I grew up thinking the Midwest was the most boring place on earth—endless farmland, nothing to do. But South Dakota completely surprised me, revealing hidden gems, breathtaking landscapes, two National parks and adventures I never expected just a few hours from home. Read on as I recount all the incredible surprises South Dakota and the Black Hills had in store!
The Midwest? Yawn.
I grew up in the Midwest, and I’ve long held the not-so-humble opinion that there’s… well, not much to do there. To me, the region was all endless farmland, flat horizons, and sleepy small towns—the kind of place where your biggest thrill might be spotting a tractor on the highway. So when I thought of South Dakota, I assumed it would be more of the same. Boring. Predictable. Yawn.
I was right about the farmland. But I was so wrong about the “nothing else” part. Because tucked in the middle of nowhere are several hidden gems that I couldn’t believe were so close. This past trip with my fiancé completely changed my view. In just a few days, we checked two incredible national parks off our bucket list—Wind Cave and Badlands—each one more surreal than I imagined.
I was so wrong.
Wind Cave amazed us with its otherworldly underground passages, while Badlands felt like stepping onto another planet entirely, with its jagged rock formations and endless, rugged landscapes. Between the adventures, we found moments of calm in the Black Hills, wandering among towering pines and peaceful lakes, soaking in the quiet beauty that felt worlds away from the chaos of city life.
Of course, no South Dakota trip would be complete without a visit to Mount Rushmore. Standing there, taking in the sheer scale of history carved in stone, I couldn’t help but appreciate the layers of American history and the stories that shape it.
What started as a “meh, South Dakota” trip turned into one of the most surprising and unforgettable adventures. It reminded me that sometimes, the most extraordinary experiences are hiding in the places we least expect.
First Stop: Wind Cave National Park
Our first day started early. Really early. We woke up before sunrise, fueled ourselves with coffee, and hit the road, driving five hours across Wyoming into South Dakota, wondering if we’d ever see signs of human life again. The landscape stretched out endlessly—rolling plains, distant hills, and not a soul in sight.
Our first stop on my carefully curated itinerary was Wind Cave National Park. We pulled up to the visitors center, full of excitement, only to realize… there were no tours left. All tours were first-come, first-served, and apparently by 11 a.m., every slot had been snapped up. Feeling a mix of defeat and disbelief, we wandered the visitors center, reading about the cave’s famous structures, when we suddenly heard a ranger shouting, “Two free tickets just opened up for the Fairgrounds Tour, first come, first serve!” I had never run so fast in my life.
The Fairgrounds Tour is reportedly the most strenuous option, compared to the other tours like the Garden of Eden, Historic, or Natural Entrance tours. My partner was nervous at first—but honestly, as long as you’re reasonably fit, it’s totally manageable. There are some stairs and slopes, but nothing close to the steep climbs of the Colorado mountains I’m used to.
Once inside the cave, it felt like entering another world. We marveled at the boxwork formations—delicate, lattice-like patterns of calcite unique to Wind Cave. Our guide even shone a flashlight on the walls to reveal tiny luminescent microorganisms, creating a faint, otherworldly glow that was absolutely mesmerizing. The guide shared fascinating history: how the cave was discovered, the ways Native Americans knew of its existence long before modern exploration, and the natural processes that formed its twisting passageways over millions of years.
It was awe-inspiring. And perhaps most importantly, it was the first time I had ever been in a cave. There’s something humbling about standing in a place untouched by light for eons, a reminder of the vastness of the world and the hidden wonders it holds.
Mount Rushmore: More Than Just Faces in Stone
After our cave adventure, we headed toward our next stop—and my history-geek fiancé’s absolute favorite: Mount Rushmore. I’ll admit, I had my doubts. I mean, a bunch of old men carved into a rock? How impressive could that really be? But I was completely wrong.
The level of detail in the sculpture is actually insane. Every wrinkle, every contour, every expression—meticulously planned and executed. And the history behind it made it even more fascinating: how the monument was modeled, the engineering challenges the sculptors faced, the massive effort it took to bring it to life, and how it created jobs while promoting tourism in what was billed as the “gateway to the West” (debateable, but still interesting).
My favorite part was the artist’s studio, where you could see the original scale model of what they envisioned. Seeing that miniature version up close made the sheer ambition of the project hit home. It was awe-inspiring and, honestly, made me feel proud to be an American—a truly patriotic moment. It also made me wish we still embarked on national-scale architectural projects like this. Maybe we shouldn’t carve sacred mountains, but imagine what else we could build today—grand, bold, creative works that inspire awe and leave a legacy.
The Fever Dream That Is Wall Drug
By this point, my partner—who hadn’t planned a single thing on this trip—was just along for the ride, happily letting me steer our adventures. Exhausted from the hot sun, we hit the road for another hour down to Wall, South Dakota, where we’d be staying the night. Don’t worry—I had a plan.
We checked into our hotel, ready to grab some dinner and call it a night, but not before making a pit stop at the infamous Wall Drug, which we had been teased with for miles—seriously, we’d seen at least 50 billboards on the drive down, each one more ridiculous than the last. By the time we pulled up, starving and sun-drained, walking into Wall Drug felt like stepping into a fever dream. Neon signs, oversized cowboy hats, quirky displays, and souvenir shops stretching in every direction—it was completely over-the-top, exactly what the billboards promised.
In our exhausted state, we knew we couldn’t possibly conquer the mammoth of a strip mall, and honestly, we doubted the food would be any good. Spoiler alert: we were wrong. But being a bit too tired to tackle the full experience, we opted to try another restaurant in town before finally checking in for the night. Still, even just seeing Wall Drug in all its chaotic glory made the drive worth it—and gave us a taste of the weird, wonderful charm of small-town Americana.
Badlands National Park: A Sunrise to Remember
I had been told that if I was going to see Badlands National Park, it had to be at sunrise or sunset—the way the light hits the peaks is supposed to be otherworldly. So, I woke up at 5 a.m., ready to conquer the day. My fiancé, not so much—he stayed tucked in bed while I set out on a short solo adventure.
Wow. Just… wow. It was stunning, peaceful, and completely breathtaking. Less than ten minutes from Wall, I watched the sun rise over the jagged, otherworldly formations of the Badlands. The colors shifted from soft pastels to fiery oranges and reds, and the quiet of the morning made the landscape feel even more magical. Along the way, I saw majestic bison for the first time ever, grazing calmly in the soft light—a humbling reminder of the wildness that still exists in America. The park is also steeped in history, from its fossils dating back millions of years to its importance to the Lakota people, making the scenery feel alive with both nature and stories of the past.
Not wanting to explore too much without my fiancé, I headed back to the hotel for a couple more hours of sleep, a quick continental breakfast, and to gear up for our next adventure together.
When we set back out, fully prepared, our goal was the Notch Trail—a unique hike that showcased everything the Badlands has to offer: rugged landscapes, sweeping views, wildlife encounters, and the intense midday sun. The trail is special because Badlands is a free-hiking national park, meaning you can wander off the trail and explore anywhere—a rare treat compared to most national parks. It felt like a giant, natural playground.
We stopped at all of the overlooks, each more breathtaking than the last—Panorama Point for sweeping vistas, Big Badlands Overlook for jagged peaks that seemed to stretch endlessly, and Pinnacles Overlook for those iconic layered formations. By mid-afternoon, the heat had drained us completely, so we headed back to Wall, ready to finally conquer Wall Drug once and for all.
Holy Wall Drug
By the time we returned from the Badlands, we were sun-soaked, exhausted, and completely ready to take on the legend that is Wall Drug. And let me tell you—holy Wall Drug, it was everything the billboards promised and more. Walking in felt like stepping into a theme park disguised as a roadside attraction: neon signs, quirky statues, candy counters, endless souvenir shops, and yes… the smell of fresh doughnuts wafting through the air.
We dove in, determined to experience it all—but also hungry, so the first order of business was dinner. Spoiler alert: the food did not disappoint. From juicy burgers to hand-battered fries, it was exactly the kind of fun, satisfying roadside meal we needed after a day in the Badlands. Once fed, we wandered the aisles of the sprawling complex, marveling at the absurdity and charm in equal measure: western-themed displays, animatronic cowboys, and everything from tacky souvenirs to kitschy collectibles.
After soaking it all in, we hit the road again—this time heading to Custer, near Mount Rushmore. We wanted to set ourselves up to fully conquer the Black Hills the next day and make the most of our super short two-night itinerary. By the time we finally checked into our hotel in Custer, we were utterly spent—but smiling ear to ear, thrilled by the strange and delightful experience that capped off an unforgettable day.
The Black Hills: Scenic Roads, Sylvan Lake, and Sunlit Memories
Our last day in South Dakota started with a mission: I was determined to see the Needles Scenic Byway, often dubbed the “Most Scenic Road in America.” Now, having been fortunate enough to explore some of the West’s most stunning landscapes, I’ll admit that title is debatable—but only if you’ve already seen what’s out there. That said, the Byway truly is beautiful, winding through jagged granite spires, pine forests, and dramatic valleys that make you feel like you’re driving through a postcard.
The Black Hills themselves are a treasure. Named by early European settlers for the dark pine-covered ridges that rise sharply from the surrounding plains, the area holds sacred significance for the Lakota people, as well as a rich history of mining and early settlement. It’s a place where rugged wilderness meets fascinating stories of the past, and every turn of the road feels like a chance to discover something new.
In the afternoon, we made our way to Sylvan Lake, a serene spot tucked into the hills. It was packed with families enjoying the sunny day, so we opted for a short hike around the lake’s perimeter, taking in the reflections of the granite cliffs on the water and the quiet beauty of the surrounding forest. After our hike, we settled on the shoreline to soak up some sun, savoring the last few hours of our whirlwind trip before heading home.
By the time we drove back, we arrived just after 6 p.m., tired but exhilarated—and beyond excited to see our doggie waiting at home. South Dakota had surprised us at every turn, and though the trip was short, it left us with unforgettable memories, breathtaking landscapes, and a newfound appreciation for a state I once assumed was “just farmland.”
Our South Dakota Itinerary: A Whirlwind Adventure Worth Every Minute
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing about our whirlwind two-night, three-day South Dakota trip. Every stop was carefully chosen, and each moment left us in awe. That said, if you have more time, I’d absolutely recommend dedicating a full day to exploring the Black Hills—there’s so much to soak in, from scenic drives to hiking trails—and an evening in Custer, where we discovered plenty of cute restaurants and charming shops.
Here’s a full look at our itinerary:
Day 1:
- Early morning drive into South Dakota
- Wind Cave National Park – Fairgrounds Tour
- Mount Rushmore – Artist’s Studio and monument viewing
- Drive to Wall, SD
- Wall Drug – dinner and exploration
- Overnight in Custer
Day 2:
- Sunrise adventure at Badlands National Park
- Continental breakfast and gear up for Notch Trail
- Notch Trail hike and overlooks (Panorama Point, Big Badlands Overlook, Pinnacles Overlook)
- Return to Custer for evening
Day 3:
- Needles Scenic Byway drive through the Black Hills
- Afternoon at Sylvan Lake – short hike and relaxing by the water
- Drive home, arriving in the evening
South Dakota truly surprised us in all the best ways, and I know we’ll be back someday to explore even more. If you’ve been, I’d love to hear about your favorite spots—drop them in the comments so we can add them to our next adventure list!
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