Western South Dakota

[ClaraOswald]

Our family has visited Western South Dakota a few times - The Black Hills, Custer State Park, the Badlands, etc. We are heading back again this summer. I thought I'd ask here in case others have been to that area....

Any suggestions for places to check out?

It's tricky because we're working with 1 adult with rheumatoid arthritis who is overweight and out of shape (that's me!) and 1 pre-teen who is autistic and doesn't understand danger (so we can't go places with any type of cliff or drop off.) We like to be outdoors and walk on trails but they have to be easy trails that aren't super long.

We are creatures of habit and always tend to go to the same places but I'd like to add in at least a new place or two this time.

Some places we have enjoyed on previous trips = Sylvan Lake, Legion Lake, Pactola Lake. Yes, we really like the scenery that a lake offers but it's not a requirement. We also enjoy driving around the wildlife loop. We like to wander the shops in Keystone. We've done Mt. Rushmore a couple times and enjoy the trail there (but the steps kicked my butt last time.) We have enjoyed touristy type places like Bear Country and Reptile Gardens. My husband and I did a cave over a decade ago while I was pregnant. No real desire to do one now though.

So....anyone familiar with the area have any good suggestions for me??

And just for fun...here are some pics from previous trips!

Pregnant at Sylvan Lake (2013)



Sylvan Lake...with my son. (2019)


And here's Pactola from 2023. It was our first time visiting here and I definitely want to go back. The water was really pretty.

 

[team bradfield]

Badger Clark Historic Trail in CSP is pretty tame imo, beautiful hike and historic cabin​

 

[EACarlson]

The Crazy Horse Monument. That was incredible.
I think we did a train from Deadwood that my kids absolutely loved.

 

[elgerber]

The Crazy Horse Monument. That was incredible.
I think we did a train from Deadwood that my kids absolutely loved.

Agree on Crazy Horse. We loved it so much we went twice.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Wind Cave NP and Jewel Cave NM are also good options in the area. You should book your cave tours in advance and be aware that they could get canceled last minute. On the surface, Wind Cave's roads lead into Custer and have a number of bison outside of the herds you see in Custer. So it might be nice to just drive even if they have elevator issues.

We were not fans of Crazy Horse, but both Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore do nighttime stuff that could be worth a visit. Honestly, the night ceremony and flag retreat at Mount Rushmore is really nice. Nothing quite like standing before Mount Rushmore and singing the Star Spangled Banner.

On our last visit, we also took a day trip over to Deadwood and went through Sturgis on our way back to the Rapid City area.

I also like cheesy, so Wall Drug is usually on my list if we're heading out to Badlands...which is a do each time/repeat sort of thing for me if we're in the area.

If you're looking for places to eat, this is one of our musts...
https://www.powderhouserestaurant.com/

This restaurant is one on our list that we just haven't had time for YET. They do filet mignon each night and then it's German fare during the day.
https://alpineinnhillcity.com/restaurant

 

[elgerber]

Wind Cave NP and Jewel Cave NM are also good options in the area. You should book your cave tours in advance and be aware that they could get canceled last minute. On the surface, Wind Cave's roads lead into Custer and have a number of bison outside of the herds you see in Custer. So it might be nice to just drive even if they have elevator issues.

We were not fans of Crazy Horse, but both Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore do nighttime stuff that could be worth a visit. Honestly, the night ceremony and flag retreat at Mount Rushmore is really nice. Nothing quite like standing before Mount Rushmore and singing the Star Spangled Banner.

On our last visit, we also took a day trip over to Deadwood and went through Sturgis on our way back to the Rapid City area.

I also like cheesy, so Wall Drug is usually on my list if we're heading out to Badlands...which is a do each time/repeat sort of thing for me if we're in the area.

If you're looking for places to eat, this is one of our musts...
https://www.powderhouserestaurant.com/

This restaurant is one on our list that we just haven't had time for YET. They do filet mignon each night and then it's German fare during the day.
https://alpineinnhillcity.com/restaurant

We did lunch at the Alpine, it was great!!! We got there and waited shortly before opening and got a table on the porch.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Wind Cave NP and Jewel Cave NM are also good options in the area. You should book your cave tours in advance and be aware that they could get canceled last minute. On the surface, Wind Cave's roads lead into Custer and have a number of bison outside of the herds you see in Custer. So it might be nice to just drive even if they have elevator issues.

We were not fans of Crazy Horse, but both Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore do nighttime stuff that could be worth a visit. Honestly, the night ceremony and flag retreat at Mount Rushmore is really nice. Nothing quite like standing before Mount Rushmore and singing the Star Spangled Banner.

On our last visit, we also took a day trip over to Deadwood and went through Sturgis on our way back to the Rapid City area.

I also like cheesy, so Wall Drug is usually on my list if we're heading out to Badlands...which is a do each time/repeat sort of thing for me if we're in the area.

If you're looking for places to eat, this is one of our musts...
https://www.powderhouserestaurant.com/

This restaurant is one on our list that we just haven't had time for YET. They do filet mignon each night and then it's German fare during the day.
https://alpineinnhillcity.com/restaurant

We're actually staying in a cabin at Powderhouse so we'll definitely be eating there several times, I'm sure.

I'll check out the other places listed. Thanks!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We're actually staying in a cabin at Powderhouse so we'll definitely be eating there several times, I'm sure.

I'll check out the other places listed. Thanks!

We stayed there our first time going to this area (2018 I think). I really liked it. Even their "motel" style rooms are made to look like log cabins inside. Not sure if it's still there, but I recall a little playground setup and I recall a pool. They have this MASSIVE cinnamon roll on their breakfast menu that's always been a huge hit. I'm also a big fan of their dishes involving wild game. I think I had one that involved elk, bison, and venison on one of our visits. Just to warn you but it's extremely popular during the Sturgis rally, but I believe they take reservations (or maybe it's a wait list add), so just make sure to think out dining early on in the day so you're not having to endure long waits.

 

[ClaraOswald]

We're going in June so the rally won't affect us, as I think it's usually in August. So I hope we won't have to worry about too much in the way of dining reservations.

Dining is tricky for us with our son. We have to either get food to go and eat elsewhere, find places with outdoor seating, or find restaurants that are accommodating with my son standing at the table to eat instead of sitting. It's really stressful, honestly. I need to sit down and figure out some good options for us.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We're going in June so the rally won't affect us, as I think it's usually in August. So I hope we won't have to worry about too much in the way of dining reservations.

Dining is tricky for us with our son. We have to either get food to go and eat elsewhere, find places with outdoor seating, or find restaurants that are accommodating with my son standing at the table to eat instead of sitting. It's really stressful, honestly. I need to sit down and figure out some good options for us.

Yeah, that trip was in August, so you should be good in June. The motorcycle noise was pretty loud, so probably best that you're coming in well ahead of it. That reminds me, the drive to Devils Tower is only about 30-40 minutes, so it could be another thing on your list of what to do. It's pretty impressive to see it in person if you haven't already. My parents also really liked visiting Spearfish, although we've only driven through.

I was going through some of my Powder House pics from when we stayed there and I do see some outdoor seating options near the motel portion. So, if worse comes to worse, I know you'll have places to eat outside if you were to bring food back to the lodging area. I never explored the cabin sections, but at least this is something.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Wow...look at all the bikes! Crazy.

Our cabin will have a little table, so we could always just bring our food up there too.

We stayed there in 2019 and did okay in the restaurant but our son is a bit different with restaurants these days. We honestly haven't attempted any in a while. So we're going to try some local places soon to see how he does. Fingers crossed!

I do remember liking the food at Powerhouse last time though.

And there were a couple places nearby in Keystone that worked. I need to make a list of any place we may consider visiting and then just look for food near each one.

We won't plan out where to go each day but it would be nice to have a list of options near any attraction or trail to go to.

We're on the fence about Crazy Horse. My husband and I went in 2013 but that trip was a slight blur (we were in town for my sister's wedding.) So I can't recall if it's something my son might enjoy or not. I do remember liking my buffalo stew at their restaurant though.

We did Mount Rushmore on the last 2 trips with our son so thinking we might skip it this time around.

 

[sailorstitch]

Dinosaur Park

https://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/places/parks-monuments/dinosaur-park/

Wall Drug

https://www.walldrug.com/

 

[EACarlson]

We're on the fence about Crazy Horse. My husband and I went in 2013 but that trip was a slight blur (we were in town for my sister's wedding.) So I can't recall if it's something my son might enjoy or not. I do remember liking my buffalo stew at their restaurant though.

If you did Crazy Horse in 2013, it would be worth it to go just to see the progress made.

 

[elgerber]

If you did Crazy Horse in 2013, it would be worth it to go just to see the progress made.

Agreed. They have made a ton of progress even since we were there in 2020

 

[ClaraOswald]

I wish we could recreate this picture because I always laugh that the person who snapped the picture for us managed to get some random lady in the shot too. Yes, we could crop it but I actually love that she's there. So when I say "recreate" it...I mean...with a random person again.

 

[suzannews]

We stayed in Rapid City for vacation last year after a last minute change of plans due to the wildfires near Rocky Mountain National Park. The downtown area had a big open area with a bandshell and stage. One night there was a band playing. Lots of restaurants and an ice cream place that you could probably get to-go food and sit on either a few tables, benches or the artificial grass area.

 

[marthachick]

It’s not South Dakota but very close - Devil’s Tower. There is a trail around the base and we did it. It’s not strenuous and we saw some mule deer really close when we walked it.

 

[Earstou]

Hot Springs has the Mammoth Site and Evan's Plunge. It's been awhile since I've been, but we really enjoyed the Mammoth Site. Evan's Plunge is a pool filled by spring water and was interesting, but not the greatest. Glad we did it once, but never planned to go back. I've heard that Cascade Falls is a beautiful area that you can swim, might fill your desire for a lake!