5 days in South Dakota Itinerary

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

Kids will enjoy Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Sylvan Lake. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Rapid City: Custer (Iron Mountain Road, Wildlife Loop Road, &more). And it doesn't end there: look for all kinds of wild species at Bear Country USA, get in on the family fun at Rushmore Tramway Adventures, have some family-friendly fun at Cosmos Mystery Area, and examine the collection at National Presidential Wax Museum.

To find traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Rapid City route builder tool.

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. The time zone difference when traveling from New York City to Rapid City is minus 2 hours. Traveling from New York City in June, expect little chillier with lows of 57°F in Rapid City. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) so you can drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 29th (Mon): explore the striking landscape at Yellow Mounds Overlook and then explore and take pictures at Loop Road.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Badlands National Park online travel route builder.

Traveling by car from Rapid City to Badlands National Park takes an hour. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Expect a daytime high around 83°F in June, and nighttime lows around 54°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 29th (Mon) to allow time for travel back home.