One Week in the Dakotas: 3 National Parks, a National Monument, an Epic State Park & Historic Towns
This one-week itinerary covers the very best of North Dakota, South Dakota, and a bonus stop in Wyoming. You’ll explore three national parks — Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt, and Mount Rushmore — plus Devils Tower National Monument, Custer State Park, and the scenic Black Hills. If you have an extra day, consider adding Wind Cave National Park for underground wonders.
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Why Combine North and South Dakota?
Most travelers fly into the region, so once you arrive, it makes sense to visit both states in a single trip. The distances are surprisingly manageable — for example, the drive from Rapid City, SD, to Medora, ND (gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit) is just four hours. Combining the two states packs more scenery, wildlife, and iconic American landscapes into one efficient week.
How to Use This Guide
This post provides a high-level itinerary and planning framework for the western Dakotas. You’ll find links to detailed destination guides with trail notes, photos, and lodging tips. Use the itinerary exactly as written or treat each day as a flexible “segment” that you can reorganize to match your timeline and priorities.
Destination Guides
Essential Guide to Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Featured Hikes
- 🥾 Caprock Coulee Loop, Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Unit), ND
- 🥾 Black Elk Loop, Custer State Park, SD
- 🥾 Devil’s Tower Loop, Devil’s Tower National Monument, WY
- 🥾 The Notch Trail, Badlands National Park, SD
📸 Note: This post focuses on itinerary planning — see our separate guides for sight and trail details, and campground reviews.
🗒️ A Quick Note on Photos
This guide is designed to be practical, efficient, and itinerary-focused. For in-depth photography, trail visuals, and park highlights, browse the linked guides. Keeping this overview streamlined helps you plan routes, timing, and logistics without distraction.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Rapid City, SD
Fly into Rapid City, gather supplies, and settle in. If time allows, drive toward Badlands National Park so you’re ready to explore early the next morning.
Rapid City has the best selection of lodging for exploring both the Badlands and Black Hills. Compare current hotel options below:
Days 2: Badlands National Park, SD
Welcome to the Badlands — a surreal mix of eroded buttes, sharp spires, and rainbow-striped sediment layers. This is one of the most striking landscapes in the American West, with excellent overlooks, wildlife viewing, and short hikes.
At Badlands NP, Don’t Miss:
- ★★★ Loop drive
- ★★★ Prairie Dog Town
- ★★ Popular hikes (see guide for details)
- ★ Wall Drug Store (near Badlands in Wall, SD)
⏰ Summer tip: Watch for heat lightning and dramatic storm fronts — they create unforgettable skies.
Days 3: Morning in the Badlands → Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND
Spend the morning exploring additional overlooks or hikes in the soft early-day light. Then begin your drive north toward Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
On the way, consider quick stops such as:
- Sturgis, SD — home of the legendary motorcycle rally
- Black Hills National Cemetery — a peaceful, historic stop along the route
Arrive in Medora and enjoy a scenic drive in the South Unit before sunset.
Don’t Miss
- ★★★ South Unit scenic drive & short hikes
- ★★ Maltese Cross Cabin
- ★ Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame
Days 4: Theodore Roosevelt National Park — North & South Units
Start early and drive about an hour to the North Unit, known for its rugged badlands, sweeping viewpoints, and abundant wildlife. After hiking and exploring, return to the South Unit near Medora for more trails and scenic overlooks.
Medora is the gateway town for the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and lodging here fills quickly in summer. Here are available stays:
If you enjoy live entertainment, consider booking tickets to the Medora Musical, a long-running western variety show.
Day 5: Devils Tower National Monument (WY) → Deadwood (SD)
Head south into Wyoming to visit Devils Tower, an iconic monolithic column sacred to many Indigenous nations and famous from films and climbing history. Walk the loop trail around the base for changing perspectives and excellent photography.
Continue into the Black Hills to the historic town of Deadwood, filled with frontier lore, western architecture, and lively main streets.
Don’t Miss:
- ★★★ Devils Tower Base Loop Trail
- ★★ Historic Deadwood
- ★ Mount Moriah Cemetery — resting place of Wild Bill Hickok & Calamity Jane
Day 6: Custer State Park & Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Begin in Custer State Park, one of America’s premier state parks and a highlight of any Black Hills trip. Drive the Needles Highway, stopping at overlooks and the famous “Needle” formation.
Next, visit the Crazy Horse Memorial — an active, long-term carving project paired with an impressive museum focused on Native American history.
End the day at Mount Rushmore, where the Evening Lighting Ceremony offers a moving and memorable finish.
- ★★★ Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony
- ★★★ Custer State Park scenic drive – Needles Highway
- ★ Historic lodges and visitor centers
- ★★ Crazy Horse Memorial & Museum
Day 7: More Custer State Park → Rapid City, SD
Spend your final morning exploring more of Custer State Park. Begin early with an epic hike. If you are able, we recommend Black Elk Peak Loop — the highest point in the Dakotas. The trail head is at Sylvan Lake.
Return to Rapid City in the afternoon to stroll the downtown area and see the Presidential Statues on street corners.
- Don’t Miss
- ★★ Wildlife Loop drive – Buffalo, deer, antelope, sheep, … and a petting zoo.
- ★ Historic stops – like the Game Lodge or Badger Hole
- ★ Presidential Statues
If you have additional days, extend your time in Custer State Park or add Wind Cave National Park, known for its unique boxwork formations.
We’ve used GetYourGuide ourselves on several trips, particularly when popular attractions were selling out in advance. For travelers who prefer guided experiences or want to simplify logistics, these are some of the most popular options in the region.
Trip Planning Essentials
Getting There
The easiest airport for this itinerary is Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP).
Bismarck, ND, is a workable alternative if you plan to reverse the route or swap the order of attractions.
Accommodation
You’ll find reliable lodging in Rapid City, Medora, Deadwood, and small gateway towns near the parks. When possible, we recommend staying inside national parks for the best access and sunrise/sunset views.
Mount Rushmore has no lodging within the monument, but nearby Custer, Keystone, and Rapid City offer plenty of options. Camping is abundant in the Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park.
Note: For this trip, we chose to rent a car, rather than an RV. Often for itineraries like this one, we will elect to rent an RV of some sort (see or guide to renting an RV). But given the distances, short time, and scenic drives within parks and with stops, it made more sense to get a car.
Planning Tools
🧾 Downloadable Itinerary Spreadsheet
Use our editable Dakota itinerary spreadsheet (Excel, Google Sheets, OpenOffice) to plan:
- daily mileage
- drive times
- lodging
- activity timing
- alternative route scenarios
Update your arrival date in cell A2 to auto-populate the full schedule and use the formulas to rearrange days effortlessly.
This same template works well for other trips, too.
Download as Open Document Sheets and use in Excel or a cloud spreadsheet tool (e.g., GoogleDrive or Office 365). Next, get started on your itinerary (automations/equations are embedded to make a few things quicker). This file can serve as a template for other trip plans as well.
Tip: When planning—or even while traveling—we’ve found it incredibly useful to play with a spreadsheet like the one above. Shuffling days around, duplicating or removing rows, and pairing the plan with a map helps you quickly see how the pace and logistics shift with each alternative. It’s a simple tool that makes planning both clearer and more flexible.
Map: Sites and Driving Route
The map below highlights major sights and the basic driving route for this one-week Dakota itinerary. Download the KML file to use in Google Maps, Google My Maps, or other mobile mapping apps. Click the star icon to save it to your own Google account for quick reference during your trip.
FAQ: Planning a North & South Dakota Road Trip
How many days do you need to see the Dakotas?
A full week is ideal, allowing time for Badlands National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Devils Tower, Custer State Park, and Mount Rushmore. With 10–12 days, you can add Wind Cave National Park and spend more time hiking in the Black Hills.
What is the best time of year to visit the Dakotas?
Late May through early October offers the best conditions.
- June–September: warm weather, long daylight, and the most wildlife activity
- October: beautiful fall color in the Black Hills
- Winter: many roads and trails are open, but conditions vary and temperatures drop sharply
Where should I fly into for this itinerary?
Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the best starting point for most travelers.
Bismarck, ND, is a good alternative if you want to start near Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Is it easy to drive between North and South Dakota?
Yes. Major parks are connected by well-maintained highways, and the drive from Rapid City to Medora is about four hours with light traffic and wide-open scenery.
Which park takes the most time?
Badlands NP: 1–2 days
Theodore Roosevelt NP: 1–2 days per unit (North + South)
Custer State Park: 1–3 days depending on hiking
Mount Rushmore: 1–3 hours
Custer State Park surprises many travelers with how much there is to do — lakes, wildlife loops, scenic drives, and top-tier hikes.
Is Custer State Park worth it?
Absolutely. It’s often considered one of the best state parks in the country, with scenery comparable to national parks. Highlights include the Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, wildlife viewing, and the Black Elk Peak Trail.
Can you visit Mount Rushmore at night?
Yes. The Evening Lighting Ceremony is one of the most popular events at the monument and a great way to end your day.
Do I need reservations for the trip?
You won’t need timed reservations for the parks, but lodging in Medora, Custer, and Rapid City can fill quickly in summer. Book early if traveling June–September.
Are the drives difficult?
Most routes are easy. The only winding roads are in the Black Hills — especially Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road — which are narrow and scenic but manageable for most drivers.
Will I see wildlife?
Very likely. Expect bison, pronghorn, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, deer, and wild burros (Custer). Always keep distance and never approach wildlife.
Can I add Wind Cave National Park to this itinerary?
Yes — Wind Cave is just 30 minutes from Custer State Park. Add ½–1 day for the cave tour and prairie hikes.
Final Thoughts on the North and South Dakota Itinerary
In just one week, you can experience the rugged badlands, wildlife-rich prairies, historic towns, and granite-carved monuments that define the Dakotas. From sunrise in the Badlands to the illuminated faces of Mount Rushmore, this itinerary showcases some of the most iconic landscapes in the American West.
🧭 Save this guide for your future trip — and explore our detailed park and hiking guides for trail information, lodging tips, and more trip-planning resources.