The Black Hills with so many stunning sights to see and fun activities to do is the perfect destination for your next road trip. Explore Mount Rushmore, visit charming small towns, and soak in the breathtaking beauty of South Dakota on this incredible 5-day Black Hills itinerary. It’s a classic American road trip!
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5-Day Black Hills Road Trip Itinerary
A Black Hills itinerary should include exciting activities and iconic attractions plus time to relax and take in this magical region. Explore the highlights of the Black Hills in this 5-day itinerary!
Day 1: Keystone and Hill City
Spend the first day of your Black Hills road trip visiting many of the iconic places it is known for.
Start your day at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Explore the massive granite sculpture of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
Not only does the site offer beautiful views from the Grandview Terrace and Presidential Trail, but visitors can also learn about the history of the monument at the Visitor Center and Sculptor’s Studio.
If you are visiting during the warmer months, plan to come back to Mount Rushmore at the end of the day for the Evening Lighting Ceremony.
After you have viewed Mount Rushmore, check out the other sights in Keystone. For history buffs, spend some time at the Keystone Historical Museum, National Presidential Wax Museum, and Big Thunder Gold Mine.
If you are traveling with kids or are a kid at heart, get an adrenaline rush at Rush Mountain Adventure Park or Rushmore Tramway Adventures. The Rush Mountain Adventure Park offers cave tours, an obstacle course, a mountain coaster, a zip ride, and an arcade. Rushmore Tramway Adventures offers an alpine slide, tubing hill, zipline, and a jump tower.
Once you are finished in Keystone, head northwest to Hill City. Hill City is a small town with a few attractions worth visiting including the World’s Largest Smokey Bear, a gigantic chainsaw sculpture by Dahl’s Chainsaw Art.
The 1880 Train is an iconic attraction in the Black Hills that allows visitors to feel like they are traveling back in time. This vintage steam locomotive departs from Hill City and travels through some of South Dakota’s beautiful Black Hills scenery. After your ride, check out the South Dakota State Railroad Museum to learn more.
The Black Hills Institute of Geological Research is a world-renowned center for the research, exploration, and education of the Black Hills geology and paleontology. The institute displays its impressive collection of fossils and minerals.
Day 2: Badlands National Park
Although Badlands National Park isn’t technically in the Black Hills, it should definitely be on your itinerary. It is a spectacular and fascinating landscape located a little over an hour from the Black Hills.
Badlands National Park is home to a variety of geological formations, wildlife, and stunning views.
Start your visit at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Plan to spend most of your day driving around the park and enjoying some hiking. The park has plenty of scenic drives and hiking trails to keep you entertained all day long!
Make sure to stay late or get there early to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset over the badlands. The orange glow over the landscape is something else.
If you are into history, the nearby Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is worth a stop. Dive into the past and explore the fascinating story of the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System, which played a major role in America’s Cold War history. Exhibits and a park film help to understand this interesting period of American history.
A very touristy attraction lies in the town of Wall. Wall Drug opened in 1931 and has been enticing tourists ever since. The store has just about everything that you could think of. Kids especially love it.
Day 3: Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial
Start day 3 of this 5-day Black Hills road trip itinerary at Custer State Park. From hiking trails to scenic drives, this 71,000-acre park has something for everyone.
Enjoy scenic drives along Needles Highway with its towering granite spires and Iron Mountain Road with its pigtail bridges and tunnels carved through mountainsides. The Wildlife Loop will take you on a journey through the heart of the park where you can see herds of bison roaming freely.
Hiking enthusiasts won’t be disappointed either. There are hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous routes to explore the beauty of the Black Hills up close.
For those wanting to spend some time on the water, Sylvan Lake is a must. Enjoy swimming at the beach, renting a non-motorized boat, and fishing.
Once you have explored Custer State Park, head to the Crazy Horse Memorial. Despite being a work-in-progress, this mountain carving honoring Native Americans is stunning! This site has a nice museum that tells you all about Native American culture and history.
Day 4: Jewel Cave & Wind Cave
Day 4 of this 5-day Black Hills road trip itinerary is exploring two National Park Service cave sites: Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.
Spend the first half of your day at Jewel Cave National Monument. It is currently listed as the third-longest cave system in the world. Visitors can explore this underground labyrinth on guided tours.
With 734 stairs to traverse, the Scenic Tour will take you on 1.5 hours of exploration. This ½ mile loop is a must for any avid caver or explorer looking to see beautiful cave formations.
Join the Discovery Tour for a shorter experience that lasts only 20 minutes and introduces you to this wonderful cave. A convenient elevator is available to both enter and exit the cave.
For something more special, sign up for the Historic Lantern Tour! This rigorous tour lasts roughly two hours and covers about half a mile. You will be led through the historic entrance as your path is illuminated by only the lantern in your hand!
In addition to the cave below, there are also things to do above ground. At the Visitor Center, visitors can explore interactive exhibits and watch a park film about the cave.
For hiking lovers, there are two trails to explore. The Roof Trail is an easy 1/4 mile loop that provides a magnificent view of the local wildlife and vegetation. Or, you can head to Canyons Trail for a 3.5-mile walk through an open meadow!
2024 Update: Wind Cave tours have been suspended for elevator repairs. Check the NPS website for the latest information.
For the second half of your day, explore the beautiful Wind Cave National Park. Wind Cave is a stunning natural wonder in the Black Hills. This cave system was first discovered by explorers in 1881.
Wind Cave contains unique geological formations such as boxwork and frostwork which are rarely seen anywhere else in the world. The best way to explore this park is by taking a guided cave tour. The three most commonly offered cave tours are the Natural Entrance Tour, the Fairgrounds Tour, and the Garden of Eden Tour.
Grab a spot on the Natural Entrance Tour, lasting just over an hour and spanning 2/3 of a mile. You’ll get a peek into the cool history of this cave system and be wowed by its impressive boxworks – such a sight!
Take a challenging journey through the highest and mid-levels of the cave with the Fairgrounds Tour. Travel nearly two-thirds of a mile in 1.5 hours on this tour.
The Garden of Eden Tour is a quick, hour-long excursion, encompassing only 1/3 of a mile. They make it as simple as possible with an elevator to ascend and descend into the cave!
Wind Cave National Park also offers visitors spectacular views above ground with its rolling hills, grasslands, and wildlife. It is home to bison, elk, pronghorn sheep, and other animals that roam the area freely. Visitors can explore the park on scenic drives or take advantage of one of many hiking trails for a closer look at this area’s beauty.
If you have time left in the day, the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs is worth considering. It is an active archeological site with one of the largest concentrations of mammoth remains in North America.
Day 5: Spearfish & Devil’s Tower
For the final day of this 5-day Black Hills road trip itinerary, drive a few hours to Wyoming to see the unique Devils Tower National Monument. It is the first National Monument ever established in the United States and is sure to be a highlight on any Black Hills itinerary!
Devils Tower is a geological wonder rising 867 feet. It stands as an impressive monolith of igneous rock and serves as a sacred site to many Native American tribes.
Visitors can explore Devils Tower via hiking trails or take part in ranger-led programs to learn more about its fascinating history and geology. The Tower Trail is an absolute must during your visit! This 1.3-mile paved loop takes you around the Tower and offers spectacular views from all angles.
Once you are done exploring Devils Tower, head back to South Dakota and stop in Spearfish. Learn about the history of the DC Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, the history of the American West at the High Plains Western Heritage Center, or go for a swim at the Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center.
The next thing on this itinerary is to drive and explore the stunning Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. The 20-mile byway runs from Spearfish in the north to Cheyenne Crossing in the south along Highway 14A.
The Spearfish Canyon Nature Area is a highlight along the byway. It features the spectacular Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls, and the convenient-to-get-to 60-foot Bridal Veil Falls.
Is Deadwood worth a visit?
Deadwood tends to be on many lists of top places to see in the Black Hills. In my opinion, Deadwood isn’t worth a visit if you are planning a trip around outdoor activities and scenery. There are some historic places to see such as the Mount Moriah Cemetery where Wild Bill Hickok is buried or museums such as the Adams Museum. However, Deadwood does not have the outdoor experiences or sights of other Black Hills destinations.
What To Add If You Have More Time
Five days isn’t enough time to see everything that the Black Hills has to offer. If you have more time to explore, there are definitely enough things to do to fill up your itinerary. Check out my article, Things to Do in the Black Hills, for a more comprehensive list of things to do in the area.
Also, I didn’t include Rapid City in this itinerary. Rapid City is next door to the Black Hills and has a long list of great and interesting things to do while there. Consider spending a day or two exploring the town.
If you are more interested in history or vehicles than the outdoors, a day spent in Deadwood and Sturgis might be for you. Deadwood has its Wild West history. Sturgis has the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, Saab Heritage Car Museum, and Fort Mead.
What is the best time of year to visit the Black Hills?
The Black Hills have a wide range of activities and attractions available year-round, however, the best time to visit is summer. During this time, the days are long with pleasant temperatures perfect for outdoor adventures.
Businesses that close in the winter months are open for summer. You’ll be able to take advantage of all that the Black Hills has to offer in the summer season including exploring the Black Hills’ numerous hiking trails, lakes, and other natural attractions.
Where to Stay in the Black Hills
Keystone is probably the best town to stay in during a visit to the Black Hills. Not only does it offer an abundance of activities and attractions but also has easy access to the major sites nearby.
Custer is another great option if you’d like to stay in a smaller town. With its close proximity to the main attractions, it makes for a great base.
Searching for a place with a pool? Look no further than the Deadwood Lodge – it has an amazing water playground that adults and kids will love!
If you’re traveling on a budget or having a hard time finding a place within the Black Hills, then Rapid City just outside of the Black Hills is perfect for you. This is not only the largest town in the area but it also offers plenty of things to do in town.
Final Thoughts on This 5-Day Black Hills Itinerary
This 5-Day Black Hills Itinerary offers a variety of activities for all types of travelers. With so many incredible sights and attractions within such close proximity, it’s easy to see why the Black Hills is one of America’s favorite destinations!
So grab your camera, pack your bags, and hit the open road – The Black Hills will amaze you with its natural wonders!
- For more information on South Dakota, check out these posts:
- Things to Do in the Black Hills with Kids
- Visiting Badlands National Park with Kids: Ultimate Guide
- Laura Ingalls Wilder- De Smet, South Dakota
