From Rapid City to Badlands: 5-Day South Dakota Road Trip

Arrive at Rapid City Regional Airport. Rental car pickup is located conveniently in the airport and just a few steps from luggage pickup. Venture into Rapid City and drive down Main Street. Keep an eye out for presidential statues located on every street corner. While in Rapid City, grab a bite to eat, visit The Chapel of the Hills, look out for the big American Flag and take a quick stroll down Art Alley. Drive 30 minutes to your hotel destination, either in Keystone or Hill City. Both are small, quaint and picturesque towns. Time permitting visit Crazy Horse.

Today visit, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse (if yesterday was not possible), and drive to Custer State Park on Needles Highway. Make sure you STOP after going through the tunnel and take a picture of the needle eye rock formation, usually overlooked by most visitors. Have a picnic lunch at Sylvan Lake, and afterwards hike around the lake, or through the boulders, for some amazing views. Drive out Custer Park through Wildlife Loop Road and head over to Wind Cave National Park. Here you will see all kinds of wildlife, come face to face with Buffalo, encounter thousands of praise dogs, and if you are lucky, you will have an encounter up with the wild burros. Make sure you take a tour of the cave, you won't be disapointed.

Today hike up the famous Black Elk Peak at 7,242 feet. It's a 6.4 mile up and down the trail which is found in Custer, SD. It is considered a moderately challenging route. It can take an average of 3.5 hours to complete, however, I recommend you take your time and soak it all in. After your hike stop at The Custer Wolf for lunch, the Fish 'n' Chips and BCJ Burger are amazing but make sure you leave room for their famous bread pudding, it's finger liking good!

Drive to Jewel Cave National Monument which claims to be one of the longest caves in the world. Explore the underground magic of cave formations and wilderness.

Head back to your hotel and rest up, tomorrow is another eventful day.

Check out of the hotel and drive up to Wyoming, to Devils Tower National Monument, America's first national monument. Spend as much or as little of time here. Rock climbing is a common recreation activity if you're up for a climb, enjoy! You can also hike around the tower or sit and enjoy the magnificent view.

In the afternoon, visit Spearfish City and its waterfalls another hiking opportunity here.

Drive to the town of Deadwood, where you will be spending the night. Enjoy the casinos and nightlife, and don't forget to visit the cemetery.

Check out of the hotel and drive over to and through Badlands National Park. There are quite a few trails, some short, some long, some easy and some more adventurous. My favorite is Notch Trail, known for its log ladder and fantastic views. Stop at the many panoramic overlooks and soak it all in.

Visit the town of Wall, and its 76,000 sq ft mall, Wall Drug Store. Buy those souvenirs and have a Buffalo Burger and onion rings, followed by a $.5 coffee and one of their famous donuts.

Drive back to Rapid City, where you will spend the night for an early departure in the morning.