11 days in South Dakota Itinerary

Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. On the 2nd (Sun), steep yourself in history at Pettigrew Home & Museum and then look for all kinds of wild species at Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum. On the next day, don't miss a visit to Michelangelo's David replica, pause for some serene contemplation at St. Joseph Cathedral, then stroll around Falls Park, and finally trek along Sioux Falls Bike Trails.

To see reviews, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, read Sioux Falls visit planner.

Cardiff, UK to Sioux Falls is an approximately 16.5-hour combination of train and flight. Traveling from Cardiff to Sioux Falls, you'll gain 6 hours due to the time zone difference. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Cardiff in July: high temperatures in Sioux Falls hover around 33°C and lows are around 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Mon) so you can go by car to De Smet.

De Smet is a city in and the county seat of Kingsbury County, South Dakota, United States. Start off your visit on the 4th (Tue): steep yourself in history at Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes, then take an in-depth tour of De Smet Depot Museum, then don't miss a visit to Ingalls Homestead - Laura's Living Prairie, and finally explore the different monuments and memorials at De Smet Cemetery.

Find out how to plan De Smet trip without stress by asking Inspirock to help create an itinerary.

You can drive from Sioux Falls to De Smet in 2 hours. In July, daytime highs in De Smet are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Interior.

Interior is a town in Jackson County, South Dakota, United States. Kick off your visit on the 5th (Wed): explore the striking landscape at Big Badlands Overlook, explore the striking landscape of Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, explore the striking landscape at Badlands Wall, then cruise along Loop Road, and finally explore the striking landscape at Homestead Overlook. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in the dramatic natural features at Conata Basin Overlook, identify plant and animal life at Roberts Prairie Dog Town, then stroll through Notch Trail, and finally get a dose of the wild on Hurley Butte Horseback Riding.

To find maps, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Interior trip site.

Getting from De Smet to Interior by car takes about 4.5 hours. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from De Smet to Interior due to the time zone difference. While traveling from De Smet, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Interior, ranging from highs of 38°C to lows of 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Thu) early enough to drive to Spearfish.

Spearfish is a city in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States. Needles Highway has been added to your itinerary. On the 7th (Fri), admire all the interesting features of Needles Highway, stroll the grounds of Mount Moriah Cemetery, then get engrossed in the history at Adams Museum, then get to know the fascinating history of Historic Old Town, and finally go deep underground at Broken Boot Gold Mine. Keep things going the next day: get engrossed in the history at D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, explore and take pictures at Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, then admire the sheer force of Bridal Veil Falls, and finally appreciate the views at Roughlock Falls State Nature Area.

To find more things to do, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Spearfish trip itinerary planning app.

Traveling by car from Interior to Spearfish takes 2 hours. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Interior to Spearfish due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Interior in July, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Spearfish: temperatures range from 33°C by day to 17°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sat) so you can go by car to Rapid City.

South Dakota's second-largest city, Rapid City has for many years served as a gateway to the West.

Get in touch with nature at Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Needles Eye Tunnel. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Rapid City: Custer (Custer State Park, Iron Mountain Road, &more). There's much more to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Bear Country USA, visit Downtown Rapid City, admire the striking features of Chapel in the Hills, and learn about winemaking at Firehouse Wine Cellars.

To find traveler tips, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Rapid City trip builder site.

You can drive from Spearfish to Rapid City in an hour. Another option is to take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Mountain Standard Time (MST) is minus 1 hour. July in Rapid City sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 19°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel back home.