You have visited Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse more times than you can count and have hiked around Falls Park every season, so you may be looking for something new to see and do around South Dakota. Sound familiar? While we love all of the above, many SoDak residents and tourists alike miss out on some of the most amazing places in the state, which is why we are excited to take you on this ultimate South Dakota hidden gems road trip. Load up the car -- adventures await!
Welcome to the Nicollet Tower, where you can see not one, not two, but THREE states at once (SoDak, NoDak, and Minnesota)! Standing 75-feet-tall, Nicollet Tower is the perfect place to get out and stretch and take incredible aerial pictures of the landscape below.
Many folks have heard of the famous Ward's, but if you haven't, it is mandatory that you visit this charming shop with ties to Laura Ingalls Wilder! (In case you didn't know, her father once owned the building that now houses Ward's.) Ward's Store and Bakery might just be the best general store in South Dakota.
You know all there is to know about the aforementioned Falls Park, but did you know that South Dakota's biggest city has even more natural wonders? Case in point: the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum, which is part of the greater Sioux Falls Parks System and features lush wetlands and quiet gardens. When you're looking to reconnect with nature, the Mary Jo Wegner makes for an excellent day trip destination in South Dakota.
A rest area is a rest area is a rest area ... right? Normally, we would agree, but in the case of the beautiful Chamberlain Information Center, it is anything but! Also known as the Lewis and Clark Information Center, the Chamberlain Information Center offers a clean and comfortable place to stretch, plus an on-site museum, picnic areas, walking paths, and the iconic Dignity (pictured). Learn more about what is easily considered the best rest stop in South Dakota.
Now that we are more than halfway through our road trip, it is time to get both gas and a great meal, which you can do at the Grey Goose Store & Social Club in Pierre! While the outside of the Grey Goose may look like your average gas station, you may be surprised to learn that they also serve some of the best prime rib in South Dakota!
Do you want to stop somewhere that is both out-of-this-world and FREE? Then you have come to the right place, as the South Dakota Air and Space Museum - which is located on the Ellsworth Air Force Base - houses numerous exhibits, on-site spacecrafts, and other special events. When it comes to hidden gems in South Dakota, the Air and Space Museum definitely belongs on the list.
Do you want to check out one of my personal favorite hidden gems? If you can promise to keep a secret, we will tell you: It is the Outdoor Campus West, which offers everything from outdoor walking paths and fishing opportunities to educational classes, a South Dakota habitats and wildlife exhibit, and an impressive 4,600-gallon freshwater aquarium. If you're looking for fun things to do in South Dakota with the kids, the Outdoor Campus West is a great option.
For even more unique SoDak road trip ideas, check out Sioux Falls To Spearfish, South Dakota, which is considered one of the best road trips in America. What are some of your favorite hidden gems in South Dakota? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you!
If you are looking to add excitement to your year, why not plan a road trip to some of Mount Rushmore State's most fascinating destinations? While some of these trips may not be suitable all year round, you can plan ahead and discover some breathtaking places to visit throughout the year. Each trip has a link to the original article, where you can find an interactive map and more information and travel tips about each stop. Put the best road trips in South Dakota on your list this year, and get ready to explore your home state like a tourist!
Route: Queen City Bakery > Porter Sculpture Walk > The Corn Palace > The Back 40 > South Dakota Hall of Fame > 1880 Town > Badlands National Park: Pinnacles Overlook > Wall Drug > Dinosaur Park
Distance: 375 miles
Trip Time: 6 hours driving time
If you're searching for an affordable way to explore the Midwest, you're in luck! There are plenty of fantastic places to visit, and it won't require you to spend a fortune on gas. A road trip from Sioux Falls to Rapid City (or the other way around) will take you to some of the state's most fascinating attractions, like the South Dakota Hall of Fame and the Corn Palace, covering 371 miles and just a little over one tank of gas. So buckle up and get ready to discover some hidden gems on this one-day South Dakota road trip.
Route: Newton Hills State Park > Lake Vermillion Recreation Area > Lewis and Clark Recreation Area > North Point Recreation Area > Oahe Downstream Recreation Area > Ravine Lake in Huron > Mina Lake Recreation Area > Hartford Beach State Park > Lake Poinsett Recreation Area
Distance: 787 miles
Trip Time: 13.5 hours driving time
Have you ever considered South Dakota as a beach destination? You might be surprised that this Midwestern state boasts some beautiful sandy beaches. If you're up for an adventure, why not take a weekend road trip to discover South Dakota's hidden beaches? This road trip will take you from the southern part of the state to the northern part covering a distance of 789 miles and stopping at beaches like Hartford Beach State Park and Newton Hills State Park. By planning to spend a few nights along the way, you can truly soak up the beauty each beach offers. So don't worry about trying to do it all at once – take your time and enjoy all the hidden gems along the way.
Route: Big Badlands Overlook > White River Valley Overlook > Bigfoot Pass Overlook > Panorama Point > Prairie Wind Overlook > Burns Basin Overlook > Homestead Overlook > Conata Basin Overlook > Yellow Mounds Overlook > Conata Picnic Area > Ancient Hunters Overlook > Pinnacles Overlook
Distance: 40 miles
Trip Time: 1 hour and 15 minute driving time
South Dakota is often overlooked and has much to offer beyond just Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, like the Badlands Loop Road. The Badlands Loop Road is one of the best road trips in America and a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won't want to miss. This scenic drive will take you on a journey through the Badlands National Park, where you can witness the breathtaking beauty of the natural landscapes and rock formations. As you drive along the highway, you'll feel like you're on another planet, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the area's layered rock formations. The park spans over 240,000 acres, so there's plenty to see and explore. The best part about the Badlands Loop Road is that it takes you through the center of the park, so you can easily see all the best overlooks and viewpoints and experience the beauty up close. Keep your eyes peeled for native wildlife as you drive through the park - you never know what you might see!
Thinking of taking a one-of-a-kind drive in South Dakota? Look no further than the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway in the Black Hills. But beware, one section of this road is not for the faint of heart. The Iron Mountain Road portion is a 17-mile stretch of the byway and is the windiest road in the state, with 314 curves and 14 switchbacks. Additionally, you'll go through three tunnels carved into the side of the mountain, which can be nerve-wracking, but once you make it through, a stunning view of Mt. Rushmore will be your reward. The Iron Mountain Road is a thrilling and unforgettable drive for those up for the challenge.
Route: Custer State Park Welcome Center > Coolidge General Store > Blue Bell Stables > Buffalo Corrals > Wildlife Station Visitor's Center
Distance: 18 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours driving time
Have you been looking for a picturesque and unforgettable drive in South Dakota? We recommend taking the Wildlife Loop Road. Situated in Custer State Park, this 18-mile scenic drive is a must-see for anyone who loves nature and wildlife. As you wind through the Black Hills landscape, keep your eyes peeled for all kinds of animals, from pronghorn to bighorn sheep to burros to bison and even prairie dogs. You might even spot some magnificent birds soaring overhead. Since the area is home to so many animals, it's important to drive slowly - the recommended speed limit is just 25 miles per hour or less. So hop in your car, roll down the windows, and get ready for an incredible bucket list adventure.
Get your car gassed up and rally your friends because it's time to experience the state's stunning waterfalls. While many people know South Dakota for its famous landmarks and history, few are aware of the abundance of breathtaking waterfalls. If you're a waterfall enthusiast or just looking for a unique adventure, this is the perfect South Dakota road trip itinerary for you. This two-and-a-half-hour drive will take you to epic waterfalls such as Bridal Veil Falls and Cascade Falls and is an excellent trip to complete in a day, so don't miss out on seeing these natural wonders in one unforgettable stretch.
Route: Rapid City > Hermosa > Custer State Park > Black Hills Parkway > Cheyenne Crossing > Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway > Vanocker Canyon > Sturgis > Nemo > Rapid City
Distance: 189 miles
Trip Time: 4.5 hours driving time
If you're looking for a beautiful way to experience the fall foliage, we have just the road trip for you. Taking this route will show you some of the best drives for the season, and you'll be able to witness the breathtaking fall colors that South Dakota has to offer. The trip is about four and a half hours long and starts and ends in Rapid City. You can go in either direction, but we recommend heading south on SD-79 from Rapid City to Hermosa, with stops at Custer State Park and Vanocker Canyon, to name a few. Get ready to be awed by the stunning colors of autumn on this ride.
We discovered the most magical Christmas towns and can't wait to share them with you! Use this South Dakota road trip map to visit some of the most beloved Christmas towns, which have some of the most charming and festive Main Streets that are all decked out with thousands of beautiful lights. A standout is the Winter Wonderland at Falls Park; can you believe they have 25 miles of light strings? How about the town of Madison, where Christmas music accompanies the dancing lights? Whichever destination you choose along the route, you're guaranteed a festive time.
Route: Petrified Wood Park Castle > Storybook Island Castle > Badlands Castles > Enchanted World Castle > The World’s Only Corn Palace > Storybook Land Castle
Distance: 600 miles
Trip Time: 9.5 hours driving time
Are you a fan of all things magical and enchanting? If so, you won't want to miss this incredible road trip
to South Dakota's most majestic castles. With over 600 miles to cover, this road trip will take you on a journey through some of the most impressive ones in the state. On this road trip map, you can check out multiple destinations like the Petrified Wood Park Castle, Badlands Castles, and the Enchanted World Castle. Feel free to start where ever makes the most sense to you and edit the map in any way. Whether you're traveling with a group of friends or with your family, this road trip is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Road Trip to South Dakota Landmarks & Natural Wonders
This state has so many natural wonders, from mountains and waterfalls to incredible caves and caverns. On this three-hour trip, you'll check out caves like Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park in Custer, where you can take cave tours. And if you're a fan of waterfalls, you're in for a real treat - you'll be stopping off at Roughlock Falls and Spearfish Falls in Lead. So whether you're on the search for caves and waterfalls or just love exploring new sights, this itinerary is the ticket.
Route: Royal Bake Shop >Flyboy Donuts > Daylight Donuts > Donut Shoppe > Wall Drug Store > Jerry’s Cakes & Donuts
Distance: 467 miles
Trip Time: 7 hours driving time
What better way to check out the small towns in the area than finding out the best donut shops in each one? This road trip will take you to a variety of delicious donut shops through the most charming small towns, such as Royal Bake Shop in Centerville and Daylight Donuts in Mitchell. The route promises to be a delightfully indulgent adventure where you can spread the trip out over a weekend or check out a couple for a quick day trip. So hit the road today and satisfy your sweet tooth.
So, whether you're looking for weekend road trips in South Dakota or quick road trips in South Dakota, we hope this list helps your search! Is your favorite road trip through South Dakota on this list? Let us know -we'd love to hear from you! Need more ideas for things to do in the wild wild West? Staying at the campground of Cedar Pass Lodge in the Badlands might be the ticket.
Have you ever wondered about the most dangerous drives in South Dakota? When it comes to jaw-dropping roads, there is no better place to be than South Dakota, which is home to such gorgeous places as Badlands National Park, the Native American National and State Scenic Byway, and Spearfish Canyon. On the flip side, however, our state is also home to some terrifying and downright dangerous drives in South Dakota. Make sure you're wide awake and alert when you set off on the five most dangerous roads in South Dakota.
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1. Iron Mountain Road (Custer and Pennington Counties)
One of the curviest and windiest roads in all of Mount Rushmore State is Iron Mountain Road, a 17-mile stretch of the iconic Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway that features a whopping 314 curves and 14 switchbacks. While the surrounding scenery is positively picturesque, be sure to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, as all of Iron Mountain Road's turns and curves can be incredibly dangerous. Get a glimpse of the adventure that awaits on Iron Mountain Road, South Dakota in our previous article.
2. Needles Highway (Custer and Pennington Counties)
Arguably the most easy-to-recognize road in the state, the Needles Highway (or Highway 87) was thought to be impossible to build but came to fruition in 1922 after workers blasted tunnels into a few of the surrounding granite "needles." In addition to driving through the narrow tunnels, if you've ever truly wondered, "Is Needles Highway dangerous?" just look at the curves in the road. Driving Needles Highway in South Dakota is deemed dangerous for several sharp turns and - due to safety concerns - is closed in the winter. Take a peek at the natural beauty that awaits along The Needles South Dakota in our previous article.
Considered the most dangerous intersection in South Dakota, Catron Boulevard and Highway 16 has been the home to countless car accidents, many of which have caused either severe injury or - even worse - death.
4. Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway (Custer State Park)
While it may not be dangerous in the same sense as the other roads on our list, this scenic and famous drive in South Dakota requires the driver's undivided attention, thanks to the bison that call the area home. (Have you ever had to brake for and/or hit a deer? It's like that, but times 50.) However, this gorgeous drive through Custer State Park remains one of the best road trips in South Dakota. Get a glimpse at what to expect on the Wildlife Loop Trail in South Dakota by reading our previous article.
Interstate 90 is the deadliest stretch of road in South Dakota. For example, the westbound lane saw 18 fatalities from 2015 to 2017, plus an additional 10 in the eastbound lane, and another nine along the CR-Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 41.
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What do you think are the most dangerous drives in South Dakota? Have you taken any of these dangerous roads in South Dakota? Let us know in the comments! If you're feeling adventurous and want to make a road trip to brave some of these routes, don't forget to check out our ultimate road trip packing list. We've thought of everything, so you don't have to!
