61 days in Black Hills & Badlands Itinerary

Deadwood is a city in South Dakota, United States, and the county seat of Lawrence County. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Mount Moriah Cemetery and Adams Museum. Escape the urban bustle at Roughlock Falls State Nature Area and Bridal Veil Falls. Venture out of the city with trips to Spearfish (Devil’s Bathtub & McNenny State Fish Hatchery), Belle Fourche (Tri-State Museum, Black Hills Parrot Welfare & Education Center, &more) and Wonderland Caves (in Nemo). There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, appreciate the history behind Tatanka: Story of the Bison, take an in-depth tour of Black Hills Mining Museum, and don't miss a visit to Deadwood Model Train.

To find photos, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Deadwood road trip planner.

Zurich, Switzerland to Deadwood is an approximately 20-hour combination of flight and car. You'll gain 7 hours traveling from Zurich to Deadwood due to the time zone difference. In August, daytime highs in Deadwood are 31°C, while nighttime lows are 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Custer.

Generally considered to be the oldest town established by European Americans in the Black Hills, Custer began as a mining town.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like The Museum @ Black Hills Institute and South Dakota State Railroad Museum, Ltd.. Explore hidden gems such as Wind Cave National Park and Legion Lake. Change things up with these side-trips from Custer: Keystone (Big Thunder Gold Mine, National Presidential Wax Museum, &more), Windcross Conservancy (in Buffalo Gap) and Wind Cave National Park (Elk Mountain Nature Trail & Rankin Ridge Nature Trail). Spend the 25th (Fri) exploring the underground world of Jewel Cave National Monument. The adventure continues: delve into the lush surroundings at Black Hills National Forest, take in the dramatic natural features at Needles Eye Tunnel, contemplate the waterfront views at Sylvan Lake, and hike along Little Devil's Tower Trail.

Ask Inspirock to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Custer fast, fun, and easy.

You can drive from Deadwood to Custer in 1.5 hours. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Deadwood to Custer. Traveling from Deadwood in August, Custer is little chillier at night with lows of 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sat) to allow enough time to 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.

Get in touch with nature at Loop Road and Notch Trail. Visit Sage Creek Wilderness Area and Wounded Knee Massacre Monument for their historical value. Take a break from Badlands National Park with a short trip to Hurley Butte Horseback Riding in Interior, about 40 minutes away. Spend the 6th (Wed) exploring nature at Badlands National Park. There's still lots to do: hike along Door Trail, take in the dramatic natural features at Badlands Wall, identify plant and animal life at Roberts Prairie Dog Town, and get great views at Pinnacles Overlook.

To find ratings, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Badlands National Park trip planner.

Traveling by car from Custer to Badlands National Park takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus. When traveling from Custer in September, plan for a bit warmer days in Badlands National Park, with highs around 32°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 11°C. On the 17th (Sun), you're off to Murdo.

Murdo is a city in Jones County, South Dakota, United States. Discover out-of-the-way places like 1880 Town and Prairie Homestead. Do some cultural sightseeing at Pioneer Auto Museum and Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries. Explore Murdo's surroundings by going to Kadoka (Badlands Petrified Gardens & Badlands Distillery LLC), Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (in Philip) and Wall (Delta-09 Missile Silo & Wall Drug). There's lots more to do: take a stroll through Downtown Rapid City, do a tasting at Firehouse Wine Cellars, get a taste of the local shopping with Art Alley, and view the masterpieces at Suzie Cappa Art Center.

To find maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Murdo vacation builder tool.

Getting from Badlands National Park to Murdo by car takes about 1.5 hours. The time zone changes from Mountain Standard Time to Central Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. September in Murdo sees daily highs of 30°C and lows of 13°C at night. You'll set off for home on the 1st (Sun).