🛣️ Dakota | A Perfect Short Getaway 🏞️

📍 South Dakota I'm always committed to exploring new states in the U.S., and for this Labor Day three-day weekend, I chose South Dakota. The timing was perfect, and even though it was a holiday, the crowds weren't bad at all. We visited two National Parks and one State Park, experiencing nature, culture, and charming small towns—everything you could want. In fact, I think it's the ideal choice for a short trip to experience both U.S. culture and its National Parks. Within this one state, you can: Get a wildlife experience similar to Yellowstone's. See landscapes that echo Capital Reef, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and Bryce Canyon. Learn about the history of America's westward expansion. Our Route: We flew from the Bay Area to Denver, then drove to South Dakota. (Booking flights last minute was cheaper, but booking ahead and flying into a closer city saves a lot of driving time.) 🚙 Daily Itinerary 🦬 Custer State Park Experience: Stayed in Custer city overnight. The next morning, it was just a 20-30 minute drive into the park. The scenery was beautiful, and we saw lots of wildlife up close—much easier than in Yellowstone and with far fewer people. 🌬️ Wind Cave National Park Experience: Visited in the afternoon. This park requires advance reservations for cave tours. The entire tour is underground, so remember to bring a light jacket. 🌻 Wall (Wall Drug) Experience: Stayed in Wall overnight. The drive from Custer to Wall was beautiful, with vast ranches and sunflower fields. Along the way, we must have seen about fifty Wall Drug billboards. Founded in the 1930s as a small pharmacy, it grew into what it is today, largely thanks to its famous free ice water advertisement. 🏜️ Badlands National Park Experience: Entered first thing the next morning. Most of the park's attractions can be seen from the road, and there are several short trails, all around a 40-minute round trip—very beginner-friendly. Highly recommend The Door and Notch trails; their trailheads are right next to each other. Many people agree this park feels like a microcosm of many other parks. 🦖 Rapid City Experience: A small, exquisite, and very clean town. Start at the visitor center to get a map. The downtown area has statues of all the U.S. presidents located at various intersections—you can play a little scavenger hunt game and then return to the visitor center to claim a small gift. In the evening, head to Dinosaur Park for a beautiful sunset and panoramic views of the city. 🍽️ Food Recommendation Wall Drug: Highly recommend their pie and their famous five-cent coffee! ☕ #SouthDakota #Badlands #BlackHills #RoadTrip #NationalParks #Travel