South
Dakota
May 8 - 12, 2025
As I began my journey west from Illinois, I took a few days and explored South Dakota’s wild beauty — from the rugged Badlands to the granite spires and alpine lakes of the Black Hills.
Badlands National Park
Land Acknowledgement: Badlands National Park is located on Oglala Lakota and Sicangu Lakota (part of the Great Sioux Nation) land. The park is a partner with the Oglala Sioux Tribe, with the South Unit of the park situated on Tribal Trust land held for the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Along the Way …
I got a lovely sample of the landscape by simply driving through the park and stopping at the following overlooks or whenever I spotted some wildlife: Big Badlands Overlook, Panorama Point, White River Valley, Yellow Mounds, Ancient Hunters, Pinnacles, Sheep Mountain Table, and Red Shirt Table.
I also got out to stretch my legs to stroll photos
Notch Trail — 1.2 mile ; out & back
Door Trail — 0.8 mile ; out & back
Wildlife I saw in the Badlands: American Bison & Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs
Notable Eats & Drinks …
Nanna's Café & Bread Company — Rapid City's only dedicated gluten-free restaurant and bakery
Independent Ale House — great pizza and beer options
Custer State Park
Land Acknowledgement: The land on which the park is located is within the sacred Black Hills, or Pahá Sápa, which was illegally taken from the Lakota Sioux people in the 19th century.
Along the Way …
One morning, I drove the Wildlife Loop in the park and was lucky to see a colony of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs (which I watched for at least 30 minutes: video), a couple Pronghorn, and a few herds of American Bison.
Trail Log:
Lover’s Leap Trail — 4.1 mile ; loop
Sunday Gulch Trail — 3.9 mile ; loop
Black Elk Peak and Little Devil’s Tower Loop — where I saw two Mountain Goats! — 7.7 mile ; loop
Cathedral Spires Trail — 1.7 mile ; out & back photos
