Summer Road Trip in South Dakota: Badlands & Mount Rushmore

I’ll be the first to admit that South Dakota wasn’t high on my vacation bucket list. But I ended up there this summer on a dad-and-daughter trip with family — and we loved it. It felt like a refreshing break from our usual beach or theme-park vacations, so I wanted to share highlights in case anyone else is thinking about a different kind of family getaway.

Growing up on the East Coast and now living in Florida, I haven’t spent much time in the upper Midwest. These landscapes may feel familiar to some readers, but for us it was an opportunity to experience new geography—similar to our trip to the California desert earlier this year—without traveling far from family.

Why We Vacationed In South Dakota

South Dakota offers sweeping vistas, small charming towns, and a wealth of outdoor activities. The state includes major national parks, monuments, memorials, and historic sites such as Badlands National Park, Wind Cave, Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. You’ll also find classic Western towns like Sturgis, Rapid City, and Historic Deadwood. For a family that enjoys nature and history, there’s plenty to explore.

Where Did We Go In South Dakota

We were in South Dakota for only three nights, so our itinerary was compact but busy. My dad and uncle handled the planning and did a great job maximizing our time. Our main stops included:

• Downtown Rapid City
• Circle View Guest Ranch
• Badlands National Park
• Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota
• Mount Rushmore
• Custer State Park
• My extended family’s cattle ranch

Our daughter and I didn’t see much of Rapid City or Custer State Park because of flight schedules, but others in the group enjoyed them. At Custer State Park they even had to wait while a herd of buffalo crossed the road — a classic South Dakota moment.

Where We Stayed In South Dakota

One of my dad’s goals was to stay on a working farm, and that became reality at Circle View Guest Ranch. Located about 60 minutes from the Rapid City airport and roughly five minutes from the Badlands entrance, Circle View is a warm, family-run bed & breakfast on a working ranch. It quickly became the highlight of our stay.

The property includes rooms in the main house, a separate bunkhouse that sleeps eight, and even an 1880s homestead cabin for guests who want a more rustic experience. The accommodations were clean and comfortable, stocked with coffee, books, games, foosball, and ping pong—perfect for families.

Our favorite part was the morning family-style breakfast prepared by the Kruse family, who run the ranch. The spread was generous and delicious; it’s something we still talk about. The kids loved pancakes and smoothies, but what truly captivated them was the ranch life: dogs, puppies, cats, chickens, and surprisingly vocal peacocks roaming the grounds.

The Kruse children taught our kids simple chores like collecting eggs and tending the chickens, which the kids loved. More than one of them fantasized about sneaking a chicken home on the plane.

Mostly it was heartwarming to see our daughter and her cousins playing together against the Badlands backdrop. They could have happily spent the whole trip running around the ranch and chasing chickens.

What We Did In South Dakota

One of our days was spent visiting my dad’s cousin’s ranch a few hours away. We learned about cattle ranching, visited my great-grandfather’s grave, and enjoyed a conversation with my dad’s uncle, a World War II veteran. That personal connection was a highlight, but we also packed in a variety of tourist and outdoor activities the rest of the trip.

Horseback Riding

I almost skipped horseback riding, but I’m glad I didn’t. Just down the road from Circle View, a family member runs short guided rides on the outskirts of the Badlands. The hour-long ride was gentle and surprisingly peaceful. We rode through vibrant fields of yellow sweet clover and took in views that felt almost otherworldly—lots of photos looked like they could have been taken in Europe, they were that picturesque.

Badlands National Park

Because Circle View is so close to the entrance, we drove into Badlands several times. On our main visit we did a few short, flat hikes from the Notch Trail lot. The kids loved scrambling over rock formations, and the dramatic geology makes this park a perfect spot for family exploration and photos.

Wall Drug

About 45 minutes from the Badlands is the small town of Wall, home to the famous, kitschy Wall Drug. It’s touristy but fun—like a maze of shops, souvenirs, and classic roadside attractions. We stopped there for lunch and a quick look around; it’s a good family pit stop.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

I visited Mount Rushmore once in high school, but as an adult I appreciated the interpretive displays and engineering history more. The memorial grounds include informative exhibits and a short stair-heavy hike that provides different perspectives of the carved faces. The kids were less enamored with this stop than with the Badlands, so you might prioritize natural exploration if you have limited time.

Overall, I didn’t expect much beyond family time, but I left pleasantly surprised by the region’s beauty, the number of experiences we fit into a short trip, and how much the kids enjoyed it. My dad isn’t always the best trip planner, but this one was a home run.