DH and I are thinking of taking a little mini vacation to South Dakota and seeing Mount Rushmore and possibly the bad lands/ black hills. We already live in western MN so we would have to drive through the entire state, what is the best route with must sees along the way? And forgive my ignorance but when looking on a map we noticed several Indian reservations, are you allowed to drive through them or do we go around them? I would like to stop at a few places along the way to break up the drive so give me all your suggestions. Thanks.
South Dakota- What To See?
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
How old is Olivia?
I-90 Tour
Sioux Falls has the Washington Pavilion http://www.washingtonpavilion.org/
it has a great science museum
If you need to walk around a bit, the Falls are not too far from the Pavilion. Really pretty and they've done a lot of upkeep to the park. If you'll be in Sioux Falls for the night, I would suggest taking in the light show that happens after sunset. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.
http://www.siouxfallscvb.com/attract...cfm?ItemID=319
Mitchell has http://www.mitchellindianvillage.org...me/archeo.html which is a prehistoric indian village that they are actively uncovering.
I would drive by the Corn Palace in Mitchell. It's a good place to take photos in front of, but there is no need to go inside.
I like to stop on the east side of the Missouri River at Chamberlain at the overlook. Very gorgeous views. If you need to get a few groceries/fresh fruit you can at Al's Oasis, just over the river.
The next big stop would be the Badlands. Bring plenty of water as there isn't any to buy once you are in the area. It can get to be over 100F out there in just the dry rocky landscape. There are nice walking trails that let you have magnificent views that make it hard to believe you are in SD. There is a Prairie Homestead just inside the badlands area. I found it interesting, but a little high priced just to see a dugout and early homesteading house.
If you haven't been to Wall Drug, I think you need to stop. Yes, very touristy, but that's the point. It has a good little bookstore, good (but spendy) food, and beautiful old photos in the back area.
I haven't stopped in Murdo for many years so I can't tell you how the museum is there, but it does have Elvis Presley's motorcycle if you want to see that.
In Rapid City, I really liked the Journey museum. It goes through the history of the Black Hills from the formation of them to the Indians to the Gold Rush. Depending on the age of your daughter, she might like Story Book Island http://www.storybookisland.org/
Or Reptile Gardens http://www.reptilegardens.com/
Mt. Rushmore is fantastic to see. I wouldn't use the free parking. It's a hike. Just pay for the parking and call it good.
Crazy Horse is good to see too.
I like Hot Springs. It has a great indoor pool complex as well as the Mammoth Site. http://www.mammothsite.com/
Jewel Cave and Wind Cave are my favorites.
If you are into hiking you can easily find Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls on the map and visit them for great views.
Another option
If you are coming from Minnesota, you might consider taking the smaller highways and cut through DeSmet SD.
http://www.desmetsd.com/
http://www.ingallshomestead.com/
Its all about Laura Ingalls Wilder, if that is an interest for you and your daughter.
If you go that way, then I would also stick to the highways and go to Pierre. Sure, the state capital building is nice to look at, but I doubt the history of it would be all that exciting for you. Instead, the
OAHE DAM VISITOR CENTER would be more interesting as well as the cultural heritage center.
http://www.pierre.org/sites.shtm
Then I would travel south and get back on I-90. You'll be able to go to the Badlands and Wall Drug after this.
As far as the Indian Reservations go....yes, you can drive through them, but I guess I wouldn't. They tend to be out of the way. The services they can provide as far as places to eat or get gas are scarcer too.
Can you tell I love my state and that I love to plan trips?
PM if you have more questions!
I-90 Tour
Sioux Falls has the Washington Pavilion http://www.washingtonpavilion.org/
it has a great science museum
If you need to walk around a bit, the Falls are not too far from the Pavilion. Really pretty and they've done a lot of upkeep to the park. If you'll be in Sioux Falls for the night, I would suggest taking in the light show that happens after sunset. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.
http://www.siouxfallscvb.com/attract...cfm?ItemID=319
Mitchell has http://www.mitchellindianvillage.org...me/archeo.html which is a prehistoric indian village that they are actively uncovering.
I would drive by the Corn Palace in Mitchell. It's a good place to take photos in front of, but there is no need to go inside.
I like to stop on the east side of the Missouri River at Chamberlain at the overlook. Very gorgeous views. If you need to get a few groceries/fresh fruit you can at Al's Oasis, just over the river.
The next big stop would be the Badlands. Bring plenty of water as there isn't any to buy once you are in the area. It can get to be over 100F out there in just the dry rocky landscape. There are nice walking trails that let you have magnificent views that make it hard to believe you are in SD. There is a Prairie Homestead just inside the badlands area. I found it interesting, but a little high priced just to see a dugout and early homesteading house.
If you haven't been to Wall Drug, I think you need to stop. Yes, very touristy, but that's the point. It has a good little bookstore, good (but spendy) food, and beautiful old photos in the back area.
I haven't stopped in Murdo for many years so I can't tell you how the museum is there, but it does have Elvis Presley's motorcycle if you want to see that.
In Rapid City, I really liked the Journey museum. It goes through the history of the Black Hills from the formation of them to the Indians to the Gold Rush. Depending on the age of your daughter, she might like Story Book Island http://www.storybookisland.org/
Or Reptile Gardens http://www.reptilegardens.com/
Mt. Rushmore is fantastic to see. I wouldn't use the free parking. It's a hike. Just pay for the parking and call it good.
Crazy Horse is good to see too.
I like Hot Springs. It has a great indoor pool complex as well as the Mammoth Site. http://www.mammothsite.com/
Jewel Cave and Wind Cave are my favorites.
If you are into hiking you can easily find Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls on the map and visit them for great views.
Another option
If you are coming from Minnesota, you might consider taking the smaller highways and cut through DeSmet SD.
http://www.desmetsd.com/
http://www.ingallshomestead.com/
Its all about Laura Ingalls Wilder, if that is an interest for you and your daughter.
If you go that way, then I would also stick to the highways and go to Pierre. Sure, the state capital building is nice to look at, but I doubt the history of it would be all that exciting for you. Instead, the
OAHE DAM VISITOR CENTER would be more interesting as well as the cultural heritage center.
http://www.pierre.org/sites.shtm
Then I would travel south and get back on I-90. You'll be able to go to the Badlands and Wall Drug after this.
As far as the Indian Reservations go....yes, you can drive through them, but I guess I wouldn't. They tend to be out of the way. The services they can provide as far as places to eat or get gas are scarcer too.
Can you tell I love my state and that I love to plan trips?
PM if you have more questions!
Thanks. Our DD is 20 months and I think if we do a two day trip we may leave her with grandma and grandpa, anything longer and I think we'll bring her with. Not sure how she'll do for a long car ride and usually when Dh and myself go by ourselves we can cover a lot of ground pretty quick. I'll have to check out all your links and show them to DH.
Joined
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336 Posts
Absolutely, you can drive through the reservations. I live on one in the eastern part of the state. Once you get west-river, things can get pretty barren, so plan for your gas and snacks accordings. Actually, tribes are exempt from gas taxes, so you may be able to get cheaper gas if you can find a tribally-owned station (very often attached to the casinos).
I don't know when you're going, but this weekend is dh's tribe's huge powwow. Non-native people are quite welcome. Your daughter might really get into it. Here is the website for the SWO powwow: www.swo-powwow.com.
I don't know when you're going, but this weekend is dh's tribe's huge powwow. Non-native people are quite welcome. Your daughter might really get into it. Here is the website for the SWO powwow: www.swo-powwow.com.
My husband and I grew up in the Black Hills so here are a few more things to consider. Avoid at all cost going to the Black Hills from Aug 4-10. That is during the Sturgis Rally and most all of the lodging is booked a year in advance and there is quite a bit more traffic-motorcycles.
I like Reptile Gardens-my hubby used to do the snake and alligator shows there when he was in college. I think that was one of his favorite jobs. They update the place quite a bit and I think that it is worth the money.
The one thing that I did not see mentioned is Hill City. Hill City is fairly close to Keystone and Mt Rushmore. There is a fantastic place to eat there called the Alpine Inn. I eat there just about everytime we go home to visit. They have German food for lunch and there is only one thing on their menu for diner-steak(choice of size), potato, lettuce wedge, and bread. They are very resonably priced. I can eat there for lunch for around $10. Also, there is a winery just outside of Hill City called Prairie Berry if you are interested in wine.
I hope that you have a fun trip.
I like Reptile Gardens-my hubby used to do the snake and alligator shows there when he was in college. I think that was one of his favorite jobs. They update the place quite a bit and I think that it is worth the money.
The one thing that I did not see mentioned is Hill City. Hill City is fairly close to Keystone and Mt Rushmore. There is a fantastic place to eat there called the Alpine Inn. I eat there just about everytime we go home to visit. They have German food for lunch and there is only one thing on their menu for diner-steak(choice of size), potato, lettuce wedge, and bread. They are very resonably priced. I can eat there for lunch for around $10. Also, there is a winery just outside of Hill City called Prairie Berry if you are interested in wine.
I hope that you have a fun trip.
Joined
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219 Posts
I "third" Hill City
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Used to live up in the Black Hills and miss it! If I were you I'd stay in Hill City (the Alpine Inn has awesome food, but long lines in the summer) and drive all around, see Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Needles Hwy, etc. Reptile Gardens and Bear Country are fun.
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