South Dakota Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

If you are looking to add excitement to your year, why not plan a road trip to some of Mount Rushmore State’s most fascinating destinations? While some of these trips may not be suitable all year round, you can plan ahead and discover some breathtaking places to visit throughout the year. Each trip has a link to the original article, where you can find an interactive map and more information and travel tips about each stop. Put these South Dakota road trip ideas on your list this year, and get ready to explore your home state like a tourist!

1-Day Road Trip In South Dakota

South Dakota Hall of Fame/Facebook

• Route: Queen City Bakery > Porter Sculpture Walk > The Corn Palace > The Back 40 > South Dakota Hall of Fame > 1880 Town > Badlands National Park: Pinnacles Overlook > Wall Drug > Dinosaur Park
• Distance: 375 miles
• Trip Time: 6 hours driving time

If you're searching for an affordable way to explore the Midwest, you're in luck! There are plenty of fantastic places to visit, and it won't require you to spend a fortune on gas. A road trip from Sioux Falls to Rapid City (or the other way around) will take you to some of the state's most fascinating attractions, like the South Dakota Hall of Fame and the Corn Palace, covering 371 miles and just a little over one tank of gas. So buckle up and get ready to discover some hidden gems on this one-day South Dakota road trip.

3-Day Weekend Road Trip In South Dakota

Deb Nelson/Google

• Route: Newton Hills State Park > Lake Vermillion Recreation Area > Lewis and Clark Recreation Area > North Point Recreation Area > Oahe Downstream Recreation Area > Ravine Lake in Huron > Mina Lake Recreation Area > Hartford Beach State Park > Lake Poinsett Recreation Area
• Distance: 787 miles
• Trip Time: 13.5 hours driving time

Have you ever considered South Dakota as a beach destination? You might be surprised that this Midwestern state boasts some beautiful sandy beaches. If you're up for an adventure, why not take a weekend road trip to discover South Dakota's hidden beaches? This road trip will take you from the southern part of the state to the northern part covering a distance of 789 miles and stopping at beaches like Hartford Beach State Park and Newton Hills State Park. By planning to spend a few nights along the way, you can truly soak up the beauty each beach offers. So don't worry about trying to do it all at once – take your time and enjoy all the hidden gems along the way.

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Badlands National Park Road Trip

KopiMocha/Tripadvisor

• Route: Big Badlands Overlook > White River Valley Overlook > Bigfoot Pass Overlook > Panorama Point > Prairie Wind Overlook > Burns Basin Overlook > Homestead Overlook > Conata Basin Overlook > Yellow Mounds Overlook > Conata Picnic Area > Ancient Hunters Overlook > Pinnacles Overlook
• Distance: 40 miles
• Trip Time: 1 hour and 15 minute driving time

South Dakota is often overlooked and has much to offer beyond just Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, like the Badlands Loop Road. The Badlands Loop Road is of the best road trips in America and a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won't want to miss. This scenic drive will take you on a journey through the Badlands National Park, where you can witness the breathtaking beauty of the natural landscapes and rock formations. As you drive along the highway, you'll feel like you're on another planet, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the area's layered rock formations. The park spans over 240,000 acres, so there's plenty to see and explore. The best part about the Badlands Loop Road is that it takes you through the center of the park, so you can easily see all the best overlooks and viewpoints and experience the beauty up close. Keep your eyes peeled for native wildlife as you drive through the park - you never know what you might see!

Iron Mountain Road Road Trip

Custer State Park/Facebook

• Route: C.C. Gideon Tunnel > Doane Robinson Tunnel > Scovel Johnson Tunnel
• Distance: 17 miles
• Trip Time: 1 hour driving time

Thinking of taking a one-of-a-kind drive in South Dakota? Look no further than the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway in the Black Hills. But beware, one section of this road is not for the faint of heart. The Iron Mountain Road portion is a 17-mile stretch of the byway and is the windiest road in the state, with 314 curves and 14 switchbacks. Additionally, you'll go through three tunnels carved into the side of the mountain, which can be nerve-wracking, but once you make it through, a stunning view of Mt. Rushmore will be your reward. The Iron Mountain Road is a thrilling and unforgettable drive for those up for the challenge.

Best South Dakota Road Trip For Spring

Gina E/Tripadvisor

• Route: Custer State Park Welcome Center > Coolidge General Store > Blue Bell Stables > Buffalo Corrals > Wildlife Station Visitor's Center
• Distance: 18 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours driving time

Have you been looking for a picturesque and unforgettable drive in South Dakota? We recommend taking the Wildlife Loop Road. Situated in Custer State Park, this 18-mile scenic drive is a must-see for anyone who loves nature and wildlife. As you wind through the Black Hills landscape, keep your eyes peeled for all kinds of animals, from pronghorn to bighorn sheep to burros to bison and even prairie dogs. You might even spot some magnificent birds soaring overhead. Since the area is home to so many animals, it's important to drive slowly - the recommended speed limit is just 25 miles per hour or less. So hop in your car, roll down the windows, and get ready for an incredible bucket list adventure.

Best Summer Road Trip In South Dakota

Justin Meissen/Flickr

• Route: Bridal Veil Falls > Spearfish Falls > Roughlock Falls > Cascade Falls
• Distance: 137 miles
• Trip Time: 2.5 hours driving time

Get your car gassed up and rally your friends because it's time to experience the state's stunning waterfalls. While many people know South Dakota for its famous landmarks and history, few are aware of the abundance of breathtaking waterfalls. If you're a waterfall enthusiast or just looking for a unique adventure, this is the perfect South Dakota road trip itinerary for you. This two-and-a-half-hour drive will take you to epic waterfalls such as Bridal Veil Falls and Cascade Falls and is an excellent trip to complete in a day, so don't miss out on seeing these natural wonders in one unforgettable stretch.

Best South Dakota Road Trip For Fall

Keri Kelting/Tripadvisor

• Route: Rapid City > Hermosa > Custer State Park > Black Hills Parkway > Cheyenne Crossing > Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway > Vanocker Canyon > Sturgis > Nemo > Rapid City
• Distance: 189 miles
• Trip Time: 4.5 hours driving time

If you're looking for a beautiful way to experience the fall foliage, we have just the road trip for you. Taking this route will show you some of the best drives for the season, and you'll be able to witness the breathtaking fall colors that South Dakota has to offer. The trip is about four and a half hours long and starts and ends in Rapid City. You can go in either direction, but we recommend heading south on SD-79 from Rapid City to Hermosa, with stops at Custer State Park and Vanocker Canyon, to name a few. Get ready to be awed by the stunning colors of autumn on this ride.

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Best Winter Road Trip In South Dakota

Abby Bischoff/Flickr

• Route: Watertown > Brookings > Madison > Sioux Falls > Brandon > Huron
• Distance: 281 miles
• Trip Time: 4.5 hours driving time

We discovered the most magical Christmas towns and can't wait to share them with you! Use this South Dakota road trip map to visit some of the most beloved Christmas towns, which have some of the most charming and festive Main Streets that are all decked out with thousands of beautiful lights. A standout is the Winter Wonderland at Falls Park; can you believe they have 25 miles of light strings? How about the town of Madison, where Christmas music accompanies the dancing lights? Whichever destination you choose along the route, you're guaranteed a festive time.

Family Friendly South Dakota Road Trip

Chris Collins/Flickr

• Route: Petrified Wood Park Castle > Storybook Island Castle > Badlands Castles > Enchanted World Castle > The World’s Only Corn Palace > Storybook Land Castle
• Distance: 600 miles
• Trip Time: 9.5 hours driving time

Are you a fan of all things magical and enchanting? If so, you won't want to miss this incredible road trip to South Dakota's most majestic castles. With over 600 miles to cover, this road trip will take you on a journey through some of the most impressive ones in the state. On this road trip map, you can check out multiple destinations like the Petrified Wood Park Castle, Badlands Castles, and the Enchanted World Castle. Feel free to start where ever makes the most sense to you and edit the map in any way. Whether you're traveling with a group of friends or with your family, this road trip is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Road Trip to South Dakota Landmarks & Natural Wonders

Julie Falk/Flickr

• Route: Roughlock Falls > Spearfish Falls > Bridal Veil Falls > Wonderland Cave > Jewel Cave National Monument >
• Distance: 137 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours driving time

This state has so many natural wonders, from mountains and waterfalls to incredible caves and caverns. On this three-hour trip, you'll check out caves like Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park in Custer, where you can take cave tours. And if you're a fan of waterfalls, you're in for a real treat - you'll be stopping off at Roughlock Falls and Spearfish Falls in Lead. So whether you're on the search for caves and waterfalls or just love exploring new sights, this itinerary is the ticket.

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in South Dakota

management/Tripadvisor

• Route: Royal Bake Shop >Flyboy Donuts > Daylight Donuts > Donut Shoppe > Wall Drug Store > Jerry’s Cakes & Donuts
• Distance: 467 miles
• Trip Time: 7 hours driving time

What better way to check out the small towns in the area than finding out the best donut shops in each one? This road trip will take you to a variety of delicious donut shops through the most charming small towns, such as Royal Bake Shop in Centerville and Daylight Donuts in Mitchell. The route promises to be a delightfully indulgent adventure where you can spread the trip out over a weekend or check out a couple for a quick day trip. So hit the road today and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Is your favorite road trip through South Dakota on this list? Let us know -we’d love to hear from you! Need more ideas for things to do in the wild wild West? Staying at the campground of Cedar Pass Lodge in the Badlands might be the ticket.

For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you’re leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can’t forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.