I’ll admit South Dakota wasn’t on my short list of vacation spots. Yet this summer my daughter and I joined other family members for a dad-and-daughter trip — and it turned out to be one of our most memorable getaways. It was a refreshing change from the usual beach or theme-park vacations, so I wanted to share the highlights for anyone considering a different kind of family trip.
Having grown up on the East Coast and now living in Florida, I hadn’t spent much time in the upper Midwest. These landscapes were new to me, and like our earlier trip to the California desert, it was a chance to appreciate geography that felt fresh and different.
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Why We Vacationed In South Dakota
South Dakota offers dramatic vistas, small-town charm, and plenty of outdoor activities. The state contains several national parks and memorials, including Badlands, Wind Cave, Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Add to that iconic western towns like Sturgis, Rapid City, and historic Deadwood, and you have an abundance of places to discover.
Our trip also had a personal purpose: my grandfather’s family arrived in America and first settled in South Dakota. He left long before my father was born, so family ties there faded from everyday memory. My dad suggested this visit to see the sights and reconnect with relatives who still live in the state.
The plan expanded to include my uncle and cousins on my mother’s side, including one cousin whose daughter is close friends with our daughter despite living in different states. The trip became an opportunity for the girls to spend quality time together while the adults enjoyed a smaller family gathering. We’ve also come to appreciate one-on-one trips with our kids — highly recommended.
Where Did We Go In South Dakota
We were only in South Dakota for three nights, but packed a lot into a short stay. My dad and uncle planned the itinerary and did a great job maximizing our time. Our main stops included:
- Downtown Rapid City
- Circle View Guest Ranch
- Badlands National Park
- Wall Drug in Wall, SD
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- My extended family’s cattle ranch
Our daughter and I missed most of Rapid City and Custer State Park due to our flight schedule, but others in the group enjoyed those stops — at Custer they even waited while a herd of buffalo crossed the road.
Where We Stayed In South Dakota
One of my dad’s goals was staying on a working farm, and we found the perfect spot: Circle View Guest Ranch. It’s about an hour from the Rapid City airport and just minutes from the Badlands entrance. The ranch turned out to be a highlight of the trip.
Circle View operates like a cozy bed & breakfast with rooms in the main house and a separate bunkhouse that sleeps eight. There’s even an 1880s homestead cabin for a true roughing-it experience. The accommodations were clean and comfortable, stocked with coffee, books, games, and even foosball and ping pong.
The best part for the adults was the family-style breakfast each morning. The Kruse family who run the ranch invite guests downstairs for a generous, homemade meal — truly memorable and worth the trip on its own.
The kids loved the pancakes and smoothies, but they loved the animals even more. Dogs, puppies, cats, chickens and vocal peacocks roamed the property. The hosts’ children taught our kids simple chores like collecting eggs and cleaning coops — an experience that felt both authentic and fun.
There’s something special about watching cousins play together in that backdrop — they could have happily spent the whole trip chasing chickens and swinging on the porch.
Mostly, it was just wonderful to see the kids enjoying themselves against the dramatic scenery of the Badlands.
They likely would have been happy staying at Circle View the entire visit.
What We Did In South Dakota
We spent one day driving to my dad’s cousin’s ranch, learning about cattle ranching, visiting my great-grandfather’s grave, and talking with my dad’s uncle, a WWII veteran. That personal connection made the trip especially meaningful. Beyond that, here are the activities we enjoyed most.
Horseback Riding
Though I almost skipped horseback riding, I’m glad I didn’t. A family member nearby runs a gentle hour-long ride along the outskirts of Badlands National Park. It was relaxed, scenic, and surprisingly serene. We rode through a vibrant bloom of yellow sweet clover that made the landscape feel almost otherworldly.
Badlands National Park
Being so close to the park entrance made it easy to visit multiple times. We did short, flat hikes from the Notch Trail parking area and the kids loved scrambling over rock formations. The views were dramatic and accessible for families with children.
Even less avid young hikers will find plenty to explore amid the rocks and short trails.
Wall Drug
About 45 minutes from the Badlands sits Wall, home to the quirky Wall Drug. It’s a kitschy, sprawling attraction that’s part souvenir shop, part western emporium — a fun place to stop for lunch and to wander.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
I’d visited Mount Rushmore in high school, but this trip offered a deeper appreciation. The visitor displays explain the complicated history and engineering behind the monument, and a short stair-heavy hike provides different vantage points. It’s worth visiting for the context as well as the view, though younger kids may prefer more time exploring the Badlands.
All told, I didn’t expect more than some relaxed family time, but the trip surprised me: the scenery was stunning, we packed many new experiences into three days, and the kids had a blast. My dad may not always plan vacations, but he nailed this one.
Other Kid-Friendly Trips We’ve Taken
If you’re looking for more family trip ideas, we’ve written about several other kid-friendly destinations that might inspire your next getaway.
- New Orleans With Kids
- Palm Springs, California with Kids
- A Weekend in Charleston, South Carolina with Kids
- 2 Days In St. Petersburg, Florida with Kids
- A Nature-Centric Weekend in Serenbe, GA
- Our Trip to Mexico with Kids… and a Dog!
- Costa Rica with Kids
- Hawaii with a Toddler
- A Guide to Our (Former) Beach Town: Cape Charles, Virginia
- Our Favorite Activities, Shops, & Eats in Richmond, Virginia
- Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage in Puerto Rico
- Our Favorite Spring Break Trip Yet