miles of shoreline. At almost 50 square miles, the lake provides a place to water ski, sail, or stand-up paddleboard.

While the lake is the main draw, this small town has plenty of other activities to enjoy! Plan on spending a couple days here exploring and unwinding from your trip before you head home.

Enjoy a Beach Day

Claim a little piece of the beach for yourself and your family for the perfect beach day. You could easily spend hours just relaxing at the beach. Take a dip in the water or lay out a towel for sunbathing. When you get hungry, check out the boardwalk or bring a picnic to enjoy.

Bring the Kids to McEuen Park

If you are traveling with kids, you must go to McEuen Park. This is a great park with a large playground and splash pad that will entertain kids for hours. There is also an off-leash dog park here if you have a four-legged travel buddy.

Go Shopping Downtown

Coeur d’Alene has a cute downtown shopping district perfect for walking around and taking in the charm of the city. Head to Sherman Avenue to find a variety of unique shops and eateries. Maybe pick up a souvenir to remember ou Idaho road trip.

Take a Boat Tour

There are a bunch of cruise companies at Lake Coeur d’Alene to chose from with a variety of cruise types and lengths. This is a relaxing and hassle free way to see the area. If you want to enjoy a meal at the same time, look into booking a brunch or dinner cruise.

Get Your Heart Pumping by Parasailing

If you have had enough relaxation, it is time to try parasailing over Lake Coeur d’Alene. This is a surefire way to get your heart pumping with excitement! With views from 600-feet up, this is an experience you will not soon forget!

Coeur d’Alene has a ton of cute and modern accommodations.

Affordable: Downtown Studio . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: The Fairway Loft . Check Rates: Airbnb

Luxury: Designer Bungalow . Check Rates: Airbnb

End Your Idaho Road Trip by Flying out of Spokane, Washington

When it is time for your Idaho road trip to come to a close, you will have to return your rental car and fly home. From Coeur d’Alene drive over the state border to Spokane, Washington. It is only about a forty-minute drive to Spokane International Airport so it is a convenient way to end your Idaho trip.

If Idaho wasn’t on your travel bucket list before, it should be now! Idaho is basically just miles upon miles of beautiful, natural landscapes begging for a road trip. From expansive mountain ranges to gushing waterfalls to otherworldly lava craters, Idaho has it all and will not disappoint!

It is time to hit the road!

Reader Interactions

May 15, 2022 at 10:13 am

Hi, Wonderful itinerary! Could you give the route in a map form? What roads are traveled between Mesa Falls and Sawtooth Nat’l Forest? When I enter these destinations it has me backtracking on Rte. 20 to 26 etc. past Craters of the Moon area. Please advise because there seems to be some backtracking in the trip which is fine if that’s the best way to see this beautiful state. Karen

May 30, 2022 at 3:48 pm

Hello! yes! There is some backtracking 🙁 I am sorry!! But you can always modify it to suit your needs whatever works best for you! Thanks!

July 14, 2024 at 10:28 pm

This is a great itinerary, how many days would this take, and do you have a map?

July 15, 2024 at 3:12 pm

It all depends on how long you have to spend! So many people can do it in a shorter amount of time with more driving! And some spent 14+ days! I am sorry I don’t have a map!

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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!

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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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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

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7 Day South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary: Black Hills to Badlands

Last updated on July 26th, 2024

Going on a South Dakota Road Trip? In this guide we’re sharing a 7 day South Dakota itinerary that takes you from the Black Hills to the Badlands, with some of the best stops along the way . This past summer we took an incredible 7 day South Dakota road trip in partnership with South Dakota Tourism . We drove across the entire state, from Spearfish Canyon to Sioux Falls. Stopping along the way at many of the popular sights. We weren’t totally sure what to expect beforehand, but it was an absolute BLAST! South Dakota has been one of the best surprises since hitting the road in our self-converted Sprinter van . Growing up, we didn’t know much about South Dakota. And to be honest, didn’t have much of a desire to visit. But as we planned our road trip route for 2020, we started to look into things to do in South Dakota. And were blown away by all of the options!

Our original plan to spend 2 days in the state quickly turned into 7 days. And even then, we still have so much left to explore. We went on some of the most unique hikes we have ever been on, drove on some crazy scenic roads, slid down a natural waterslide, ate one of the best burgers of our lives, saw iconic sights that we grew up seeing photos of, visited quirky roadside attractions, learned Native American history, and checked a couple more National Parks off of our list. The state has incredibly diverse scenery and every day of our trip was full of gems and “holy cow!” moments. And we’re so excited to share a 7 day South Dakota road trip itinerary. Focusing solely on the Black Hills and Badlands, so you can recreate the trip for yourself! While we did partner with South Dakota tourism for our vlog series, this guide, as well as our vlogs, reflect our honest feelings about our experience in the state.

Before embarking on your adventure, please review the  Leave No Trace principles  to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come! These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 

South Dakota Road Trip Route

When to visit south dakota, getting to south dakota, getting around south dakota, where to stay in south dakota, tips for your south dakota road trip, 7 day south dakota road trip itinerary, continuing east, check out more of our south dakota guides.

During our South Dakota Road Trip we went from Spearfish, in the Black Hills, to Sioux Falls. But in this guide we’re focusing solely on the Black Hills and Badlands. So you can explore things at a slightly slower pace than we did. 

About the Black Hills

The Black Hills are located in Western and Southwestern South Dakota. As well as Northeastern Wyoming, and encompass more than 8,426 square miles. This area is full of forests, canyons, cool rock formations, lakes, caves, and so much more! And similar to the rest of South Dakota, this area has deep Native American history. And the name “Black Hills” comes from the Lakota phrase “Paha Sapa,” which means “hills that are black.” This is because from a distance, the forest, against the valleys and prairies, appears black. And we can totally see what they mean! One of our favorite views in the Black Hills was seeing the dark forest contrasted against the light green valleys. It is so stunning! For more information about the Black Hills, including more about its Native American history, check out our Black Hills guide .

About Badlands National Park

As the name implies, Badlands National Park is home to a geologic formation called badlands. Which is a type of dry terrain with soft sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils. They have been extensively eroded by wind and water. However, there is also another reason the park is named Badlands. The Lakota, who lived in this area and used it as a hunting ground for 11,000 years, called it “Mako Sica” which translates to “bad lands.”  And when the French fur trappers traveled through, they called it “les mauvaises terres a traveser,”. Which is the French equivalent of ‘bad lands to travel across,’ since it is difficult to travel in all seasons. When it rains it becomes slick and sticky, the winters are cold, and the summers are hot. But the scenery here is crazy and is unlike anywhere we have ever been. In fact, it felt like we had landed on another planet! For more information about the Badlands National Park, check out our Badlands National Park guide .

Destinations in this itinerary

This guide includes the following major destinations (plus a lot more!) in the Black Hills and Badlands National Park, which we have pinned on the map above:

• Spearfish and Spearfish Canyon
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Crazy Horse Memorial
• Custer State Park, including the 3 scenic drives
• Wind Caves National Park

Badlands National Park

But we will also include some additional stops if you continue east like we did. Want to see our exact trip? Watch our road trip here . We’re also sharing information about where to stay, when to visit South Dakota, and more. Whether you have 7 days to explore South Dakota, or less, we hope this guide helps you plan an epic South Dakota road trip!

For this South Dakota road trip we’d suggest visiting in either April, May, September, or October to not only have the best weather, but to also avoid crowds. However, the summer is another doable alternative, but it may be hotter and busier. Here’s a little bit of insight into both the Black Hills and Badlands when it comes to weather and crowds.

Black Hills

In the Black Hills, most of the main attractions are open year round. But to be able to experience all that the Black Hills have to offer, you will want to visit in the warmer months, typically between May and early October . This is when all facilities will be open, trails will be more accessible, and any tours you want to go on will be operating. However, it’s also when the crowds will be a bit higher, especially in early August for the Sturgis Rally. If you plan to visit the park in the colder months, you may run into a light dusting or a blanket of snow (which sounds beautiful!), but you also may run into some closed roads and other attractions being closed. This list is super helpful to see when specific attractions close in the Black Hills!

The weather in Badlands National Park can be pretty extreme. The National Park website states that “weather in Badlands National Park is variable and unpredictable with temperature extremes ranging from 116° F to -40° F.” 😱 The summers are very hot and dry, with rainfall and sometimes a crazy thunderstorm. While the winters are very cold with typically 12-24” of snowfall. June is the wettest month in the park ( hiking on the Badlands when they’re wet will be very slick and you’ll get clay stuck to your shoes) and December and January are the driest. But even with crazy weather, Badlands National Park is typically open 365 days a year, except for weather closures.

For this South Dakota road trip, your journey will start in Spearfish. Located in the Northwestern part of the Black Hills, close to the Wyoming border. If you’re visiting from out of state and flying to South Dakota, your best airport to fly into would probably be Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) .  Major airlines that fly into this airport include Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, and United. With direct flights from Atlanta, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix, Denver, and Salt Lake City. With some additional seasonal flights. Southwestern South Dakota and Custer State Park are pretty isolated from any other major cities in the US. But depending on how much time you have, where you’re coming from, and going after South Dakota, you could start your road trip elsewhere. Here’s how far Spearfish, the starting point of this South Dakota road trip, is from some nearby destinations!

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park : 3 hours 20 minutes, 204 miles
• Sioux Falls, South Dakota : 5.5 hours, 391 miles
• Denver, Colorado: 6 hours, 395 miles
• Yellowstone National Park: 6.5 hours, 383 miles
• Jackson, Wyoming : 7 hours 45 minutes, 494 miles
• Minneapolis, Minnesota : 9 hours, 620 miles

Since this is a South Dakota road trip, you’ll definitely need a car! Not only is it really the only option to get around the state, but road trips are a lot more fun when you’re behind the wheel (vs. a tour bus). Driving in South Dakota, especially the stops on this South Dakota road trip itinerary, is super scenic! If you’re flying into South Dakota, you can rent a car at either the airport or from somewhere in Rapid City. Any type of car will work for this South Dakota road trip. Our RWD Sprinter van handled the roads just fine! However, keep in mind that some of the tunnels on these roads have height limits. So make sure to check the clearance requirements beforehand!

For this South Dakota road trip you have a few options of where to stay. You could either hop around every couple days to be close to whatever you’re doing next or you could stay in one spot the entire time and drive everyday. We’d suggest having one home base the entire time. So you can relax after a long day vs. worrying about packing up and moving. The nice thing is, the spots on this itinerary are between 30 minutes-1.5 hours of driving (one way). With some days being even less! Below are some of the best areas to stay for this South Dakota road trip if you want to be central to most activities. 

Vacation Rentals

We LOVE vacation rentals and it’s always our go-to if we want a bit more space, a kitchen to cook meals, and some modern amenities, like WiFi, laundry, etc. There are several cool towns in the Black Hills with a variety of rental options and close to other activities.

Cozy Cabin in the Woods: A gorgeous 1 bed, 1 bath cabin that sleeps 4. A Cute Cabin Tucked Away: Owned by the same folks as the Cozy Cabin, this cabin is equally as cute and also has 1 bed and 1 bath. Reed Street House: A large 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom house that sleeps 6. Backroads Inn and Cabins: A 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom cabin with a wood burning stove and a large deck.

Moose Cabin: A 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin apartment at Ponderosa place. Private Cabin: A 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom cute and simple cabin! Beautiful Black Hills Home: A nice 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse.

Historic Cottontail Cottage: A super cute 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom cottage in downtown. Modern Guest Suite : A beautiful 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom guest suite. Rapid City Two Bedroom : A super nice 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house located next to the city park with lots to do! West Side Mid-Century Bungalow : A 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom home with the cutest decor and sleeps 6.

Want something a little simpler than a full on Airbnb? There are a lot of different hotels in or near the Black Hills. Here are some options to look into!

K Bar S Lodge   Comfort Inn & Suites Mt Rushmore 

Comfort Inn & Suites   Bavarian Inn, Black Hills   Best Western Buffalo Ridge Inn   Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites   Holiday Inn Express   Comfort Inn & Suites

Residence Inn (we stayed here one night due to very hot temperatures and it was really nice!) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rapid City Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rushmore Plaza  Hilton Garden Inn Comfort Inn & Suites Hotel Alex Johnson

Curious how we get FREE flights and hotels? Check out our list of our favorite travel cards that have saved us thousands of dollars!

Custer State Park is home to lodges that will give you the amenities of a hotel. But with more of a rustic feel. For convenience, Custer State Park would be the better choice. But the Spearfish Canyon’s lodge would be convenient for the first two days of your South Dakota road trip.

Blue Bell Lodge (Custer State Park)

These log cabins in the Blue Bell area are some of the nicest cabins in the park. All cabins are climate controlled, include a kitchen or kitchenette, are fully furnished, come with many modern amenities, and include daily housekeeping service. There are 29 cabins to choose from when you reserve , ranging from rustic to more luxurious with fireplaces with open-beamed ceilings.

State Game Lodge (Custer State Park)

The State Game Lodge is the largest resort in the park and offers a variety of unique stays including historical rooms, hotel rooms, cabins, and a creekside lodge. In the main lodge and the Creekside Lodge you’ll have hotel-like rooms available. But if you’re looking for something more luxurious, check out the Creekside Cabin & Bunkhouse, Gamekeeper’s Cabin, Custer Ranch House, or the Reunion Cabin. Adam would love to stay in the Coolidge room or the Eisenhower room. Which are rooms named after the former Presidents who stayed here during their time visiting the park…how cool!

Sylvan Lake Lodge (Custer State Park) 

Known as the Crown Jewel of Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake and the lodge are not only beautiful, but rich in history. Several popular trails leave from this area, as this has long been a popular spot for adventures and the lodge was suggested to be built here by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.  There are 31 cabins ranging from rooms in the lodge, to a honeymoon lodge and housekeeping lodges. Not only are there accommodations here, but there is also a restaurant and water sport rentals.

Legion Lake Lodge (Custer State Park)

This lodge was recently rebuilt and has a modern feel combined with a classic lakeside vibe. There is a restaurant, water sport rentals, and tours available, along with the 26 cabins to choose from.

Creekside Lodge (Custer State Park)

The Creekside Lodge is the newest resort lodge in the park built in 2008. These more spacious rooms have a modern and woodsy vibe to them.

Spearfish Canyon Lodge

Spearfish Canyon Lodge is located close to the waterfalls of Spearfish Canyon. Making it super convenient if you’re looking for a homebase when exploring the Spearfish and Deadwood areas!

Want a unique, luxurious camping experience? Check out Under Canvas by Mount Rushmore! We have always wanted to stay at one of their locations. The glamping tents can either have shared or private bathrooms and they even have some with kids tents!

Campgrounds

Love to camp? There are tons of campgrounds to choose from when visiting the Black Hills! Here’s a handy map of all the campgrounds both in Custer State Park (green) and in the Black Hills National Forest (blue). These campgrounds are convenient to all of the activities on this guide!

You can reserve the following campgrounds, find need to know information, and see all the campgrounds in the Black Hills National Forest here . Something to keep in mind for all Black Hills National Forest campgrounds, there is a $2 fee per pet and they must be leashed and attended at all times.  During our visit, we stayed at these two campgrounds and would recommend them, especially Bismarck Lake!

Bismarck Lake Campground

We stayed here for one night and LOVED it! We had site #4 and it was incredible! We were on the lake (with some trees and a bit of a trek to get down to it), the spot was huge, and we had a lot of privacy with no one really next to us or behind us. Open: Mid-May-December 31 Price: $26/night # of sites: 21 RV spots: Yes, but no hookups Make reservations (it is first-come, first-served from the end of September until December 31)

Grizzly Creek Primitive

We stayed here one night and it was really nice! It’s more for tents vs. RVs, but we managed to squeeze our van in. Open: Mid-May-Mid-September Price: $20/night # of sites: 20 RV spots: Maximum vehicle length is 24 feet, no trailers allowed Make reservations

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Before embarking on your South Dakota road trip, here are a few of our top tips to ensure you have a fun and safe time:

• Make sure to pack the 10 essentials. Although many of the trails are well trafficked and well marked, always have the 10 essentials with you just in case things do not go according to plan. 
• Stay away from wildlife . Lots of wildlife call South Dakota home, including bison, whitetail and mule deer, antelope, mountain goats, elk, coyotes, burros, bighorn sheep, birds, wild turkeys, prairie dogs, and rarely seen mountain lions. Make sure to never approach wildlife or feed wildlife when exploring.
• Check the rules for dogs! Dogs are allowed on some of the trails on this itinerary, such as the trails in Spearfish Canyon, Custer State Park, and the Black Hills National Forest, but they are not allowed on trails in Badlands National Park. Make sure to check the rules beforehand if you’re traveling with your pup! 
• Download maps beforehand. Some of the trails and parks on this itinerary do not have cell service. So we highly recommend downloading AllTrails maps before you go. You will need an AllTrails Pro membership to do so, which is $30 a year and so worth it! We also recommend downloading Google Maps so you can navigate around easier too.
• Leave time for “traffic jams.” We got stuck in some bison jams for quite some time in Custer State Park. Which was honestly the best traffic jam EVER! Make sure you aren’t in a hurry when driving around and have extra time because rush hour in South Dakota is pretty wild. 😉

Pack lunches! We’re including places to eat for most meals on this itinerary. But we highly suggest bringing packed lunches on big hiking days. So you can enjoy food on the trail vs. spending time driving farther away to get food. If you need more food ideas, check out our Black Hills guide !

Want to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership ? Use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)! We use AllTrails+ on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.

If you have less than 7 days, we hope this guide still gives you a good starting point as to what to see and how to structure your days when exploring the Black Hills and Badlands. We did most of these activities in just 5 days. So it is doable to do it quicker if you don’t mind earlier mornings and fitting a lot in one day. But this 7 day South Dakota road trip itinerary will help you see as much, if not more, than we saw on a more relaxed schedule. See our exact South Dakota itinerary in our YouTube series .

Day 1: Spearfish 

Day 1 of your South Dakota road trip will kick off just like ours…in Spearfish Canyon! This area was a lot of fun to explore, with waterfalls, a natural slide, and more! Looking for a more detailed guide of the Black Hills, including Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and more? Check out our Black Hills guide to learn about more things to do!

• Begin your adventure with some coffee and breakfast at Blackbird Espresso ! This spot is located in downtown Spearfish and opens nice and early if you’re like us and want to start exploring at the crack of dawn.  
• Start your drive along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway , a 19 mile scenic drive that takes you through Spearfish Canyon. We have many suggested stops along the way and first up is Bridal Veil Falls . This 60 ft tall waterfall is located just off the Scenic Byway road. And is a very accessible stop, with an observation deck just across from it.  
• After snapping some quick photos of Bridal Veil Falls, head to Devil’s Bathtub , which is a natural waterslide! After parking in this lot , you’ll go to the left (towards the way you drove in). Follow a trail and cross a bridge before reaching the official trailhead.   From there, it’s a 1.1 mile round trip hike through a canyon and across streams (you’ll cross the stream many times!) to get to the final destination, a smooth, but narrow passageway through rocks, acting as a slide, and a swimming hole at the bottom.   You’ll climb up to the top of the slide and then slide down into the ice cold water. It is a BLAST! We giggled SO much and couldn’t stop smiling, even though we were a bit frozen afterwards.   This was our favorite activity in Spearfish and we highly recommend going early so you can enjoy it without crowds. It gets very busy in the summer. We went at sunrise and had it all to ourselves!  
• Continue down the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway to Spearfish Falls . Park at the Latchstring restaurant and take the lovely 0.8 mile round trip stroll to the bottom of the powerfall falls. There is a nice viewing deck that gets you pretty close to them!  
• Hike the ‘76 Trail , which is only 1.2 miles round trip and has great views of Spearfish Canyon!  
• Next up, Roughlock Falls ! You can either access the falls by hiking this trail for 2.2 miles round trip or you can park here and take a short walk along the boardwalks to the falls!   There are a few different viewpoints for the falls. So make sure to keep exploring the boardwalk to see them all!   Note: Want to visit Spearfish Falls, the ‘76 Trail, and Roughlock Falls all in one hike? The newly developed Savoy-Waterfalls Trail is about 7 miles long and incorporates all 3 attractions, making it a perfect hike if you want a mix of scenery and want to use your legs instead of a car to get around.   
• If you’re not too tired, on your way back to Spearfish, check out the Community Caves Trail , a short (0.6 miles round trip), but steep hidden gem along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.   This is an unmarked and unofficial trail and the hunt for the entrance to the trail is half the battle, but if you park here and use the AllTrails map you should be able to find your way.   But the effort will be worth it, as you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the road and canyon below, as well as caves and a waterfall. While the waterfall may just be a trickle in the summer, in the winter it can be iced over with massive ice columns descending from the top of the falls all the way below the caves!   Enjoy the caves and waterfall for a bit then climb up to the top of the caves on the right hand side to see the views of the road and canyon.  
• Head back to Spearfish and grab dinner at Dough Trader Pizza (closed on Tuesdays) or Spearfish Brewing Company , which has lots of beer options and you can order food from the restaurant next door.  
• End the day with ice cream at Leones’ Creamery ! This place makes amazing ice cream and the flavors change constantly, but every one we tried was delicious.

Day 2: Deadwood

For your second day in South Dakota, you’ll explore the historic town of Deadwood! This town was established after General Custer announced the discovery of gold in 1876, leading to the Black Hills Gold Rush. Tons of people flooded to Deadwood and it became known for its lawlessness where murders were common. But now it’s a fun place to explore with a cool, western vibe.

• Grab coffee and breakfast at Pump House Coffee & Deli . This coffee shop is in an old gas station, which functions as a glass blowing studio, and serves some breakfast sandwiches and other light options!  
• Walk around downtown Deadwood . There is so much to see here! With cool architecture, casinos, shops, and even Wild West shootout reenactments , there is something for everyone!  
• Take a tour of the Broken Boot Gold Mine or visit one of the many museums (or do both)! You can see a list of the museums here , which mostly focus on the history of Deadwood and the surrounding area.  
• Grab lunch downtown at the Saloon No. 10 . Fun fact: this is the saloon where Wild Bill was shot, so you can enjoy some history with your food!  
• Visit the Mount Moriah Cemetery , which is the final home of some of Deadwood’s famous residents including Wild Bill Hickok, Seth Bullock, and Calamity Jane. It costs $2 to visit the cemetery, but it is worth it for the history, beautiful grounds, and nice views.  
• Need a sweet treat? Visit Chubby Chipmunk , a local chocolate shop with delicious chocolate truffles in a variety of flavors, including the Chipmunk Treasure (with toffee, praline, and coconut) and the Hot Mama (with habanero, jalapeno, and chipotle peppers).  
• Head a little bit out of town (about 15 minutes) to the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower , a quick 0.8 mile hike that takes you to a tower that was built by Seth Bullock, Deadwood’s first sheriff, to commemorate his friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt and has amazing views of the Black Hills.  
• Have dinner at Jacobs Brewhouse & Grocer (closed on Tuesdays). This spot has a variety of food options, from Texas Twinkies (bacon wrapped, smoked jalapenos filled with brisket and cream cheese…WOAH!), bbq, burgers, salads, and more!

Day 3: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, & more

During your 3rd day of your South Dakota road trip you’ll visit some iconic monuments in the park, drive a scenic road, and eat one of the BEST burgers ever!

• Get up bright and early to visit Mount Rushmore !   If you’re not familiar with the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, it is a sculpture of 4 US presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, carved into Mount Rushmore.   The profiles of the presidents are 60 ft tall and it took 400 workers 14 years to complete. And despite the intense work to create it, including blasting the rock with dynamite and hanging from steel cables with jack hammers, there were no deaths during construction.   We highly recommend visiting early in the morning . We visited at sunrise and not only did we feel like we had the whole place to ourselves, it’s really cool to see Mount Rushmore in the partial dark and as the sun starts to rise.   After grabbing the iconic photo from the viewing deck, walk on the Presidential Trail Loop Trail , which is only 0.9 miles, although it does have 422 stairs! This trail gets you more up close and personal with the four Presidents enshrined in the rock face of the Black Hills.   Along the way, you also walk by the Sculptor’s Studio. Unfortunately when we visited, the Sculptor’s Studio was not open, but this studio has a smaller sculpture of other Presidents and information about the park. You can attend a ranger program here, as well as in other areas of the park.   Note: it does cost $10 to park at the memorial. The America the Beautiful Pass does not cover this.  
• After visiting Mount Rushmore, head to another iconic monument in the area, the Crazy Horse Memorial . The Memorial’s mission is to “protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians.”   The mountain is a carving of Crazy Horse, who was an Oglala Lakota warrior and leader. We highly recommend listening to the History on Fire podcast before you go to learn more about Crazy Horse!   If you think Mount Rushmore is massive and remarkable, just wait until you see this place! Once it’s completed it’ll be the world’s largest mountain carving at 563 ft tall and 641ft long and will be absolutely incredible! They have been working on it since 1948, so it will very likely not be finished in our lifetime. We so wish we could see it completed! But even only partially done, it was incredible!   It costs $12 per person or $30 for a car with more than 2 people to visit Crazy Horse, but the cool thing is that this goes directly to help them continue to work on the memorial. They do not have any government assistance to complete this sculpture.   General admission gets you into the museum and to the viewing deck to view Crazy Horse from afar, but you can also pay $4 to take a bus to the base of the mountain. And for a $125 donation, you can go to the top!   There are also other events that take place here that are worth looking into!  
• Drive down to Custer to grab a burger at Black Hills Burger and Bun Co (Open from 11 AM-2 PM and 5- 7:30 PM, Closed Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays). This spot was named TripAdvisor’s #1 burger in America in 2014 and we can totally see why! Their ground fresh daily homemade burgers with in-house baked and toasted buns are AMAZING!   We got the “Hot Granny” and “Black Hills Blues” and swapped for bison patties. They were so juicy and flavorful and you can tell the quality is top notch!  
• While in Custer, visit the Custer Skywalk , which is a 0.5 mile hike with a bunch of stairs, but the views at the top are worth it!  
• End the day driving Iron Mountain Road ! This highway goes through some of the most gorgeous scenery in the Black Hills and is also home to three tunnels, including the Doane Robinson Tunnel which frames Mount Rushmore in the distance. Make sure to drive this road south to north to see the famous view!   The road is also home to some “pigtail bridges,” which allow drivers to drop and gain altitude quickly. They look SO cool!   Make sure you check the clearance requirements before tackling this road, as the tunnels are not ideal for large RVs.

Day 4: Wildlife Loop + Wind Cave National Park 

For day 4 of your South Dakota road trip, you’ll see lots of wildlife, like bison and possibly burros, as well as explore Wind Cave National Park. Note: as of writing this guide (December 2020), you cannot access the cave at Wind Cave due to elevator work. We are writing this itinerary based on the cave being open. Make sure to check the cave status before you go!

• Start the morning by driving the Wildlife Loop ! This 18 mile road is one of the best spots to see wildlife in the park and we can attest that this is true! There are 1,400 bison (one of the nation’s largest free roaming herds!) in this area and we swear we saw 100-200!   Besides bison, you also have the chance to see white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and the famous begging burros. The burros are not native to the area. They used to be used to take visitors up to Black Elk Peak from Sylvan Lake and once they stopped that service, they were released into the wild.   These burros have become VERY friendly because they get fed by visitors. However, feeding wildlife goes against Leave No Trace principles. So we would advise you to not feed them, as tempting as it may be. You will still very likely have them approach you (and maybe even put their head in your car window), even without food. We unfortunately didn’t see any during our drive (we were SO bummed!), but most people have better luck with them than us, so hopefully you will too!   We highly suggest starting this drive just after sunset for the best chance to see wildlife!  
• Visit Wind Cave National Park ! This is the 7th US National Park, is the first cave system to be designated a National Park anywhere in the world, is one of the densest caves in the world, with four new miles of caves being discovered every year, and also has calcite formations called boxwork and is home to 95% of the world’s boxwork!   While in the park, we recommend going on a cave tour . These tours range from 1-1.5 hours and are between $10-$12. Make sure you buy tickets in advance, as spots are limited!   Besides the cave, there are also trails to explore in the park. We suggest hiking the Rankin Ridge Trail , which is 1 mile and takes you to a super cool fire lookout (currently closed) and amazing views of the Black Hills.   Looking for a longer trail? Check out the Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Loop . This trail is 5.2 miles and takes you on a portion of the Centennial Trail, which runs for 113 miles from Bear Butte to Wind Cave National Park. On this trail you’ll go through prairies and up rocky inclines, with a good chance to see bison!   PS: If the cave tours are still closed or you just want to visit more caves, visit Jewel Cave National Monument . They also have a variety of cave tours !   
• Finish your 4th day of adventures by hiking the Lovers’ Leap Trail , which is a 4.2 mile trail that takes you through the forest and across some creeks to a pretty awesome view of the Black Hills! Reviewers on AllTrails recommend going left at the fork and doing the trail clockwise. Quite a few also reported seeing bison and other wildlife!  

Day 5: Custer State Park

Day 5 of your South Dakota road trip will take you through our favorite area of the Black Hills, Custer State Park! Prepare yourself to be in awe of the incredible views and unique hikes! This is a pretty jam packed day with lots of miles, so we suggest getting a very early start. Looking for a more detailed guide of Custer State Park? Check out our Custer State Park guide to learn more about the park and even more things to do!

• Kick off your morning by driving the Needles Highway up to the Cathedral Spires .   The Needles Highway is a 14 mile stretch of road that is named after needlelike granite formations (like the Cathedral Spires) that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway. As you wind through this road, you have incredible views of these spires and go through some cool tunnels!   Make sure you check the clearance requirements before tackling the Needles Highway, especially if you’re in a van or RV! Our van ended up fitting fine, but we were worried beforehand and measured the van many times.  
• Hike the Cathedral Spires Trail , which is 1.6 miles and takes you to this incredible open valley, surrounded by the cathedral spires, which are needle-like rock formations. It is INSANE and honestly one of the most unique and crazy views we have ever seen!   This open area full of spires isn’t the end of the trail, but it’s the best part in our opinion. The end of the trail is very anti-climatic. It just ends. There isn’t a viewpoint, but just a sign on a tree that says “end of trail.” However, we hear people love to scramble up in some of the spires. We didn’t try this, but if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s worth a shot!  
• Continue driving the Needles Highway and go through the Needle’s Eye Tunnel on your way to Sylvan Lake.   The Needles Eye Tunnel is one of, if not the most, famous tunnels in the area. The tunnel is named after a rock that looks like a needle’s eye that is right after you exit the tunnel (going north) or right before you enter the tunnel (going south). Make sure to keep an eye out for it! (Get it?! 😜)  
• Hike the Sunday Gulch Trail , which starts at Sylvan Lake, the “crown jewel” of the park. This 3.9 mile loop trail takes you up and down rock slabs, using handrails to assist you, up and down metal stairs, through a gulch, and across streams. It’s very different than any hike we have ever done!  
• You can either hike clockwise or counterclockwise and the direction you choose determines if you go up the steep and slick rocks, or down them. We ended up doing the hike clockwise, which had us starting on the left side of the lake, and going up the rocks. We preferred this, as we saved the fun part for the end of the trail!  
• End the day with a sunset hike up Black Elk Peak ! Sitting at 7,242 feet it is not only the highest peak in South Dakota, but it’s also the highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Pyranese…which is CRAZY!   There are multiple ways to do this hike. We went up trail 9 and down trail 4 . Both trailheads start by Sylvan Lake, so your car will be close to whichever trail you start and end at. You can go up and down the same way, but we had read this was the best combo and gives you the chance to see different scenery each way!   But the best part about this hike is the stone lookout tower at the top! This tower, which is called the Harney Peak Lookout, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938 and the coolest thing about it is that you can explore the inside! In our experience with fire lookouts, you can never actually go inside, but not here! You’re able to explore three different levels of the tower.   We did this hike at sunset (HIGHLY recommend!) on a Saturday in August and had the entire lookout to ourselves ! We couldn’t believe it! We hung out at the top for about 45 minutes or so until the sun tucked behind some wildfire smoke.   But if you are nervous about hiking back in the dark, you could do this hike a little earlier in the day as well. The views will be amazing any time of the day!

Day 6: Rapid City

For day 6, explore the largest city in the Black Hills, Rapid City! This city is home to some very unique attractions, making it a fun place to spend a day! We’re sharing our top Rapid City picks in this itinerary, but if you want more ideas of things to do and places to eat, check out our Black Hills guide ! PS: While normally we suggest starting early, we suggest using this day to sleep in a bit after 5 busy days of adventuring. 

• Kickoff the morning with coffee at Pure Bean , which has great coffee, including some more unique drinks.  
• Have brunch at Tally’s Silver Spoon , which is a popular spot in the heart of downtown Rapid City. They have a great menu with a little something for everyone!  
• Walk around downtown and complete The City of Presidents Walk . Rapid City is nicknamed the “City of Presidents” and they have life sized, bronze statues of every past US president all over downtown. It’s fun to walk around and see which ones you can recognize from afar. We got maybe 75% right! But if you’re looking for a specific president, they have a map to help you out!  
• Wander through Art Alley , which is an alley downtown that has tons of murals to check out!  
• Drive a little bit out of downtown to visit the Chapel in the Hills , which is an exact replica of the Borgund Stave church in Norway and the property is also home to an authentic grass roofed stabbur (or storehouse), which was built in Norway and then shipped to Rapid City and reassembled.   It’s free to visit, but they do take donations!  
• Another unique, international thing to see in Rapid City is a part of the Berlin Wall ! When a traveling exhibit of the wall came to town, a local businessman thought it would be cool to have a couple pieces of the Berlin Wall here in Rapid City, so he purchased the pieces and 2 tank traps for a few thousand dollars. It’s pretty cool!  
• For dinner , you have a few options depending on what you’re craving. Kathmandu Bistro has amazing Indian and Nepalese food, Jambonz Deux has great Cajun food, and Independent Ale House is known for pizza and beer!  
• If you still have room for dessert , swing by The Silver Lining Creamery !

Day 7: Badlands National Park

On the final day of your South Dakota road trip you’ll leave the Black Hills to explore Badlands National Park. Looking for a more detailed guide of Badlands National Park? Check out our Badlands National Park guide to learn more about the park and even more things to do!  

• Watch the sunrise from Big Badlands Overlook , which is one of the best spots to see the sunrise in the park, as it faces east.  
• Hike the Notch Trail , which was our favorite trail in the park! This 1.3 mile trail takes you through the Badlands, but what makes it extra unique is that you get to climb up a super cool wooden ladder!   In pictures, this ladder looks pretty steep and a tad intimidating, but once you see it in person it is not nearly as daunting. However, it can be a bit wobbly, so be sure to use all of your limbs to stabilize yourself if need be. Climbing up this ladder was the highlight of our time at Badlands. It was so much fun and we have never experienced anything like it!   Once at the top of the ladder you will continue to the left on the trail and hike along some ledges and then back into a Badland “valley” before reaching a gorgeous viewpoint at the end. If you look to the far left at the viewpoint, you’ll see some crazy, jagged looking Badlands that took our breath away!   You hike back the same way you came, which means you will take the ladder back down. We recommend doing this trail first thing so you can avoid waiting in a line for the ladder (and can snap more photos climbing it!), as it’s safest for one person to go at a time.  
• After hiking the Notch Trail, hike the Window and Door Trails , which start at the same parking lot as the Notch Trail. These are both super short trails, the Window Trail is 0.3 miles , while the Door Trail is 0.8 miles .   Both of these trails have wooden boardwalks and the Window Trail leads you to an overlook you can look out of, like a window, while the Door Trail boardwalk ends with an overlook, as well as an opening to walk into the badlands, kind of like a doorway.   After entering into the Badlands, there is no real “trail” to explore, but there are numbered poles along the way to help you know how much further you can go and to help you find your way back. The scenery out here is wild…you’ll feel like you’re on Mars!  
• Drive the Badlands Loop Road and stop at the visitor center and different overlooks along the way. Our favorite overlooks were the White River Valley Overlook , Yellow Mounds Overlook , and the Pinnacles Overlook (we’d suggest saving this one for sunset though!).   
• Take a midday break and grab a coffee and donut at Wall Drug , which is a famous roadside stop on I-90. Wall Drug became popular in the 1930s for offering free ice water to travelers and now attracts over 2 million people per year!   We highly recommend grabbing some donuts while you’re there, especially the maple donut. The donuts are of the cake variety (our favorite!) and we thought they would be just average, but they were incredible! They were so cakey, fluffy, and moist, with incredible flavor (it tasted like there was a hint of lemon).   We also got the famous 5 cent coffee, which was about what you’d expect for gas station coffee, but for 5 cents it’s worth grabbing for the novelty. We didn’t try any other food, but we hear their hot beef sandwiches are good!   It’s also fun to wander around the shops here and snap a photo with the giant jackrabbit in the backyard.  
• Head back into the park and drive Sage Creek Rim Road , which is another scenic drive in the park, but it isn’t paved, so be prepared for a few bumps. While on the drive, make sure to see the prairie dogs at Robert’s Prairie Dog Town !   This is a pull off that is home to tons of prairie dogs (town = the habitat prairie dogs live in) and you can watch them wrestle and run around. They are friendly little buddies and will likely try to come up to you, but despite what you may see others do and what you may hear others say, do not feed or pet the prairie dogs! We know it’s tempting, but it’s against National Park rules.  
• End the day with sunset at Pinnacles Overlook , which has a good sized parking lot and views from either the parking area, or you can walk down some stairs to a large area with multiple spots to watch the sunset. This would also be a great picnic spot!  
• If you’re up for it, do some night photography or join the Night Sky Viewing program .

As we mentioned above, we continued our South Dakota road trip east by going all the way to Sioux Falls, which is about 4 hours from Badlands National Park. We had a blast road tripping and stopping at cool roadside stops along the way, as well as spending a day in Sioux Falls. Here are some of our top suggestions if you continue east!

Stops to make on your way to Sioux Falls

We had a blast road tripping from the Badlands to Sioux Falls and made a bunch of fun stops along the way! Want to break up the drive a bit? We suggest stopping at: Skeleton Man Walking Skeleton Dinosaur This is more of something to just be aware of as you drive down I-90. Located at the 1880 Town is this super cool statue of a skeleton walking a dinosaur. It’s hard to get a good photo from the road, but we flew up the drone from across the highway to snag a photo! See the sunflowers! South Dakota is one of the world’s top sunflower producers and if you visit in the month of August, sunflower fields pop up around South Dakota and it’s incredible to see endless rows of yellow as you drive around. We stopped here to see the sunflowers, but there were tons of other field options! You’ll have the best luck taking some back roads to find them. Dignity Statue This is a 50-foot-tall, stainless steel statue that honors and represents the courage, perseverance and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota culture in South Dakota. The statue wears a dress patterned after a two-hide Native dress and she is holding a quilt with 128 stainless steel blue diamonds that flutter in the wind and glisten in the sun. And at night, there are LED lights that make the diamond shapes glow in the sky!  The World’s Only Corn Palace The name says it all! This is the world’s only corn palace! But really, it’s an elaborate, palatial building that is decorated every year with naturally colored corn and other grains and native grasses to make it “the agricultural show-place of the world.” The palace gets 500,000 visitors a year and inside there is a gift shop and concessions and it also holds events, like banquets, proms, and graduations. El Columpio Need a bite to eat in Mitchell? We stopped at El Columpio and had some great tacos! Elixir Roasterie We wanted to stop here for coffee, but it was closed. So we headed to Hot Shots Espresso instead, but we’d still recommend checking out Elixir! Porter Sculpture Park This sculpture park is home to over 50 sculptures, all designed by Wayne Porter, who builds them on instinct vs. diagrams and equations, which is wild! The sculptures vary in size, with the largest being a huge horse and a massive 60ft bull head that you can walk into. It costs between $0-$10 to visit depending on your age and is worth it to see the art and support the artist! And if you’re in a van like us or an rv, you can even sleep here through Harvest Hosts !

Want to get 15% off a Harvest Hosts membership? Click this link and then use the code HHFRIENDS15 ! Harvest Hosts is a network of destinations across the US and Canada that allow RVers (or Van Lifers like us!) to stay overnight for free with the membership! These destinations include wineries, breweries & distilleries, farms, golf courses and more! The annual membership gives you unlimited access to spend the night at any of the Host‘s locations for the year. There are 7,000+ super unique places to choose from and they are located all over the country. We even stayed at an alpaca farm once!

Things to do in Sioux Falls

We spent one day in Sioux Falls and had a great time exploring the largest city in South Dakota, which still has a smaller town feel. Here is what we got up to during our time in the city! The Source Roastery + Taproom This is a great spot for coffee (and beer)! They have super unique seasonal drinks and a really nice interior. Falls Park The “falls” of Sioux Falls! This park is right by downtown and is SO cool! It covers 123 acres and every second an average of 7,400 gallons of water drops 100 feet down the falls. Make sure to check out the remains of some of the first buildings in Sioux Falls and go to the top of the observation tower (opens at 10 AM). We hear they have a gorgeous light display in the winter too!  Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen This restaurant is a MUST for a killer meal! We loved the Vietnamese fried chicken sandwich and naughty fries! Downtown Sioux Falls We loved walking around S Phillips Ave! This part of downtown is super cute and has tons of shops. They also have something called SculptureWalk, which are 55 sculptures all over downtown, which change every year. CH Patisserie Sioux Falls is home to an award winning pastry chef and if you want to try some french pastries, like macarons, CH Patisserie will not disappoint! We LOVED their macarons! David Replica Statue Want to see Michelangelo’s David without going to Italy? There is a replica statue right by downtown! A local inventor named Thomas Fawick donated the statue to the city in the 1970s. It’s pretty random, but cool! Arc of Dreams This sculpture was designed by the same person who created the Dignity Statue and it represents the leap of faith dreamers take to see their dreams come true. It lights up at night, so we highly recommend visiting then!

• Things to do in Badlands National Park
• Things to do in the Black Hills
• A Complete Guide to Hiking the Castle Trail in Badlands National Park
• The Best Things to do in Custer State Park

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South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary (4 + 7 Days)

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: June 4, 2020

Updated: August 29, 2024

We’ve driven two road trips through the stunning Black Hills of South Dakota and we think it has to be considered as one of the most underrated vacation spots in America. Why? Because it has super-scenic byways, world famous attractions, national parks, a bunch of family friendly spots and a couple of awesome hikes. And to top things off, everything is located within easy driving distance. In this guide we show you exactly how to plan the perfect South Dakota road trip itinerary for 4 days or 7 days, based on our own experiences.

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 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
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• 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 our South Dakota road trip itinerary guide helps with planning your Black Hills vacation!

Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

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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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