Destinations – South Dakota
What a rush! Finding the highlights and hidden gems along Interstate 90 in South Dakota.
Image Caption: Lake Sylvan, Custer State Park, South Dakota
While Route 66 is known as America’s Mother Road, Interstate 90 deserves some praise of its own. You may not be able to recount any songs about this thoroughfare, but its pathway from Boston to Seattle takes you through some spectacular American landscapes. The 413 miles of I-90 that cut through South Dakota provide an epic road trip in and of itself, running through the beating heart of the state.
South Dakota’s Black Hills region is the state’s top draw, with Mount Rushmore at the center. Visitors heading to this scenic area from the east usually take I-90 from the Minnesota border. While I-90 won’t take you to every corner of South Dakota, what you will see will leave you with an appreciation for South Dakota’s natural beauty, history, and quirky creativity.
Falling for Sioux Falls
Image by Kerri Cox
South Dakota’s most populous city is practically on the state’s eastern border, making it the perfect welcome for your journey across the state. A stop at the namesake falls is worthwhile. I’ve seen a lot of waterfalls in my life, but Sioux Falls is uniquely impressive, with its wide berth and glittering pink quartzite rocks.
The surrounding 128-acre Falls Park includes a historic mill and a five-story observation tower, which gives you the perfect perch to view the tumbling waters of the Big Sioux River. Just make sure to check your options for RV parking in advance.
Roadside Art
Image by Kerri Cox
As you head out of Sioux Falls, you will truly begin your journey along I-90. It is a short 30-minute drive to Porter Sculpture Park. Take in the rolling South Dakota prairie grasslands—while admiring some fanciful sculptures. If you’re lucky, you might even meet the artist himself, who is often found collecting admission fees at the gate.
Artist Wayne Porter got his start in his father’s blacksmith shop. Though he enjoyed welding metal sculptures from a young age, he began to seriously work on his art after college. His large pieces attracted lots of attention, and he ultimately bought a parcel of land near Montrose to develop as Porter Sculpture Park.
Visitors will find more than 50 works to explore, including the newest, a 40-ton horse that measures 40 feet tall and 60 feet in length. After completing it, Porter did a Kickstarter campaign to raise the $15,000 needed to move the piece to his park, where it joined a 60-foot-tall bull’s head, which is visible from I-90.
My family enjoyed meandering among the works and pondering their meanings. You’ll find plenty of Instagram-worthy snapshots. Though the road to the park is often speckled with cattle, have no fear, as there is room to park your RV.
A Palace of Corn
Your next stop is no less quirky, though it is, perhaps, a little more well-known. True to its nickname, the Corn Palace in Mitchell is probably the “World’s Only Corn Palace.” That may be why it attracts more than 500,000 visitors a year.
Image by Kerri Cox
What exactly is a corn palace? In this case, it’s a building that was established in 1892 as a place for the residents of Mitchell to celebrate their annual agricultural harvests with live entertainment and large gatherings. Today, the interior hosts exhibits and special events, but the inside is not the grand attraction.
Image by Kerri Cox
The exterior of the Corn Palace is covered in murals made from—you guessed it—corn (and other natural grains and grasses). Each year, a new theme is selected, and massive murals are designed out of the 12 available shades of corn. My family admired portraits of Willie Nelson and Elvis Presley during our visit, reflecting the year’s “Rock of Ages” theme.
Meeting the Mighty Missouri
As you continue your drive on I-90, you will suddenly notice the landscape changing as you approach the Missouri River. It bisects the interstate near Chamberlain. It’s not often that I would say a rest area is a must-see attraction, but the one located in Chamberlain definitely is.
First, you’ll be impressed by the geography, as the waters of the river have carved a deep valley that snakes through the grasslands. Second, you can see the new Dignity of Earth and Sky sculpture, which honors the state’s Native American cultures. Standing 50 feet tall, the work depicts an Indigenous woman wrapped in a quilt. She is the perfect complement to the stunning landscape.
The Beautiful Badlands
Badlands National Park (Courtesy of Getty Images)
With a scenic driving loop that easily connects to I-90, Badlands National Park could be a place you just drive through, but I encourage you to stay the night if you can. Everyone I know who has visited the Badlands has considered the park an unexpected highlight—this was certainly true for my family.
What makes this place so magical? Most people have never experienced a landscape like this. The endless geological formations at times look like massive sandcastles and at other times look like the surface of the moon—if the moon had hills designed by Dr. Seuss.
Even if you adjust to the strange terrain, throughout the day the light changes, creating a dynamic landscape. As the skies turn pink with the setting sun, long shadows stretch across the rollicking hills. The park itself grows quieter as the day-trippers head out. A quiet descends upon the park, making dusk a delightful time to experience the Badlands.
Wacky Wall Drug
Surely on your drive across I-90, you’ll notice the signs for Wall Drug. Not just one or two, either. You’ll spot dozens of advertisements, all of which help build excitement for this stop. When you spot the 80-foot dinosaur, you will know you’ve finally arrived.
What started as a struggling pharmacy that gave away free water to attract tourists is now a booming business that’s hard to describe. What I can promise is that it will entertain every member of the family.
Wall Drug has an outdoor play area for the kids, complete with water jets and a giant jackalope (climb aboard for a perfect photo op). Inside, you’ll find all manner of curiosities, including toy jackalopes, in case you need to take one home, as well as home décor, apparel, and pharmaceutical drugs, keeping its history alive.
Come hungry. Wall Drug has a restaurant that serves up a classic hot beef plate and some amazing donuts in a retro cafeteria. The coffee is still a nickel, and the water is still free.
The Bountiful Black Hills
Black Hills (Courtesy of Getty Images)
While Mount Rushmore gives the Mount Rushmore State its nickname, anyone who’s been to the Black Hills can tell you that this iconic landmark is a tiny blip in a broad, beautiful region. Instead of passing through, plan to stop and stay awhile. You could easily spend a week touring the area.
Hidden in these hills, you will find evocative Western towns, full-on tourist attractions, massive carved monuments, a wildlife wonderland (Custer State Park), one cool city, and highways that twist like a pig’s tail. Even with all of that, it’s the natural beauty that takes center stage.
Beyond the Black Hills
If you are continuing east after a stay in the Black Hills, don’t rush from there to the Wyoming border, as there still is a lot to see along the remaining 50 miles of I-90.
A short detour from I-90 near Sturgis takes you to Deadwood. Old West fans will certainly want to make the trip to see this quintessential Gold Rush town. You’ll easily imagine Wild Bill Hickock rounding the corner of the historic buildings. Several museums and a lively gaming industry provide hours of entertainment.
You can’t leave South Dakota without taking in a little more of the state’s stunning beauty, and Spearfish Canyon offers it in spades. Scenic waterfalls tumble over the ancient limestone bluffs carved by Spearfish Creek. Hiking, fishing, and rock climbing are popular outdoor activities in this natural playground.
The End of the Road
After your journey takes you from the grasslands to the badlands through the hills and deposits you on the other side of a canyon, you’ll find yourself at the end of your South Dakota portion of I-90. You will have seen many highlights and hidden gems of central South Dakota, but there’s so much more waiting to be uncovered.
Top-Rated Good Sam Campgrounds in South Dakota
Rafter J Bar Ranch, Hill City
Good Sam Rating: 8.5/10*/10
Experience the beauty of the Black Hills under the Ponderosa Pines in this serene park.
Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort, Custer
Good Sam Rating: 9/10*/10
Enjoy a luxurious experience in a naturally beautiful landscape.
Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins, Spearfish
Good Sam Rating: 10/9.5*/10
Big rigs can spread out at this spacious park, with paved roads and sites.
A Somber Stop
The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site takes visitors back to the 1960s to the 1980s when nuclear war with the Soviet Union seemed like a real possibility. To prepare, the U.S. built and stockpiled more than 1,000 Minuteman missiles. These were hidden in nondescript locations across the nation. Today, the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site shares the story—and the fear—of this era through interpretive displays. You can take a free self-guided tour of the Delta-09 Missile Silo, which once held a 1.2-megaton nuclear warhead. If you purchase tickets well enough in advance, you can take a physical tour of the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility. nps.gov/mimi/index.htm
When Motorcycles Rule the Road
Image: Courtesy of Getty Images
If you happen to be passing through South Dakota during the first two weeks of August, you are likely to notice thousands of motorcycles joining you on the roadway. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attracts as many as 750,000 visitors during the 10-day event. If road hogs aren’t your thing, you’ll want to avoid the region during this time; otherwise, you can join the fun.
Four Favorites in the Black Hills
Beautiful landscape pictures of Mount Rushmore in Rapid City, South Dakota. (Courtesy of Getty Images)
Mount Rushmore National Monument: Even though you’ve likely seen these massive president heads in photos, it’s nothing like seeing them in person. Walk the Presidential Trail for ever-changing vantage points.
Beautiful Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park. (Courtesy of Getty Images)
Custer State Park: South Dakota’s largest state park is bounding with wildlife. Drive the Wildlife Loop to view bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and more.
Bridge in Custer State Park in South Dakota. (Courtesy of Getty Images)
Iron Mountain Road: Leave your RV behind for a ride on this twisty, curvy roadway with pigtail bridges and narrow tunnels.
Image by Kerri Cox
Crazy Horse Memorial: The world’s largest mountain carving is still a work in progress.
