Getaway to Black Hills of South Dakota
Our family recently enjoyed a getaway to South Dakota. We started our journey in Sioux Falls, then we took I-90 toward the Black Hills! This was a fantastic family getaway.
From Sioux Falls to Rapid City, we enjoyed a few pitstops en route to our bigger destinations (including Mount Rushmore, Bear Country USA, and Custer State Park among others).
Favorite Rapid City & Keystone, South Dakota, Attractions:
Bear Country U.S.A 13820 S. Highway 16, Rapid City, SD. Admission charged.
Bear Country U.S.A. was one of our favorite attractions on our South Dakota vacation. This incredible animal attraction is truly one-of-a-kind. My nine-year-old daughter has been bear-obsessed since birth, so she was especially enthralled with the hundreds of bears at this attraction. The cubs were adorable and won us all over.
Your Bear Country USA adventure begins with a three-mile drive-through exploration of the animal park that is home to black bears, mountain lions, reindeer, bighorn sheep, elk, buffalo and more. Knowing that many visitors come from a long distance and may have dirty windshields (the bugs were thick this summer), they offer a cleaning station to squeegee windows before your drive.
We loved seeing the majestic animals in their habitats, but the bears were the hands-down stars of the show. The bears meander through the park as you drive-through (keep those windows rolled up), coming up alongside your car, playing in the grass, sleeping in their dens, and swimming in ponds. The girls loved watching the bears sleep, roam, eat, and play.
After the drive-through portion, guests visit Babyland. This space is home to young animals including beavers, skunks, badgers, foxes, and arctic wolves... but most of all bear cubs! On our visit, the cubs were asleep when we first visited their exhibit. Babyland is a walkthrough loop to observe the animals, ending at a gift shop. After exploring the many items in the large gift shop, we inquired and learned that the cubs were to be fed around six that evening. We headed back that direction, and sure enough, they all woke up and we watched them play, tumble, climb, and explore. With ten cubs, all playfully interacting, it was great fun to watch them for nearly an hour!
This attraction is about fourteen miles from Mount Rushmore... a MUST stop for animal lovers on your Black Hills getaway! Plan to spend a few hours enjoying the animals and taking photos.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial (13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD). Admission is free, but there is a parking fee (2019 summer fee was $10/vehicle, $5/seniors and more for buses).
Mount Rushmore is the most visited attraction in South Dakota and one of the most visited patriotic sites in America. The iconic landmark, carved into stone, features 60-foot faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
We spent several hours exploring the park in the morning and returned (parking passes are good all day) that evening for the flag ceremony.
Upon entering the park, visitors may purchase audio tours, check out one of two gift shops, purchase concessions, or begin the walk toward the mountain. We chose to start with the walking tour. As you approach the sculpture, you walk under the flags of all fifty states. During our July visit, a reenactor portraying President Theodore Roosevelt was there to greet us.
Next, we took the Presidential Trail (it includes stairs) winding up near the face of the mountain (photos above show our walk). Along the way, there are placards with history about each of the four presidents. The walk is a great way to see the sculpture from different angles - each vantage point is different. The stories presented both along the trail and by park rangers explain how the personalities of each president influenced the design.
At the end of the trail, the original electric generator for the sculptors is on display. A story posted with it explains that early in the process they had trouble maintaining enough electricity for the project and invariably shut down every Monday. Lo and behold, Monday was laundry day for Keystone families. They requested that families change their chore schedule to moderate the load on the energy supply!
Next, we visited the sculptor's studio. Here, visitors see an original model of the Gutzon Borglum's vision for the sculpture. Park rangers give 15-minute presentations throughout the day telling the history of the sculpture and the inspiration for the design. Did you know the original intention was to bring tourism to South Dakota? It seems to have worked quite well... over three million visitors come to Mount Rushmore annually.
Then, we headed to the main entrance where they offer restaurants serving a variety of lunch options and the landmark's iconic desserts... apple pie with rum sauce said to have been a Lincoln recipe, and ice cream using a recipe recorded by Thomas Jefferson - apparently the first recorded American ice cream recipe in history. This was a great treat on a summer's day!
The attraction also offers two gift shops with numerous souvenirs... including a book written by Nick Clifford, the last surviving carver on the mountain. Nick celebrated his 98th birthday on July 10, 2019. He was one of the original crew of nearly 400 men and women who worked from October 4, 1927, to October 31, 1941. His book is one of many telling the tale of the sculpture and its significance in American History.
Parking passes are good throughout the day, we chose to return that evening for the flag ceremony. Currently, the amphitheater and additional exhibits are under construction, so Park Rangers enlisted volunteers from the audience (all members of the military) to assist with the flag ceremony on the walkway. Then, as the sunset for the night, the monument was illuminated for the evening.
Its difficult to describe just how impressive Mount Rushmore truly is in person. The experience celebrates America's history, both through the stories of its leaders and through the tenacity of the sculptor and workers behind the significant project. Visiting Mount Rushmore is truly an iconic American bucket list trip for families and a must-see.
Crazy Horse Memorial: (12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD). Admission charged.
A visit to Crazy Horse Memorial was surprisingly quite different from our visit to Mount Rushmore. While both iconic landmarks are mountain carvings, Crazy Horse is funded through donations (they refuse government funding) and it is entirely focused on honoring the heritage of the Native Americans who first lived in South Dakota. The project, started in 1948, is incomplete and will face many more decades of work... it is a "living sculpture" to honor the Sioux. When it is completed, the memorial will stand at 563 feet and be 641 feet long.
On our visit, we explored the museum and found that it was significantly larger than we expected as we discovered more exhibits and displays at every turn. Exhibits honored the history of the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota (we know them as the Sioux), their culture and art, and the history of the project.
Exhibits include Native American artifacts and artwork, as well as the story of Korczak Ziolkowski, the sculptor, and his vision for the work. The kids were also fascinated by an exhibit on the process of sculpting Crazy Horse and the tools and techniques used for the project.
Our favorite part of the visit, however, was a presentation from members of the Lakota tribe who shared their heritage and performed many of their dances. It was important to learn about the history of the Sioux nation in South Dakota and see it celebrated at Crazy Horse memorial.
The site also featured a children's area where staff members teach children to make art projects they may take home.
Our visit to Crazy Horse was both educational and inspirational. We spent several hours touring the museum, watching presentations, participating in workshops, and seeing the site.
Custer State Park From Crazy Horse, take US-385 S to US Hwy 16A to enter the park and follow the signs to Wildlife Loop Road. 2019 Rates - Daily: Weekly Park License: $20 per vehicle, $10 per motorcycle | Motorcoach License: $3 per person per visit. Annual: $30 1st vehicle | $15 for 2nd vehicle | $65 transferable license. License is required for travel on Needles Hwy or Wildlife Loop Rd. Travelers going through on US Hwy 16A or SD Hwy 87 S. and don't stop in the park, entrance license isn't required.
Custer State Park is absolutely breathtaking. On our visit we took hundreds of photos (sharing only a sampling in this post). The park offers lodging, campgrounds, a restaurant, Sylvan Lake (where you may kayak or canoe), biking and hiking trails, and scenic drives.
On our visit, we took the scenic Iron Mountain Road and enjoyed the Needles Highway and Wildlife Loop scenic drives. This took several hours for driving and stopping for photos along the way, but it was worth it! Even after hours in the car coming from Kansas City to Sioux Falls, and then on to Rapid City, we thoroughly enjoyed this drive. It is spectacular!
Iron Mountain Road is famously the road that engineers called impossible. The road, constructed in 1933, runs between Mount Rushmore (we took it from Crazy Horse back to Mount Rushmore for the nighttime ceremony) and the junction of US 16A and SD 36.
The winding road travels through the Black Hills, through mountain tunnels framing Mount Rushmore, over pigtail bridges (roads that circle back over themselves), where buffalo and burros roam. Driving 20mph, we saw wildlife, the Needles (slender granite mountains that stand as sticks), tunnels, and amazing scenery.
The park is home to nearly 1,300 bison. Unfortunately, we arrived right after a thunderstorm and only saw a dozen bison... however, the park is famous for "Buffalo Jams" when herds of bison block traffic! We did, however, have to stop for burros who were sticking their heads in windows and trunks of tourists' vehicles. These tame burros were a true crowd-pleaser.
The park is also home to elk and mountain goats (we didn't see any at Custer, but we did encounter mountain goats in the Badlands).
The 71,000-acre park is truly spectacular. My girls are already planning a return visit and hope to stay at Custer State Park next time to allow time for more exploring! You should include this attraction in your itinerary and plan at least several hours to enjoy the park.
Reptile Gardens: 8955 US-16, Rapid City, SD. Admission charged.
Reptile Gardens was one of the most pleasant surprises on our trip! I imagined hundreds of snakes, turtles and gators and that alone didn't sound super exciting. I was happily surprised to discover that this was one of our favorite attractions on the trip.
Reptile Gardens holds the Guinness Book of World Records status as the world’s largest reptile zoo in the 2018 edition. The zoo is home to more than 200 reptilian species, but is also home to other animals including prairie dogs and birds. In addition to the animals, the site is also a garden... the landscaping is lush and vibrant making this a truly beautiful attraction.
My girls enjoyed visiting the exhibits where we saw a variety of reptiles and learned about them (educational information is posted throughout and the staff is knowledgeable). They loved petting the giant tortoises, playing in the prairie dog village, and exploring the exhibits where we saw the biggest and deadliest snakes!
The highlight of our visit, however, was the shows! Each day they offer a bird show, a snake show, and a gator show (all offered more than once). We saw the bird show first and enjoyed seeing owls, parrots, and hawks. Next, we watched the snake show. Tre, the show host, presented numerous snakes including rattlesnakes, boas, and cobras. After the show guests were given a chance to pet a snake. Tre was a fantastic presenter with a great sense of humor. His presentation was both educational and entertaining. We were delighted we learned that he was presenting the gator show as well (he said he doesn't do the bird show.... birds are terrifying)! At the gator show, he explained the difference between crocodiles and alligators, showed the various species, fed the gators, AND wrestled a gator! The audience was on the edge of their seats as he sat atop a gator and stuck his hand inside its mouth. The entire show was incredible.
In addition to animals, there is a western-themed play area with a fake jail, stocks, and storefronts. The kids enjoyed the chance to play a bit and they laughed at the funny photo ops.
This was one of our favorite stops and we spent about three hours at Reptile Gardens. This is another must-see for animal lovers. Be sure to catch the shows!
Journey Museum: 222 New York St., Rapid City, SD. 605.394.2249. Admission charged.
The Journey Museum is an excellent educational site for the entire family. The museum features history and science exhibits telling the story of South Dakota. Many exhibits are interactive featuring hands-on components for children including archaeological digs, historic dress-up, STEM activities, and Native American culture.
The museum explores the origins of the Black Hills and Badlands area. The exploration begins with geological exhibits and a focus on dinosaurs. Then, visitors learn about the history of the Lakota Sioux. Finally, early pioneers and more modern citizens of the region are presented. Children may participate in a scavenger hunt and earn a prize upon completion.
You may also enjoy educational films and programs on your visit with many presentations and hands-on activities offered throughout the day. This gift shop was one of the best we saw on our trip with a variety of locally made items made by local artisans and cooks.
For visitors wanting to gain a better understanding of the history and culture of the region, this is a must-see stop. Plan to spend several hours exploring this highly engaging and interactive museum.
Rush Mountain Adventure Park: 13622 SD Highway 40, Keystone, SD. Hours: 9 am - 7 pm. Admission varies by age and attraction.
Rush Mountain Adventure Park is a FAVORITE for families! After site-seeing, museums, and tours this is the perfect place to relax and have a blast! Every single word in the name of this attraction is true... you'll enjoy an adrenaline RUSH, the site is built on a MOUNTAIN (lots of steep hills!), it's a true ADVENTURE, and it's fun-filled PARK for family fun!
The park is built around the stalactite-filled Rushmore Cave. Visitors may tour the cave (this is not accessible) on a visit. You do have to reserve your tickets on-site in advance for cave tours and the popular tours fill quickly, so grab your tickets as soon as possible.
Rush Mountain Adventure Park just recently unveiled a brand new mountain roller coaster. Mountain coasters are especially fun as riders control their speed up to 30 miles per hour winding through the trees and over the mountainside.
In addition to the mountain coaster (which everyone in our group gave two thumbs up), the park also features a soaring eagle zip ride, skycourse, and Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride (photos not permitted on this indoor attraction). We were familiar with 3-D and 4-D, but 7-D? The Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride is an indoor attraction. You will, "feel the seat move, the wind in your hair as you take one of 3 different adventurous journeys into dangerous territories. Shoot your laser gun at targets along the way. " There are multiple scenarios to choose from you and you may ride multiple times - each experience is different. Along the way, you are the "gunslinger" competing for the high score as you aim for the villains. This ride was fun for all ages.
The outdoor skycourse was another favorite. Adventurers are strapped into a harness as they traverse obstacles. The course includes ropes, balance beams, and ziplines. My girls love adventure courses like this and said that it was one of their favorites.
We spent half a day at Rush Mountain Adventure Park and could have easily spent an entire day. Be aware that the park is built on a steep mountain. The sky course and entrance for the mountain coaster are at the bottom of the hill with other attractions at the top - plan your time accordingly!
Dinosaur Park: 940 Skyline Drive, Rapid City, SD. Hours: 5 am - 10 pm
This free public park celebrates the state's fossil-rich land. There are seven life-sized sculptures for kids to enjoy. The gift shop also features a food counter for affordable snacks, hot dogs, and ice cream. Note that this park is not accessible currently (the city recently approved plans to change that) and it requires climbing many many stairs to get to the park itself. The park does offer amazing views overlooking downtown Rapid City.
Downtown Rapid City Tour:
Downtown Rapid City is a hub of art, history, and charming local businesses. We spent an afternoon exploring the downtown district and loved it!
City of Presidents: Many visitors come to the area to see Mount Rushmore. The famous landmark features only four of the Presidents of the United States. Rapid City honors the legacy of all American presidents with life-sized bronze sculptures representing each individual President. Each statue was designed to capture the spirit and personality of the man. Some are formal, some are casual, many feature iconic moments (Dewey Defeats Truman), and all are works of art. We took photos with many of them during our visit.
Other highlights of Downtown Rapid City include:
- Main Street Square: Located in the heart of Downtown Rapid City, Main Street Square is a fun-filled public space that features a variety of events, arts and culture, live concerts, and seasonal fun. During the summer months, Main Street Square hosts a farmers market, movies under the stars, a dancing water fountain, and more.
- Art Alley: Located between 6th and 7th streets in downtown, Art Alley began in 2005 as a public arts project and has blossomed into a favorite among locals. The alley is home to a constantly changing art display featuring free-form graffiti, pop art, abstract and cultural works, all done by local and visiting artists.
- Prairie Edge: This popular shop and contemporary collection of Native art embodies the spirituality of the Lakota people and celebrates the heart of their culture. Visitors can find artwork and goods that blend the traditions of the elders and new, modern takes, providing unique souvenirs that celebrate the region.
Roadside Stops on I-90 South Dakota:
Car trips through South Dakota wouldn't be complete without hitting these roadside attractions.
Corn Palace (604 N Main St, Mitchell, SD) Hours: 8 am - 9 pm
The Corn Palace is one of South Dakota's most famous roadside attractions. The facade of the building is redecorated annually, each year using corn to create the design and celebrate the state's agricultural heritage. Inside, you'll find murals made of corn and the stop's famous popcorn balls. This quick, free, pitstop is a "must" for classic South Dakota photo ops.
Dignity Statue: Interstate 90, between exits 263 and 265 near Chamberlain.
This marvelous sculpture greets travelers on I-90, combining the art and history of South Dakota. At this pitstop, visitors may take photos with the statue and stop at the visitor's center with information on the history of the region and Lewis & Clark and use clean restrooms (a bonus!). "The 50-foot-tall statue was designed by sculptor Dale Lamphere to honor the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people. Representing the rich Native American culture of South Dakota, the Native woman gracefully wears a dress patterned after a two-hide Native dress of the 1850s. She holds outstretched a quilt featuring 128 stainless steel blue diamond shapes designed to flutter in the wind."
Wall Drug; (510 Main Street, Wall, SD) Hours: 7 am - 9 pm
Wall Drug is a 76,000-square-foot emporium offering every South Dakota souvenir imaginable including photo ops and t-shirts with their famous jackalope. We did a bit of window shopping and browsing, but the emporium is also home to a diner and donut shop for a quick bite. They famously serve free ice water to travelers... since 1931!
Badlands National Park: Badlands National Park is located 75 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota. Interstate 90 (I-90) is located directly north of the park and provides access to the Hwy 240 Badlands Loop Road. For those traveling west on I-90, take Exit 131 (Interior) and follow the signs directing vehicles south approximately three miles to the Northeast Entrance. For those traveling east on I-90, take Exit 110 at Wall, South Dakota. Follow signs directing vehicles south approximately seven miles to the Pinnacles Entrance. State Highway 44 provides an alternate, scenic access to the park and intersects Highway 377 in the town of Interior. Follow 377 two miles north to the Interior Entrance. Admission is charged.
The Badlands is a 244,000-acre park showcasing beautiful geology and fossil beds. There are many stops as you drive through the park offering majestic views and history. You may hike, picnic, or even camp at the park. We opted to drive through on the way home... we spent over an hour driving through the park. Visitors can easily spend more time hiking and exploring.
LODGING:
We stayed at Canyon Lake Resort (4510 Shore Dr., Rapid City, SD). 605.343.0234, This was an excellent choice for families as they offer a reunion lodge as well as cabins with multiple beds and bedrooms. The resort includes an outdoor pool, firepit, small pond and paddleboats, and laundromat.
DINING:
On our visit, we enjoyed lunch at Firehouse Brewing Co. This was a fun and delicious place to enjoy lunch. We also enjoyed breakfast at Tally's Silver Spoon. Much of the food was prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Everything was tasty and the service was great.
Family-friendly recommendations include:
- Firehouse Brewing Co.:610 Main Street, Rapid City, SD. Firehouse Brewing Co. is South Dakota’s first brewpub and one of Rapid City’s most unique landmarks. Housed in the original Rapid City firehouse built in 1915, it is listed on the National Historic Register and features a brewery, indoor restaurant, and bar, outdoor patio complete with band-shell for live music, theatre, winery, and mercantile.
- Tally’s Silver Spoon: 530 6th Street, Rapid City, SD. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Tally’s Silver Spoon is a family-owned business, headed by Executive Chef Benjamin Klinkel, who avails classics providing comforts of the past, like their famous, original recipe pancakes, while tantalizing inspirations from around the globe invite the contemporary. Hours: 7 am - 9 pm
- Kōl: 504 Mt Rushmore Road, Rapid City, SD. Offers modern ambiance and a diverse menu serving up fresh ingredients; every item is prepared in front of guests using a 10,000 lb. coal-fired oven that is the centerpiece of the dining room. Hours: 10 am - 2 pm; 4 pm - 9:30 pm
- Dakotah Steakhouse: 1325 N Elk Vale Rd, Rapid City, SD. Diverse menu featuring a variety of traditional Dakota cuisine, including traditional steak, flavorful locally-sourced buffalo, elk and Western game such as walleye, all artfully presented and prepared with an extra kick of flavor. Hours: 4 pm - 9 pm.
- Murphy’s Pub & Grill: 510 Ninth Street, Rapid City, SD. A Rapid City tradition, Murphy’s went back to its roots with a gut remodel of the 1911 Rapid City Garage building. The menu, described as upscale comfort food, includes buffalo meatloaf, gourmet macaroni and cheese, fish and chips and roast chicken.
- Delmonico Grill: 609 Main Street, Rapid City, SD. Under the careful guidance of owner and Chef Benjamin Klinkel, Delmonico Grill emphasizes its skilled grilling technique and use of sustainable, local ingredients.