Spires, monuments and historic frontier trails
Spires, monuments and historic frontier trails
Sioux Falls, SD 57104Spearfish, SD 57783
Trip overview
Embark on an epic loop across South Dakota's dramatic landscapes, from the windswept badlands to the towering granite spires of the Black Hills. Explore historical frontier outposts, trace scenic mountain highways, and encounter monumental carvings and majestic roaming bison.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Sioux Falls
Falls Park
Witness the dramatic pink quartzite cliffs and rushing waterfalls that give Sioux Falls its name, right in the heart of the city.
900 N Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
World's Only Corn Palace
An iconic folk-art wonder decorated annually in elaborate murals made entirely of corn, grains, and grasses.
604 N Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301
Dignity of Earth & Sky
Marvel at this stunning 50-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture honoring the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people, perched high above the Missouri River.
Interstate 90 Rest Area, Chamberlain, SD 57325
Day 2 — Philip
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site Delta-09
Peer down into a preserved Cold War-era missile silo holding a disarmed Minuteman II missile, a sobering monument to modern history.
I-90 Exit 116, Philip, SD 57567
Notch Trail - Badlands National Park
Climb a thrilling log-rung ladder up a steep clay cliff to a spectacular notch overlooking the otherworldly, striped geological formations of the Badlands.
25216 Ben Reifel Rd, Interior, SD 57750
Wall Drug Store
Explore the legendary, sprawling roadside emporium famous for its five-cent coffee, homemade donuts, and wonderfully eccentric cowboy-themed attractions.
510 Main St, Wall, SD 57790
Day 3 — Custer
Custer State Park Wildlife Loop
Drive through rolling prairies to encounter roaming herds of massive bison, playful prairie dogs, and the famous, friendly 'begging burros'.
Wildlife Loop Rd, Custer, SD 57730
Sylvan Lake
Known as the 'crown jewel' of Custer State Park, this breathtaking lake is surrounded by massive granite boulders reflecting in glassy waters.
Sylvan Lake Rd, Custer, SD 57730
Black Hills Burger & Bun Co.
Savor award-winning, house-ground burgers served on freshly baked buns in a cozy, welcoming local atmosphere.
224 Mt Rushmore Rd, Custer, SD 57730
State Game Lodge
Stay in a historic stone-and-wood lodge that served as the 'Summer White House' for President Calvin Coolidge in 1927.
13389 US-16A, Custer, SD 57730
Day 4 — Custer
Needles Highway
Navigate a spectacular 14-mile drive twisting past towering granite pillars and squeezed through narrow, hand-carved tunnels like the Needles Eye.
SD-87, Custer, SD 57730
Crazy Horse Memorial
Stand in awe of the world's largest mountain carving-in-progress, depicting the legendary Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse.
12151 Ave of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD 57730
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Gaze upon the iconic monumental faces of four pivotal American presidents sculpted into the sheer granite face of the Black Hills.
13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD 57751
Alpine Inn
Enjoy an incredibly simple, legendary menu featuring top-tier filet mignon alongside decadent, house-made European desserts.
133 Main St, Hill City, SD 57745
Day 5 — Hill City
Black Hills Central Railroad (1880 Train)
Ride a historic steam train through the rugged canyons and pine forests of the Black Hills, just like the gold prospectors once did.
222 Railroad Ave, Hill City, SD 57745
Roughlock Falls
Stroll down peaceful boardwalks to view spectacular multi-tiered waterfalls cascading over limestone ledges in Spearfish Canyon.
Roughlock Falls Rd, Lead, SD 57754
Mount Moriah Cemetery
Visit the final resting place of iconic Wild West legends Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, overlooking the historic gulch town.
10 Mt Moriah Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732
The Historic Bullock Hotel
Immerse yourself in Victorian-era frontier history at Deadwood's very first luxury hotel, built by famed Sheriff Seth Bullock.
633 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732
Day 6 — Devils Tower
Devils Tower National Monument
Walk the base trail around this breathtaking geological monolith, sacred to Northern Plains Indian tribes and famed as a natural wonder.
WY-110, Devils Tower, WY 82714
Vore Buffalo Jump
Explore an incredible archaeological site where Native American tribes once utilized a natural sinkhole to herd and harvest plains bison.
I-90 Frontage Rd, Sundance, WY 82729
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
Drive alongside towering, ancient limestone cliffs draped in lush pine forest and rushing creeks on this gorgeous canyon route.
US-14A, Spearfish, SD 57783
Experiences & guides
Bookable tours and stops worth a detour along this route.
Experiences
Guide content may not reflect current conditions. Always verify information before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
The Black Hills Badlands road trip covers about 743 mi and roughly 14h 43m of driving, comfortably spread across about 6 days.
This itinerary maps out 21 stops from Sioux Falls, SD 57104 to Spearfish, SD 57783. Highlights include Notch Trail - Badlands National Park, Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, and Needles Highway.
It begins in Sioux Falls, SD 57104 and ends in Spearfish, SD 57783, following a mapped, road-following route the whole way.
The estimated cost is around $1,254, covering fuel, lodging, food, and activities. Your actual total varies with the season, your pace, and the choices you make along the way.
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