Black Hills & Badlands
![Black Hills & Badlands](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Black_Hills_and_Badlands_v1a.jpg)
![Black Hills & Badlands](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/rt_5-sout.jpg)
Black Hills & Badlands
The national parks of southwestern South Dakota—along with the state park and two national memorials nearby—deliver a surprising variety of sights: the swaying grasses and abundant wildlife of one of the country’s few remaining intact prairies, the complex labyrinth of passages and unique geologic formations in one of the world’s longest caves, and some of the richest fossil beds on Earth.
![Black Hills & Badlands](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Black_Hills_and_Badlands_v1a.jpg)
The Itinerary
![Wind Cave National Park](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dreamstime_l_37588087.jpg)
![Custer State Park](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_111158231.jpg)
![Jewel Cave National Monument & Crazy Horse Memorial](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dreamstime_l_202731516.jpg)
![Mount Rushmore National Memorial](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_95191765.jpg)
![Badlands National Park](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_115416355.jpg)
![Heading Home](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dreamstime_l_37588087.jpg)
At A Glance
TRAVELED175SUGGESTED
DURATION6 DaysSTART &
END POINTRapid City, SDPARKS
VISITEDWind Cave National Park, Badlands National ParkBEST TIME
TO GOMay - Sep
![](/wordpress/wp-content/themes/fodors/assets/images/national-parks/icons/ico-parks-nav-road-trip-itineraries_2x.png)
National Parks Road Trips
- Best of Utah & Colorado
- California
- Canadian Rockies
- Utah & Arizona
- Washington State
- Yellowstone & Grand Teton
![](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/themes/fodors/assets/images/national-parks/icons/toggle_marker_sights.png)
![](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/themes/fodors/assets/images/national-parks/icons/toggle_marker_restaurants.png)
![](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/themes/fodors/assets/images/national-parks/icons/toggle_marker_hotels.png)
![dreamstime_l_37588087 dreamstime_l_37588087](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dreamstime_l_37588087.jpg)
![dreamstime_l_37588087 dreamstime_l_37588087](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dreamstime_l_37588087.jpg)
Wind Cave National Park
Park Highlights
- Day Trip
- Stunning Vistas
- Swimming
- Family
- Leaf-Peeping
- Waterfalls
- Kayaking
- Climbing
- Biking
- Rafting
- Hiking
- History
- Winter Sports
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Beach
- Boating
- Bird-Watching
- Archaeological Sites
- Wild flowers
- Scenic Drives
- Geological Formations
- Wildlife
The closest commercial airport is Rapid City Regional Airport, about 70 miles from Wind Cave. Arrive in the morning to pick up your rental car and make the 1½-hour drive to Wind Cave National Park, with more than 33,000 acres of wildlife habitat above ground (home to bison, elk, pronghorn, and coyotes) and one of the world’s longest caves below. Take an afternoon cave tour and a short drive through the park. Spend the night in Hot Springs, about 7 miles from the park’s southern boundary.
![shutterstock_111158231 shutterstock_111158231](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_111158231.jpg)
![shutterstock_111158231 shutterstock_111158231](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_111158231.jpg)
Custer State Park
Park Highlights
- Day Trip
- Stunning Vistas
- Swimming
- Family
- Leaf-Peeping
- Waterfalls
- Kayaking
- Climbing
- Biking
- Rafting
- Hiking
- History
- Winter Sports
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Beach
- Boating
- Bird-Watching
- Archaeological Sites
- Wild flowers
- Scenic Drives
- Geological Formations
- Wildlife
Spend today at Custer State Park, which is adjacent to Wind Cave, about 20 miles north of Hot Springs. The 71,000-acre park has exceptional drives, lots of wildlife (including a herd of 1,300 bison), and fingerlike granite spires rising from the forest floor (they’re the reason this is called the Needles region of South Dakota). While you’re in the park, be sure to visit Limber Pine Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark containing spectacular ridges of granite. If you have time, check out the Cathedral Spires trail, 2.5 miles round-trip. Overnight in one of five mountain lodges at the Custer State Park Resort.
![dreamstime_l_202731516 dreamstime_l_202731516](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dreamstime_l_202731516.jpg)
![dreamstime_l_202731516 dreamstime_l_202731516](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dreamstime_l_202731516.jpg)
Jewel Cave National Monument & Crazy Horse Memorial
Park Highlights
- Day Trip
- Stunning Vistas
- Swimming
- Family
- Leaf-Peeping
- Waterfalls
- Kayaking
- Climbing
- Biking
- Rafting
- Hiking
- History
- Winter Sports
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Beach
- Boating
- Bird-Watching
- Archaeological Sites
- Wild flowers
- Scenic Drives
- Geological Formations
- Wildlife
Today, venture down U.S. 16 to Jewel Cave National Monument, 13 miles west of the town of Custer, an underground wilderness where you can see beautiful nailhead and dogtooth spar crystals lining its more than 168 miles of passageways.
After visiting Jewel Cave, head back to Custer and take U.S. 16/385 to Crazy Horse Memorial (about 5 miles north of Custer), home to a colossal mountain carving of the legendary Lakota leader and the Indian Museum of North America. Afterward, head 10 miles north to the former gold and tin mining town of Hill City, where you’ll spend the night.
![shutterstock_95191765 shutterstock_95191765](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_95191765.jpg)
![shutterstock_95191765 shutterstock_95191765](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_95191765.jpg)
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Park Highlights
- Day Trip
- Stunning Vistas
- Swimming
- Family
- Leaf-Peeping
- Waterfalls
- Kayaking
- Climbing
- Biking
- Rafting
- Hiking
- History
- Winter Sports
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Beach
- Boating
- Bird-Watching
- Archaeological Sites
- Wild flowers
- Scenic Drives
- Geological Formations
- Wildlife
This morning, travel 12 miles to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where you can view the huge carved renderings of presidents Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Afterward, head northwest for 23 miles back to Rapid City, the eastern gateway to the Black Hills. Spend the night here.
![shutterstock_115416355 shutterstock_115416355](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_115416355.jpg)
![shutterstock_115416355 shutterstock_115416355](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_115416355.jpg)
Badlands National Park
Park Highlights
- Day Trip
- Stunning Vistas
- Swimming
- Family
- Leaf-Peeping
- Waterfalls
- Kayaking
- Climbing
- Biking
- Rafting
- Hiking
- History
- Winter Sports
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Beach
- Boating
- Bird-Watching
- Archaeological Sites
- Wild flowers
- Scenic Drives
- Geological Formations
- Wildlife
Begin your day early and drive west (75 miles via Interstate 90) to Badlands National Park, a 244,000-acre geologic wonderland. The Badlands Highway Loop Road (Highway 240) wiggles through the moonlike landscape of the park’s north unit for 32 miles. Stop in at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, at the far eastern edge of the park, to pick up a trail map and head out on a hike. The Notch Trail, 1.5 miles round-trip, offers spectacular views of the White River Valley, but is definitely not for anyone with a fear of heights. The Cliff Shelf trail, 0.5 mile round-trip, is a more mellow option that showcases rock formations and juniper forest as well as occasional wildlife sightings.
After you leave the park, head back to Rapid City to spend the night.
![dreamstime_l_37588087 dreamstime_l_37588087](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dreamstime_l_37588087.jpg)
![dreamstime_l_37588087 dreamstime_l_37588087](https://www.fodors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dreamstime_l_37588087.jpg)
Heading Home
Park Highlights
- Day Trip
- Stunning Vistas
- Swimming
- Family
- Leaf-Peeping
- Waterfalls
- Kayaking
- Climbing
- Biking
- Rafting
- Hiking
- History
- Winter Sports
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Beach
- Boating
- Bird-Watching
- Archaeological Sites
- Wild flowers
- Scenic Drives
- Geological Formations
- Wildlife
The airport in Rapid City is about 10 minutes southeast of town.
Book an Experience
in
{{gygActive}}
{{guide.destination.dest_name}}
{{ isMobile ? 'View All' : 'See All'}}
in {{gygActive}}