A Week in South Dakota: Hiking, Adventure, and a Trail Challenge
When I think back on our week in South Dakota, it’s the perfect mix of adventure, stunning landscapes, and small-town charm. From chasing waterfalls in Spearfish Canyon to tackling the Custer State Park Trail Challenge, every day held something new. Here’s a look at what our trip was like, day by day.
Day 1: Spearfish Canyon & Waterfall Hikes
We started the trip in Spearfish Canyon, one of the most underrated gems in South Dakota. The canyon walls rise dramatically on either side of the winding road, and tucked into this scenic drive are some amazing trails.
Our first stop was Roughlock Falls Trail — a gentle hike with the reward of cascading waterfalls at the end. After that, we took on the '76 Trail, which was short but steep and gave us a good workout right out of the gate. By the time we finished, we were ready to cool off, so we jumped into the river and swam for a while. There’s nothing like plunging into cold mountain water after a hike.
We ended the day with dinner at the Sugar Shack, a laid-back spot with great food — the perfect way to refuel after a long day outdoors.
Day 2: Mount Rushmore & Scenic Drives
No trip to South Dakota is complete without seeing Mount Rushmore, so that’s how we kicked off day two. It’s one of those landmarks you’ve seen in pictures your whole life, but standing there in person is something else entirely.
Afterward, we grabbed a quick lunch at the Custer Deli before heading out for one of the most scenic drives of the trip: the Needles Highway. The winding road, narrow tunnels, and towering granite spires made it unforgettable.
From there, we explored the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park, where we spotted bison, prairie dogs, and pronghorn grazing freely. Along the loop, we stopped at the Coolidge Fire Lookout, which gave us sweeping views of the Black Hills stretching for miles in every direction. One of the most entertaining stops, though, was meeting the famous “begging burros” — friendly donkeys that wander right up to cars in search of snacks. They had no problem sticking their heads right into car windows, and it was one of the most lighthearted moments of the trip.
Day 3: The Badlands & Wall Drug
Day three was all about exploring the otherworldly landscape of Badlands National Park. The sharp ridges and colorful layers look like something from another planet, and the park quickly became one of my favorite stops of the whole trip.
We hiked the Notch Trail, which was short but adventurous, complete with a log ladder climb and a cliffside path that made the hike feel like an adventure movie. The payoff at the end was a dramatic overlook of the Badlands’ rugged terrain.
While exploring, we also spotted a group of bighorn sheep, including a tiny baby — one of the sweetest surprises of the day.
On our way out, we couldn’t skip the iconic roadside stop at Wall Drug. It’s kitschy, touristy, and absolutely worth it for the nostalgia (and donuts).
Day 4: Caves & the Trail Challenge Begins
We started the morning with a tour of the Black Hills Cavern, full of fascinating formations underground. Then we officially kicked off the Custer State Park Trail Challenge.
The challenge is an awesome program that encourages visitors to explore the park’s trails. Each trail on the list has a special wooden post with a brass rubbing plate attached. Hikers carry a booklet (or a sheet) and make a rubbing at each location as proof they’ve completed it. Once you finish a set number of trails, you earn a commemorative pin. It’s such a fun way to stay motivated and explore corners of the park you might otherwise miss.
That day, we knocked out several hikes:
- Creekside Trail, a peaceful path that winds along a stream.
- Lost Trails, which lived up to its name with a couple of confusing turns.
- Legion Lake Trail, short but with lovely views of the water.
- Stockade Lake Trail, a little more challenging but worth it for the forest views.
By the end of the day, we were already hooked on the challenge.
Day 5: Black Elk Peak in the Fog
One of the most popular hikes in the Black Hills is Black Elk Peak, the highest point in South Dakota. We were excited for the sweeping views… except the weather had other plans. When we reached the summit, we were completely socked in by intense fog. No views at all — just swirling gray mist.
Even though we didn’t get the payoff of the overlook, it was still a memorable hike. On the way back down, we added on the Little Devils Tower Trail, which was rugged and fun to climb around on. Sometimes the adventure itself is the reward, even without the view.
As we left the park that evening, though, we got a different kind of payoff: an incredible herd of bighorn sheep. We saw dozens of ewes, a ram with massive, curling horns, and half a dozen babies leaping and climbing over the rocks. Watching them scramble effortlessly up the cliffs was one of those pinch-me moments that made the whole foggy day feel worth it.
Day 6: Prairie Trails & Wandering into Wind Cave
For our final day, we tackled a mix of trails, starting with the Prairie Trail, which felt totally different from the forest hikes earlier in the week. Wide open grasslands stretched around us, and it felt so peaceful.
Next, we covered part of the Centennial Trail and then the Grace Coolidge Walk-In Fishing Area Trail. On our second-to-last trail of the challenge, we got mixed up and hiked 3ish miles of the Highland Creek trail in Wind Cave National Park instead of hiking the Cenntial trail where it crosses Highland Creek, adding a couple of extra miles we hadn’t planned on — but that’s all part of the adventure.
By the time we wrapped up, we’d hiked dozens of miles, collected several rubbings for the Trail Challenge, and had memories to last a lifetime.
Final Thoughts
South Dakota surprised me in the best ways. Beyond the famous landmarks, it’s a state full of trails, wildlife, and hidden gems. The Custer State Park Trail Challenge added an extra layer of fun to the trip, pushing us to explore more than we might have otherwise.
If you love hiking, road trips, and a mix of history and nature, put South Dakota on your list. It’s a place where every day feels like a new adventure.
I also put together a YouTube vlog from this trip, so if you’d like to see the trails, wildlife, and behind-the-scenes moments in motion, be sure to check it out. And if a few of these landscapes stole your heart the way they did mine, I have a selection of prints from South Dakota available in my print shop — perfect for bringing a little piece of the Black Hills and Badlands into your home.
