5-Day South Dakota Bucket List! (w/Kids)

Our family just wrapped up our second annual road trip to South Dakota and we still have a huge list of unexplored activities and areas for next year! It’s truly quite incredible how much this state has to offer… specifically in and around the Black Hills region. South Dakota is perhaps best known for being home to the very popular Mount Rushmore National Memorial. This historical tourist hotspot is absolutely worth the visit, but while many tourists drop into town for a quick “bucket list” pitstop, I can’t help but feel that they are missing out on so much that this area has to offer! In this blog post, we will share some of our favorite places to explore and even throw in some adventures that are still on our bucket list. If you have anything to add, please feel free to drop it in the comments below! We love a good travel suggestion. And as always, happy exploring, friends!

…where to stay…

On our first trip to South Dakota, we based out of a hotel room in Rapid City. On our second trip, we hauled our little pop-up camper and stayed in an amazing RV park just outside Custer State Park. Our dear friends that joined us on this trip (and have been traveling to this area for years) stayed in a wonderful little cabin just inside Custer State Park. All three are great options and in the information below, I’ll give you my take on the pros and cons for each…

Hotel in Rapid City: A hotel in Rapid City is a good mid-range budget option. If you are wanting to see some of the local sights (Mount Rushmore, Bear Country, Reptile Gardens, Custer State Park) but prefer to have all of the amenities nearby (Walmart, wide range of restaurant choices, larger chain stores, etc.), then Rapid City is more along your style. It’s still relatively close to all of the attractions and with its rolling hills and beautiful views, it’s a quite beautiful place to stay.

RV Park/Campground just outside Custer State Park: This option was absolutely our favorite! We stayed at Custer’s Gulch RV Park & Campground and I cannot say enough good things about it! Our nightly rate was somewhere around $63 (including taxes and fees) and we had full hookups, plus very clean flush bathrooms and showers. There was a large picnic table and a fire pit at each site. The staff were all extremely nice and helpful and this place was very quiet and clean. From this basecamp, we had very easy access to either the charming small town of Custer and/or the entrance to Custer State Park. If you have an RV, this would be my #1 suggestion, however, they do also have spots for tent campers and they have small cabins. We loved it here. Note: If you base here and want to have access to larger grocery stores and chain restaurants, you would need to make the 40-mile drive to Rapid City.

Cabin inside Custer State Park: If you have a tad bigger budget for your trip ($200+/night), the little cabins inside Custer State Park are a fun option! Our friends base out of one of these adorable little cabins each year when they visit the area. The one that they rented this trip had two beds downstairs and a little loft for the smaller kids (plus a nice bathroom). More than that, though, is the fact that they were literally nestled right in the woods with places to hang a hammock, a nice fire pit, and pine trees all around them. Over morning coffee and tea, they could watch the buffalo wandering around just outside their front door. Another plus to this option… they were within a short walking distance of Legion Lake where their kids could go kayaking, swimming, and tubing.

…the bucket list…

(Note: recommendations below are in no particular order)

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

A must-see stop on any trip to Black Hills, SD is, of course, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. It’s literally a tourist hotspot and arguably the most visited attraction in the area, but there are some very good facts and tips to seeing this memorial that I’m happy to share in hopes that it will make your visit smoother… There are no entrance fees to see Rushmore, but they do charge for vehicle parking. At the time of this post (2021), the rates were $10.00 per vehicle, $5.00 for Seniors, and/or Free for Active Military. Mount Rushmore is very busy during the daytime and very busy during their sunset lighting ceremony, so what’s the best time to take it in without the crowds? Well, sunrise is always a suggested option, but we opt to hit the (often) slower time between the day and evening crowds. For this trip, we hit Rushmore at 6:30pm and, as you can see, we avoided most of the traffic even though it was smack dab in the middle of high tourist season. By 7:45pm, as we were heading out, the crowds were beginning to really pour in again! If you have the physical ability to take the short President’s trail around the base of the memorial, don’t skip it! You’ll capture some of your best photos from these angles while also avoiding some of the crowds that form at the entrance. Lastly, if you are traveling with kids, stop at the Information Center on your way in to grab a Junior Ranger Program! Your kids can fill out the program book as they tour the area and turn it in to get their Junior Park Ranger badge! My little guy always loves that part!

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop

Custer State Park is a must-do on any trip to this area! It’s just beautiful. Rolling hills, beautiful pine trees (and aspens), wildflowers, and 18 miles of incredible scenic views and wildlife sightings! On our trips, we saw prairie dogs, turkey, whitetail deer, and bison, but this area is also known for elk, coyotes, eagles, pronghorn and much, much more! I would definitely say that any bucket list of the area would be incomplete without a drive through the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop. At the time of this post (2021), the entrance fee for this area was $20/vehicle and was valid for up to seven days. Fun note – the RV park that we mentioned above (Custer’s Gulch) was only about two miles from the entrance to Custer State Park, so with one 7-day pass we dipped in and out of the park several times during our trip.

Badlands National Park

If Badlands National Park is on your bucket list, the drive from Rapid City, SD will take around an hour, not including any heavy traffic and/or stops. That means that if you are staying closer to Custer, you’re looking at just under two hours for the drive. This national park has some unique and stunning views that definitely make it worth the stop, but it’s very (very) warm… okay… it’s hot! We visited in early August and although we usually embrace a good hike, we opted to spend most of our time driving the loop, occasionally hopping out of our vehicle at overlooks to take a few pictures and quickly returning to our vehicle. One exception was the Fossil Exhibit Trail, where kids were welcome to climb up and down the geologic formations and explore! We did see some bighorn sheep while driving through the park and enjoyed the ever-changing landscape and views. Hiking in this area is at your own risk. Many areas DO NOT have rails or safety guards. Please do not try to duplicate our images and please be aware of your surroundings, fitness level, and balance, as well as any existing dangers (snakes, ledges, loose rocks, etc). Lastly, if you are traveling with kids, stop at the Information Center on your way in to grab a Junior Ranger Program! Your kids can fill out the program book as they tour the area and turn it in to get their Junior Park Ranger badge!

Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower National Monument is not in the Black Hills area… in fact, it’s not even in South Dakota (it’s in Wyoming)… but it’s a quick day trip that my husband had on his must-see list this year! It’s a true geologic wonder because scientists today still debate and study exactly how it was formed. Surrounded by grassland and trees, the tower simply protrudes out of the ground in the most fascinating way. The area is considered sacred by many local tribes including the Arapaho, Crow, Cheyenne, Shoshone, and Lakota (credit: nps.gov). While visiting the monument, you can see evidence of their traditional ceremonies that are still performed today. The Tower Trail that runs around the base of the monument is 1.3 miles and gives you many different views of this geologic wonder! The drive from Rapid City will take you about an hour and forty-five minutes without heavy traffic and/or stops. The entrance fee was $25/vehicle (2021) and covered re-entry for up to 7 days. Fun fact: Because this is a national monument, they DO have a Junior Ranger program and your kiddo CAN earn a Junior Park Ranger badge for visiting.

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park actually ended up being a pit stop on the way home for us, but it was only 20 miles from where we were lodging in Custer, SD. The tour takes a little over an hour and at the time of this blog post, the entrance fee (for the basic tour at the natural entrance) was $12/adult, $6/child or senior, and Free for age 5 and under. We definitely enjoyed this attraction and it was a great learning experience for the little guy. Bonus: If you are traveling with kids, this national park also has a Junior Ranger program. Stop by the information desk before taking your tour and have your tour guide (park ranger) sign the book at the end of your program. Then simply complete the number of additional pages required (varies by age) and turn it in for a Wind Cave National Park Junior Ranger Badge.

“Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America’s oldest national parks. Below the remnant island of intact prairie sits Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Named for barometric winds at its entrance, this maze of passages is home to boxwork, a unique formation rarely found elsewhere.” (credit: nps.gov/wica)

Crazy Horse Memorial

“The Crazy Horse Memorial is a mountain monument under construction on privately held land in the Black Hills, in Custer County, South Dakota, United States. It will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, riding a horse and pointing to his tribal land. The memorial was commissioned by Henry Standing Bear, a Lakota elder, to be sculpted by Korczak Ziolkowski. It is operated by the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization.” Credit: Wikipedia

Crazy Horse Memorial was a must-see on our list this year. At the time of this post (2021), the entrance fee was $30 per vehicle and provided access to viewing decks and several on-site museums, a gift shop, and transportation to the upper viewing area (near the face). We also requested a re-entry ticket (free) which would have allowed us to return for the laser show after dark. We, unfortunately, didn’t make it back for the laser show, but enjoyed our visit to the memorial and the museums.

Reptile Gardens

Reptile Gardens is one of our must-see stops on every trip to this area! This animal park is so much more than just your average reptile park experience! Our kiddo loves to walk around and view the massive collection of snakes, crocodiles, birds (including Cheyenne, the bald eagle), and of course, the giant tortoises! The Safari Room in the on-site sky dome is home to an absolutely stunning assortment of tropical plants and flowers, as well as so many creatures, small and large! The grounds at Reptile Gardens is worth the visit alone. I could sit and just read a book surrounded by all of the absolutely beautiful flora. And then there are the just-for-fun parts of the gardens, such as their old west ghost town, complete with photo opportunities and wild west games! Entrance fees for the gardens vary based on the time of year that you visit, so for the most up-to-date information, visit their website at www.reptilegardens.com.

Legion Lake, Custer State Park

We didn’t know about this little gem on our first trip to the area, but we will definitely be back after visiting it on this trip! Complete with a beach that gradually gives way to deeper waters, this was a fantastic place for our kid (and our friends) to play in the sand, sun, and water! Bonus: the Legion Lake Resort next door had ice cream! To access this lake, you’ll need to get a Custer State Park pass. At the time of this post (2021), the entrance fee for Custer State Park was $20/vehicle and was valid for up to seven days.

...still on our bucket list…

Mammoth Site

The Mammoth Site, located in Hot Springs, SD, is a relatively new discovery and attraction. In 1974, the first tusk was discovered when the owner of the land was attempting to dig and clear an area for development. What followed was the incredible unearthing of over 60 mammoths that had been fossilized after falling into a sinkhole hundreds of years ago. According to their website, the Mammoth Site is an ongoing project still today and visitors can expect to explore “an indoor working paleontological dig site that is in a climate controlled building.” (credit: mammothsite.org) This attraction is open year-round and features a theater, museum, self-guided tour, and gift shop.

Bear Country U.S.A.

Bear Country U.S.A. is a drive-thru wildlife park near Rapid City, SD. Families can drive through the park and observe bears, elk, mountain lions, wolves, badgers, bighorn sheep, buffalo, elk and more! Their rates range anywhere from Free (age 4 & under) to $18/adult at the time of this post (2021), but for the most up-to-date information, you can visit their website here: Visitors – Bear Country USA.

Needles Highway Drive

The Needles Highway Drive is a 14-mile scenic drive that is only open seasonally (closed during winter). This winding and beautiful drive takes you past stunning rock formations, amazing granite spires, and through some unique and photograph-worthy (but narrow) rock tunnels. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, but to access it, you’ll need to get your Custer State Park pass. At the time of this post (2021), the entrance fee for the park was $20/vehicle and was valid for up to seven days.

The Purple Pie Place

The Purple Pie Place serves sandwiches and other specialties, but they are best known for their ice cream, milkshakes, and you guessed it… pies! Our friends could not stop recommending this place to us and, unfortunately, we didn’t manage to squeeze in the time on this trip. But, we will definitely be making it here on our next go-round. According to their website, the Purple Pie Place was “AWARDED IN THE 10 BEST MILKSHAKES RESTAURANTS IN SOUTH DAKOTA!” Further, they proudly claim to bake “the best homemade pies in the Black Hills. The Purple Pie serves hundreds of slices of pie a week.” (credit: purplepieplace.com) And that is why they will most definitely be a must-see place on our next visit to the Black Hills area!

Mickelson Trail

You could not drive from Rapid City to Custer without noticing a beautiful and scenic cycling trail that traversed the mountain alongside you. After I did some research, I found out that this is the Mickelson Trail, totaling just over 100 miles in length, and Custer is smack dab in the middle of it. Here is some additional info about the trail:

“The George S. Mickelson Trail traverses over 100 glorious miles of the Black Hills of South Dakota. A former rail line, the trail crosses more than 100 railroad bridges and goes through four tunnels. Trail passes are required, and can be purchased at any trailhead.” (Credit: bikemickelson.com)

…extra notes…

Junior Ranger Program & National Park Passport

If you are traveling with kids, the Junior Ranger Program is a great way to get them a bit more involved and they get to earn a National Park Junior Ranger Badge! Bonus: The badges are unique to each national park (have the park name), so you can collect them all as you go! At most National Parks, they simply have you pick up your booklet at the information desk on your way in. Then, based on the age of the child, you complete the number of required activities during your visit. Before you leave, have a ranger at the information desk review your book. There, they usually ask your child to say a quick pledge and then your little guy or gal is awarded the title of Junior Park Ranger and earn their Junior Park Ranger badge. My little guy absolutely loves doing this and looks forward to his badges on each trip!

The National Park Passport program is fun for all ages! In fact, we purchased this passport for our little man, but I often wonder if I’m actually enjoying it more. The concept is simply, really… you pick up a passport book at one of the National Park gift shops or information centers, or on the NPS website. You can buy them on Amazon, but I do not recommend it because they cost much more going that route. I recently discovered that you can buy a collector’s version of the book and it’s much larger with quite a bit more room! I will be purchasing that version soon because we are already running out of space for the Rocky Mountain Region in our current passport book. After you purchase your book, drop by any National Park, National Site, National Monument, Memorial, etc and they will almost always have dated passport stamps in the gift shop or information center. Sometimes, they also have stamps for Junior Park Ranger or a stamped view of the site that you visited. It’s a really fun program and we have definitely enjoyed seeing our passport book grow with each new adventure!

Giant Flag at VFW in Custer, SD

I love a good mural, but as soon as I saw this one outside the Custer, SD VFW, I told my husband we were definitely stopping there for a picture before we left town! God Bless America!

Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska

Dropping a random road trip pit stop here just for fun! Traveling from Colorado, we have taken two different routes to the Black Hills area (via Wyoming or Nebraska). One particular route, through the state of Nebraska, had us driving right past this little known tourist attraction, Carhenge. There was no entrance fee, so we took the opportunity to take a rest break and enjoyed walking in and around this unique and quirky replica of the original Stonehenge.

Sturgis Dates

Just a helpful hint here… Custer, SD and Sturgis, SD are only about 60-70 miles apart. The tail end of our second visit actually overlapped with the beginning of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Being motorcycle enthusiasts ourselves, we enjoyed sharing the town with literally hundreds of riders, but if the idea of being on the road with that many bikes makes you a bit nervous, you may want to double check your travel dates and make sure that they don’t overlap.

PS – This photo was taken in the little town of Keystone, SD! After driving through this town a few times on our way to other attractions, we decided to pick an evening to drop in and explore! What a gem!

Blessings, Friends! Safe & Happy Travels!

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