11 Most Scenic Road Trips To Take In South Dakota
The Great Plains region was once the beating heart of North America. The roaming buffalo enabled the spread of fauna, building havens for migrating birds. The arrival of settlers has changed much of the state of South Dakota, but its natural beauty and history are something travelers can experience and cannot be erased. The highways and byways below are great ways to witness the beautiful state while taking in the incredible past of the state. South Dakota lends a breathtaking canvas for road trips; let the following be your guide.
Needles Highway
Picture yourself behind the wheel: cruising around Sylvan Lake, the leaves varying from green to orange, you spot a perfect circle etched into the cliffs. It is as though the rocks have a face made of sky. Needles Point is natural artwork made by centuries of air and water. The 14-mile road through the attraction was planned by South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck who legendarily plotted its entire course on horseback. Keep your speed below 25 mph for safety and expect the drive to last 45-60 minutes. Be careful when entering the tunnel, the lanes are narrow on both sides. This ride is sure to be memorable!
Spearfish Canyon State Scenic Byway
Change with the seasons by cruising through 19 miles of cliffs surrounded by spruce, aspen, birch, and oak. The variety of trees is hypnotic. Three separate waterfalls await on the way to Spearfish Canyon Lodge. Bridal Veil is a stunning 60-foot cascade and opportunities for swimming are plentiful for those who would like to stretch their legs! If you plan on stopping to walk the Devil’s Bathtub trail, remember to leave no trace and clean up any garbage you find, and also be mindful not to leave your car on private property. In the summer, check the US Forest Service website for fire danger levels ahead of visiting!
Vanocker Canyon/Nemo Road
The prettiest 17 miles in the Black Hills may lie between Sturgis and Nemo. Dalton Lake Recreation Area has eleven campsites in case you do not want to leave. For fishing aficionados, the lake is 15 feet deep and hosts rainbow and brook trout. Stay a while in Nemo or keep going on to Deadwood. Nemo is famous for Wonderland Cave where tourists can check out natural crystal formations. Western film fanatics need no suggestions for what to do in Deadwood! Fuel up and stop for a bite at the 1950’s themed joint Boondocks and make sure to check out the gift shop for a souvenir to remember the trip by.
Iron Mountain Road
Iron Mountain Road is 17 miles of engineering marvel. The road glides serpentine around cliffs and tall trees. If heights make you queasy, keep your eyes forward when the road ascends on pillars. If heights make you happy, you’ll love the wooden pigtail bridges. Like the Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road is a part of the 68-mile Peter Norbeck Byway which is a beneficiary of the National Scenic Byways Program. The road connects Custer State Park with Mount Rushmore. It is important to keep your vehicle's speed nice and low as Iron Mountain Road contains no less than 314 curves and 14 switchbacks!
Wildlife Loop Road
Starting from the East entrance near Custer State Park, this 18-mile journey should be thought of more as a saunter, so keep a steady pace so you do not miss it! Buffalo has been known to cause big, adorable traffic jams. Travelers will also find themselves waving at bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, elk, and maybe even some coyotes. The birds of Wildlife Loop are a changing, always spectacular scene. The begging burros leave the deepest impression on drivers; long-lashed donkeys such as these will melt the heart. Warning: you will find it hard to leave this authentic and incredible moment with these fantastic animals.
Skyline Drive, Rapid City
If you do not have the time for a long trek, Skyline Drive above Rapid City will give you a concise, scenic fix. It is only two miles, but still manages to pack an impressive windshield show. Skyline Wilderness Area stretches over 150 acres. The Skyline Wilderness Area trails connect to several frequently used trailheads. It is the perfect place to stop safely and get lost. All the wilderness trails are popular options for watching the seasons change and are often visited so tourists here will not likely find solitude on the trails. Bird watchers: do not forget your binoculars as migrating birds often stop here for a rest, too.
Belle Fourche to Devil’s Tower National Monument
It can be disarming to stand before a sculpture made by air throughout millennia. The route from Belle Fourche in Butte County is the best way to get to the Devil’s Tower. It is a one-hour drive connecting to Highway 24 once you cross the Wyoming border. Plan to visit the city in late June or early July to time your trip with the Black Hills Roundup, a renowned rodeo event. If your sweet tooth is of the nostalgiac variety, squirrel some cash away for the Aladdin General Store. The historic stop is chock-full of classic candies.
Forest Road 255 to Roubaix Lake
The Roubaix Lake Black Hills National Forest Campground is an idyllic setting for a tent. The road into the campground has two loops so you can roll the windows down and let the ponderosa pine air fill your lungs. A campsite is $28 during the season but camping at the C-loop during the offseason is both allowed and free. For travelers who have canoes or kayaks on your roof for the lake, ensure they are secured tight as many trees have low-hanging branches. At an elevation of 5,500 feet, you will likely descend on your way home, enjoying your newfound relief as your ears pop from the altitude!
Badlands Loop Road
Google Maps will tell you that the 39-mile Badlands Loop would take approximately an hour to drive. Taking only an hour to drive the Badlands Loop, however, would be like sprinting through The Louvre. There are 16 designated scenic overlooks for massive, panoramic views of endless skies and “mako sica” landscapes. Badlands National Park is one of the best locales in the US for astronomy. Finding a camping spot in the park is easy. The nights are bright and endless, this place truly is a treat. Check out the archeologists working with the fossils where guided tours are also available.
Sheep Mountain Table Road
The National Park Service advises that Sheep Mountain Table should not be driven on during or after storms. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Getting to the road is an adventure unto itself. You enter after passing the ghost town of Scenic. After that, it is a careful 5-mile drive to an overlook of hills upon hills infinitesimally into the horizon. The view only gets better past that point if your car can handle the terrain. If it cannot, you can always get out and hike. Remember to pack extra drinking water in case of emergencies. However, once reaching Sheep Mountain Table, be prepared for your jaw to drop.
Native American Scenic Byway
The longest drive on the list, the Native American Scenic Byway is 350 miles long, running North-South. It takes about five and a half hours without stops and crosses the reservations of four Lakota tribes. There are multiple marvelous views of the Missouri River. The information center at the Chamberlain rest area will give travelers a good introduction as to what to expect further down. Fort Pierre is another great stop. Fischers Lilly Park offers campsites for the road-weary, on history-making grounds, no less. History lovers will be keen to know that the mouth of the Bad River was a vital meeting point for the Lewis and Clark expedition.
You can contribute to South Dakota's indigenous peoples as you pass through by supporting as many Native American-owned businesses as you can find. Feeling peckish? Follow your nose to a Chizlickers food truck. Check out the art at Post Pilgrim Gallery. There is a gift for everyone at Sweetgrass Soapery & All Walks Trading Company. Keep your eyes peeled for signs heralding new, local companies on your drive!
Conclusion
South Dakota boasts some of the more gorgeous, history-filled, natural sites in the United States. Being able to witness many of them by car makes traveling here accessible and adventurous! From the tunnel on Needles Highway to the unparalleled Badlands throughout, travelers here will not be disappointed in the least. Fill the car with gas, pack a tent and camera, and hit the road in stunning South Dakota!
