Location: Sioux Falls
Day 1 - 10 Jun 2019
Sioux Falls Park
Content: Early in the morning we commenced our journey towards Sioux Falls Park from Minneapolis which was approx 4 hours away. Walking through the park we reached the falls. It offered beautiful scenery and sound of roaring waterfalls was mesmerizing. Later visited a small tower and had a spectacular view of the falls. Place is handicap accessible.
Old Courthouse Museum
Content: Later with the short drive we visited our next destination in Sioux which was Old Courthouse Museum. Place is loaded with artifacts and history, well arranged display of toys and vintage motor bikes. The best thing was it still consist hanging chain flush. Entry was free and staff was very helpful and knowledgeable.
Location: Mitchell
Day 1 - 10 Jun 2019
The Mitchell Corn Palace
Content: Further with we headed towards Mitchell where we visited The Mitchell Corn Palace which is the only corn palace in world. It was built to prove that South Dakota had a healthy agricultural climate. A place loaded with history, saw some lovely murals made up of corn which are replaced every year.
Hampton Inn Mitchell
Content: Taking a 10 min drive we checked-in to a hotel. Place was accommodating and well located. Staff was helpful and kind, rooms were big enough and clean. It is a pet friendly hotel but little bit overpriced.
El Columpio
Content: In the evening visited a local Mexican restaurant, we had a meal of the day which was Shrimp Alajillo served with green sauce, hospitality was amazing and staff was very helpful and attentive. Portion were appropriate. It is a value for money place.
Location: Custer
Day 2 - 11 Jun 2019
Center Lake campground
Content: Had a our packed breakfast early in the morning and took almost 5 hours drive passing through the black hills we reached Custer State Park. Here at the camp site we camped our tent for our 2 days stay. Need to reach as early as possible, as there are limited camps or book in advance.
Wildlife Loop Road
Content: Dropping off our luggage at the camp we drived through Wildlife Loop Road and saw some Bison and Burrows. At some places we had to stop and let the herd of animals pass through. It is definetly a place to drive around in nature among the wildlife.
Center Lake campground
Content: In the evening after returning back from the loop we had our dinner at the campsite itself. The taste was not that good but it was a lovely experience having dinner under the moon.
Location: Custer
Day 3 - 12 Jun 2019
Crazy Horse Memorial
Content: In the morning after some healthy breakfast we headed towards Crazy Horse Memorial passing through wildlife loop road. It is the monument carved in a mountain which is fascinating and well maintained. Crazy horse represents American history. Entry is costly, bus tour can be affordable.
Sylvan Lake
Content: Sylvan Lake is known as the crown jewel of the park which offers activities like rock climbing, boating etc. Lake was very peaceful, we hiked through the beautiful scenic trails around the lake, view was breath taking and doesn't require any skills. The path is well built and maintained. It is one of the better sights of black Hills
Center Lake campground
Content: In the evening we returned back to our campsite and had a wonderful fishing experience with other campers and later had our packed food for dinner.
Location: Custer
Day 4 - 13 Jun 2019
Iron Mountain road
Content: After breakfast we planned to explore spectacularly engineered Iron Mountain Road which connects Mount Rushmore National Memorial that takes around 20 mins drive. The drive was delightful and the beautiful view points and landscape were amazing. Need to drive slowly as the road has lots of turns and twists.
Needles Highway
Content: After passing through Iron mountain road we entered Needles highway which is covered by dense pine and spruce forests. The road is surrounded by sharp granite formations and tight tunnels. This drive is not for faint hearts as there are sharp turns.
Mount Rushmore
Content: Later en-routing towards Keystone we took a stop at Mount Rushmore which is a memorial which consists of four gigantic sculptures depicting the faces of U.S. Presidents. We hiked through the trails which took us around 2 hours to reach the sculptures but it was worth it which looked beautiful from a certain distance.
Location: Keystone
Day 4 - 13 Jun 2019
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Keystone
Content: With a short 10 min drive we checked-in to hotel located in Keystone. Lovely location having walking distance from the town, small clean decent rooms, service was lacking.
Ruby House Restaurant
Content: Visited a local American restaurant for our dinner, lovely attractive decor. We ordered buffalo melt sandwich which was delicious and service was excellent. Price was reasonable too.
Location: Rapid city
Day 5 - 14 Jun 2019
Badlands Wall Drug
Content: With an early breakfast we headed towards Badlands National Park which took around 1 hour to reach to our first destination of the day which was Badlands Wall Drug. Which is a wild-west theme mall, the cow boy theme is attractive consisting of art museum and dinosaur statue.
Cedar Pass Campground
Content: With a short drive reached Badlands National Park and camped in Cedar pass campground which is surrounded by unique Badlands formations. Permit is not required here.
Badlands National Park
Content: Dropping off our at our camping site we planned to stroll around the Badlands National Park. We saw how the layer of rock was exposed in a variety of geological formations as the river kept changing its course. The Badlands are covered by sparse vegetation and home to abandon wildlife. We saw herds of Bison and Deer.
Cedar Pass Campground
Content: In the evening we returned back to our camp and had our dinner at the campsite under the moonlight.
Location: Rapid city
Day 6 - 15 Jun 2019
Badlands Loop Road
Content: Grabbed some energy bars and started exploring the park. Our first stop for the day was Badlands loop road, it was a two lane paved road offering lots of beautiful plains and scenery. Here every overlook provides a unique view over the Badlands. Half day is required to explore with each stop.
Notch Trail
Content: Passing by loop road we stopped and took a Notch trail known for its exceptional views. The trail was strenuous, along cliff edges, and had a vertical log ladder to ascend the Badlands Wall. The view was breathtaking and worth the hike.
Cedar Pass Campground
Content: Returned back from the trail and had a bonfire with others where we shared our experience about the journey and had our dinner. We got some new friends and they were kind and friendly.
Location: Rapid city
Day 7 - 16 Jun 2019
Colonial House Restaurant and Bar
Content: We left in the morning and visited Colonial House Restaurant and Bar for our breakfast had cinnamon rolls and coffee both were excellent in taste and service was great. After breakfast we returned back to Wisconsin.