How long is the Black Hills & Badlands Loop: A South Dakota Road Trip route?

This route takes 8 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Rapid City, South Dakota to Rapid City, South Dakota in South Dakota, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Adventure, Classic road trip, Culture.

Black Hills & Badlands Loop: A South Dakota Road Trip

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The route · 6 stops

5 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way

Rapid City

2 nights

The trip's hub and the gateway to the Black Hills, nicknamed the City of Presidents for the bronze statues along its walkable downtown. Use two nights to collect the rental car, stock up, and base yourself within an hour of every major sight before the loop begins.The trip's hub and the gateway to the Black Hills, nicknamed the City of Presidents for the bronze statues along its walkable downtown. Use two nights to collect the rental car, stock up, and base yourself within an hour of every major sight before the loop begins.

Recommendations

1h 58m · 142 km drive to Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park

1 night

A surreal landscape of layered buttes, spires and prairie about an hour east of Rapid City. Drive the Badlands Loop Road between overlooks, walk the short Notch, Door and Window trails, and watch for bison and bighorn sheep. Call in at the kitsch Wall Drug on the way. Sunrise and sunset light are the best of the day.A surreal landscape of layered buttes, spires and prairie about an hour east of Rapid City. Drive the Badlands Loop Road between overlooks, walk the short Notch, Door and Window trails, and watch for bison and bighorn sheep. Call in at the kitsch Wall Drug on the way. Sunrise and sunset light are the best of the day.

Recommendations

2h 13m · 159 km drive to Mount Rushmore & Keystone

Mount Rushmore & Keystone

1 night

The carved faces of four presidents above the ponderosa pines, reached through the small town of Keystone. Walk the Presidential Trail for the closest views and stay for the summer evening lighting. The Crazy Horse Memorial, a giant work in progress honouring the Lakota leader, sits a short drive south.The carved faces of four presidents above the ponderosa pines, reached through the small town of Keystone. Walk the Presidential Trail for the closest views and stay for the summer evening lighting. The Crazy Horse Memorial, a giant work in progress honouring the Lakota leader, sits a short drive south.

Recommendations

16m · 19 km drive to Custer State Park

Custer State Park

2 nights

The highlight for many visitors: 71,000 acres of granite spires, lakes and open grassland. Drive the Wildlife Loop for free-roaming bison and the Needles Highway through narrow rock tunnels, then swim or paddle at Sylvan Lake. Two nights allows a hike up Black Elk Peak or the Cathedral Spires.The highlight for many visitors: 71,000 acres of granite spires, lakes and open grassland. Drive the Wildlife Loop for free-roaming bison and the Needles Highway through narrow rock tunnels, then swim or paddle at Sylvan Lake. Two nights allows a hike up Black Elk Peak or the Cathedral Spires.

Recommendations

1h 20m · 96 km drive to Deadwood & Spearfish Canyon

Deadwood & Spearfish Canyon

2 nights

Reach this historic gold-rush town by the scenic Spearfish Canyon byway, with its creek, cliffs and waterfalls. Deadwood's restored main street, saloons and Mount Moriah Cemetery, resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, recall its Wild West past. A lively base with casinos and summer events.Reach this historic gold-rush town by the scenic Spearfish Canyon byway, with its creek, cliffs and waterfalls. Deadwood's restored main street, saloons and Mount Moriah Cemetery, resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, recall its Wild West past. A lively base with casinos and summer events.

Recommendations

On the way

Rapid City
56m · 67 km
Close the loop back in Rapid City, about an hour from Deadwood. Drop the rental car for an onward flight, or add a night to see the Museum of Geology and the downtown president statues you missed at the start.Close the loop back in Rapid City, about an hour from Deadwood. Drop the rental car for an onward flight, or add a night to see the Museum of Geology and the downtown president statues you missed at the start.
Recommendations

Black Hills & Badlands Loop: A South Dakota Road Trip