10 South Dakota Road Trip Stops With Kids – The Best South Dakota Trip Itinerary

Are you ready for a South Dakota road trip? Want to plan the perfect South Dakota family vacation itinerary?

Great. I can’t wait to tell you all about our road trip!  We planned a fantastic South Dakota trip itinerary that I am excited to share with you. 

I love the Black Hills of South Dakota!  The first time I went I was so impressed and I knew I wanted to go back and visit again.  For 10 years I have tried to convince my family that Mount Rushmore is the perfect place for a family reunion.  But no one believes me!

I decided to take my immediate family and we explored the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Now we would love to convince you that a road trip to South Dakota is worth the drive!

In this post, I will share with you a great South Dakota itinerary so you can plan the perfect trip!  I will help you plan a trip to South Dakota with all the best South Dakota road trip stops.  

Let’s plan a South Dakota family vacation itinerary! 

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South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

How you do your drive to South Dakota will depend on where you are coming from. The list below takes you across the state from west to east, starting in the beautiful Black Hills area, and then traversing the state via Interstate 90. You can even hit Devils Tower in Wyoming on the way.  If you are coming from the east, just hit the itinerary in the opposite order!

1. Devils Tower
2. Mount Rushmore
3. Custer State Park
4. Crazy Horse Memorial
5. Wind Cave National Park
6. Wall Drug Store
7. The Badlands National Park
8. Laura Ingalls Wilder
9. Sioux City

1. Devils Tower – Wyoming Detour (or on your way from the west)

While not in South Dakota, Devils Tower National Monument is so close to Black Hills National Forest (which is where you will find Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park), you may want to make this a stop.

Devils Tower

Devils Tower National Monument was the first national monument in the US.  The monument got its name in 1875 by Richard Dodge who misinterpreted the native name to mean “Bad God’s Tower”

Devils Tower is tall!  It is the height of four football fields.  It is a great place to climb, hike, or just have a picnic.

And yes, Devils Tower was that backdrop featured in the 1977 movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Admission

Entrance is $25 per vehicle

Hiking at Devils Tower

There are at least five hikes you can go on at Devils Tower.  You may want to just walk around the tower this will take you about 45-60 minutes to complete. 

Amphitheater Circuit

One of the best hikes is the amphitheater circuit which includes the Valley View, Red Beds, and South Side Trailheads.

Miles: 1.5 miles

This is a loop trail. You can also access the South Side Trail and the Valley View Trail that start at the amphitheater as well.

Tower Trial

If you have more time, Tower Trail is another option. It is the most popular trail at the park. This is a paved trail.

You may notice fabric hanging from trees, these are Native American prayer clothes and are not to be touched.

Miles: 1.3 miles.

Visitor Center

When we did our South Dakota road trip, the visitors center was closed due to COVID.  But you can still access Devils Tower and the activities around it. 

2. Mount Rushmore

Let’s start with my personal fav —Mount Rushmore. Of course, Mount Rushmore is an iconic landmark.  What you need to realize if you do not already, and I certainly didn’t, as there is more to Mount Rushmore than the heads.

This is no pull-over-on-the-side-of-the-road-and-take a-picture kind of place. (Sadly, that’s what I had thought the first time I went.) 

There is so much more! Not only at the memorial, but in the surrounding area. You can do alpine slides, horseback riding, a water park, mini-golf, and so much more! But on your South Dakota road trip, you may not have much time as you drive through, so here’s the scoop on spending that to see the presidents.

Museum and Gift Shop

See, there’s more to Mt. Rushmore than the carved head. For starters, there’s a nice museum and gift shop. And nearby is a beautiful presidential walk leading to the base of the monument.

Hiking Trails 

There are short hiking trails at the monument.  It is a beautiful area to walk around.

My Overall Experience

When we went the first time to Mount Rushmore National Monument, we did not plan enough time to explore the area.  I knew I had to plan another South Dakota road trip to see it again, and the opportunity came this summer. 

It was so exciting for me to bring my kids and let them see Mount Rushmore.  My kids were pretty impressed.

I, on the other hand, not so much.  The visitor center was closed as a result of COVID-19 and the beautiful presidential walkway was closed for construction. (Things are back to normal now! So your experience will be awesome!)

I’m glad my kids had a good experience because they knew no different.  Hopefully, the next time I come to this area it will be a great experience. It is an absolute must for your South Dakota family vacation itinerary! 

3. Custer State Park

Okay. So if you are stopping by Mount Rushmore on your road trip, it is definitely not out of your way to make a stop in Custer State Park.

Custer State Park is the nation’s largest state park, with 71,000 acres.  It is just south of Mount Rushmore.

Scenic Drives

So why Custer State Park? Well, one of the best things to do there does not even require you to get out of your car.  There are three scenic drives in Custer State Park: Needle Highway, Iron Mountain, and the Wildlife Loop.

The great parts about these scenic drives are that you are either seeing animals all over the place or awe-inspiring rock formations.

Needles Highway

We came into the park at the Sylvan Lake entrance and were able to immediately get on the Needles Highway.  The Needles Highway consists of rocks shaped like giant “granite needles” along this scenic drive.  Narrow tunnels were blasted through the rock to create a gorgeous drive.

There are places to pull over and get some great pics, with the Needles Eye Tunnel being the most impressive.

Wildlife Loop

The Needles Highway will take you to the Wildlife Loop, which is an 18-mile scenic road with buffalo, deer, elk, coyotes, and owls. This will take you time, so if you’re in a hurry, I recommend avoiding the loop.

With that said, make time if you can.  The park has some phenomenal animals.  They may even come to you! We stopped several times as animals were either on the road or right next to it.

Iron Mountain

Iron Mountain is a pass that exits Custer State Park and connects to Mount Rushmore.  You can get to it quickly once you are off the Needles Highway, or you can do the Wildlife Loop and circle back to it.

There are three tunnels along this scenic drive.  At one of the tunnels, you have a clear shot of Mount Rushmore.  It is really incredible.

Things to Do at Custer State Park (other than Driving)

The scenic drives are the most popular attractions at the park but you can also camp, hike, boat, fish, climb, and horseback ride at Custer State Park. There are 17 hiking trails to choose from!

Take time to enjoy a few days at Custer State Park. Your South Dakota road trip itinerary will not be complete without adding Custer State Park to it! 

4. Crazy Horse Memorial 

Near Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore is Crazy Horse Memorial; a mountain sculpture of Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, riding a horse and pointing to his tribal land.  It is not yet finished, and so basically it is right now a head of Oglala without his horse.

Admission

$15-$35 depending on how many people are in your car.

Welcome Center

There is a welcome center that houses the Native American Cultural Center as well as the Indian Museum of North America.

Buses 

Buses and vans run throughout the day and take you right up to the monument.

5. South Dakota Road Trip Stop – Rapid City

Rapid City is a great South Dakota road trip stop.  There are lots of hotels and accommodations.  There are also lots of places to eat. 

It is the perfect place to add to your black hills itinerary because it is so close to all the great locations and activities in the area.

Where to Stay on Your South Dakota Road Trip

The absolute best place to stay with kids in Rapid City is the Marriott properties.  The Fairfield Inn is attached to the Wa Tiki Indoor Water Resort.  It is so fun! 

6. Wind Cave National Park

If there wasn’t enough to do already near Mount Rushmore, nature has another offering for you. One you may not be as familiar with. It’s the Wind Cave National Park.   This is another great option to add to your South Dakota family vacation itinerary.

Guided Tours

You need to make a reservation to see the caves.  Unfortunately, when we did our South Dakota road trip the cave was closed due to COVID.  I believe the elevators to the cave were not working as well.

Hopefully, you get to experience the guided tours through the caves.  One of the highlights of the wind cave is it has calcite formations called “boxwork”.  95% of the world’s box work formations are found at the Wind Cave National Park.

The cost is between $10 -$12 per person.  There are three normal tours and a few specialty tours.

Garden of Eden Tour

One of the tours is the Garden of Eden Tour.  This tour is about one hour and is a moderate level of difficulty. It is about 1/3 mile but does have several stairs.

Natural Entrance Tour

Next on our list is the Natural Entrance Tour.  This tour is an hour and fifteen minutes. It is also a moderate level of difficulty because there are slippery spots and stairs involved.

Fairground Tour

Finally, there is the Fairground Tour.  This tour is an hour and a half.  It is a strenuous hike up 89 stairs with slippery paths.

Specialty Cave Tours

There are two strenuous cave tours that can be reserved: Wild Cave Tour (minimum age 16) and Candlelight Tour (minimum age 8).

There is also an accessible tour for those who are impaired or have special needs.

Hiking Outside of the Wind Caves

There are 11 hiking trails at Wind Cave National Park. They are located in the prairie land that surrounds the cave. They range from easy to strenuous.

One of the highlights of hiking at Wind Cave National Park is the wildlife that calls this area home.  Just be sure to stay 25 ft away from the animals.

7. Wall Drug Store

But enough about the outdoors. Time to talk shopping. And not your typical shopping. The shopping at Wall Drug Store is experience shopping.

Wall Drug Store is a must-see on your South Dakota road trip.  Long before you actually get to the city of Wall, you will start to see signs advertising this iconic site. You might ask “what the heck is Wall Drug Store?”

Free Ice Water

Wall Drug is a family-owned business that got its start by putting signs on the highway advertising “Free Ice Water”.  As time went by more signs have been added and millions of people have come to see what is it is all about.

Restaurant 

Wall Drug is a great stop on your South Dakota family vacation because this western-themed store (really stores) really has something for everyone. There is a restaurant that has homemade donuts, pie, and 5-cent coffee.  There are also specialty stores, where you can buy toys, boots, candy, and other items.

Behind the main store, there is an outside play area with photo opps.  You can even pan for gold.  After hiking in the Badlands we went to Wall Drug and had lunch and shopped for about 2 hours!  It is a lot of fun! It is a perfect addition to your South Dakota trip! 

8. The Badlands National Park 

Now that you’ve got your shopping in on your South Dakota road trip, it’s time to get back to the great outdoors.  Badlands National Park is less than 10 miles from Wall, offering up visual wonders to explore with your eyes and feet.  

There are two entrances to the park. The west entrance is closest to wall. The east entrance is further but is close to the best hikes and the visitor center. If those are your destinations, then you may want to head east on I-90 from Wall, which is faster than driving east through the park.

If you have time and are coming from Wall, I recommend that you use the west entrance (due south from Wall), and drive through the park from west to east.

Hiking at Badlands National Park

We loved hiking in the Badlands. There are great hikes for all ages.

Visitor Center

You will want to stop at the visitor center to get a map and talk to a ranger. We always enjoy doing the ranger programs with our kids.

Scenic Drive

The rest of the park consists of beautiful viewpoints where you can get out of your car and admire the beauty of the park.

Badlands National Park is a must-see on your South Dakota road trip.

9. Laura Ingalls Wilder – Little House on the Prairie House

As you continue east along I-90, you will eventually hit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead.  Laura Ingalls Wilder was a true pioneer.  I grew up reading the books and watching the TV show, Little House on the Prairie.  If you are a fan then this is a great stop on your South Dakota road trip.  

Just be aware that this is a bit off the beaten path.

Reservations

Reservations are required for tours.  You will have to email or call them directly.

Things to Do at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Site

Laura’s family lived in De Smet, South Dakota.  Tours of the original house built in 1887, the schoolhouse she attended, the discovery center, and the cemetery where her family and neighbors were buried are all located at this site.

Allow yourself at least an hour and a half to complete all the tours.

There are a few other historical sites located a short drive from the main site.  This is such a fun South Dakota family vacation itinerary destination! 

10. Corn Palace – Sioux Falls

If you don’t want to get far off I-90, or on your way to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Site, you can visit the Corn Palace.

Corn Palace

The Corn Palace has been around for over 100 years as a symbol of a thriving agricultural state.

The main attraction here is the murals that line the building inside and out.  The palace can be rented out for special events but if you are on a South Dakota road trip, you probably will stop to see the murals.

Sioux Falls

The last stop in South Dakota going east is Sioux Falls.  This is where we ended our South Dakota road trip. There are plenty of places to eat and stay in Sioux Falls but we decided to stay at the Courtyard Marriott in this area.   

Are You Ready for a South Dakota Road Trip?

I hope you are ready to go on a South Dakota road trip now!  There are some amazing South Dakota road trip stops along the way.  

The Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota is a destination everyone should go to at least once in their lifetimes.  It is a great USA road trip!

Facebook Community

If you have any questions join my Facebook Travel Community.  You can ask any questions you have about upcoming trips and everyone is happy to help you plan your trip.  I also try to give exclusive travel deals that companies send me.  It is a great group to join!