4 Days in West South Dakota: The Best Outdoor Adventures

Hi everyone! I recently got to travel to South Dakota, a less well-known state, but one worth going to. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking to feel more grounded while enjoying some beautiful views. South Dakota is also the perfect place for all you history and nature lovers. I spent four days here and can’t wait to share my itinerary with you!

Day 1

After flying into Rapid City Regional Airport, we drove about an hour to Badlands National Park. The Badlands truly looks like another world, and there are a couple different trails you can walk along. Although, the sights themselves are worth the drive over. 

After the Badlands, we got showered up and headed over to Spearfish. Spearfish is a cute small town with a few restaurants to choose from; we decided on Nonna’s, which did not disappoint. As soon as you walk in, you are transported into a cozy atmosphere. Be sure to come here for some authentic Italian cuisine.

Day 2

On day two, we headed to Custer State Park. This park had a lot, including trails, an educational visitors center, and plenty of animals to see along the wildlife loop. My favorite part was hands down feeding the donkeys along the loop, but make sure to keep it healthy. Give them apples, carrots, or celery!

Next up was Needles Highway, which has stunning views and eventually leads you through the famous Needles tunnel. There are a couple overlooks where you can get out and take in the magnificent needles, which are the pointed rock formations that are truly exceptional.

Then, we went to Mount Rushmore! Mount Rushmore is one of those mystical monuments you learn about as a kid, and it brought a sense of awe as I got to see it in person. From afar it does not look that big until you realize the noses themselves are about 20 feet long. There is a theater that plays a short film about the history of the monument, as well as a 1.6-mile trail to get a closer look.

For dinner, we went to Deadwood, which is a historical, vibrant town with tons of restaurants and shops to choose from. For dinner we went to Jake’s, which is a great choice for a nicer dinner. The ambiance is wonderful, and the service was lovely.

Day 3

The first stop of the day was the Museum of Geology. I loved visiting this museum. Even if you aren’t a nerd like me, this museum has tons of cool information on the natural history and geology of South Dakota. In fact, South Dakota is one of the most popular places to find dinosaur fossils, which you will get to see a lot of at this museum. 

Then it was time for some food! Downtown Rapid City has a good number of options to choose from for lunch, but we decided on Harriet and Oak, which was delicious! This place is perfect for a good coffee, lunch, or bakery treat; with a laid-back vibe inside.

Next, it was time to chase some waterfalls! Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful waterfall by Spearfish creek. There is a looking deck by the road, but you can also cross the creek to get a closer look!

Rough lock falls are straight out of a fairytale, with lush greenery all around the flowing creek. This is also a nice area to walk around, as there are paved paths provided throughout.

Devil’s Bathtub was the highlight of my trip, and it also happened to be the one thing we had not planned! But trust me, you do not want to skip out on this one, especially if you like something with a little more adventure. The hike to the falls is just under 2 miles round trip and requires you to cross the creek a couple of times, which was a fun challenge if you are trying not to get your shoes wet. The trail leads to a natural waterslide and a shallow pool, which was very refreshing after the trek there. But do plan accordingly, because there is no cell service on the trail.

Inside Rocky Point is the Belle Fourche Reservoir, which is great for boating, swimming, and fishing. Some locals have said that you can even find shark teeth along the shore, but unfortunately, we weren’t lucky this time around. After the reservoir, we got lunch in Belle Fourche at Wild Magnolia, which I highly recommend.

Our last stop of the day was Devil’s Tower. Devil’s Tower was named the first national monument, and although it is in Wyoming, it was just over an hour drive from Belle Fourche. The grand size of the tower took my breath away. There are three different trails to choose from. We ended up doing the Tower Trail, which is 1.6 miles and loops around the tower, giving you a close view from every angle. There are educational stations along the trail so you can learn about the history of the tower.

South Dakota is filled with breathtaking landscapes and endless opportunities to connect with the outdoors. Thank you so much for reading 4 Days in West South Dakota: The Best Outdoor Adventures. If you missed my last blog post, be sure to check it out here for more travel inspiration!