30 days in Black Hills & Badlands Itinerary

Family-friendly places like Loop Road and Badlands Wall will thrill your kids. Spend the 3rd (Sun) exploring nature at Badlands National Park. The adventure continues: take in the dramatic natural features at Big Badlands Overlook, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Panorama Point Overlook, hike along Door Trail, and look for all kinds of wild species at Roberts Prairie Dog Town.

To see photos, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, read Badlands National Park visit planner.

New York City to Badlands National Park is an approximately 6-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. You'll gain 2 hours traveling from New York City to Badlands National Park due to the time zone difference. Traveling from New York City in September, Badlands National Park is slightly colder at night with lows of 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Murdo.

Explore Murdo's surroundings by going to Kadoka (Badlands Distillery LLC & Badlands Petrified Gardens) and Philip (Badlands Trading Post & Prairie Homestead).

Plan trip to Murdo with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

Drive from Badlands National Park to Murdo in 1.5 hours. The time zone difference when traveling from Badlands National Park to Murdo is 1 hour. Expect a daytime high around 79°F in September, and nighttime lows around 52°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sat) so you can drive to Belle Fourche.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and Termesphere Gallery (Call for Appointment). Venture out of the city with trips to Spearfish (Devil’s Bathtub & Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club) and Roughlock Falls State Nature Area (in Lead).

For where to stay, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read our Belle Fourche route planner.

You can drive from Murdo to Belle Fourche in 3 hours. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Murdo in September: highs in Belle Fourche hover around 73°F, while lows dip to 49°F. You will leave for Rapid City on the 15th (Fri).

Bring the kids along to Bear Country USA and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Rapid City: Windcross Conservancy (in Buffalo Gap), Custer (Center Lake, Custer State Park, &more) and Keystone (Horse Thief Lake & Presidential Trail). Pack the 22nd (Fri) with family-friendly diversions at Rushmore Tramway Adventures. The adventure continues: stop by Downtown Rapid City, stop by Wall Drug, appreciate the history behind Crazy Horse Memorial, and don't miss a visit to Dinosaur Park.

For where to stay, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, use the Rapid City attractions planner.

You can drive from Belle Fourche to Rapid City in an hour. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Belle Fourche to Rapid City due to the time zone difference. Expect a daytime high around 75°F in September, and nighttime lows around 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sat) so you can fly back home.