10-Day North Dakota & South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

Planning a road trip through North Dakota and South Dakota? I loved exploring these underrated states during my 10-day trip!

I saw national parks, stunning scenic byways, quirky towns, and so much wildlife. I can confidently say these states exceeded my expectation.

I started my journey from Denver and spent 10 days traveling through western North Dakota and South Dakota — visiting Medora, North Dakota, as well as the Badlands and Black Hills regions of South Dakota — while stopping at every national park in each state.

This post breaks down the full route, day by day, including travel tips, lodging recommendations, and itinerary adjustments I’d make next time.

10-Day North Dakota & South Dakota Road Trip

Day 1 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park & Wind Canyon Trail

After a 9-hour drive from Denver to Medora, North Dakota, we dropped our bags at the hotel and quickly made our way to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Immediately upon entering, we saw bison and wild horses — it was incredible. I wasn’t expecting to see wildlife so quickly.

We headed to Wind Canyon Trail for a quick sunset hike. The trail is just 0.5 miles with a 55-foot elevation gain, making it perfect after a long day in the car. The sunset didn’t exactly pop off during our visit, but it was still beautiful. We heard coyotes howling all around us and even spotted a few in the distance.

On the way back to the hotel, we saw more wild horses and bison. Once back, we ate the dinner we’d prepped back in Denver and called it an early night.

Where we stayed: AmericInn by Wyndham Medora

For more hotel ideas, check out: Top Hotels Near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Day 2

Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Unit

On Day 2, we woke up early in Medora and headed to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which is about an hour away (and in a different time zone: the South Unit is in Mountain Time, the North Unit is in Central Time).

First stop in the North Unit was Caprock Coulee Loop, this trail is 4.4 miles with a 583-foot elevation gain. Honestly this ended up being one of my favorite hikes of the whole trip, there were beautiful views, cool rock formations, and in early fall, pops of color.

After the hike we drove around the North Unit a bit and stopped for a picnic lunch before heading back to the park’s South Unit.

Note: If you’re wondering whether it’s worth driving all the way to the North Unit, I’d say yes —especially if you plan to hike Caprock Coulee Loop. This part of the park is beautiful and (in my opinion) had better hikes than the South Unit. Plus, it’s small and easy to explore in a relatively short amount of time.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park – South Unit

On our way back to the South Unit, we stopped at Painted Canyon Visitor Center, the largest we saw, with a great overlook out back where we could spot bison in the distance. The center is right off I-94 and technically part of the South Unit, though a bit removed from the other attractions.

Once on Scenic Loop Drive, the main road through the South Unit, we stopped at Prairie Dog Town Overlook. The prairie dogs are adorable and plentiful, and we even spotted a coyote — an exciting surprise. We also pulled over at a few random spots, including Skyline Vista Overlook. It was windy but still beautiful, and nearby we saw wild horses.

As we continued along Scenic Loop Drive, we saw so many bison that traffic stopped multiple times, and we even caught sight of some baby bison — such a cool experience. Finally, we drove up to Buck Hill Overlook, where more bison greeted us.

We had planned to wrap up the day at Maltese Cross Cabin, where Theodore Roosevelt lived, located next to the South Unit Visitor Center — but it was unfortunately closed by the time we arrived.

For even more details, check out my Theodore Roosevelt National Park Guides.

Medora

That night, we grabbed food and drinks on the upper level deck at Little Missouri Saloon, located right in the heart of Medora. This spot has great views and is the perfect place to relax after a long day in the park. After dinner, we headed downstairs to enjoy live music while playing cards (you can gamble down here too!).

Medora is a really cute, Western-themed town that’s clearly used to hosting tourists. It would’ve been nice to explore more, but we were short on time.

If you have more time here, check out attractions in town such as:

• Medora Musical
• Pitchfork Steak Fondue
• Live music on the Town Square Patio
• Horseback riding with Medora Riding Stables
• North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame
• Chateau de Mores State Historic Site

Where we stayed: AmericInn by Wyndham Medora

Day 3

Wall, South Dakota 

We woke up in Medora, North Dakota, and set out on the 4.5-hour drive to Wall, South Dakota. After a grocery stop and a quick car picnic, we arrived in Wall and checked into our hotel.

We then popped into Wall Drug, a massive Western-themed indoor shopping center with souvenir shops, art galleries, and plenty of quirky attractions. It was more entertaining than I expected, but we couldn’t stay long — we were heading into Badlands National Park for the afternoon and evening.

Badlands National Park

Overlooks, Door Trail, & Notch Trail

Our first stop was Big Badlands Overlook. It was stunning, but very crowded on a Saturday afternoon, so we quickly moved on to Door Trail. After stepping off the 0.25-mile boardwalk, we wandered freely through the badlands — the landscape felt almost otherworldly, and with no designated trail, the crowds naturally spread out.

Next, we tackled Notch Trail, the most beautiful hike in the park (and not surprisingly — one of the park’s most popular). Walking through the canyon was incredible, and the viewpoint of the White River Valley at the end was gorgeous. We went late in the afternoon, which helped us avoid the crowds, though keep in mind that storms are common at this time of day — luckily, we had clear skies.

A heads-up: if you’re afraid of heights, Notch Trail may not be for you. There are steep drop-offs and one particularly steep ladder that can be intimidating (trust me, I felt it firsthand!). Most people will be fine, but anyone with mobility issues or a fear of heights should skip this one.

Sunset At Pinnacles Overlook

To wrap up the evening, we watched the sunset from Pinnacles Overlook. We were greeted by bighorn sheep upon arrival, and then watched an incredible sunset — it made me understand why so many people say this park shines at golden hour.

It was a bit crowded, but there was plenty of space to spread out, so no complaints. Just don’t forget a jacket, it cools down quickly once the sun sets.

Afterward, we headed back to the hotel, ate the dinner we’d picked up earlier that day, and called it an early night… we’re getting up very early tomorrow!

Where we stayed: Hansen Inn & Cabins

Check out more hotel options at: Top Hotels Near Badlands National Park

Day 4

Day 4 of our 10-day Dakotas road trip: we’re waking up at 4 am for sunrise, hikes, scenic drives in Badlands, and a drive to our next destination — the Black Hills. It’s an action-packed day.

Badlands National Park

Sunrise At Big Badlands Overlook

Day 4 started with an epic sunrise that made the early alarm clock completely worth it.

We watched from Big Badlands Overlook, which offers a stunning vantage point of the colorful hoodoos with the sun rising behind them. Yesterday afternoon this spot was packed — at sunrise? Practically empty.

I can’t stress how incredible the views were. In the early morning light, the badlands glow in shades of orange and purple, it’s so much prettier than midday when the harsh sun washes out the colors. This was easily one of my favorite moments from the entire trip.

Hikes, Wildlife & Badlands Loop Road

After a car picnic, we set out to hike Saddle Pass to Castle Trail and Medicine Root Loop, which came highly recommended — but we ended up turning back early.

The scramble up Saddle Pass was fun but challenging, and at the top, the trail was muddy, overgrown, and hard to follow. We made it maybe a mile before deciding to call it. Beautiful, just not the right day for it.

Next, we stopped at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, then explored the Fossil Exhibit Trail — a short boardwalk with lots of informative displays. Across from this trail is another entry point to Castle Trail, so we joined it out of curiosity. Conditions were much better here, and access was easier from this side.

After a brief walk along Castle Trail (nearly 10 miles end-to-end, but we only went less than a mile), we continued along Badlands Loop Road. At one point, we spotted some bighorn sheep, and a kind stranger let us borrow his binoculars for a closer look. They blend so well into the landscape — definitely don’t forget your binoculars in this park!

Next stops: Big Foot Pass Overlook, Conata Basin Overlook, and Yellow Mounds Overlook (Yellow Mounds had this cool hill you could climb!). There are a lot of overlooks in the park — they can start to feel a bit repetitive, but they’re all beautiful.

Finally, we had a car picnic at Hay Butte Overlook while watching bighorn sheep climb around below us, then followed Sage Creek Rim Road out of the park.

Note: Sage Creek Rim Road is a dirt road, it’s well maintained and was completely fine in my little Toyota Camry. That said, it’s not advisable to drive it during or shortly after rain.

For more information about Badlands, check out my Badlands National Park Guides.

Scenic Ghost Town & Heading To The Black Hills

Just outside the park, we made a quick stop at Scenic Ghost Town. A lot of people recommend it, but I wasn’t super impressed. There was quite a bit of trash, and it felt kind of unloved. Maybe I’m spoiled by ghost towns back home in Colorado, or maybe it was just an off day. That said, it’s right outside the park and easy to visit if you’re heading this way, so check it out for yourself and see what you think.

Finally, we hit the road for the Black Hills, with our next stop in Hill City. We paused in Rapid City to stock up on groceries — this is a large city, so if you need anything, grab it here.

We arrived in Hill City late in the evening, made dinner, and called it an early night. By this point, we were very tired.

Where we stayed: Spring Creek Inn (we got one of the cabins!)

Note: This part of the itinerary felt a bit rushed. If you can, add another night in Wall instead of heading to the Black Hills on Day 4. Days 1 – 4 involved long drives combined with full itineraries, which was starting to wear on me a bit — but don’t worry, we get a much-needed slow down in the upcoming days.

Day 5

Wind Cave National Park

On Day 5, we woke up in Hill City and headed to Wind Cave National Park — one of the largest cave systems in the world and considered sacred by multiple Native American tribes.

Unfortunately, the cave was closed during our visit.

Still, we had a great time exploring above ground. Our first stop was the visitor center, which has a small but very informative museum downstairs.

Next, we followed a short path to the cave’s natural entrance. Entry is always blocked off, but it’s still interesting to see in person.

After that, we picked a random trail from AllTrails — Rankin Ridge — and it turned out to be a great choice. It’s a quick 1-mile loop with one steep section that ends at a historic fire tower. You can’t climb the tower, but the views from below are stunning. On a clear day, you can see across the Black Hills and even spot Badlands National Park in the distance.

We were the only ones up there, which made it even better.

After a picnic lunch, we drove around, spotted some bison and prairie dogs, and then continued on to our next stop.

Note: We only spent about three hours in the park since the cave itself was closed. Under normal circumstances, I’d plan for at least a half day here. Some of the most popular cave tours include the Natural Entrance Tour, Fairgrounds Tour, and Candlelight Tour. The Wild Cave Tour is great for adventurers, and the Accessibility Tour is designed for those with limited mobility. No matter which you choose, be sure to book in advance at Recreation.gov, there are no self-guided tours. You can browse all tour options on the official park website Wind Cave NPS.

The Mammoth Site

After a morning in the park, we spent the afternoon at The Mammoth Site, one of the most unique attractions in the area.

This is an active archaeological dig site with the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world, and they’re still uncovering more.

You can see real Columbian and Woolly Mammoth fossils up close and even watch researchers actively excavating. (Spoiler: it’s an excruciatingly slow process — but fascinating to witness.)

The site is filled with infographics and interactive displays that explain how the remains were discovered, the progress that has been made, and how digs like this actually work.

It was definitely a unique stop and a great way to spend the afternoon (best of all, it’s indoors and temperature controlled!).

Hill City

As I mentioned yesterday, we were a bit tired by this point in the trip, so we headed back to our cabin in the late afternoon. We played cards, took a nap, and made dinner before calling it an early night.

If you’re up for more, consider spending the late afternoon exploring Hot Springs, the town where The Mammoth Site is located. A few things to do in Hot Springs include:

• Evans Plunge Mineral Springs
• Pioneer Museum
• Fall River Freedom (or Riverwalk) Trail
• Browse the shops and historic buildings in downtown Hot Springs
• Cascade Falls
• Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa

Where we stayed: Spring Creek Inn

Day 6

Custer State Park – Sylvan Lake

Day 6 of our 10-day Dakotas road trip was one of my favorites. We spent the entire day at Custer State Park — easily one of the most beautiful state parks in the US.

We hung out at Sylvan Lake, one of the park’s top spots. It’s surrounded by granite boulders, mountain views, and hiking trails — absolutely stunning.

We kept it low key with a chill lake day: lounged out, read, ate snacks, and watched kayakers drift by. You can rent kayaks, swim, fish, or hike around the lake — there’s plenty to do if you’re in the mood to be more active. We just wanted to relax. I find a “rest day” is necessary during a 10-day trip, and this was the perfect place for one.

We arrived early and snagged a tucked-away beach spot that felt like our own private area, so I highly recommend getting here early. Plus, parking fills up fast!

Explore Hill City

After about five hours by the lake (no, we did not want to leave), we cleaned up and spent the evening exploring Hill City, where we’re staying.

This small town is super cute, with fun boutique shops and a nice variety of restaurants. One standout was Dahl’s Chainsaw Art, where you’ll find massive, chainsaw-carved wood sculptures —they’re wild to see up close.

We browsed the shops and took way too many photos around town before grabbing dinner at Mangiamo Wood Fired Pizza. (I’ve also heard great things about the restaurant at Alpine Inn, we have some dietary restrictions, so Mangiamo was a better fit for us, but definitely check out Alpine Inn if it works for you.)

Tomorrow, we’re shuffling plans due to the weather, we’re pushing back our second day in Custer State Park and visiting a very iconic American landmark instead.

Where we stayed: Spring Creek Inn

Day 7

Mount Rushmore

On Day 7, we’re visiting a great American icon, and a pretty controversial one: Mount Rushmore.

About 100 years ago, someone decided to carve the faces of four presidents into a granite mountain, which is kind of bananas — but honestly, it turned out pretty cool.

The monument spans two square miles, and each head is the height of a six-story building. Onsite, there’s a large visitor center with tons of exhibits (take your time here — there’s a lot of great info), short films, and live demonstrations.

We saw a Lakota woman perform a traditional Hoop Dance, which was incredible. We also caught a ranger talk at the Sculptor’s Studio and learned so much in just 15 minutes. I highly recommend sticking around for the ranger talks and demonstrations.

There are also a few short hiking trails, including the Presidential Trail Loop, which we’d planned to hike — but the weather didn’t cooperate during our visit.

Now, while Mount Rushmore is one of America’s most iconic landmarks, it’s also a controversial one.

The Black Hills, where the monument is located, were legally promised to the Lakota people in the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty. But after gold was discovered, the US government broke that treaty and took the land anyway. To make matters worse, they then carved the faces of four US presidents into the side of these sacred mountains.

So while it is a visually stunning monument, it also represents a painful history. The park does a prudent job acknowledging this, and I encourage you to read through the exhibits about the site’s complicated legacy while you’re there.

Crazy Horse Memorial

After visiting Mount Rushmore, we headed over to the Crazy Horse Memorial — another mountain monument just a few miles away. This one is being carved entirely by Native request, without any government funding. It honors Crazy Horse, a Lakota warrior who fought to defend his people’s land and culture.

It’s not finished yet, but it’s already massive — in fact, it’s the largest mountain carving in the world. The site also includes a large museum and education center, and since the project is privately funded, your visit directly supports its continued progress.

Honestly, it’s just so cool to see something like this in the process of being built, definitely make time to see it.

Wine Tasting & Town Of Custer

In the afternoon, we had hoped to tour Jewel Cave, but tours need to be booked well in advance (oops) — so instead, we opted for wine.

We spent the late afternoon at Prairie Berry Winery, relaxing on the outdoor patio and sampling some unique wines. Note: the winery is temporarily closed because the owners have retired, but I’m hopeful it reopens under new ownership. In the meantime, Naughti Wines and Lost Cabin Beer Co. in Hill City are great alternatives if you want to grab a drink.

Next, we explored the town of Custer, browsing shops (Art Expressions Gallery & Gifts was my favorite!) and checking out the painted buffalo sculptures around town. We also grabbed a drink at Gold Pan Saloon, the oldest Saloon in the Black Hills.

We ended the day back at our cabin, making dinner and unwinding before another full day ahead.

Where we stayed: Spring Creek Inn

Day 8 

Custer State Park

Day 8 brought warm, sunny weather, so we headed back to Custer State Park for hiking and a scenic drive.

Little Devil’s Tower & Cathedral Spires Trail

Our first hike was Little Devil’s Tower, just under 4 miles with about 780 feet of elevation gain. Heads up: the final stretch includes a bit of scrambling, and the trail markers can get a little confusing — but the views from the top are incredible.

Next, we hiked Cathedral Spires Trail, a shorter trek of just under 2 miles with around 500 feet of elevation gain. It’s steep in spots, but nothing compared to the previous hike. This section of the park is especially beautiful.

These trails get busy, so start early if you can. If you want to extend your hike, there’s a network of connecting trails — Black Elk Peak Trail links to these, and it’s on my list for next time.

Needles Highway & Wildlife Loop Road (Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway)

After hiking, we took a scenic drive through the park. Needles Highway winds through forests with narrow rock tunnels — such a unique drive. Wildlife Loop Road, as the name suggests, is known for wildlife. Both roads are part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.

Since we were coming from Hill City, we’d already driven most of Needles Highway to access the hikes. We finished Needles Highway, briefly connected to Highway 16A, and then reached Wildlife Loop Road.

Just before entering Wildlife Loop, we stopped at the Custer State Park Visitor Center. It’s a great spot with clean restrooms, water refill stations, picnic areas, and lots of information and displays. We even spotted bighorn sheep nearby!

On Wildlife Loop Road, the landscape opens up and we saw tons of wildlife — bison, wild turkeys, and even wild donkeys — this area is really cool.

PSA: Some visitors feed the donkeys in Custer State Park — nicknamed the “begging burros.” Personally, I don’t love that the park allows it — it muddies the broader message of don’t feed wildlife. Whether or not you choose to feed the donkeys is totally up to you — just please leave all other wildlife alone.

After a full day in the park, we drove about 1.5 hours to our final stop of the road trip, Deadwood.

Notes: We skipped Custer State Park’s Iron Mountain Road this trip — it didn’t fit our route — but it’s supposed to be amazing. Also, on the drive from Custer State Park to Deadwood, we passed Pactola Reservoir, which looked stunning. I’ll definitely add it to my itinerary next time I’m in the Black Hills.

Where we stayed: Historic Rental in Central Deadwood

Day 9

Day 9 of our 10-day Dakotas road trip started in Deadwood, where we woke up early and headed out to explore Spearfish Canyon.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, Roughlock Falls & Spearfish Falls

We started with a hike to Roughlock Falls. You can drive straight to the falls, but we opted for the 1.8-mile trail instead. It’s mostly flat, scenic, and we even spotted some wildlife along the way. The hike was peaceful, and the falls themselves were stunning, cascading through lush greenery into clear, shallow pools below.

Next, we visited Spearfish Falls, accessible from the same trailhead. It’s a short, easy walk and definitely worth it — another breathtaking spot. The waterfall plunges 47 feet into the canyon and is one of the most photographed in the Black Hills.

After the hikes, we drove the full 19-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, a beautiful stretch of towering limestone cliffs, creek views, and, during our visit, vibrant fall colors. We stopped at a few scenic pull-offs and tried to find a picnic spot, but options were limited that day.

We skipped Devil’s Bathtub because it was too cold, though the trailhead was busy. I’ve heard great things about it, but it can get crowded — so if you plan to visit, go early.

Explore The Town Of Spearfish

After exploring the canyon, we headed into the town of Spearfish and had a picnic lunch at Spearfish City Park. It’s a beautiful and relaxing spot with plenty of green space and shade.

Then we wandered downtown, where we found lots of charming shops tucked inside historic buildings. We browsed boutiques, home goods stores, a cozy bookstore, art galleries — and honestly, one of my favorite antique shops ever: Main Street Antiques & Decor.

I loved the vibe in Spearfish and definitely recommend spending a few hours here.

Night Out In Deadwood

We wrapped up the day back in Deadwood. And wow… Deadwood is something else. Known for its Wild West history — saloons, shootouts, outlaws — it was literally a lawless town at one time. These days, it fully leans into those roots.

We gambled a bit, explored historic buildings, and caught one of the daily shootout reenactments. We watched the Boone May/Prescott Webb Altercation, and honestly, it was more entertaining than I expected. It could’ve easily felt cheesy, but in the unique town of Deadwood, it felt right.

During summer, Deadwood hosts several shootouts a day, plus guided walking tours and other historic programs (most of which are free!). You can check the full schedule at Visit Deadwood Historic Street Shows.

That night, we had dinner at Deadwood Social Club (delicious!) and ended the evening bar-hopping along Main Street. Many spots had live music — it was a super fun night and a great way to experience the town’s unique energy.

Where we stayed: Historic Rental in Central Deadwood

Day 10

On the last full day of our Dakotas road trip, we started the morning in Deadwood with coffee and breakfast sandwiches from Pump House — this spot is so cute, part cafe, part glass-blowing studio, with a cozy vibe and great coffee.

We had originally planned a day trip to Devils Tower (just over an hour away, and it looks amazing), but by this point in the trip, we were feeling a little burnt out from long days in the car. So we decided to stick closer to town and explore more locally.

Explore The Town Of Sturgis

We made our way to Sturgis and visited the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, which has an impressive collection of motorcycles spanning decades of history. Even if you’re not a major motorcycle enthusiast, it’s still a fascinating look at how bikes and biker culture have evolved over time.

The town itself was quiet during our visit in mid-September — aside from a few boutique shops and local diners, there wasn’t much to see. We spent about an hour and a half exploring before heading back.

If you’re visiting in early to mid-August, though, expect a very different experience. That’s when the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally takes place — a world-famous annual event that draws hundreds of thousands of bikers to the area. It’s a weeklong celebration with bike shows, concerts, and street parties. The energy completely transforms the town, and it’s one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the world.

Explore The Town Of Deadwood

On our way back to Deadwood, we stopped at Tatanka: Story of the Bison, a small but impactful museum focused on the history of the American bison and its significance to the Lakota people (I learned a lot about bison here!). The highlight is the impressive bronze sculpture out back, depicting a dramatic bison hunt — definitely worth a quick stop.

Back in town, we visited the Deadwood History & Information Center. It’s a small, free museum that packs in a lot of interesting facts about Deadwood’s quirky past. The staff was friendly and happy to answer questions — this is one of those underrated stops that really adds context to everything you’re seeing around town.

We spent the afternoon wandering through historic Main Street, popping into shops and admiring the preserved 1800s-era architecture. Many of the storefronts and bars look like something straight out of a Western movie — and in some cases, they are.

From souvenir stores to boutique shops and old saloons with live music, there’s a lot worth checking out here. We were happy to browse the shops, but if you’re looking to do something else, check out the Visit Deadwood Historic Street Shows schedule (the walking tour would be fun!).

We wrapped up the evening with an early night, knowing we had a 6-hour drive back to Denver the next morning.

Where we stayed: Historic Rental in Central Deadwood

Where We Stayed In North Dakota & South Dakota

Lodging fills up quickly in this region, so it’s best to book well in advance. Even during shoulder season, we made our reservations nearly six months ahead of time.

Towns like Medora and Wall are remote with limited hotel options, and nearby alternatives can be 30 – 60 minutes away. In more popular areas like Deadwood or Hill City, accommodations are more plentiful — but centrally located stays book up fast.

If you’re visiting in summer (or during major events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally), try to book as early as possible. Many properties also have strict cancellation policies or minimum night stays due to the short tourist season, so plan accordingly.

Below is everywhere we stayed and for how long:

• Medora, ND (2 nights): AmericInn by Wyndham Medora
• Wall, SD (1 night): Hansen Inn & Cabins
• Hill City, SD (4 nights): Spring Creek Inn
• Deadwood, SD (3 nights): Historic Rental in Central Deadwood

When To Plan Your Trip

The best time to road trip through North Dakota and South Dakota is late spring through early fall, roughly May to early October. This window offers the best weather, open roads, and full access to national parks and attractions.

Spring (May – early June)
Mild weather, blooming wildflowers, and fewer crowds make spring a great time to visit. Some trails may be muddy early in the season, and wind can be a factor.

Summer (June – August)
Expect warm temps, busy towns, and full access to everything from scenic drives to historic reenactments. Summer is also prime wildlife-spotting season, but large crowds and afternoon storms are more common. (Keep in mind — the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally happens in early to mid-August. Expect limited lodging options and lots of motorcycle noise/traffic throughout the Black Hills.)

Fall (September – early October)
Arguably the best time to visit (this is when I road tripped!). Mild temps, fall colors, relatively fewer crowds — and therefore relatively lower hotel prices. Just note: some seasonal closures begin this time of year, especially as October approaches.

Winter (Late October–April)
Most attractions close or scale back in winter, and snow can make roads tricky — especially in the Black Hills. That said, if you’re prepared for the cold and want solitude, the parks are quiet and beautiful under snow.

What To Pack

Packing for the Dakotas means being ready for variable weather, outdoor adventures, and long days on the road. Even in summer, mornings and evenings can be cool, and afternoons can be warm.

Below are items I’d pack for a visit in summer or early fall.

Clothing:

• Lightweight layers: t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, and a light sweater or fleece
• Waterproof or windbreaker jacket
• Comfortable hiking pants/shorts (poison ivy is common in the Dakotas, making hiking pants preferable on many trails)
• Casual clothes for town: dresses, jeans, or casual skirts (bring warm layers for the evening!)
• Sleepwear and loungewear
• Hat and sunglasses
• Swimsuit & microfiber towel (for lakes, hotel pools, or hot tubs)

Shoes:

• Comfortable walking and/ or hiking shoes (I brought both!)
• Sandals or casual shoes for town
• Optional: waterproof hiking sandals, especially if you plan to hike Devils Bathtub in Spearfish.

Accessories & Essentials:

• Daypack for hikes
• Water bottle (refillable)
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Camera or phone with extra storage
• Binoculars for wildlife spotting
• Sunglasses and a wide-brim hat
• Travel-size first aid kit

Optional / Convenience Items:

• Snacks and cooler for picnics (I use a Yeti Cooler with Ice Packs so I don’t have to buy ice)
• Reusable utensils and coffee mug for road stops
• Travel guide or downloaded maps for offline use (Google Maps & AllTrails are what I use most!)
• Portable phone charger (this is my Portable Charger, I love it!)

Tips For Your North Dakota & South Dakota Road Trip

Book lodging and cave tours early – Accommodations in/near parks like Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt, and Custer State Park fill up quickly — especially in summer and early fall. If you plan to tour Wind Cave or Jewel Cave, book your tickets well in advance (they often sell out weeks ahead).

Be prepared for long driving days – The Dakotas are big, and attractions are spread out. Be prepared for long days on the road.

Fuel up often – Gas stations can be sparse in more remote areas — especially near Theodore Roosevelt National Park and stretches between parks. Don’t wait until you’re running low to fill up.

Bring a cooler and prep snacks – Having a cooler stocked with food is a game-changer — great for snacks, scenic picnics, and easy dinners. We saved a ton of time and money by sticking to grocery store meals. I use a Yeti Cooler with Ice Packs and rarely need to buy ice if I can refreeze the packs every few days.

Pack layers (even in summer) – Weather can swing wildly — mornings might be chilly and afternoons toasty. And if you’re catching sunrise or sunset, you’ll need a jacket.

Carry binoculars and a zoom lens – Wildlife is everywhere, but not always right next to the road. Binoculars are great for spotting bison, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and birds.

Download maps ahead of time – Cell service is spotty in and around the national and state parks. Download Google Maps offline and save AllTrails hikes in advance.

Don’t overpack your itinerary – Some days involve longer drives, so give yourself time to rest and enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed. (The days with both long drives and a full itinerary really wore on me during this trip — I was thankful we kept some days flexible, which allowed for much-needed downtime.)

Learn a little Native American history before you go – The Dakotas are filled with rich Indigenous history and complicated legacies. Reading up beforehand (or listening to podcasts on the drive!) adds a lot of depth to your visit.

Respect wildlife and follow park rules – Stay back, don’t feed animals (not even the cute little ones), and follow Leave No Trace principles. These parks are wild places — let’s help keep them that way.

I loved my road trip through the Dakotas, I’m excited to return some day and see more! I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your 10-day Dakotas road trip and have the best time!

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.

For even more information, check out my additional North Dakota & South Dakota guides below.

Additional Information For Your Trip:

North Dakota Guides

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park Guides

South Dakota Guides

• Badlands National Park Guides