Explore the wild landscapes of South Dakota and transport yourself to another planet! This state is one of the ✨most underrated in the US✨. Hidden within its borders are jagged mountain peaks, sprawling badlands, secluded swimming holes, and bountiful wildlife. Get a fantastic guide to a South Dakota road trip itinerary below!
I have been to all 50 states, but this one truly blew me away 🤯! We spent a couple weeks exploring the amazing destinations there. Follow my ultimate itinerary and you will definitely be awestruck by the best South Dakota attractions!
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South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse
2: Custer State Park
3: Wind Cave National Park
4-6: Badlands National Park
Black Hills South Dakota
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Monument is an iconic location in the US ⭐️ with a very conflicting history. This sculpture was carved into the mountain and depicts four US presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The four faces are incredibly clear and look out imposingly over the people below.
It’s impressive to see this incredible stone sculpture that they made high up in the mountain. However, this was sacred indigenous land in the Black Hills, so the sculptors desecrated their land. When you go to the monument you can walk through the flags of the states, views the statue, learn more about the sculpture at the visitor center, or grab ice cream 🍦.
Things to Know:
💵 Mount Rushmore costs $10 entrance to park and does not take any passes.
⏰ Mr Rushmore is Open from 5 am- 9 pm.
🚗 They have parking for all types of vehicles. People will help to direct you to the open spots. You can easily find a parking spot, but you may have to walk a considerable distance.
Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse is set to be the largest rock sculpture in the world, however it is still being built. It’s already being considered the eighth wonder of the world! Workers continue the construction 365 days a year 🚧, so you can always watch them work. Visit this spot to see the current progress and learn more about the indigenous people in the area.
This project started in 1939 and no one is quite sure when (or if) it will ever be done! But, there’s plenty to see here. You can also explore the museum with hundreds of indigenous artifacts, see the exhibits on construction, and take the bus up to the monument! There’s a lot to read and learn about in this large monument property.
Things to Know
💵 Crazy Horse costs $15 per vehicle and you can pay for an additional bus up to the monument.
⏰ Crazy Horse is open from 8 am-9:30 pm.
🚗 They have parking for all types of vehicles, but the lot is incredibly large. You may have to walk a while from your car to the buildings. There is a bus up to Crazy Horse if you want a closer look.
Custer State Park
Explore one of the most beautiful state parks in the entire country! Custer State Park is a large area in the Black Hills. There are so many ways to spend time in this stunning park including seeing the state’s largest Bison herd population 🦬, hiking to the tallest point in South Dakota, or enjoying a scenic drive through the Black Hills.
This park has so much to do and see! You could spend an entire week or a few days seeing all of the best areas in this state park. The best time to go is in the summer or winter, but it is open year round! You may even get to see more wildlife in the winter.
Things to See in Custer State Park:
- Drive the scenic Needles Highway
- Find bison in the Wildlife Loop Road
- Hike up Black Elk Peak
- Watch climbers at Cathedral Spires
- Take a dip in Sylvan Lake
Things to Know
💵 Custer State Park has a $20 entrance fee per vehicle. The pass allows you to enter for a week. You can also purchase an annual pass for $36. Also, entrance passes are available at all five entrances of the park.
⏰ The Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. So, you can start this trail at anytime. Just make sure that you are prepared.
🐐 Watch out for any wildlife on the trail and do not approach it. Always maintain your distance and do not feed any of the animals.
🚗 The parking lot area fills up very quickly during the summer months and on the weekends. Get there early if you want to get a spot that is close to the trailhead.
☀️ Thunderstorms can roll in quickly here. It is dangerous to be near the swimming hole or in the swimming hole when there is a storm. So, check the weather in advance and don’t go if there is a chance of inclement weather.
🦮 Pets are allowed in this area, but must stay on a leash that is no longer than 10 feet. They are not allowed into any buildings or on the beaches.
Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave is famous for being one of the largest cave systems in the entire world 🌍! This large cave is located below the prairies of South Dakota. You can see bison and prairie dogs on your drive into the park and towards the cave. This cave is a fascinating place to explore and learn more about.
There are numerous cave tours 🎟 that you can take to explore the various rooms and calcite formations. Most days you can show up to the visitor center to book a tour. However, you can also book them in advance. They’re the best way to see this amazing cave structure and system, because you can not go in without a tour.
Things to Know
💵 Wind Cave has no fee, but the cave tours are not free. The various tours have different prices for adults and children.
⏰ The Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. However, cave tours only run until the evening time. You can look up cave tour times before you go!
🐐 Watch out for any wildlife on the trail and do not approach it. Always maintain your distance and do not feed any of the animals.
🦮 Pets are allowed in this area, but must stay on a leash that is no longer than 10 feet. They are not allowed into any buildings or on the beaches.
Badlands South Dakota
Wall Drug
Visit the largest drug store 🏪 in the entire country! Wall Drug opened 90 years ago and it has grown exponentially since. Well known for the free ice water and 5 cent coffee they’ve offered for years. It is so much more than a local pharmacy. This drug store fills the entire block and has so many fun places to explore.
You’ll know you’re within 100 miles of Wall Drug as soon as you start to see the billboards on the highway. Every mile or so they will tell you about the wonderful offerings at Wall Drug. When you get to Wall, you can easily follow the signs to get there.
The inside is full of different stores including a large cafe, a soda shoppe, a jewelry store, a T-shirt shop and so much more! Wall Drug will wow you. Dylan and I got buffalo burgers 🍔, the famous beef sandwich, and the delicious donuts. It’s an experience that you will not want to miss out on!
Things to Know
💵 There is no entrance fee to Wall Drug and you can even get free ice water!
⏰ Wall Drug is open 8 am-8 pm every day!
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is home to incredible rock formations, abundant wildlife, and one of the largest collections of fossils in the country! No South Dakota road trip is complete without a stop to this amazing destination.
You could spend up to a few weeks exploring the area, but you can see most of the main highlights in a day. Wake up for sunrise, drive the scenic road, and go on a few short hikes 🥾. Make sure to keep your eyes out for bighorn sheep, bison and prairie dogs as you explore!
Things to See in Badlands:
- Drive the Badlands Loop Road
- View Wildlife on the Sage Creek Rim Road
- Watch the sunrise and sunset over the badlands
- Hike trails in the Badlands
- Notch Trail
- Window Trail
- Door Trail
- Saddle Pass Trail to Castle Rock
Things to Know
💵 Badlands National Park costs $30 for a private vehicle that covers 7 day. You can also use any of the annual passes like the America the Beautiful Pass to get in.
⏰ The Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. So, you can start this trail at anytime. Just make sure that you are prepared.
🐐 Watch out for any wildlife on the trail and do not approach it. Always maintain your distance and do not feed any of the animals.
🚗 Some of the roads may be closed due to weather. You can check the NPS website for updated news on openings.
☀️ Thunderstorms can roll in quickly here and they can be powerful. It is dangerous to be on the trails in a storm.
🦮 Pets are allowed in this area, but must stay on a leash that is no longer than 10 feet. They are not allowed into any buildings or on hiking trails.
Final Thoughts
Visit one of the most underrated states in the United States. See otherworldly landscapes, go on amazing hikes, and see iconic landmarks. This South Dakota Road Trip itinerary will take you to all of the highlights!
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this South Dakota itinerary!
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We saw so many of these locations, even Wall Drug, on our trip to South Dakota. It was pretty awesome.
Wow, I have travelled extensively around the USA but have never been to South Dakota – to be honest, I didn’t think there was much there apart from Mount Rushmore. You have opened my eyes – it looks amazing and given me some inspiration.
We did this road trip last summer! But driving in from the south, we started at Wind Cave and then ended at Badlands. We also added a quick trip to Devil’s Tower in there too. Your tips were spot on! Great guide.
We have only driven through South Dakota on our travels. So your post gave us many reasons why we need to plan to do a road trip in the state and see more. I love all the amazing outdoor sights. And the chance to see buffalo …. at a distance!
Badlands National park– south Dakota are a great guide to share interested travelers. What a curated itinerary… Also wildlife exploration.