Road Trip to South Dakota

There’s something about a good road trip that feeds the soul. Maybe it’s the open road, the changing scenery, or simply the chance to leave everyday responsibilities behind for a few days. Whatever it is, Steve and I were more than ready for an adventure, so we packed up the CR-V, kissed the dogs goodbye, and set off on a road trip to South Dakota.

Since we knew the drive from southwest Missouri would be a long one, we decided to split the trip into two days. We weren’t in a hurry, and honestly, part of the fun was getting there. We love taking road trips!

Beginning Our Road Trip to South Dakota

Our first stop was Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

After about nine hours in the car, we were happy to call it a day. We checked into our hotel, grabbed some dinner, and wandered through Barnes & Noble before turning in for the night.

Nothing fancy.

Nothing exciting.

Just the simple joy of knowing vacation had officially begun.

The next morning, we pointed the car west toward Rapid City.

The drive was beautiful in its own quiet way. Miles and miles of open grassland stretched toward the horizon, interrupted only occasionally by rolling hills, small towns, and the Missouri River near Chamberlain.

At first glance, the landscape might seem repetitive, but the more I looked, the more I appreciated it. I found myself imagining herds of bison roaming freely across those vast prairies long before highways and billboards existed.

It was peaceful.

It was different.

And it made me smile.

The Famous Wall Drug Stops Along the Way

One thing we quickly discovered during our road trip to South Dakota was that you don’t simply stumble upon Wall Drug.

Wall Drug finds you.

For what felt like hundreds of miles, billboards appeared one after another.

“Free Ice Water.”

“As Seen on the Today Show.”

“5-Cent Coffee.”

“Homemade Donuts.”

The signs became such a running joke that by the time we reached Wall, we absolutely had to stop.

I expected a giant tourist attraction filled with every souvenir imaginable.

Instead, Wall Drug felt more like a collection of shops, restaurants, gift stores, western-themed displays, and quirky roadside attractions all blended together.

We browsed the souvenirs, picked up a few postcards, and enjoyed stretching our legs before continuing west toward Rapid City.

Was it touristy? Absolutely.

Was it worth stopping? Probably (I’ll leave it at that).

Visiting Mount Rushmore for the First Time

After checking into our hotel in Rapid City, we wasted no time heading to the attraction we’d been looking forward to most.

Mount Rushmore.

Photos simply don’t prepare you for that first glimpse.

One minute you’re driving through the Black Hills and the next, there it is.

George Washington.

Thomas Jefferson.

Theodore Roosevelt.

Abraham Lincoln.

Standing larger than life against the granite mountainside.

It was amazing and unforgettable.

Admission to the memorial itself is free, though parking costs $10. The pass remains valid for a year, which came in handy because we ended up visiting twice during our stay.

The scale, craftsmanship, and history behind the monument are impressive, but what struck me most was simply standing there and taking it all in.

It’s one of those places that feels bigger than the photographs.

Exploring Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park

The following day was packed with sightseeing.

Our first stop was Crazy Horse Memorial.

If you’ve never visited, it’s difficult to appreciate the sheer size of the project.

One fact that amazed us was learning that all four faces of Mount Rushmore could fit inside the face of Crazy Horse. WOW!

Think about that for a moment.

The monument is still under construction, but even in its unfinished state, it is incredibly impressive.

I sincerely hope I’m around to see it completed someday.

From there, we headed toward Needles Highway.

Driving Needles Highway in the Black Hills

Needles Highway was easily one of my favorite experiences during our road trip to South Dakota.

The winding road twists through towering granite formations, narrow passages, and one-lane tunnels carved directly into the rock.

Every turn seemed to reveal another breathtaking view.

Photos don’t do it justice.

They really don’t.

This is one of those drives you simply have to experience for yourself.

The scenery was spectacular, and every few miles we found ourselves pulling over to take more pictures.

Wildlife Viewing in Custer State Park

After Needles Highway, we continued on to Custer State Park and the Wildlife Loop Road.

This area is famous for its wildlife, and for good reason.

We spotted bison, prairie dogs, and plenty of beautiful scenery throughout the afternoon.

Watching bison graze peacefully across the grasslands was one of those moments that reminded me just how vast and beautiful this country really is.

Look at the baby bison nursing from it’s mother. So sweet.

The prairie dogs were equally entertaining.

They seemed completely unbothered by the steady stream of visitors stopping to watch them pop in and out of their burrows.

It was a long day, but one filled with unforgettable memories.

Sturgis, Deadwood, and the Mystery of the Missing Car

Day three took us north to Sturgis.

Even if you’re not a motorcycle enthusiast, it’s fun to visit the town that hosts one of the most famous motorcycle rallies in the world. Of course, this stop was for Steve (hee-hee).

We walked Main Street, chatted with a few local business owners, browsed the shops, picked up postcards, and from there, we continued west to Deadwood.

Deadwood is exactly what you’d expect from a historic western town.

It’s touristy.

It’s charming.

And it’s packed with history.

We parked the car in a parking garage, paid for parking, and headed out to explore.

A few hours later, we returned to retrieve the car.

Except…

The car wasn’t there.

Or at least we thought it wasn’t.

Steve immediately became convinced we’d been towed.

I started retracing our steps.

We searched one level.

Then another.

Then another.

After several minutes of mild panic and confusion, I finally spotted our Honda CR-V.

Turns out we had simply forgotten which level we parked on.

Vacation brains are real, friends. Haha.

Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony

One of the highlights of our trip was returning to Mount Rushmore for the Evening Lighting Ceremony.

If you’re planning a road trip to South Dakota, I highly recommend making time for this experience.

The evening included a presentation from a park ranger, a film celebrating America, and recognition of military veterans in attendance.

As darkness settled over the Black Hills and with the monument illuminated against the night sky, the entire experience felt surprisingly moving.

It was a beautiful way to end our time in Rapid City.

A Surprise Drive Through the Badlands

Originally, we had planned to visit Badlands National Park during our stay.

Unfortunately, we simply ran out of time.

However, on the drive home, we discovered a detour that allowed us to drive through a portion of the Badlands.

Sometimes the unexpected moments become the best memories.

The landscape looked like something from another planet.

Layered rock formations.

Jagged ridges.

Dramatic colors.

Endless views.

At times it felt as though we had wandered onto the set of a science fiction movie.

We spent three hours stopping for photographs and soaking in the scenery before finally continuing our journey home.

Final Thoughts on Our Road Trip to South Dakota

Our road trip to South Dakota was everything we hoped it would be.

We explored iconic landmarks, drove some of the most scenic roads we’ve ever experienced, watched bison roam freely across the prairie, and discovered landscapes unlike anything we’d seen before.

Would I go back?

Absolutely. I told Steve I would even consider moving there.

We still have unfinished business with the Badlands, and there are plenty of places throughout the Black Hills we’d love to explore.

But as much as I enjoyed every mile of the trip, there was also something wonderful about pulling into our driveway at 2:00 in the morning, opening the front door, and finally sleeping in our own bed.

Home has a way of making every adventure complete.