Going on a South Dakota road trip provides the traveler with a mix of the beautiful sceneries, history and an amazing journey. This will be a tour that will help in identifying some of the most appropriate places that you would like to visit ranging from the national parks to the ancient towns. Whether you are hiking through to Mount Rushmore, walking around the Badlands or even engaging in the wilderness of Custer State Park, the fun never ends. This guide is your one-stop shop for all the information you will need to make your road trip across South Dakota perfect, with some of the best scenic routes and other interesting sites.
Day 1: Explore Rapid City and Mount Rushmore
Start Your Journey in Rapid City
Start in the town known as the Gateway to the Black Hills, Rapid City is a relaxed town with both the natural beauty and historical feel of a frontier town. Local shops, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants are available in Rapid City these are the true representation of South Dakota. A short walk through South Dakotas City of Presidents, which are full-sized sculptures of past presidents is a fun way of getting a brief historical lesson.
Visit the Iconic Mount Rushmore
A few miles away from Rapid City, you will be welcomed by the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial sculpture. Take a walk in the Presidential Trail in which you will be able to see the monument and its construction in different vantage points.
Nearby Sights: Crazy Horse Memorial and Black Hills
From Mount Rushmore you should proceed to the Crazy Horse Memorial dedicated to the Native American chief. Despite the fact that construction continues even today, this large carving is rather remarkable and has connections with Native Americans.
Day 2: Discover Custer State Park and Wildlife
Drive the Wildlife Loop Road
Wildlife is normally abundant in Custer State Park and the Wildlife Loop Road is a good opportunity to get acquainted with bison, pronghorn and elk up close. This drive is a very beautiful one that takes you around the savannah grasslands and an adjoining forest with very many photo opportunities on wildlife.
Explore Scenic Needles Highway
Onwards, go for a drive on Needles Highway, a road with narrow turns and sharp bends, created by granite needles rising from the ground. It was dotted with beautiful sceneries, tunnels and rocks that surround the road making your trip to be an interesting one.
Hiking and Camping Opportunities in Custer State Park
For those who wish to walk a little more, the park also has many hiking trails which are divided into relatively easy ones as well as those that are quite steep. Another good thing about it is that it is possible to go camping here, so you will be able to be one with nature, especially the Black Hills.
Day 3: Journey Through Badlands National Park
Hiking the Badlands: Stunning Landscapes
Day three brings you to the Badlands National Park a park with an entirely different terrain to the Black Hills forests. This park is characterized by steep parallel cliffs, deeply eroded buttes, and long distance vistas. For those who are interested in hiking there can walk on different tracks with different difficulties starting from easy ones.
Explore Unique Wildlife in the Park
Make sure to observe the parks special animals such as the bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs. This is one of the spectacular places you would love to be when you are identifying these animals in their natural habitat due to the beautifully painted badlands.
Enjoy Stargazing and Camping in Badlands
Also bring your day to a close with the setting sun and pitch your tent in the evening. The Badlands is one of the most appropriate places to view a starry sky as the sky in the U. S. is dark and clear for stargazers to view the Milky Way. Staying here you will be able to enjoy the parks scenery in the day time and at night as well.
Day 4: Historic Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon
Step Back in Time in Deadwood
Day four is spent in Deadwood, a historic town that was home to such famous gunslingers as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. It has a flavour of the Old West and this is evident by the preserved saloons, shops and casinos. To get a glimpse of the towns past, visit the Days of 76 Museum or go take a walk at Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Drive Through Scenic Spearfish Canyon
Spearfish Canyon is a beautiful gorge that is filled with waterfalls, dense forest, and high limestone cliffs that are worth a drive after your Deadwood experience. South Dakota has a number of beautiful byways, but the scenic one is more interesting as it provides number of worthy stops.
Visit the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
If one is a motorcycle enthusiast, it is advisable to refuel in Sturgis because its a town that motorcycles lovers should not miss. Go to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame that is devoted to the towns famous annual motorcycle rally. Rally history and a great set of bikes are waiting for the visitors.
Day 5: Final Stops Wall and the Missouri River
Explore the Quirky Wall
On the final day, it would be a good idea to visit Wall. It is a brightly colored and quirky break from the driving with shops and restaurants and photo opportunities at every turn.
End Your Trip at the Missouri River for Scenic Views
End your trip in South Dakota by going for a sightseeing at the Missouri River where you can have a moment of tranquility. This river is one of the best places for a picnic, or a brief nature walk before you drive back home, thus ending your trip across this unique state.
Conclusion
The traveller who wants to experience the excitement of a road trip as well as historical and beautiful sights should consider South Dakota. The grandiose heads carved on the Mount Rushmore, the untamed wilderness of Badlands this route includes the places you have to see in order to make your trip unique. If you are fascinated by nature, history, or just the highway adventure, South Dakota has something to offer that is extraordinary.
