South Dakota seems so far from . . . everywhere. This beautiful, rugged state, known mainly for Mt. Rushmore, has so many unique sights and activities that it’s definitely worth the effort to go and explore. Because we love seeing buffalo (yes, I know they’re really bison, but who calls them bison?), we recommend going to Custer State Park after the buffalo round-up that occurs mid-September. At that time, the buffalo are one big herd, and it’s easy to get up close, really up close and personal with them – in the safety of your vehicle.
Here is a list of places to check out in the western side of South Dakota and its haunting Black Hills:
- Mt. Rushmore
- Crazy Horse Monument
- Custer State Park
- Wind Cave National Park – be sure to reserve tickets days ahead!
- The Mammoth Site – “the world’s largest mammoth research facility where you can tour an active paleontological dig site”
- Evans Plunge Mineral Springs – Indoor pool featuring naturally warm mineral water from a thermal spring, sauna, & water slides.
- Deadwood
- Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls
- Sturgis – home to a motorcycle rally started in 1940 and still going strong. Check out their website for concerts and scenic road trip maps, as well as future dates for the rally.
- The Badlands National Park and the nearby town of Wall with its huge, famous, eclectic drug store.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at hotel near Mt. Rushmore – we stayed at the Bavarian Inn (pet friendly, as we still had Rocky with us) and saw wild turkeys on the grounds.
Day 2
Crazy Horse Monument, which is unfortunately not complete. You can see the artist’s concept in the visitor center and for a fee take a bus out to the actual Crazy Horse Monument. (allow 1/2-2 hours)
Mt. Rushmore – enjoy a picnic lunch or purchase lunch at the small café. The drive up to Mt. Rushmore takes you through some stunning terrain. Be sure to drive one direction up and drive down the other side.
Custer State Park – take a drive if your vehicle is narrow enough and short enough to get through the opening in the rock tunnel. Our Honda minivan just fit. If you’re in Custer after mid-September, the buffalo should all be corralled into one area. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get stuck in a buffalo-style road jam, as we did. One buffalo stared us in the eye. Another buffalo seemed to stop traffic on purpose and a big buffalo even swiped its horn against our minivan, which was exhilarating and frightening. Be aware that buffalo seem so calm, but they are VERY unpredictable, fast, and can be mean. Keep yourselves, your children, your pets, your daring friends, and your body parts inside the vehicle!
Enjoy dinner at the Black Forest-inspired Alpine Inn, where the menu is two pages long because there are many kinds of wine, but only two entrees – steak or pasta.
Day 3
Get up and out early if you plan to get to Sturgis as well as Deadwood and the waterfalls. Drive through the Black Hills National Forest to watch a gunfight or the re-enactment of the killing of Wild Bill Hickok and frienemies in Deadwood. We saw the re-enacment of Wild Bill Hickok’s demise during our lunch at Saloon #10, but there are also street performances.
For those of you who like to gamble, Deadwood boasts several casinos and gaming resorts.
Be sure to check the gunfight re-enactment schedule several days before you go. Look for big horn sheep on the rock bluff in the town, stroll around the historic town, have lunch, then head on out on your self-guided waterfall tour to Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. The drive through the canyon is quite scenic. Stop in Sturgis for an afternoon snack or dinner.
Day 4
Trek on down to The Mammoth Site and nearby Evans Plunge Mineral Pool for a nice warm swim, 2 waterslides, and a sauna. The pool is mineral fed, warm, and very clean, since the water exchanges every 20 minutes. There’s also a small park called Chautuaqua Park and waterfall near Evans.
Day 5
Wind Cave National Park is today’s stop. Be sure to check their website, buy tickets ahead of time, since they sell out (they sold out before the restrictions from Covid’s social distancing!). We didn’t get to do Wind Cave, partly perhaps because it’s not well advertised. Hike the lake in Custer State Park with views of sawtooth rock formations and, if you love those buffalo, go see them again.
Day 6
If you have more time, we found the Badlands National Park to be a wind-blown, unique park with easy trails. One trail, called Notch Trail, included climbing a wooden ladder to a southern vista. We spotted big horn sheep prancing toward our van to the beat of Carlos Santana’s “Oye Como Va” blaring out of our window. Badlands National Park seems very remote, but is only 55 minutes away from Rapid City.
Of course, if you go to the Badlands, you’ll need to spend an hour at Wall Drug, a unique treasure trove of souvenir shopping taken to an epic level. Grab a bite to eat and wander the “town” of Wall just south of the entrance to the park. There are a few hotels in the town of Wall, but be aware that the Best Western closes October 31 for the season.
Have an extra day? Enjoy some family fun at Rushmore Tramway Adventure, Big Thunder Gold Mine, or Rush Mountain Adventure Park. (We didn’t do this, but it looks fun.)
Getting to visit Mt. Rushmore was truly part of our American Dream travel. Exploring outposts of America’s Ol’ Wild West offers sweet treats for adventurers and travelers. And South Dakota had so much more than the icon of Mt. Rushmore.