How Many Miles To Rapid City South Dakota

I Calendar week in South Dakota Itinerary: Black Hills & the Badlands

There are many different means to spend one week in S Dakota. This itinerary focuses on the southwestern corner of the state, visiting sights located in and around the Black Hills.

There is a long list of things to practise in this office of South Dakota. Here are the things you will see on this South Dakota itinerary:

Mount Rushmore
Crazy Horse Memorial
Custer Land Park
Badlands National Park
Wind Cave National Park
Devils Tower
Mammoth Site
Deadwood & Lead
Spearfish Canyon

This trip is extremely piece of cake to program. You volition fly in and out of 1 drome, stay in two unlike locations, and at that place is no need for special vehicle, such as a 4×4 or high-clearance vehicle.

This is likewise a peachy trip for families. Kids will honey exploring Custer State Park, hiking the brusk trails in the Badlands, seeing the bison and prairie dogs, and visiting several of the most iconic landmarks in the USA.

And if one week in Southward Dakota is too much time, you lot tin can easily shorten this itinerary past eliminating the days of piddling interest to you lot.

Get a Digital Download of this Itinerary

Do you desire a printer friendly version of this itinerary? How about an eBook version of this itinerary that can exist downloaded onto your computer or mobile device?

Our 1 Calendar week in S Dakota itinerary eBook includes this full itinerary, with detailed daily schedules, insider tips, and travel planning resources. Information technology is a 25-page version of this article that you tin can download to take with you or print at home.

Click hither to purchase the eBook on Etsy.com.

South Dakota Itinerary: Twenty-four hour period 1

Arrive in Rapid City, Drive to Badlands National Park

On the Road: 72 miles, 1.5 hours (this includes the bulldoze to Wall and the Pinnacles Overlook in Badlands National Park)

On this S Dakota itinerary, you lot volition fly in and out of Rapid Urban center Regional Airport. Endeavour to programme your flight and then y'all arrive in the morning or the early afternoon.

Pick up your rental machine at the airport. There is no need for a 4WD vehicle or high-clearance vehicle…all of the roads y'all will drive are either paved or they are gravel roads suitable for standard cars.

From the airdrome, drive to Wall, South Dakota on Interstate 90 (55 miles, one hour). This very small town is the gateway into Badlands National Park. It has several hotels and restaurants to choose from.

As yous bulldoze to Wall, information technology'southward incommunicable to miss the huge number of billboards along the highway advertising Wall Drug. Wall Drug started in 1931 every bit a small drug shop in a very small town. Through self-promotion, Wall Drug grew into a cowboy-themed mall. At present, information technology has several restaurants, shops, and art gallery, and fifty-fifty a small chapel.

Due to its popularity, it is worth checking out Wall Drug while y'all are in town. We had lunch here and weren't impressed but I yet think it is worth a quick visit.

If y'all go to Wall and the sun is still shining in the sky, I highly recommend visiting Badlands National Park. Watching the dusk is one of the best things to exercise in Badlands National Park.

Pinnacles Overlook

From Wall, information technology takes merely xv minutes to drive into the park and but 5 minutes later you lot will accomplish the Pinnacles Overlook, one of the best spots to watch the dusk in Badlands National Park.

Accept dinner in Wall and become settled into your hotel.

Where to Stay and Eat in Wall

On this South Dakota itinerary, you lot will stay in Wall for one night.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: You can visit Badlands National Park on a day trip from Rapid Metropolis or the Black Hills, however, you will do a lot of driving and it volition be more difficult to see the Badlands at dusk or sunrise, which I think is one of the best experiences in the park.

We stayed at the All-time Western Plains Motel, which is ane of the highest rated properties in town. Rooms are zip fancy but they are make clean and quiet and the WiFi was decent. America's All-time Value Inn and the Days Inn become mediocre reviews.

In Wall, you can take lunch at Wall Drug (they close at 6 pm and then don't look to get dinner here). Nosotros ate at Badlands Saloon and Grille twice for dinner and enjoyed it. Amigo'south Cantina was recommended to us by our hotel staff.

You tin can also stay in Badlands National Park. The only lodge in the park is the Cedar Pass Lodge. At that place are likewise two campgrounds in the park. The Cedar Pass Campground has some sites for RV'south merely the Sage Creek Campground does not.

South Dakota Itinerary: 24-hour interval 2

Badlands National Park

On the Route: 125 miles, 3 hours

Today, y'all will spend the mean solar day in Badlands National Park and in the evening get settled in your hotel in the Black Hills or Rapid Urban center.

If you tin can, I recommend setting your alarm clock and rolling out of bed early. Watching the sunrise is a magical feel in Badlands National Park. You can cheque sunrise and dusk times here.

From Wall, drive Interstate 90 due east and then take SD-240 southward to enter the park. It takes 30 minutes to get to the entrance of Badlands National Park.

Immediately past the entrance station is the Large Badlands Overlook. This is one of our favorite views of Badlands National Park and one of the top spots to watch the sunrise. Even if you don't get here right at sunrise, it is still a spectacular viewpoint.

Large Badlands Overlook

For the balance of the day, you will drive Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), visiting the overlooks forth the mode and taking your pick from the short hiking trails. For a consummate listing of what to exercise in the park, accept a look at our mail Best Things to Exercise in Badlands National Park.

Equally you drive through the park, the next place you lot will reach are the trailheads for several hiking trails. The Notch Trail is the most thrilling hike in the park and it is very short. If yous do one hike today, this is the one that I recommend. The Door and Window Trails are very easy walks that take you up close to the rock formations.

Go on the drive on Badlands Loop Road, visiting the overlooks as you lot get. The Fossil Showroom Trail and Saddle Laissez passer are ii more than walks/hikes to consider doing.

Just by the Pinnacles Overlook, Highway 240 turns n and heads to Wall. At this indicate, you tin can drive Sagecreek Rim Road further into the Badlands. This gravel route is suitable for standard cars. The views of the Badlands aren't quite equally good as they are along Badlands Loop Drive, only on Sagecreek Rim Road you lot have a much better risk to spot wild fauna like bison, bighorn sheep, coyote, and prairie dogs (we saw all of these animals here during our visit).

To get the Black Hills and Rapid Metropolis, y'all have 2 options.

#one The Fast, Directly Route: take Highway 240 to Wall and so drive Interstate ninety to Rapid Urban center. This drive takes 1 hr and fifteen minutes if you lot go to Rapid Metropolis and an hour and 40 minutes if you will exist staying in the Blackness Hills.

#ii The Scenic Route (literally): Drive Sagecreek Rim Road w until it ends on Highway 44 right exterior of Breathtaking. Breathtaking is a "ghost town," a collection of abandoned buildings. From Scenic, drive Highway 44 to Rapid Metropolis and the Black Hills. This drive takes an 60 minutes and a half if y'all go to Rapid City and i hr and 45 minutes if yous volition be staying in the Black Hills.

Scenic, Southward Dakota

Where to Stay: Rapid City or the Black Hills?

For the remainder of this Due south Dakota itinerary, you lot volition stay in either the Black Hills or Rapid City. Which one is better?

When we did this, we stayed in Rapid City, going for the convenience of being located next to a major interstate and having a large choice of restaurants and hotels. However, we did a lot of extra driving going back and along between the Black Hills most days. It wasn't a big deal, but if nosotros did information technology again, we would selection the Black Hills.

Where to Stay (and Eat) in the Black Hills

The boondocks of Custer is located but outside of the park, on the west side. EO Bungalows is ane of the highest rated properties and your room comes with a kitchenette. The Rocket Motel is a nice choice if you are looking for a budget holding that gets proficient reviews. The Holiday Limited & Suites Custer-Mountain Rushmore also gets good reviews.

Keystone is located north of Custer Land Park, about Mount Rushmore. It is located about the end of Atomic number 26 Mountain Road. This town has a very touristy feel to it but it does have a prissy, central location for exploring the Black Hills. We recommend the K Bar S Lodge and the Rockerville Lodge and Cabins.

Hill City is some other minor town to consider. The Liberty Ridge Cabins and the Black Elk Resort are two of the highest rated properties in this town.

You tin also stay in Custer State Park. There are four lodges within the park, the Land Game Order, the Sylvan Lake Lodge, the Legion Lake Society, and the Blue Bell Guild. There are also numerous campgrounds scattered throughout the park and several campsites have cabins.

I highly recommend having dinner atSkogen Kitchen in Custer. This small-scale eatery serves gourmet food that is outstanding. It was so good that nosotros ate here ii nights in a row. Make your reservation in advance.

Where to Stay in Rapid Metropolis

There are several highly rated chain hotels with a groovy location right on Interstate 90. Nosotros stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott but the Best Western Plus, the Residence Inn, and the Staybridge Suites all get very skilful reviews.

S Dakota Itinerary: Twenty-four hours 3

Blackness Hills of South Dakota

Today, you lot will visit the iconic landmarks and historical sites that are tucked abroad in the beautiful Blackness Hills of South Dakota.

Mount Rushmore

In the morn, visit Mountain Rushmore National Memorial. A visit hither can concluding every bit trivial every bit xxx minutes, if you just want to walk up and snap a selfie with Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. I recommend spending more time here, walking the Presidential Trail and learning more most the history of Mount Rushmore in the visitor center.

For luncheon, y'all tin can either pack a picnic lunch or go to Keystone, the closest boondocks to Mount Rushmore.

In the afternoon, drive to the Crazy Horse Memorial. To become there, you will drive Highway 244 and Highway 385, 2 roads that make up part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. This byway has been named one of the x Virtually Outstanding Byways in America. You volition drive more of this byway when you visit Custer State Park (after in this South Dakota itinerary).

Crazy Horse Memorial

The Crazy Horse Memorial is currently under construction. When information technology is finished, information technology volition depict Crazy Equus caballus, an Oglala Lakota warrior, riding a horse and pointing towards his tribal lands.

Even though it is still a piece of work in progress, the Crazy Horse Memorial is open to visitors. You tin can simply view the monument from afar, from the terrace of the Welcome Center, or you lot tin can have a van ride to the monument for a closer view. For updated pricing and hours, visit the official website.

Rapid City

After your visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial, go to Rapid City for dinner and nice stroll around town. Standing on the street corners of downtown Rapid Metropolis are life-sized statues of the U.s. presidents and you tin try to encounter them all on this walking tour.

Have dinner in town and and then return to your hotel. For dinner, nosotros recommend Que Pasa (Mexican), Everest Cuisine (Indian and vegetarian), Murphy's Pub and Grill (gastropub), and Tally's Silver Spoon (America and vegetarian).

Due south Dakota Itinerary: Twenty-four hour period 4

Custer State Park

Custer Country Park is truly a gem of a country park. For many visitors to South Dakota, Custer State Park is the highlight of their visit, topping Mountain Rushmore and the Badlands.

This country park has a little bit of everything…thrilling hiking trails, picturesque lakes, and an abundance of wildlife that rivals that in neighboring national parks.

Sylvan Lake

Bison in Custer State Park

One mean solar day in Custer State Park gives yous enough fourth dimension to drive the breathtaking drives, hike a curt trail or two, and see how many bison you can count on Wildlife Loop Road.

Below are two different ways to spend your time in Custer State Park. Selection #1 is perfect for families and those who desire to run into the best of the park without doing a lot of hiking. Pick #2 is for avid hikers.

#1 Highlights of Custer Land Park

Morn: Starting at the Visitor Center, bulldoze Wild animals Loop Drive in a clockwise direction.
Late Morning: Drive Needles Highway to Sylvan Lake. If you lot like the idea of doing a short hike in the park, I recommend the Cathedral Spires hike. You will pass the parking lot for Cathedral Spires Trailhead on the way to Sylvan Lake.
Midday: Spend some time at Sylvan Lake. Consider the easy stroll on the Lake Shore Trail or renting kayaks or paddle boards hither (great in the summer months). Have a picnic lunch, dine at Sylvan Lake Order, or grab something quick to eat at the General Store.
Afternoon: Backtrack down the Needles Highway. If you are doing good on time, and are looking for some solitude, visit Center Lake.
Late Afternoon: Drive Highway 16A towards the Game State Lodge. If you are visiting with kids, consider visiting the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center, simply note that it closes at 5 pm. Then exit the park on Iron Mountain Road. If it is getting night, stop by Mount Rushmore if you have not even so seen information technology at night.

#2 Custer State Park for Hikers

Morn: Hike to Black Elk Top, Cathedral Spires, and/or Little Devils Tower. This can be washed from Sylvan Lake or the Cathedral Spires trailhead parking lot.
Midday: Visit Sylvan Lake and accept tiffin at Sylvan Lake Society.
Afternoon: Drive Needles Highway and so bulldoze Wildlife Loop Road counter-clockwise. This drive ends about the Visitor Center and the Game State Order, so if you need food, drinks, or to use the restrooms, you can do this hither.
Tardily Afternoon: Exit the park past driving Iron Mountain Road. Consider stopping to see Mount Rushmore at night, if the sun volition be setting soon.

Cathedral Spires Trail

South Dakota Itinerary: Mean solar day five

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park is dwelling to one of the longest cave systems in the world. Touring the cave is the main reason for visiting this park but in that location is a lot more to practise here than explore this underground earth.

Above basis, Air current Cave National Park is home to i of the largest mixed-grass prairies in the United States. Miles and miles of hiking trails crisscross through these prairies. Bison, pronghorn, elk, coyotes, and prairie dogs can be found in abundance here, along with many other animals.

With ane twenty-four hour period in Wind Cavern National Park, you can separate your day by hiking an above ground trail in the morning and taking a ranger-guided tour of the cave organization in the afternoon. If y'all volition exist visiting during the warm summer months, it is all-time to do the hike in the morning while temperatures are still cool.

If it is not likewise tardily in the day and want to visit ane more very unique identify in South Dakota, this is a expert fourth dimension to add together on the Mammoth Site. This archaeological site contains the remains of over 60 mammoths, making it the site with the largest in-situ mammoth remains in the world. Learn more here.

Due south Dakota Itinerary: Solar day 6

Devils Tower Mean solar day Trip

Devils Belfry National Monument is an iconic landmark that is located in Wyoming. It makes a dandy mean solar day trip from Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Past adding on Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, and Lead, you can turn this day trip into an ballsy road trip. With celebrated towns to visit, waterfalls, and hiking trails, there'south something for everyone.

S Dakota Itinerary: Day vii

Fly home

Today, you will return to Rapid Urban center Regional Airport and wing abode, or, continue your travels.

If your visit to South Dakota is part of a bigger road trip through the United States, learn how to visit Southward Dakota, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, and M Teton National Park in one astonishing road trip with this ballsy 10 24-hour interval road trip itinerary.

All-time Time for this Southward Dakota Itinerary

Bound, summer, and fall are slap-up times to practise this S Dakota itinerary.

In the spring and autumn, daytime temperatures range from the 50's to the 70'south. Rainfall is more likely during the jump months, so if y'all desire to drier conditions, get in autumn.

Fall colors peak in Southward Dakota from tardily September into early October. We visited South Dakota the second week of Oct and fall colors were just by peak.

During the summertime months, temperatures tin can be blazing hot in Badlands National Park. However, in the Black Hills, temperatures are more moderate, with daytime high'southward reaching 80°F.

The wintertime months in Southward Dakota are very common cold. Needles Highway in Custer State Park closes during the wintertime months due to snow.

Go a Digital Download of this Itinerary

Do you lot want a printer friendly version of this itinerary? How virtually an eBook version of this itinerary that can be downloaded onto your computer or mobile device?

Our One Calendar week in Due south Dakota itinerary eBook includes this total itinerary, with detailed daily schedules, insider tips, and travel planning resources. It is a 25-page version of this article that you can download to take with you or print at home.

Click here to purchase the eBook on Etsy.com.

Note: This post contains chapter links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, nosotros get paid a minor committee at no extra cost to yous.

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