South Dakota

Interior, South Dakota

Big Badlands Overlook

Custer, South Dakota

journey perhaps to the Black Hills.

Now, the park is flooding with foreign tourists and travelers, looking to experience the "All American Road Trip." Although the main road with great views of the mysterious land is packed, there are plenty of hiking trails and roads said to be more vacant and with a better look up close.

Before entering the park, stop for water and food because it could take three hours or more before an exit to a town is available.

If you are on a road trip with a tight schedule, it is more beneficial to just take the drive down the main road, as it offers beautiful overlooks and information boards.

Despite if you're driving or walking, a hat, sunglasses and tennis shoes are also recommended in case you decide adventure up one of the mountains and oversee the valley.

Badlands National Park

After a long, straight drive through the farmlands of Illinois to South Dakota on highway 90, I discovered a great rush of relief upon reaching the Badlands. The thirteen hour car ride had finally come to an end for the day, as I stepped out of the vehicle onto the parched ground.

It was five o'clock in the afternoon, the perfect time for a drive through the park. Entering through the East entrance, and exiting to Wall, South Dakota, I was able to reach my last destination just in time for sunset. Watching the sun disappear over the red and brown desolate land gave me the sensation I was looking at Mars.

The Badlands earned its name after early settlers couldn't make it their home. Scarce water, barely any form of life and impossible farming land made it really insufficient for the settlers, and so they continued their

nature and unpredictable.

As the loop came to an end and I started heading North through the park, I had to decide if I wanted to take Tunnels or Needles highway, and thankfully I chose Needles.

The road was constantly winding, putting me at a pace of about 25 miles per hour on average. I never complained though, because each turn promised an even greater view: rolling green hills on one side of the mountain, tall pointy rocks on the other.

Custer State Park wasn't a part of the original road trip plan, but after seeing it, there would have been such an important side of South Dakota that would've been missed out on.

Custer State Park

After the drive through Badlands National Park, Custer State Park offered a refreshing change of scenery with its tall mountains, dense forestry, winding roads and wildlife.

Entering through the East side with Mt. Rushmore as my final destination, I went south through the Wildlife Loop where I was greeted by a herd of buffalo and a small family of donkeys.

The donkeys were very friendly. So friendly that if you didn't get out of the car to pet them, they would stick their faces in the windows of your car to greet you instead. The buffalo, on the other hand, were arm’s reach from the car, but it's advised to stay at least 25 yards from them as they are

Crazy Horse, South Dakota

Crazy Horse Memorial

Way back before the early settlers moved West, South Dakota was home to many American Indian Tribes. Among those tribes was Oglala Lakota, led by the famous Crazy Horse.

Before Crazy Horse was stabbed to death by an American soldier, he said "My land lies where my dead lie buried." This is why Crazy Horse is pointing in the statue; he is pointing out over the war zone in honor of his soldiers.

Although there has never been a documented picture of Crazy Horse, award winning sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski took the descriptions given

to him by the Lakota tribe members, and began the creation of this statue in 1948.

There is a $125 bus ride that will take individuals up to the head of the sculpture, but there is also a cheap $10 ride that goes straight to the base and gives a 3D feel of the sculpture.

Because this is a rather new creation, it isn't always included on a traveler's map. This simply means less people (in comparison to Rushmore).

This memorial is not a government funded project, so a National Park pass cannot be used. The project is completely funded by donations and there is no estimated finish date, as they've only completed the head.

Keystone, South Dakota

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

If Crazy Horse wasn't enough sculpting, and you want to see something that is completed, Mount Rushmore is less than 20 minutes away. Not to mention, admission is free!

George Washington's face started being built in 1927, and by 1941 all four faces were complete.

This sculpture is one of America's most patriotic symbols, and has gotten greater recognition than the designer ever planned for.

Although there is a huge structure overlooking the incredible masterpiece, there is a short hiking trail that goes to the base where all the rock that once formed the mountain lay underneath the four honorable

men.

There is also a light show where all veterans visiting the memorial are brought on stage and the stone faces are lit up against the night sky. Although they suggest you sit on the benches, there is a secluded area to the right, just a few feet into the trail that offers the best view of the statues.

This show brings the day to a close, but it doesn’t have to. Depending on the date, the sun might set sooner or later than when I was there. My hotel was in Rapid City, but it’s not a far drive from Deadwood or Sturgis, which are lined with restaurants, bars and casinos.