Hi friends!
Our time in the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota were a bit of a mixed bag. Some of the best memories so far, and also some of the hardest days. I am going to be honest… as we left Colorado on our trip eastward, the Great Plains stretched before us, a looming and never-ending obstacle [it seemed] to our adventures. I viewed it like an appointment with the dentist, hoping the news is good, but preparing myself for unpleasantness.
We had a bit of both. Days where the hot weather and high winds let us experience what it is surely like to live in a blow-drier. 🙂 But we also had amazing hikes, fun swimming holes and gorgeous campsites!
After spending a week and some exploring the area, we left knowing there was a ton still left unexplored!
If you are new to the site, we are a family of five currently on a 6 month trip from Utah to Maine and back again!
Here are the highlights from our time in the Black Hills and Badlands National Park:
Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD
OK friends, if someone asks us the “fun” things to do in any area, 99% of the time it won’t be a tourist thing, have paid admission, or be a museum. Our family just isn’t as into those things. This is an exception. I mean everyone loves mammoths, right?!
Similar to dinosaurs, getting to learn about mammoths, see real bones in the ground and a real working excavation is amazing.
It was a bit pricey but I was so glad we did it in the end.
Swimming at Cascade Falls
If there is a place to jump in the water, our family is on it (or in it) 🙂 . So when I looked up Cascade Falls as a hike (um, it isn’t only 20 feet from the parking lot) but saw that it was a swimming hole, we were all over it one hot afternoon.
The falls are small, allowing you to climb back up them easily. Below the falls the pool was deep, allowing us to jump and dive to our hearts content. The water was not very cold due to hot springs up-stream. Above the falls, there are shallow pools for younger kids.
Note: It was early summer, with higher run-off levels. Always scout water depth before jumping and diving in.
Located 11 Miles south of Hot Spring, SD on HWY 71.
Camping at Oreville Campground down the road from Rushmore National Park
The Oreville Campground was an amazing base camp for our Black Hills Adventures. Clean restrooms, wide open grassy areas for the kids, and huge trees for shade. The bugs weren’t even bad! It is by far one of the most beautiful sites we’ve had so far on our trip across the country. Heads up: It is near the road, so traffic noise was present.
It is 15 minutes from Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake area and the Needles Hwy.
Hiking Sunday Gulch and Paddling Sylvan Lake
The Sylvan lake Area near the Needles is an amazing area. There is a 7 day pass required costing $20 but the area has a ton of potential for multiple days worth of adventuring.
One day we hiked the Sunday Gulch Trail which weaves in and out of the rock formations on the north side of Sylvan Lake. 4 miles total, the loop is adventurous taking you through rock tunnels, across many streams and up steep stairs and rock sections.
We had a ton of water from the rain, making it all the more fun!
Note: We hiked it in a clock-wise direction.
Driving the Needles Hwy / Custer State Park
“A drive?” We said. Why was our friend telling us to do a drive? We would rather be outside the car, than inside. But then, we know him. So we trusted his advice and it was awesome! Great as an afternoon add-on or after hike exploration, the Needles Highway weaves in and out of the rock formations known as the Needles in the Black Hills.
I will let the photos explain the rest. 🙂
Needless to say, we did not tow Tubby through this!
Hiking the Notch Trail at Badlands NP [Header photo]
Most of the hikes in the Badlands are super short, allowing you to tick multiple hikes off your list in one day. We also had excruciating heat on the days we were there, so short hikes with relief from the A/C in the truck was helpful.
The Notch Trail is 1.5 miles total, weaving up a wash, up a long wood ladder and along some of the exposed dirt formations before ending at The Notch overlook.
Visiting the Minuteman Missile Silo and Visitor Center
An amazing way to break up some of the drive across the Great Plains, we thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Minuteman Missile Silos. Major perk of roadschooling, our kids had a Cold War history lesson and hands on experience all at once!
Located 10-30 minutes east of the Badlands depending on whether you are visiting the actual silo or the visitor’s center.
Now many of you are probably wondering, “What about Mount Rushmore?!” I hate to disappoint you friends, but we were deeply disappointed with Rushmore! The trails were mostly closed while we were there and after 5 minutes of looking at the rocks, my kids wanted to leave. Correction: I wanted to leave. But here is proof we were there:
What are your favorite places in South Dakota and the Great Plains?