"Vast Plains, Round Sunset" — A 5-Day Trip to Badlands & Wind Cave

As late spring breathes life into everything, I chose an off-season hidden gem—not only did I spot 5-6 types of wildlife 🦌🐂, but everything was super affordable! Around Rapid City, South Dakota, you’ll find multiple national parks and historic sites. The most famous are Mount Rushmore National Memorial (featured on U.S. passport pages) and Badlands National Park, known for its fractured terrain. Just two hours away in Wyoming stands the legendary Devils Tower National Monument. This five-day trip was a feast for the eyes! 👀💫 Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrived in Rapid City, picked up the rental car at the airport 🚗, and headed straight to Badlands. The airport is east of downtown—perfect for en route stops in Wall Drug. Caught the sunset at Badlands… "Lonely smoke rises over the desert plains"—that kind of vibe! 🌄 Perfect time for wildlife spotting too. Day 2: Mount Rushmore + Custer State Park + Wind Cave National Park 🏞️ All three are in the same direction. We saw herds of bison in Custer—less than 50 meters from our car! 🐃 Wind Cave is famous for its unique honeycomb ceiling and the sound of wind echoing underground. It’s one of a kind! 📌 Pro tip: Book Wind Cave tours online in advance! Day 3: Motorcycle Museum + Devils Tower 🏍️ Drove two hours north to Devils Tower. No crowds in off-season—plenty of parking! Took about 30 mins to walk around the base. Stopped at the motorcycle museum in Sturgis—rare exhibits worth a quick visit! Day 4: Rapid City downtown + Minuteman Missile National Historic Site 💣 Saw a real nuclear warhead from the Cold War era! 📌 Must book the guided missile silo tour at least 30 days ahead! Day 5: Wrap up loose ends in the city + head back home 🧳✈️ #NationalPark #MountRushmore #Badlands #WindCave #Nature #USATravel #WeekendInUSA