📍 United States

BLACK HILLS AND BADLANDS: MONUMENTS, BISON AND SPIRES

Presidents emerging from granite faces, bison thundering through painted prairies, pine forests clothing sacred Black Hills. South Dakota, memories carved in stone.

≈ 20
Days
716
Km
18
Stops
📖 10 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Follow the Badlands and their painted terrain, then take Needles Highway amid granite spires. Stop at Mount Rushmore, then approach Crazy Horse, sculpture in progress and local pride. End at Deadwood, saloons and Far West memory. South Dakota alternates vastness, scenic roads and stories carved in rock.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls - Photo 1Sioux Falls - Photo 2Sioux Falls - Photo 3Sioux Falls - Photo 4Sioux Falls - Photo 5Sioux Falls - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Falls and overlooks at Falls Park
2
Queen Bee Mill ruins
3
Falls Park visitor center and observation tower
🎯

Activities

→
Walk on the trails along the Big Sioux River
→
Picnic and Saturday farmers market (in season)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 77.5 km
Travel time: 1h18
2
Day

Lake Herman State Park

Lake Herman State Park - Photo 1Lake Herman State Park - Photo 2Lake Herman State Park - Photo 3Lake Herman State Park - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Beach and shore of Lake Herman
2
Hiking trails around Lake Herman
🎯

Activities

→
Swimming and kayaking on Lake Herman
→
Wildlife observation (waterfowl, deer, eagles)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 164.1 km
Travel time: 2h03
3
Day

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie - Photo 1Spirit Mound Historic Prairie - Photo 2Spirit Mound Historic Prairie - Photo 3Spirit Mound Historic Prairie - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Interpretive center and panels on Lewis & Clark
2
Spirit Mound summit and views of the Missouri River Valley
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking on the Spirit Mound Trail through the tallgrass prairie
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 60.1 km
Travel time: 1h
4
Day

Lewis Clark Recreation

Lewis Clark Recreation - Photo 1Lewis Clark Recreation - Photo 2Lewis Clark Recreation - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Sand beaches and Missouri shores at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
2
Gavins Point Nature Trail
🎯

Activities

→
Recreational boating on the Missouri River
→
Shaded picnic and wildlife observation (herons, eagles, deer)
5
Day

Badlands Notch Trail

Badlands Notch Trail - Photo 1Badlands Notch Trail - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Notch Trail in the Badlands (wooden ladder and ridges)
2
Viewpoints over the White River Valley
🎯

Activities

→
Audio self-tour on the Badlands Loop Road around Notch Trail
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 43.1 km
Travel time: 1h26
6
Day

Sage Creek Wilderness

Sage Creek Wilderness - Photo 1
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Viewpoints along Sage Creek Rim Road
🎯

Activities

→
Off-trail hiking in the Sage Creek Wilderness prairies
→
Wildlife observation (bison, antelopes, bighorn sheep, coyotes)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 10.3 km
Travel time: 21min
7
Day

Badlands Pinnacles Overlook

Badlands Pinnacles Overlook - Photo 1Badlands Pinnacles Overlook - Photo 2Badlands Pinnacles Overlook - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Pinnacles Overlook viewpoint at sunset
🎯

Activities

→
Photo stops on the Badlands Loop Road around Pinnacles
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 124.2 km
Travel time: 2h04
8
Day

Custer State Park

Custer State Park - Photo 1Custer State Park - Photo 2Custer State Park - Photo 3Custer State Park - Photo 4Custer State Park - Photo 5Custer State Park - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Wildlife Loop Road of Custer State Park
2
Main lakes and viewpoints of Custer State Park
🎯

Activities

→
Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour at Custer State Park
→
Hiking and biking on pine hills trails
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 24.2 km
Travel time: 48min
9
Day

Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake - Photo 1Sylvan Lake - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Walking tour around Sylvan Lake
🎯

Activities

→
Kayaking and paddleboarding on Sylvan Lake
→
Watching climbers on granite walls
→
Excursion to Cosmos Mystery Area
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 1.1 km
Travel time: 2min
10
Day

Needles Highway

Needles Highway - Photo 1Needles Highway - Photo 2Needles Highway - Photo 3Needles Highway - Photo 4Needles Highway - Photo 5Needles Highway - Photo 6Needles Highway - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Scenic drive on Needles Highway (tunnels and granite spires)
2
Viewpoints including Needles Highway Scenic Overlook
🎯

Activities

→
Short hikes along Needles Highway
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9.4 km
Travel time: 19min
11
Day

Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial - Photo 1Crazy Horse Memorial - Photo 2Crazy Horse Memorial - Photo 3Crazy Horse Memorial - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Crazy Horse Memorial observation platform
2
Museum and visitor center on Native American heritage
🎯

Activities

→
Meal at Laughing Water Restaurant with view of the monument
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 20.7 km
Travel time: 41min
12
Day

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore - Photo 1Mount Rushmore - Photo 2Mount Rushmore - Photo 3Mount Rushmore - Photo 4Mount Rushmore - Photo 5Mount Rushmore - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Main terrace of Mount Rushmore
2
Visitor Center and Sculptor's Studio
3
Presidential Trail around the base of the monument
🎯

Activities

→
Evening illumination ceremony at Mount Rushmore
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 4.8 km
Travel time: 10min
13
Day

Keystone

rushmore gateway taffy shops tourist base

Keystone - Photo 1Keystone - Photo 2Keystone - Photo 3Keystone - Photo 4Keystone - Photo 5Keystone - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Historic Main Street of Keystone
2
Big Thunder Gold Mine
3
Keystone Historical Museum
🎯

Activities

→
Keystone tramway ride and 1880 Train steam train
→
Shopping and restaurants in downtown Keystone
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 26.9 km
Travel time: 54min
14
Day

Black Hills National Forest

Black Hills National Forest - Photo 1Black Hills National Forest - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Pactola Lake and its viewpoints
2
Scenic portions of Iron Mountain Road
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking in Black Hills National Forest
→
Tasting at a local vineyard or winery visit
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 61.5 km
Travel time: 1h01
15
Day

Roughlock Falls

Roughlock Falls - Photo 1Roughlock Falls - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Roughlock Falls overlooks and walkways
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking in Spearfish Canyon around Roughlock Falls
→
Meal at Latchstring Inn with pine tree views
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 22.6 km
Travel time: 45min
16
Day

Deadwood

wild west gambling main street historic

Deadwood - Photo 1Deadwood - Photo 2Deadwood - Photo 3Deadwood - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Old Town Deadwood and western architecture
2
Adams Museum
3
Mount Moriah Cemetery (graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane)
🎯

Activities

→
Western shows, Saloon #10 and Midnight Star Casino
→
Short hike on the Friendship Tower Trail
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 26.9 km
Travel time: 54min
17
Day

Wonderland Cave

Wonderland Cave - Photo 1Wonderland Cave - Photo 2Wonderland Cave - Photo 3Wonderland Cave - Photo 4Wonderland Cave - Photo 5Wonderland Cave - Photo 6Wonderland Cave - Photo 7Wonderland Cave - Photo 8Wonderland Cave - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 17
🔍

Discover

1
Guided tour of Wonderland Cave (limestone chambers, stalactites and stalagmites)
🎯

Activities

→
Free time in the Wonderland Cave gift shop
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 38.4 km
Travel time: 1h17
18
Day

Canyon Lake Park

Canyon Lake Park - Photo 1Canyon Lake Park - Photo 2Canyon Lake Park - Photo 3Canyon Lake Park - Photo 4Canyon Lake Park - Photo 5Canyon Lake Park - Photo 6Canyon Lake Park - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 18
🔍

Discover

1
Lakeside walk and picnic areas at Canyon Lake Park
🎯

Activities

→
Bike ride and relaxation in the park (playgrounds, volleyball, barbecues)

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - United States

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.

Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.

Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 16 and 24 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United States?

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