16 days in South Dakota Itinerary

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

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Bear Country USA. Venture out of the city with trips to Keystone (Breezy Point Picnic Area, Presidential Trail, &more), Scott Jacobs Studio (in Deadwood) and Custer (Needles Eye Tunnel, Sylvan Lake, &more). There's still lots to do: get to know the resident critters at Reptile Gardens, get curious at Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, brush up on your military savvy at South Dakota Air and Space Museum, and find something for the whole family at Storybook Island.

For maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Rapid City visit site.

New York City to Rapid City is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from New York City to Rapid City, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from New York City in June, expect little chillier with lows of 57°F in Rapid City. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Mon) early enough to go by car to Badlands National Park.

Although Badlands National Park's name might not be the most inviting, its landscape of pinnacles, eroded buttes, spires, and an expansive, pristine mixed-grass prairie remain enticing.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Loop Road and Badlands Wall. There's still lots to do: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Badlands National Park, hike along Door Trail, stroll through Notch Trail, and take in the dramatic natural features at Yellow Mounds Overlook.

For photos, maps, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Badlands National Park online road trip planner.

You can drive from Rapid City to Badlands National Park in an hour. Another option is to do a combination of bus and taxi. June in Badlands National Park sees daily highs of 83°F and lows of 54°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. Kids will enjoy Falls Park and Corn Palace. Change things up with these side-trips from Sioux Falls: Watertown (Bramble Park Zoo, Redlin Art Center, &more) and De Smet (Laura Ingles Wilder Historic Homes & Ingalls Homestead - Laura's Living Prairie). There's lots more to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Sioux Falls Bike Trails, hike along SculptureWalk & Arc of Dreams Monument, have some family-friendly fun at Escapades Escape Rooms, and pause for some serene contemplation at St. Joseph Cathedral.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Sioux Falls online tour builder.

Traveling by car from Badlands National Park to Sioux Falls takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or fly. The time zone difference when traveling from Badlands National Park to Sioux Falls is 1 hour. In June, daytime highs in Sioux Falls are 80°F, while nighttime lows are 58°F. On the 30th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.