Ultimate Road Trip through the Black Hills of South Dakota
History and Scenery
When it comes to road trips, you’ll find quite a selection in the Midwest. One of the best is one of the least known – the Black Hills of South Dakota. If you follow the path of Lewis and Clark, Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickock, and Crazy Horse, you’ll find a world of history and breathtaking Views.
Badlands National Park
From Rapid City, head east on Interstate 90 to the East Entrance to Badlands National Park in South Dakota. The park is over 200,000 acres of canyons, buttes, ancient skeletons, and living creatures, such as bison, mules, whitetail deer, coyotes, and eagles. Plan to spend the day here and head out on some of the trails. They are available for all levels – even handicap accessible. If you can time it right, have dinner with a sunset at Cedar Pass Lodge.
Order the Buffalo Indian Taco for some real local flavor.
Wall, South Dakota
If you continue around the loop of Badlands National Park, you can exit the West entrance of Badlands Loop Road toward Wall. Plan to spend the night in Wall so you can be ready for another full day. A visit to the Black Hills of South Dakota is not complete without a stop at Wall Drug Store and a “stop” needs to be a few hours. This block long complex encompasses stores, restaurants and, yes, a drug store.
You’ll want to grab some of their famous treats, such as homemade donuts, ice cream, and buffalo burgers before you do some shopping.
Hill City, South Dakota
Take Interstate 90 West to U.S. 16 and head to Hill City, South Dakota. If you have the time, you could easily do a full day and overnight here. Do some sampling at Miner Brewing and Prairie Berry Winery (they are next door to each other). You can also enjoy some lunch at the winery, which has a menu filled with items made with fresh, local products. Take a walk through the downtown shops and art galleries before heading up to High Country Guest Ranch for a Cowboy Chuckwagon Show.
Mount Rushmore National Monument
From Hill City it is a short ride to Mount Rushmore in Keystone off Highway 16. Be prepared to be overwhelmed by this monumental testament to four American Presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Preceding the 5,725 foot carved mountain are flags for each state. Allow some time to explore the monument and visitors center, where there’s a film about Gutzon Borglum, the artist who was commissioned to carve the South Dakota memorial.
Custer State Park
Head out of Mount Rushmore and into Custer State Park. The winding road will take you at the edge of cliffs and through one way tunnels. You’ll see bison, mountain goats, and more along Wildlife Loop Road and feel like you are riding a roller coaster as you head down Needles Parkway. Have the camera ready for many scenic stops and plan to stretch your legs for a light hike around the breathtaking Sylvan Lake.
Drive west on US-16 Alt from Custer State Park to Downtown Custer. Make a right onto North 5th street and stop for lunch at Black Hills Burger and Bun Co. You’ll probably have to wait a while for a table (and then again for your burger), but it will be worth it. TripAdvisor recently named this the best burger in America and they weren’t kidding. Make sure you sample the pickles and add a side of cole slaw.
Continue on 5th Street to follow US-16 East. Make a right onto Avenue of the Chiefs and you’ll head into the Crazy Horse Memorial site. As beautiful as this monument is, keep in mind that it is a work in progress so it’s something you’ll definitely want to be returning to. It's the largest monument in the world so allow plenty of time to explore the visitors’ center and see the film about how this memorial came to be and the remarkable family who continues the legacy.
When it comes to road trips, you’ll find quite a selection in the Midwest. One of the best is one of the least known – the Black Hills of South Dakota. If you follow the path of Lewis and Clark, Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickock, and Crazy Horse, you’ll find a world of history and breathtaking Views.
Badlands National Park
From Rapid City, head east on Interstate 90 to the East Entrance to Badlands National Park in South Dakota. The park is over 200,000 acres of canyons, buttes, ancient skeletons, and living creatures, such as bison, mules, whitetail deer, coyotes, and eagles. Plan to spend the day here and head out on some of the trails. They are available for all levels – even handicap accessible. If you can time it right, have dinner with a sunset at Cedar Pass Lodge.
Order the Buffalo Indian Taco for some real local flavor.
Wall, South Dakota
If you continue around the loop of Badlands National Park, you can exit the West entrance of Badlands Loop Road toward Wall. Plan to spend the night in Wall so you can be ready for another full day. A visit to the Black Hills of South Dakota is not complete without a stop at Wall Drug Store and a “stop” needs to be a few hours. This block long complex encompasses stores, restaurants and, yes, a drug store.
You’ll want to grab some of their famous treats, such as homemade donuts, ice cream, and buffalo burgers before you do some shopping.
Hill City, South Dakota
Take Interstate 90 West to U.S. 16 and head to Hill City, South Dakota. If you have the time, you could easily do a full day and overnight here. Do some sampling at Miner Brewing and Prairie Berry Winery (they are next door to each other). You can also enjoy some lunch at the winery, which has a menu filled with items made with fresh, local products. Take a walk through the downtown shops and art galleries before heading up to High Country Guest Ranch for a Cowboy Chuckwagon Show.
Mount Rushmore National Monument
From Hill City it is a short ride to Mount Rushmore in Keystone off Highway 16. Be prepared to be overwhelmed by this monumental testament to four American Presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Preceding the 5,725 foot carved mountain are flags for each state. Allow some time to explore the monument and visitors center, where there’s a film about Gutzon Borglum, the artist who was commissioned to carve the South Dakota memorial.
Custer State Park
Head out of Mount Rushmore and into Custer State Park. The winding road will take you at the edge of cliffs and through one way tunnels. You’ll see bison, mountain goats, and more along Wildlife Loop Road and feel like you are riding a roller coaster as you head down Needles Parkway. Have the camera ready for many scenic stops and plan to stretch your legs for a light hike around the breathtaking Sylvan Lake.
Drive west on US-16 Alt from Custer State Park to Downtown Custer. Make a right onto North 5th street and stop for lunch at Black Hills Burger and Bun Co. You’ll probably have to wait a while for a table (and then again for your burger), but it will be worth it. TripAdvisor recently named this the best burger in America and they weren’t kidding. Make sure you sample the pickles and add a side of cole slaw.
Continue on 5th Street to follow US-16 East. Make a right onto Avenue of the Chiefs and you’ll head into the Crazy Horse Memorial site. As beautiful as this monument is, keep in mind that it is a work in progress so it’s something you’ll definitely want to be returning to. It's the largest monument in the world so allow plenty of time to explore the visitors’ center and see the film about how this memorial came to be and the remarkable family who continues the legacy.
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