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Black Hills/Badlands South Dakota

Ask this member a question. Indianagogirl Recent Family Vacation
24 May 2007
3.5 of 5 stars based on 1 vote
This is a great destination for adventure, sightseeing, and learning
  • Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Badlands National Park, Rapid City, Hill City, Keystone, Custer, South Dakota, Spearfish, Devils Tower
  • Category: Perfect week or more
  • Traveler type: Sightseeing, Active/Outdoors, Never been before, Repeat visitors
  • Appeals to: Business travellers , Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travellers , Active/adventure, Tourists
  • Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Tags: Black Hills, Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Spearfish, Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Devils Tower, Rapid City
1. Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Visit early in the morning or at sunset for the best colors and light. Take sunscreen! And make sure to get out and do some of the trails. Eat Indian tacos at the Cedar Pass Lodge and pick up authentic jewelry or pottery.
2. Rapid City
Rapid City, South Dakota
Enjoy a meal at Sanford's Grub and Pub -- family friendly, good food, fun atmosphere. Do some free stuff: visit the Museum of Geology at the local college on St. Joseph Street to see fossils and gems, check out the Sioux Pottery place, also on St. Joseph Street, and watch the artists at their craft. While there, pick up some slightly flawed discounted pottery if the other stuff is too pricey for your pocket. Or go to the museum at the Ellsworth Airforce base and see the aircraft and missles.
3. Mount Rushmore / Hill City KOA
Mount Rushmore / Hill City KOA, Hill City, South Dakota
4. Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Visit EARLY in the morning or stay for a sunset to view the formations in the best light. Make sure to take a few trails while there and visit the Sage Creek area to see the bison. Take sunscreen! Stop at Cedar Pass Lodge in the park for some Indian tacos and to buy some authentic Lakota gifts: jewelry, pottery, tools.
5. Rapid City
Rapid City, South Dakota
Enjoy some of the FREE stuff in Rapid City: The Musuem of Geology has interesting fossils and gems. Sioux Pottery is located on St. Joseph Street. Visit it to see the artists at their craft and pick up some slightly flawed discounted pieces if the others are to pricey for your pocket. And/Or visit the museum at Ellsworth Airforce Base. Donations are accepted at the museums.

Once finished with the free stuff, have a fun, friendly-family meal at Sanfords Grub and Pub. Check out the Hampton Inn for a convenient, clean place to stay.
6. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, South Dakota
Visit early in the morning for the best view of the faces. Get there right before it opens to really beat the crowds!
7. Custer State Park
Custer State Park, Custer, South Dakota
Make sure to check out Wildlife Loop. Look carefully for bison, antelope, bighorn sheep and deer. Take a couple of trails while in the park. Visit the gorgeous lakes and be sure to take some scenic highways. The Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road are both great! The stay at Sylvan Lake Lodge offers great atmosphere.
8. Bear Butte State Park
Bear Butte State Park, South Dakota, United States
This sacred site to the Lakota is filled with history. Walk in the steps of Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull and Red Cloud. The trail to the top takes a couple of hours. Watch out for rattlesnakes, but enjoy the views!
9. Spearfish
Spearfish, South Dakota
Stay at Spearfish Canyon Lodge for a truly peaceful, enjoyable place away from the hustle and bustle. The views are terrific. Take Spearfish Falls and Roughlock Falls Trails -- there are others as well. The Latchstring Restaurant has tasty breakfasts, but is a little pricey. Take a few hours at the High Plains Western Heritage Museum to learn about the settlers, Native Americans, and cowboys.
10. Devils Tower
Devils Tower, Wyoming
Only an hour from Spearfish, travel into another state and see another interesting site the Black Hills has to offer. Hike around the base for interesting views of the tower and the valley -- and maybe see some rock climbers in action.
Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Badlands National Park, Rapid City, Hill City, Keystone, Custer, South Dakota, Spearfish, Devils Tower