8 days in South Dakota Itinerary

Fewer than 400 people call Keystone home year-round, but the population explodes in summer when crowds flock to nearby Mount Rushmore.

Museum-lovers will appreciate Mammoth Site of Hot Springs and Warrior's Work & Ben West Gallery. Escape the urban bustle at Black Hills National Forest and Wildlife Loop Road. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Keystone: Custer (Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake, & more). Next up on the itinerary: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, browse for treasures at The Farmer's Daughter, admire all the interesting features of Big Thunder Gold Mine, and look for gifts at Things That Rock.

For more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, read Keystone travel route planner.

Rapid City to Keystone is an approximately half hour car ride. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Rapid City in July: high temperatures in Keystone hover around 80°F and lows are around 53°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Deadwood.

Deadwood is a city in South Dakota, United States, and the county seat of Lawrence County. On the 7th (Sun), stroll the grounds of Mount Moriah Cemetery, view the masterpieces at Termesphere Gallery, then take an in-depth tour of D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, and finally cruise along Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

For maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Deadwood travel planner.

Drive from Keystone to Deadwood in 1.5 hours. Traveling from Keystone to Deadwood, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. July in Deadwood sees daily highs of 83°F and lows of 58°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Deadwood.

On the 8th (Mon), look for all kinds of wild species at Black Hills Parrot Welfare & Education Center, examine the collection at Tatanka: Story of the Bison, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Historic Old Town, and finally get a taste of the local shopping with Scott Jacobs Studio. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 9th (Tue): take an in-depth tour of Adams Museum, contemplate the long history of Adams House, then admire all the interesting features of Broken Boot Gold Mine, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Roughlock Falls State Nature Area.

For ratings, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, read Deadwood day trip planning site .

Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Wall.

Wall is a town in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. Kick off your visit on the 10th (Wed): explore the striking landscape at Badlands Wall, then explore and take pictures at Loop Road, then explore the striking landscape of Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, and finally browse the different shops at Wall Drug.

To find maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Wall online trip itinerary builder .

You can drive from Deadwood to Wall in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a bus. Traveling from Deadwood to Wall, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Deadwood in July, plan for somewhat warmer days in Wall, with highs around 91°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 60°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Wed) early enough to go by car back home.