Fun Road Trip In & Around South Dakota’s National Parks

Badlands National Park

I will be honest, I wasn’t exactly thrilled at the idea of going to Badlands National Park when we decided to add it to our itinerary. I am a mountain girl thru and thru, but I couldn’t be so close to another National Park and not mark it off my list.

Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. It looks like another planet. You can look for miles and see no sign of civilization. The Badlands have been so ravaged by wind and water that it has become picturesque. One of the more exciting things for me, was that I was finally able to see the Big Horn Sheep that call this place home.

We were not brave enough to tackle the hiking trails, but from what I could see this would be an adventure for any hiker. Several trails begin near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Be sure to take plenty of water. The temperatures here can be scorching in the summer. We drove the Loop Road Scenic drive through the park and it did not disappoint.

Wall Drug

It’s hard to believe Wall Drug got its start from something we wouldn’t even turn our heads at today … the promise of “Free Ice Water”. However, the Husteads family turned free ice water into a million dollar idea with a little determination and quick thinking. You will start seeing signs and billboards for “Free Ice Water” hundreds of miles away and you’ll know you are heading in the right direction. A drug store, gift shop & eateries are some of the amenities inside this 76,000-sq.-ft. attraction. A must see and just a few short minutes from the Badlands National Park.

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park has bison, elk, and other wildlife roaming the acreage of one of America’s oldest national parks. Below the prairie sits Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. The cave is currently the 6th longest in the world. Tours of the cave are open 362 days of the year. The park is located only a short drive from Mt. Rushmore and can easily be added to see the same day as Mt. Rushmore. You can drive the park easily and there are many pull offs for viewing wildlife.

Buffalo Gap National Grassland

The Buffalo Gap National Grassland is one of 20 National Grasslands. For visitors that enjoy getting away from it all, Buffalo Gap National Grassland hosts an array of unique opportunities to do just that. The National Grasslands contains a surprising diversity of plants and animals and are one of the most extensive, productive ecosystems in the United States. The Buffalo Gap National Grassland is administered by the USDA and encompasses nearly 600,000 acres located in scattered tracts within southwestern South Dakota. The National Grasslands Visitor Center is located in Wall, South Dakota.

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