Black Hills Road Trip Itinerary: South Dakota Here You Come

If you are looking for a classic All-American vacation, you are heading to the right place. A Black Hills road trip in South Dakota encompasses everything a trip should be: endless opportunities for scenic drives, unforgettable scenery, must-experience historic sites, and thrilling outdoor adventures.

Pick your favorite travel companion and get planning!

How Many Days Should You Spend Exploring South Dakota?

Whether South Dakota is a featured stop on your cross-country road trip (click here to see our full itinerary) or the star of your vacation plans, one thing is certain: rushing through this scenic wonderland will leave you wanting more. The state’s western region, particularly the Black Hills and Badlands, deserves more than just a passing glance.

With iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore, hidden gems like Spearfish Canyon, and unexpected adventures in Custer State Park, this area offers far more than can be packed into a hurried weekend. If you don’t give yourself enough time, you’ll miss the slow beauty of wildlife crossings at sunrise, the quiet of forested hikes, and the charm of local towns.

Our recommendation? Set aside a full seven days. It’s the sweet spot for balancing sightseeing and spontaneous detours. Whether you’re into outdoor pursuits, historical sites, or simply soaking in small-town Americana, South Dakota rewards those who take their time.

This seven-day, fun-filled itinerary is designed to craft unforgettable memories and stories you’ll be sharing long after the trip ends.

DAY 1: Welcome to the Badlands 

If you’re coming from the east or flying into Rapid City, starting your trip with a visit to Badlands National Park is a great choice.

Spend the day discovering the 244,000 acres of stunning, otherworldly landscapes and enjoying the quirky roadside attractions in the area. Be sure to drive the scenic 31-mile Badlands Loop Road, stopping at every pull-off and overlook for breathtaking views.

Stretch your legs with a hike on the park’s best trail, Notch Trail, and don’t forget to explore the Window and Door Trails as well.

For a more adventurous drive, take a detour along Sage Creek Rim Road to spot buffalo and bighorn sheep. The gravel road can be closed due to weather, so be sure to check road conditions with a ranger beforehand. 

Afterward, head northwest on I-90 to the small town of Wall, where you can visit Wall Drug, a quirky family-owned drug store that has been around since 1931, and Dahl’s Chainsaw Gallery, which features a 42-foot-tall jackalope—a fantastic photo opportunity.

Roadside attractions are a classic part of American road trips, so don’t miss the chance to visit this world-famous, eccentric spot.

RELATED: Top 6 Things to Do in Badlands National Park

Day 2: Custer’s Scenic Side and Presidents

Begin the day exploring the largest state park in South Dakota, Custer State Park. If you need convincing to start here, read our post about 10 Reasons to Visit Custer State Park.

Admission to Custer State Park requires a 1 to 7-day pass per vehicle except for those traveling nonstop along US Highway 16A. Save time and purchase your pass online before you arrive. 

Start with an early morning drive on the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road. Begin at the Visitor Center on the east side of the park. Pick up maps, use the restroom, and fill up water bottles. It should take about an hour or two to drive through slowly and take pictures.

Be on the lookout for bison, elk, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, deer, and coyotes. If you like to check out lodges, stop at the Blue Bell Lodge for breakfast (or just a coffee if you’ve already eaten) toward the end of the loop. The log cabin has a cozy indoor dining room or a patio overlooking the French Creek.

After your break, head north on SD Highway 87 to the Mount Coolidge Fire Tower. Drive up a 1.2-mile gravel road to the summit, where you can soak up views of the Black Hills. You’ll be 6,023 feet above the forest.

On a clear day, you can see the major sites in the area, including Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the Needles.

*TIP: Oversized vehicles & campers are not allowed on the road up to the fire tower.*

Take a break at Legion Lake for a relaxing picnic or enjoy lunch at Legion Lodge.

Then start the afternoon with an awesome ride on Iron Mountain Road, a winding two-lane road with stunning scenery to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Not only does Highway 16A have tree-lined roads and pigtail bridges, but the 18-mile drive also has three tunnels with framed views of the iconic Mount Rushmore to get you excited about your visit.

*TIP: Be prepared if you have any travelers who are prone to car sickness

Welcome to one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The towering faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln greet you in South Dakota. 

Start with the short orientation film, then take a stroll along the Presidential Trail for some stunning views. Allocate about two hours for your visit, and be sure to sample Thomas Jefferson’s original ice cream recipe while you’re there.

DETAILS: Entry to the memorial is free, though parking incurs a fee.

Take a drive to Keystone for dinner and choose the Old Western-style Ruby House Restaurant, get local wild game at the Powder House Restaurant, or if you are traveling with children, check out the Chuck Wagon Dinner Show.

DAY 3: Cathedral Spires and Black Elk Peak

Today is perfect for exploring the outdoors. Take a hike to Black Elk Peak, the highest point in South Dakota and east of the Rockies, formerly known as Harney Peak.

Take Trail #9 near Sylvan Lake, which is forested most of the way but opens to a few expansive views of the rock spires and Black Hills. It is 3.3 miles to the top and is considered moderate difficulty. The path starts with gradual inclines and some flat sections, eventually transitioning into steeper inclines and stairs as you approach the tower.

Once you reach the 7,242-foot peak topped by a stone fire tower, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Black Hills National Forest. Without delay, take a break to have lunch at the top and to enjoy the scenery. The fire lookout, dam, and pumphouse were built in 1939 and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

DETAILS: Don’t forget to pack a lunch and bring your Custer State Park pass.

Making the trail a loop, connect to Trail #3, then to #4 (it is well-marked) on the way down, with a detour to Cathedral Spires and Little Devil’s Tower.

Cathedral Spires is a short but steep spur trail that leads into a granite canyon filled with towering spires. 

Once completed, get back on the main trail and look for the Little Devil’s Tower detour.

The strenuous scramble ascends 600 feet, but it’s absolutely worth it for the spectacular views of Cathedral Spires and South Dakota’s highest peak. It was one of my favorite spots on the trip.

It’s been a long day. If you feel like getting off your feet and taking a ride, hop back in the car and head to Hill City, about 35 minutes north of the trailhead. It is the second-oldest town in the Black Hills and is lined with restaurants, art galleries, shops, wineries, and breweries.

It is also home to the 1880 Train, a steam locomotive that takes visitors on a scenic round-trip ride to the town of Keystone.

DAY 4: Underground Wonder & Small Town Charm

Wind Cave National Park, the first cave to be designated as a national park in the world, is the first stop on your agenda. It is known for its unusual boxwork formations, mineral cave formations that resemble honeycomb patterns.

Choose from three regular walking tours: the easy Garden of Eden, the moderate Natural Entrance, or the strenuous Fairgrounds. The most popular option is the Natural Entrance Tour, which takes you through the historic main entrance and lasts just over an hour.

Tip: Tours tend to sell out during the summer, so make sure to book in advance.

After the cave, let’s go back to the Ice Age at The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs. It is home to the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world, with currently sixty-one: 58 Columbian and 3 woolly mammoths. Enclosed is a prehistoric sinkhole that is still being excavated today.

Depending on the weather, you could visit Evans Plunge, the world’s largest natural warm water indoor swimming pool. The spring-fed waters maintain an average temperature of 87 degrees Fahrenheit, making it less ideal for a hot summer day. However, with waterslides, a sauna, and a steam room, it’s a perfect way to unwind at the end of the day.

DAY 5: Native Heritage & Sacred Stone

Start the morning with a wonderful drive along Highway 87, otherwise known as Needles Highway; it is 14 miles of hairpin turns, impressive rock formations, and one-lane tunnels. Immediately, the drive will have you in awe of the natural beauty surrounding the area.

*TIP: Be prepared if you have any travelers who are prone to car sickness

Among the standout features of the Needles Highway is the unforgettable Needles Eye Tunnel—a narrow passageway that looks like something out of a fantasy film. Cut directly into the solid granite of the Black Hills, this jaw-dropping tunnel is a mere 8 feet 9 inches wide, allowing just one vehicle to pass through at a time. Drivers often find themselves holding their breath as they inch their way through, hoping their side mirrors make it out unscathed.

Next, make your way to the Sylvan Lake Lodge to check out what the park considers its crown jewel. Picnic on the grounds or have lunch at the restaurant.

Afterwards, spend the next few hours visiting the future world’s largest mountain carving at Crazy Horse Memorial. Begin your visit at the Orientation Center. The short film, “Dynamite and Dreams,” will help you gain an introduction to the memorial and its history. It’s entertaining and informative, and will give you a better understanding of the sculpture.

Take a stroll through the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Cultural Center to explore American Indian heritage. Afterward, head to the observation deck for breathtaking views of the massive monument. For an extra fee, you can hop on a bus to the base of the monument for an even closer look.

DAY 6: Canyon Bliss 

The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway stretches for 20 breathtaking miles along Highway 14A, weaving through the heart of the northern Black Hills just north of Custer State Park. Known for its towering limestone bluffs, lush forests, wildflowers and cascading waterfalls, this route offers one of the most picturesque drives in South Dakota.

It’s no wonder that the canyon’s striking beauty caught Hollywood’s eye—several scenes from the Academy Award–winning film Dances With Wolves were filmed right here, capturing the area’s rugged charm and natural splendor on the big screen.

Detour to Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. After a brief walk along the boardwalks, you’ll be welcomed by the stunning sight of rushing waters. If you are feeling adventurous and it’s hot, look for Devil’s Bathtub, a favorite local swimming hole. 

For lunch, the town of Spearfish has many restaurants to choose from. If you enjoy breweries, Crow Peak Brewery was named the best in all of South Dakota by Thrillist.

Afterward, visit the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, one of the oldest hatcheries in the US and home to the only federal fisheries railcar exhibit.

On your way back to the Custer area, follow in the footsteps of legendary characters like Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane in historic Deadwood.

Gamble in one of the many casinos, stroll down Main Street, stop in the charming Celebrity Hotel, tour a gold mine, or learn a few things about the history of the Black Hills at the Adams Museum.

DAY 7: Say Good-Bye to the Black Hills

I recommend keeping your last day in the Black Hills flexible, so you can revisit a spot you missed, take some time to relax, or have a buffer in case earlier plans were disrupted by rain.

But if you’d like to see new things, you can start your day with a tour of the third-longest cave in the world at Jewel Cave National Monument.

The Scenic Tour is one hour and twenty minutes, bringing you 380 feet below the visitor center. Get the nitty-gritty on the history and current research of the cave tunnels, where the jewels are, and the full stalagmites – stalactite circuit. There are various other tours to choose from, including a shorter Discovery Tour, a strenuous Historic Lantern Tour, and a Special Wild Caving Tour.

DETAILS: The Annual National Park Pass does not include any tour. Discounts are available for youth 6 -16 and children under the age of 5 are free. Book in advance as tours sell out in the summer season.

Afterward, take some time to explore downtown Custer, a charming mix of small-town appeal, frontier history, and unique souvenir shops. Stop by Baker’s Bakery Café for lunch, where the food is fantastic—think homemade bread and generous portions. Their pastries are simply irresistible, with cookies as big as your head and caramel rolls that are mouth-watering.

Take the afternoon to get back to Custer State Park for a hike like the Sunday Gulch Trail or a water activity on one of their many pristine lakes.

How to Get to the Black Hills

The Black Hills of South Dakota is in the southwest region of the state. Flying is the quickest form of transportation to the area. Flights are anywhere between one to four hours from many major U.S. cities. Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the closest airport. It houses Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Connection, Frontier, Northwest, and United. Rental cars are then available to get you around on your trip.

The Black Hills also provides a PERFECT opportunity to hop in your vehicle to see what you can find on the road. We drove the 850-miles or so from Chicago on a mega road starting with Badlands National Park.

READ NEXT: OUR TOP PICKS FOR A MIDWEST SPRING BREAK TRIP

Where to Stay

Choose from a variety of lodging options in the area, ranging from charming B&Bs to simple tent sites. There’s something for every type of traveler. I suggest staying in one spot for the first six days, either near Mount Rushmore, in Custer State Park, or in Rapid City, and spending one night near Badlands National Park. We camped in Custer State Park and found it to be a fantastic base.

Lodging Options near Mount Rushmore

• Cabin with Black Hills Views ($$)
• Holy Smoke Resort ($$)
• K Bar S Lodge ($)
• Powder House Lodge ($)

Lodging Options near Custer State Park

• Rocket Motel ($$)
• Custer State Park Lodges ($$)
• Bavarian Inn ($)
• Custer State Park Campgrounds ($)

Lodging near Badlands National Park

• Travelodge Wall ($)
• America’s Best Value Inn – Wall ($)
• America’s Best Value Inn – Kadoka ($)

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