RoadAtlas
Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States — Scenic
North America

Badlands & Black Hills Loop

United States

Loop / circuit
Loop from Wall Drug

In short: Badlands & Black Hills Loop is a 370 km scenic road trip in United States, typically driven over 3 days, best in May–Sep. Highlights: Wall Drug, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park.

Distance
370 km
Duration
3 days
Best Season
May–Sep
IconicEasyScenic

South Dakota's astonishing concentration of American myth, the razor-ridged Badlands spires and buttes rising from the Great Plains, the ancient Lakota sacred Black Hills, Crazy Horse's unfinished mountain monument, and Mount Rushmore's four presidential faces carved into granite. Bison herds, prairie dogs, and the ghosts of the frontier frame the most symbolically loaded landscape in the American West.

~0 refuels
~1 charge
Practical notes
Reserve a Wind Cave ranger tour before travel because cave entry is guided only and same-day space is not dependable. Check NPS and South Dakota park road status for seasonal closures, keep a safe distance from bison and never block the Wildlife Loop, carry water for Badlands heat and storms, and budget separate park or memorial entry and parking charges.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Wall, Minuteman Missile, and Badlands National Park

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site · Badlands Loop Road Overlooks · Wall Drug Café

Day 2Wind Cave and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop

Wind Cave reserved ranger tour · Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road · Blue Bell Lodge Dining Room

Day 3Needles Highway, Crazy Horse, and Mount Rushmore

Needles Highway and Sylvan Lake · Crazy Horse Memorial · Skogen Kitchen

Stops along the route

Mount Rushmore — Arrival — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Arrival
Mount Rushmore
Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln carved into granite between 1927 and 1941. Each face is 18m tall, on Black Hills land the Lakota never ceded.
Hotels

Things to Do

Wall Drug — Landmark — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Landmark
Wall Drug
The legendary Great Plains roadside institution since 1936, famous for 5-cent coffee and billboards across three states. Wall sits at the Badlands' north gate.
Badlands National Park — Nature — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Nature
Badlands National Park
244,000 acres of ochre and purple eroded spires rising from mixed-grass prairie. Bison, bighorn sheep, and 37-million-year-old fossil beds fill the Lakota's Mako Sica.
Wind Cave National Park — Nature — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Nature
Wind Cave National Park
One of the world's longest cave systems at 240 km mapped, famed for rare boxwork calcite formations. Free-roaming bison and pronghorn graze the prairie above.
Custer State Park — Nature — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Nature
Custer State Park
One of the largest state parks in the US, home to a free-roaming bison herd of 1,300. The Wildlife Loop Road and Needles Highway are Black Hills highlights.
Crazy Horse Memorial — Landmark — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Landmark
Crazy Horse Memorial
Begun in 1948, the mountain carving will dwarf Rushmore when complete. The 27m face was finished in 1998; the Indian Museum of North America stands at its base.
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site — Historic Site — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Historic Site
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Explore Cold War history through preserved missile silos and a visitor center detailing nuclear deterrence.
Show 5 more
Wind Cave ranger tour — Cave Tour — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Cave Tour
Wind Cave ranger tour
Reserve a guided cave tour to see Wind Cave’s rare boxwork; the cave is not open for independent entry.
Custer State Park Wildlife Loop — Scenic Drive — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Scenic Drive
Custer State Park Wildlife Loop
Drive slowly through bison and pronghorn country, yielding to wildlife and staying inside the vehicle near the herd.
Needles Highway — Scenic Drive — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Scenic Drive
Needles Highway
A 14-mile drive featuring sharp turns, granite spires, and narrow tunnels through the Black Hills.
Sylvan Lake — Lake — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Lake
Sylvan Lake
Picturesque lake offering hiking, swimming, and rock climbing opportunities amidst granite formations.
Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore — Memorials — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
Memorials
Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore
Visit the two major Black Hills mountain memorials on the final day, allowing time for each site’s interpretation.

Where to Eat

Wall Drug Café — American — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
American
Wall Drug Café
Famous for its 5-cent coffee and homemade donuts, this café offers classic American fare in a historic setting.
Cedar Pass Lodge Restaurant — American — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
American
Cedar Pass Lodge Restaurant
Located within Badlands National Park, it serves local specialties like bison burgers with panoramic park views.
Blue Bell Lodge Dining Room — American — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
American
Blue Bell Lodge Dining Room
Rustic dining offering hearty meals like buffalo stew amidst the scenic beauty of Custer State Park.
State Game Lodge Restaurant — American — Badlands & Black Hills Loop — United States
American
State Game Lodge Restaurant
Historic lodge serving gourmet dishes with a focus on local game meats in an elegant setting.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Badlands & Black Hills Loop drive?

The Badlands & Black Hills Loop covers 370 km from start to finish.

How long does the Badlands & Black Hills Loop take to drive?

Most travellers spend 3 days on the Badlands & Black Hills Loop, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Badlands & Black Hills Loop?

The recommended season for the Badlands & Black Hills Loop is May–Sep.

Where does the Badlands & Black Hills Loop start and end?

The Badlands & Black Hills Loop runs from Wall Drug to Mount Rushmore.

What are the main stops on the Badlands & Black Hills Loop?

The Badlands & Black Hills Loop passes through Wall Drug, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park.

How difficult is the Badlands & Black Hills Loop to drive?

The Badlands & Black Hills Loop is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Badlands & Black Hills Loop in a regular car?

Yes — the Badlands & Black Hills Loop is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Badlands & Black Hills Loop?

Plan around 0 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the Badlands & Black Hills Loop, based on its 370 km length.

Is the Badlands & Black Hills Loop safe to drive?

Reserve a Wind Cave ranger tour before travel because cave entry is guided only and same-day space is not dependable. Check NPS and South Dakota park road status for seasonal closures, keep a safe distance from bison and never block the Wildlife Loop, carry water for Badlands heat and storms, and budget separate park or memorial entry and parking charges.

What scenic tier is the Badlands & Black Hills Loop?

The Badlands & Black Hills Loop is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.