South Dakota Road Trip

If you are planning a trip out to Rapid city area in South Dakota do it. There is so much to do in this area with the Badlands being just an hour from Rapid City. Custer state park and forest are about a thirty minute drive from Rapid City. Mount Rushmore National Monument is in Keystone which is about a half hour from Rapid City. There are lots of touristy things to do in the area with the pull of people coming to see Mount Rushmore the cities have set up to entertain. There is also a lot of rural gems and nature that is stunning. This is a family. Friendly trip. There is also a lot of hiking and natural exploring to do in the are.

Wall Drug

Right outside the badlands is the city of Wall. This town is something you can not miss if you are on your way east bound to Rapid city. If you are hungry looking for food they have that for you. If you are looking for a souvenir for your kids this is the place to go. If you just need a simple place to use the rest room and stretch your legs this place is for you. The parking is also RV friendly so if you are traveling with a camper like we do there is a place to park.

For more information visit https://www.walldrug.com

Reptile Gardens

The reptile gardens are located in Rapid City out on your way to Keystone. If you have an animal lover in your family this place is for you. The reptile gardens have the biggest collection of snakes and reptiles in the nation. They have interactive presentations on snakes and crocodiles. Pet and walk around with Galapagose tortises and watch. One of the great things about going here is you get in for free for a year after purchase. We did this at the beginning of our trip and then went back at the end.

For more information visit https://www.reptilegardens.com

Mount Rushmore

This iconic national monument of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota. They have an RV friendly parking lot so if you are coming with your RV no worries there is a spot for you. Take in this stunning monument with their walking path. Be warned there are tons of stairs so if you are traveling with a stroller leave it behind for this walk. There is also a building with a replica of what the creator envisioned when he first planned this monument.

For more information go to https://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm

Custer State Park

This park is home to 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is home to abundant wildlife and adventure; camping, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, or relaxing, there’s something here for everyone. Drive the game loop where you are likely to see the heard of bison, prairie dogs, donkeys, prong horns and much more.

For more information go to https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/

Iron mountain road

This road takes your from the heart of Custer state park up to Mount Rushmore. The whole concept of the road was to showcase Mount Rushmore. When approaching and going through most of the tunnels it picture frames Mount Rushmore. It is an experience like no other and a must do if you are in the area. This is not camper friendly. Small RVs may fit in the tunnels. Check ahead of time if your vehicle will fit before you go. The tunnels are small and one lane. You would not want to get stuck in a tunnel.

Lake Sylvan

This lake is stunning to come upon while you are driving on Needles Highway. With multiple hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, swimming, fishing, boating, and so much more, spending a day at Sylvan Lake in the middle of the Black Hills. You could spend a whole day exploring around this lake. If you only have an hour take a swim, walk the loop around the lake.

Needles highway

The Needles Highway is more than a 14-mile road—it’s a spectacular drive through pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen, and rugged granite mountains. The road’s name comes from the needlelike granite formations that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway. Needles highway is not highway friendly. I would suggest researching if your vehicle will fit before you head out on this drive.

Badlands national Park

The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today. This drive is RV friendly.

For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm

Storybook Island Park

This free city park is nothing like any park I have been to. You enter through the castle and explore a large variety of storybook villages. Ride the train through the tunnel. The train does cost per person riding. They have music playing for a magical atmosphere. This is all funded by donation.

For more information visit https://storybookisland.org

Chapel in the Hills

This stunning chapel is free to the public to come view. This building was built in Norway and shipped to the states piece by piece. This is a replica of a building that is currently still standing in Norway. They have a scavenger hunt set up for the kids to keep them entertained while learning at the same time. They have a gift shop where you can purchase things if you want.

For more information visit https://www.chapel-in-the-hills.org