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Midwestern Roadtrip - Rapid City, SD

A July 1995 trip to Rapid City by Valentyn

South DakotaMore Photos

Part 1 of a two-week road trip: Rapid City and the surrounding area.

  • 7 reviews
  • 4 photos

Midwestern Roadtrip - Rapid City, SDBest of IgoUgo

Overview

South Dakota
We had two weeks and a specific amount of money to spend, and we chose a few things we wanted to hit from guide books, then made up the rest as we drove. Some touristy things, some off the beaten path things.

Quick Tips:

Be prepared for a lot of driving, or fly directly to Rapid City, South Dakota and spend the entire time there.

Best Way To Get Around:

We did a lot of hiking on this trip, but also spent a great deal of time in the car.

Rapid City KOA KampgroundBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

We camped here and were very impressed. (We camp in any territory from rustic to accomodating.) Though we stayed in hotels for most of the honeymoon, camping here was one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip. The campground is clean, offers clean showers, laundry facilities, a nice pool, and had free pancake breakfast. The staff was extremely friendly, and it was a relaxing, fun place overall.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Valentyn on August 11, 2000

Rapid City KOA Kampground
I-90 Exit 61 Rapid City, South Dakota
(605) 348-2111

Mount Rushmore National MemorialBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Having seen the monument, my opinion is that anyone who vacations in the area (or can be talked into it) should take their kids to see this. You can't fully appreciate the enormity of this accomplishment without seeing it firsthand. Besides memorializing the presidents, the description of the task itself should impress even young children.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Valentyn on August 11, 2000

Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Highway 244 Rapid City, South Dakota 57751
605-574-2523

Wall Drug StoreBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

If I went to South Dakota again, I wouldn't take the time to go to Wall Drug. The store's claim to fame is simply its longevity, but you can pretty much appreciate that by reading it in a guidebook. When we were there, the store sold typical cheap tourist toys and a lot of Western wear. It felt like a rest stop souvenir stand, only larger.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by Valentyn on August 11, 2000

Wall Drug Store
510 Main Street Rapid City, South Dakota 57709

Badlands National ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "South Dakota Badlands"

Badlands Landscape
There are numerous places to enter the Badlands by car; sorry that I haven't pinpointed any of them. About 30 miles east of Rapid City, we exited I-90 and followed a loop of road through a stretch of the Badlands. You have to pay about $8 to enter the national park area. There are numerous places to park your car and get out to either climb or hike. It's simply beautiful. As far as the eye can see, nothing but sand and rock formations. For people who live most of their lives in the city, this is one of the best places to see what 'untamed' country is really like
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Valentyn on August 11, 2000

Badlands National Park
25216 Ben Reifel Road Badlands National Park, South Dakota 57750
(605) 433-5361

Reptile GardensBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

It's a tourist spot, obviously, but it was one of the most entertaining things we did on this trip. (Well worth the money.) The displays are truly impressive, including some 25-foot albino anacondas, poison dart frogs, giant crocodiles, and a 'dome' where you can walk through a miniature forest just hopping with reptiles and amphibians. They'll even let you hold some of the snakes...
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Valentyn on August 11, 2000

Reptile Gardens
Box 620 Rapid City, South Dakota 57709
(605) 342-5873

Bear CountryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Baby Bears
This is a drive-through safari, but we really didn't enjoy it too much. (Hopefully it has improved in the intervening years.) The animals were very listless, and it seemed like the habitat was just not suitable for them. (An Arctic timber wolf in 100 degree heat -- looked miserable to us.) The only part we really got excited about was the plethora of baby bears climbing around in a specialized paddock. Tourists were allowed to get out there and take pictures.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Valentyn on August 11, 2000

Bear Country
13820 South Highway 16 Rapid City, South Dakota 57702
(605) 343-2290

About the Writer

Valentyn
Valentyn
Fort Worth, Texas

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