Summer Road Trip in South Dakota: Badlands, Black Hills and More

I’ll admit South Dakota wasn’t high on my travel bucket list, but a dad-and-daughter trip this summer changed that. The landscapes, quiet towns, and wide-open skies surprised and delighted us. If you’re looking to swap the usual beach or theme-park getaway for something different, here are the highlights from our short but memorable family trip.

I grew up on the East Coast and now live in Florida, so the upper Midwest was unfamiliar territory for me. Like our earlier trip to the California desert, this visit was an opportunity to experience new geography and outdoor activities in a different region of the United States.

Why We Vacationed In South Dakota

South Dakota offers dramatic panoramas, historic monuments, and outdoor adventures. The state is home to celebrated sites such as Badlands National Park, Wind Cave, Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial, along with character-filled western towns like Sturgis, Rapid City, and Deadwood. For anyone who enjoys national parks, scenic drives, and a touch of Americana, South Dakota has a lot to offer.

Where Did We Go In South Dakota

We only had three nights, so our itinerary was compact but busy. My dad and uncle planned much of it, and their local knowledge helped us make the most of 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

Because of our flights, our daughter and I missed some time in Rapid City and Custer State Park, but the rest of the group had a memorable visit — including a traffic stop caused by a herd of buffalo crossing the road.

Where We Stayed In South Dakota

One of my dad’s goals was to stay on a working farm, and we found the perfect place: Circle View Guest Ranch. It’s roughly an hour from the Rapid City airport and only minutes from the Badlands entrance. The ranch operates as a welcoming bed-and-breakfast with several rooms in the main house and a bunkhouse that sleeps eight. For the adventurous, there’s even an 1880s homestead cabin without running water or electricity.

The rooms were clean and comfortable, stocked with basics like coffee, books, and games. The real highlight for adults was the generous family-style breakfast served each morning by the Kruse family, who live on the property. The breakfasts were hearty and memorable — worth the trip alone.

The kids adored the food — pancakes and smoothies were big hits — but they loved the farm animals even more. Dogs, puppies, cats, chickens, and vocal peacocks roamed the grounds. The Kruse children showed our kids how to gather eggs and help with simple chores, which made the stay feel authentic and hands-on.

Seeing our daughter and her cousins play together against the Badlands backdrop was one of the trip’s most rewarding sights. They practically could have stayed on the ranch the entire time chasing chickens and exploring the property.

What We Did In South Dakota

One day was devoted to visiting my dad’s cousin’s ranch, where we learned about cattle operations, visited my great-grandfather’s grave, and talked with my dad’s uncle, a World War II veteran. That personal day was a real highlight, but we also enjoyed several other activities that made the trip varied and kid-friendly.

Horseback Riding

A family member arranged a gentle hour-long horseback ride on the outskirts of the Badlands. I nearly skipped it, but I’m glad I didn’t. The ride was relaxed and scenic, with fields of vivid yellow sweet clover in bloom. The peaceful landscape felt almost otherworldly — so much so that we joked some photos looked like they belonged in Europe rather than the American Midwest.

Badlands National Park

Because Circle View sits close to the Badlands entrance, we drove through the park several times. On our main outing we explored short, mostly flat hikes near the Notch Trail parking area. The rock formations and sweeping views were spectacular, and the kids loved climbing and scrambling over the terrain.

Even less enthusiastic young hikers will enjoy the Badlands because the landscape itself invites play and exploration.

Wall Drug

About 45 minutes from the Badlands, the town of Wall is home to the quirky Wall Drug. It’s a sprawling, kitschy destination — part souvenir shop, part maze-like emporium — that served as a fun lunch stop for our group and a chance to browse local curiosities.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

I’d seen Mount Rushmore before in high school, but returning as an adult gave me a deeper appreciation for the site. Beyond the carved faces, the visitor center offers educational displays about the project’s history and engineering. There’s also a short, stair-filled trail that provides different vantage points of the memorial.

Mount Rushmore was interesting, though the kids preferred the more hands-on terrain at the Badlands. If you have limited time, prioritize the outdoor exploration that best suits your children’s energy levels.