Badlands and the Black Hills with kids
A corn-covered arena, free ice water, bison jams and four presidents in granite.
- Distance
- 910 km (565 mi)
- Driving
- 10 h 06 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- States
- SD, WY
- Updated
- June 6, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 910 km (565 mi) with 8 stops, from Sioux Falls to Devils Tower National Monument. About 10 h 06 min of driving in total.
More road trips in South Dakota, Wyoming
Route description
From Sioux Falls, I-90 runs west across the prairie to Mitchell, where the Corn Palace is covered in murals made of thousands of ears of colored corn and redesigned every year. The drive across central South Dakota is long and straight, crossing the Missouri River at Chamberlain, so plan regular stops with children.
Leave the interstate at the Interior exit for the Badlands Loop Road (SD-240), which winds past striped spires and prairie where bison graze. Cedar Pass Campground faces the Badlands wall and has some of the darkest skies in the region for stargazing. The loop rejoins I-90 at Wall, where Wall Drug still hands out free ice water and has an animatronic T. rex among its block-long maze of shops.
Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial lies about half an hour southwest near Keystone. The Presidential Trail takes you closer to the four granite faces carved between 1927 and 1941. The Wildlife Loop Road in nearby Custer State Park is the place for bison jams, where herds stop traffic.
Head northwest on I-90 past Spearfish and into Wyoming, then north to Devils Tower National Monument, an 867-foot column of rock that is sacred to many Plains tribes. A 1.3-mile trail loops around its base and is easy enough for most children. Summer is the busiest season, especially during the Sturgis motorcycle rally in early August, when campgrounds and motels across the region fill up.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Sioux Falls
SD - 2127 km
Corn Palace
OdditiesMitchell, SDAn arena covered in murals made of thousands of ears of colored corn. The design changes every year.
- 3416 km
Badlands National Park
NatureInterior, SDStriped spires and prairie where bison graze. The Badlands Loop Road (SD-240) is an easy detour off I-90.
- 440 km
Cedar Pass Campground
CampingInterior, SDPicnic shelters facing the Badlands wall, with some of the darkest skies in the Midwest for stargazing.
- 543 km
Wall Drug
OdditiesWall, SDFree ice water brought travelers here in 1936. Now a block-long maze of shops with an animatronic T. rex and 5-cent coffee.
- 696 km
Rapid City
SD - 735 km
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
HistoryKeystone, SDFour presidents carved into Black Hills granite between 1927 and 1941. The Presidential Trail takes you closer.
- 8153 km
Devils Tower National Monument
NatureDevils Tower, WYA 867-foot column of rock that is sacred to many Plains tribes. A 1.3-mile trail loops around its base.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Sioux Falls → Corn Palace · 79 mi · 1 h 25 minOvernight nearby, for example: Lake Mitchell Campground (1 mi); Rondees Campground (1 mi).
- Day 2: Corn Palace → Badlands National Park · 258 mi · 4 h 37 minOvernight nearby, for example: Buffalo Gap National Grassland (6 mi); 24 Express Camp Ground (16 mi).
- Day 3: Badlands National Park → Rapid City · 111 mi · 1 h 59 minOn the way: Cedar Pass Campground, Wall Drug.Overnight nearby, for example: Rapid City - Black Hills KOA Holiday (3 mi); Rapid City RV Park & Campground (3 mi).
- Day 4: Rapid City → Devils Tower National Monument · 117 mi · 2 h 05 minOn the way: Mount Rushmore National Memorial.Overnight nearby, for example: Devils Tower KOA (1 mi); Belle Fourche Campground (1 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Badlands and the Black Hills with kids?
4-day road trip of about 910 km (565 mi) with 8 stops, from Sioux Falls to Devils Tower National Monument. About 10 h 06 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Badlands and the Black Hills with kids?
We suggest 4 days: about 10 h 06 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Badlands and the Black Hills with kids start and end?
It starts in Sioux Falls and ends in Devils Tower National Monument.
Which states does Badlands and the Black Hills with kids pass through?
South Dakota and Wyoming.
Where can you camp along Badlands and the Black Hills with kids?
OpenStreetMap lists 88 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Badlands Hotel and Campground, Rapid City - Black Hills KOA Holiday and Black Hills Station RV & Campground.
When is the best time for Badlands and the Black Hills with kids?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
