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The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary: Where to Stop, What to Do, and More

Discover Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, Sioux Falls, and more on a road trip through South Dakota.

Scott Bay is a magazine editor specializing in travel, architecture, and gear. He was previously an assistant editor at Travel + Leisure . His work has also appeared in Wired , Architectural Digest , Wallpaper , Robb Report , Saveur , Daily Beast , and more.

South Dakota was made for road trips : There are scenic, paved roads that lead to national treasures, natural anomalies , perfectly preserved Wild West towns, and plenty of quirky attractions. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, or nature lover, this Midwest state delivers. Read on for the ultimate South Dakota road trip itinerary, including where to stop, what to do, and more.

Sioux Falls

The state's largest city and likely the place where you'd fly into, Sioux Falls is the logical starting point for a South Dakota road trip. If you're driving west, follow this route, but if you're heading east or flying into Rapid City on the western side of the state, flip it. Sioux Falls is an ever-growing and extremely walkable city with lots of incredible food options. Stay at the Hotel on Phillips for an example of the posh direction the city is headed. After checking in and exploring the nearby falls the city is famously named after, grab a happy hour drink on the PAve rooftop. Phillips Avenue Diner or Crave are the best spots for dinner, and make sure to enjoy a cocktail at The Treasury , an upscale bar conveniently located back at the Hotel on Phillips.

Must-see Stop: About an hour outside Sioux Falls, stop by the world's only Corn Palace in Mitchell, established in 1892 as a premier roadside attraction, for a look at the famous murals and a photo-op with a giant smiling ear of corn.

Wall Drug Store

Located just outside Badlands National Park and about four hours from Sioux Falls, this massive, 76,000-square-foot roadside attraction started from humble beginnings, with just the promise of free ice water to entice passersby. Now, there are signs lining hundreds of miles of highway and displaying the many offerings of the beloved shop. Wall Drug Store now sports giant dinosaur and jackalope statues, ample souvenirs, a shopping mall, an art gallery, a restaurant serving delicious homemade doughnuts, and, of course, free ice water for the roughly 20,000 people who stop in every day.

Badlands National Park

The surreal landscapes of Badlands National Park alone are worth the drive to South Dakota. From the rolling hills of the prairie lands protrude jagged spires that quickly expand to the horizon. The formations look like they could crumble with the slightest touch, but fear not, as they are solid and very fun to climb for all ages. Check into a cabin at the Cedar Pass Lodge for a night or two, and watch the sunset. The next morning, continue driving along the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway to glimpse wildlife such as bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs.

Deadwood and Rapid City

Make Rapid City your base for exploring Deadwood and the surrounding area, as the city provides hub-and-spoke-like accessibility to many of the places on this list. About a 45-minute drive from Rapid City, take a step back in time in historic Deadwood, with its Old West-style main street full of boutiques, restaurants, and charm — and yes, this is where the HBO series Deadwood was based and where you can visit the graves of Wild West heroes like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane at Mount Moriah Cemetery. After role-playing as Billy the Kid, head to the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City for the night. The city is set among the Black Hills, and the downtown area is a treat to wander through. The hotel's rooftop restaurant and bar, Vertex Sky Bar , is a nice spot for dinner. Another delicious spot is Murphy's Pub & Grill .

Must-see Stop: If you'll be spending a day or two in Rapid City, swing by Main Street Square , a public space that's home to family-friendly festivals, live music, a splash park in summer, and a rocking ice skating rink in winter. The Journey Museum & Learning Center is also worth a look, with exhibits highlighting the area's Native American culture and history as well as the Black Hills' dinosaur days.

Custer State Park

Leave early in the morning to enjoy the fresh pine air of Custer State Park , where herds of roaming bison regularly cause traffic jams (if this happens to you, just keep your distance, stay in your car, and get those cameras ready). Head to Blue Bell Lodge for a perfect few hours of horseback riding through fields of flowers and trickling streams in the surrounding forests. Then, grab a bite at the lodge's restaurant before heading to picturesque Sylvan Lake. After an afternoon of water activities, drive to Custer for a pint and dinner at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company and Pounding Fathers Restaurant (open seasonally). Finally, cap off the day with some much-deserved shut-eye at Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins .

Must-see Stop: If time allows and you're heading from Custer up toward Mount Rushmore, make time to visit the Crazy Horse Memorial , an impressive monument carved into the side of a mountain that's dedicated to the life and story of the famous Oglala Lakota chief. Stop by the on-site museum to learn more about the area's rich Indigenous American history and culture, then snap some photos of the massive (and still-under-construction) mountain sculpture.

Mount Rushmore

On day four, it's finally time to see the Founding Fathers' faces carved into the mountain — the enormity of the sculpture is truly a sight to see. Under Canvas has set up camp near Mount Rushmore National Memorial (seasonally from early May to late September), so you can enjoy luxury tented accommodations that evening, along with on-site dining and camping activities.

Needles Highway

The last day brings a scenic, 14-mile drive along giant granite spires. On this drive, there will be breakneck turns, hand-carved tunnels, and vistas that will instill the wonder of South Dakota and solidify the past five days of incredible adventure in your memory forever. Continue your road trip through Wyoming, Utah, and Montana, or stop here — the choice is up to you.

Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Planner and Itinerary

By: Author Wandermust Mummy

Are you looking for the ULTIMATE South Dakota Road Trip Planner?  With our South Dakota road trip itinerary we cover all of the main South Dakota attractions, tell you where to stay and what to see with 7 days in South Dakota. 

Important Note : This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Table of Contents

South Dakota Road Trip Planner Tips and Tricks

South Dakota has to be one of our ultimate US Bucket List experiences and one of the best US road trips that you can do. 

And South Dakota really has something on offer for everyone from amazing national monuments and national parks, great hikes and wildlife experiences as well as some great quirky in town attractions. 

In this South Dakota road trip itinerary we will cover all of the main sights but before we get onto our South Dakota road trip itinerary we thought it would be good to answer some of your frequently asked questions to help you plan your trip. 

How Long do you need for Your South Dakota Road Trip?

Tips for Visiting Mount Rushmore with Kids or Without

When you are looking to put together the first thing you will want to know is how long do you need for your South Dakota road trip itinerary? 

With all that there is to see in South Dakota, and also the likely distance you are traveling to get to South Dakota we recommend having a good amount of time for your Black Hills vacation. 

When we went to South Dakota we had 7 days in this amazing state and I think this is the perfect amount of time to tour this state. For this reason we have outlined out prefect 7 day itinerary. However if you don’t have as long as this feel free to cut out the days that appeal least to you so you have the right amount of days. 

We recommend a minimum of 4 days in South Dakota to ensure you see a good amount of this state’s amazing scenery and attractions. 

Should I drive or Fly to South Dakota?

When you are traveling to South Dakota you really have two options of how to get there 

• flying and 
• driving. 

If you have a shorter amount of time for your South Dakota road your best option is to fly into the state. Most people who decide to fly into the state fo to either Rapid City or Sioux Falls and then rent a vehicle. 

Out of these two options we recommend Rapid City as this is more centrally located to the main attractions.

However if you have more time we recommend driving into South Dakota as this will reduce costs of having to hire a car on arrival.  South Dakota as a state really doesn’t have any public transport to speak of so you will need to have a car with you to fully experience this amazing state.

When we visited South Dakota as part of a large road trip to Yellowstone and Utah, we flew into Denver which is only a 6 hour drive from South Dakota.

If you plan to road trip from other states we recommend trying out some of our other road trip guides:

• Denver to Mount Rushmore Road Trip. 
• Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip

Best Time to Visit South Dakota

There are definitely better time to visit South Dakota than others. 

Although not the official state motto, South Dakota is colloquially called the Blizzard State. Therefore it should come as no surprise that we don’t recommend taking your South Dakota family vacation in Winter or winter adjacent months. 

The best time to visit your South Dakota vacation for weather has to summer, however you should also expect crowds to be high during this period (But no where need as crowded as other Northern national parks such as Yellowstone). 

And if you are visiting South Dakota in summer you need to plan for walking in heat – so be sure to check out our South Dakota Summer packing list. 

Peak season in South Dakota technically runs from1st May and ends around 30th September which is when we recommend ed most people, particularly families with small children travel to South Dakota.

It is also worth noting that if you visit South Dakota in Fall (September or October depending on the year) you will see some amazing fall colors especially in the Spearfish Canyon area. 

Where to Base Yourself for your South Dakota Road Trip

Where to stay for this South Dakota Road Trip itinerary

The first questions when you plan a trip to South Dakota has to be about where to base yourself or whether to travel.

South Dakota is a large state with lots to see. However for 7 days in South Dakota we recommend basing yourself out of the West of the state in the Rapid City, Custer State Park and Black Hills area. 

If you only want to stay in one location for this road trip, which is especially helpful if you are doing a South Dakota road trip with family or with toddlers and kids, then we recommend Rapid City.

Rapid City is within easy driving of all the major South Dakota attractions so is very convenient. 

If you are looking for convenient places to stay in Rapid City with good family friendly amenities then the following are in prime positions:

• La Quinta  
•  Fairfield Inn & Suites

Alternatively you could based your self out of Rapid City for some of the itinerary before moving on to some lodges or more nature focussed accommodation near Badlands or Mount Rushmore. 

Some great places to stay with older children include:

• Mount Rushmore Under Canvas or 
• Custer State Park Lodges. 

The Perfect South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

Note about this South Dakota Road Trip Planner and itinerary : The days here are put together to make the most of your time in South Dakota however the days are designed so they can be done in any order.

Day 1 of the perfect South Dakota Itinerary 

Today is all about the outdoors and the thing that was top of my SD Road trip bucket list was  The Badlands National Park.

Badlands National Park

Badlands with Kids – A must for your South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

Badlands National Park is one of the lesser visited parks but it is still worth getting to the Badlands National Park for sunrise. Watching the sun rise over the majestic geological formations of the Badlands is simply breathtaking and well worth the early start. You will also be rewarded with having the park entirely to yourselves. We visited over labour day weekend and we didn’t see people for at least an hour after our arrival.

Depending on which direction you are arriving from, will depend on which entrance you arrive through. We came in via the Pinnacles Entrance as this is the closest (less than an hours drive) from Rapid City.

The Badlands is name because historically this unique landscape was impassable to man. The local Lakota Tribe called the area mako sica traditionally which literally translates to land bad hence why we call it the Badlands today. 

It is worth stopping at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center at the Badlands as a great place to learn more about the park. Also if you are visiting this national park with kids you will want to pick a Junior Ranger pack. The Centre is open daily (Christmas and Thanksgiving exceptions). 

There are lots of great Badlands Hikes, including some easy Badland hikes that are suitable for novice hikers and people traveling to the national park with toddlers . 

Another must do in the Badlands, whatever type of traveler you are is to drive the Badlands scenic loop road, officially known as Highway 240. The views from this scenic byway are beautiful and take in many of the parks biggest highlights. 

The scenic highway is over 40 miles long and without stopping would take an hour to drive. However this would be missing out on so much. 

Our South Dakota Road Trip Planner featured the Badlands on Day 1

To be able to avail of some of the fantastic Badlands hikes as well as photo opportunities we recommend spending at least half a day of your South Dakota itinerary for this park. 

Also although there is plenty of things to do on the Scenic byway we also  recommend taking a slight detour at the start of your day to see Roberts Prairie Dog Town. These creatures are great to watch but if travelling with children please make sure they do not get too close.

The Praire Dog Town should be on your South Dakota Road Trip Planner

Once you have visited the Prairie Dog Town you can continue down the road. This is optional but we were glad we did as we saw the most spectacular herd of bison running here. It was a better bison experience than we had even in Yellowstone.

South Dakota Trip Itinerary – Visiting Badlands

Once you have detoured enough, head back towards the loop road. 

Some of our favourite hikes that we did on our trip with kids in Badlands were: 

• The Notch Trail (1.5 miles)
• Cliff Shelf Nature Trail (0.5 miles)
• Fossil Exhibit Trail (0.25) – this was my toddler’s favourite hike and is sure to be a favourite amongst any kids with the bronze wast fossil replicas and is a very easy boardwalk hike.

There are a few more strenuous hikes for those feeling more adventurous.

For more information on the best and easiest hikes in Badlands National Park click here. 

For those that are in a RV or who enjoy camping there are campgrounds within this national park that you can stay at. The most popular place to camp in the park is at Cedar Pass Campground followed by Sage Creek Campground.

Permits are not required in the campgrounds but it is always prudent to inform rangers of camping plans in more primitive campsites.

But if you prefer a lodge accommodation over camping and want to stay in the park then there is just one option which is Cedar Pass Lodge. 

Cedar Pass Lodge is made of wooden lodge cabins and have beautiful views of the national park. However it is worth noting that as this is the only lodge in the park, that is gets booked up very quickly. Therefore we recommend booking Cedar Pass Lodge well in advance to avoid disappointment. 

If you are not staying the park though we recommend heading to

There is no way you can miss Wall Drug. Whatever direction you are driving towards Badlands from you will see constant billboards for Wall Drug and really can not be missed.

It is one of those great American roadside attractions and an absolute must see in South Dakota. It is a wild west themed souvenir superstore. But alongside the gift shops there are also restaurants, a museum, a dinosaur and more. Families will really love it. 

It is a great place to get souvenirs from, stop for refreshments and use have a wander. You simply must try the donuts when you stop.

No South Dakota itinerary is complete without stopping at Wall Drug

If you want to stay close to Badlands, and you can’t get into the Cedar Pass lodge then your next closest place is the hotels in Wall. Again these hotels fill up quickly especially in peak season so again it is imperative that you make reservations early. 

We recommend spending one day of your South Dakota itinerary at the Badlands but if you want to do lots of hiking you could extend your time in the park. 

And as an added bonus, if you have extra time in your Badlands itinerary you could also stop at the Minuteman Missile Site. From the Ben Reifel Visitor Centre, it is only a 16 minute drive to get to the missile site. 

The Minuteman Missiles are a part of the Cold War history and were located in the great plains ready to be fired if need arose. At the site you can see the Missile launch areas as well as learn about the Cold War history. 

Day Two of the perfect South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary 

Today is another day of bigger hitter tourist attractions, indeed one of the biggest in the whole of the US and features the iconic Mount Rushmore alongside some other big South Dakota attractions. 

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore Instagram Captions and Quotes

For me no South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary is complete without visiting Mount Rushmore. Mount Rushmore is one of the most famous and iconic tourist attractions in the US and a must for any USA Bucket list and certainly at the top of most people’s South Dakota bucket list. 

AS this is one of America’s most famous and revered attractions it should come as no surprise that Mount Rushmore gets very busy. For this reason we advise you to get to Mount Rushmore very early. 

When we visited on the  Labour Day Weekend we arrived at 5am and literally had the place to ourselves. Therefore my top piece of advice for creating your road trip to Mount Rushmore vacation itinerary is to get to Rushmore early – very early.

For those that don’t know Mount Rushmore is a a huge sculptural craiving in the granite of the Black Hills featuring four of America’s famous presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

The monument was completed in 1941, and was carved by sculptor Gutzon Borglum with his son and took just under 15 years to complete (1927-1941). 

I have been asked a few times since we went to Rushmore what was the experience like and how long we actually spent there. I will be honest, I didn’t time our visit but we spent well over an hour at the monument and we could have spent longer if we had done hikes while we were there.

Some of the attractions and things to include when visiting Mount Rushmore include: 

• Strolling the Avenue of Flags
• The Sculptors Studio 
• Lincoln Borglum Museum
• The  Presidents Trail – a hike which will take on an uphill trail to get a closer look at the sculptures.
• Eat the Famous Memorial Team Ice Cream

toddler at Mount Rushmore – Mount Rushmore with kids

The Avenue of Flags is a great place for those looking for great instagram photos and captions for Mount Rushmore as this avenue contains all the state and territories flags alongside the dates when they were admitted into the Union. 

In the Lincoln Borglum Museum has many interactive exhibits and is a great place to learn about the sculpting process. 

But perhaps the best thing to do at Rushmore is the President Trail. The trail is only 0.5 mile however don’t let the shortness of the trail fool you. It is more intensive than you think. There are well over 400 steps on this trail that takes you to get a closer look at the presidents heads. 

It is also a great place to spot wildlife though obviously not the best place in South Dakota for wildlife encounters

Also, although we recommend going to Mount Rushmore in the morning, if you can make your way back to Mount Rushmore in the evening, we recommend it. There is the Evening Sculpture Lighting Ceremony that is held nightly at the monument and is a beautiful way to see the sculpture all lit up. 

Now I wouldn’t plan a Mount Rushmore road trip itinerary as the only activity to do in one day but you could certainly plan to spend half a day there. 

For a complete guide to visiting Mount Rushmore including all of our top tips and for a full Mount Rushmore itinerary  check out this post.

Crazy Horse Monument

Why you Should include Crazy horse on your South dakota Road Trip itinerary

Once you have finished at Mount Rushmore we recommend taking a short 25 minute drive from Rushmore to the Crazy Horse Monument.

The Crazy Horse Monument is not as well known as Mount Rushmore but just as impressive. Here instead of the presidents being sculpted into the Granite, Crazy horse, Lakota warrior is depicted instead.

The Monument has been under construction since the 1940s and is no where near completion however it is still worth a visit. As once this monument is completed it will be the largest sculpture in the world. 

There is also a visitor center here when you can learn more about the battles between the Lakota Tribe and Government as well as more on the life and heritage of the Lakota.

The final stop of the day will be your second national park of your South Dakota road trip as you are heading to 

Wind Cave National Park 

Wind Cave is actually one of the oldest National Parks in the country and one of the largest cave systems in the world too! 

It is a great place to view wildlife but on your national park bucket list should be one of the guided tours of the caves. Be sure to check tour timings online here and plan your day accordingly.

Alternatively you could spend the afternoon at 

Keystone 

Keystone is known as the gateway to Mount Rushmore and is a town full of activities. If you are short on time for South Dakota vacation and you are most interested in Mount Rushmore then Keystone is a great place to base yourself out of. 

A popular place to stay out of Keystone is Mount Rushmore Under Canvas. However this is really for those traveling as a couple or with older instead of those traveling with younger children or toddlers. 

If you are traveling to Mount Rushmore with kids then they may enjoy the gold panning activity. 

However one of the most popular activities from Keystone is the 1880 Train from Keystone to Hill City, South Dakota. The train is a two hour round trip and is something my train loving son would adore. 

Day 3 and 4 of Your South Dakota Itinerary 

While on our South Dakota road trip itinerary so far we have hit two national parks, today is all about one of South Dakota’s most famous and beautiful State Parks, Custer State Park. 

Custer State Park

Custer State Park is renowned for having some amazing scenic drives as well as some of South DAkota’s best wildlife opportunities. 

Custer State Park, in my opinion,  in any other part of the country is likely to be national park due to the wildlife and drives. And in fact this is the largest state park in the whole of the US. 

There are 3 main parts of the scenic drive known as the Peter Norbeck Byway. These are:

• the Wildlife Loop
• Needles Highway, and
• the Iron Mountain Road. 

On top of these roads are favorite things to do in Custer State Park are:

Driving the Wildlife Loop

The wildlife loop is actually an 18 mile stretch of road that forms part o the Peter Norbeck Byway. We recommend heading to this part of the drive first thing in the morning if you can. Otherwise head there for dusk.

It is well known that animals are more active at sunrise and sundown so if you want to see wildlife this is the best time to go. 

Wildlife that you can see on this drive and that we did see include:

• Prairie Dogs
• Whitetail and Mule Deer
• Birds including eagles and hawks for instance. 

We actually found that we had better bison experiences in South Dakota over Yellowstone. And this is no surprise when you find out that there is a herd of 1000+ bison in Custer! In fact this herd is bigger than any other in the country.

This is definitely a highlight for any wildlife lover in South Dakota. 

Driving the Iron Mountain Road 

The Iron MOuntain Road is also known as 16A. There are lots of switch backs on this road and some amazing tunnels through the tunnels of the mountain. 

This road connects Mount Rushmore and Custer STate Park. 

Although they road is not all that long you will need at least an hour and a half to complete this road as the recommended speed limit on this is 20mph due to the bend and pigtail curves. 

Needles Highway

Perhaps the most famous of all the scenic roads in South Dakota is the Needles Highway. 

The Needles Highway, or Highway 87 (SD 87) as it is otherwise known, is a 14 mile long drive that goes through forests and amazing rock formations made of granite that shoot up from the ground like needles, hence the name. 

This is something you can definitely only do in South Dakota in Summer as this road shuts during the Winter. The reason for this is because it is quite a challenging drive and there are many tight tight tunnels to go through. 

In particular the most notorious tunnel is the Needles Eye tunnel. Please note that only small cars can actually fit through this very small tunnel. RVs and Trailers and larger vehicles definitely can not pass through. 

As only one vehicle can get through this tunnel at one time we advise doing this drive very early in the morning. The reason for this is that later in the day there can become a real logjam as you wait for cars to come through from both sides. 

Also it is worth noting that this drive is very popular with motorcyclists, especially around the Sturgis Rally weekend. 

If you plan to drive both the Iron Mountain Road and the Needles Highway you can expect it to take 2-3 hours. But if you are traveling at peak season and later in the day then it can take longer. 

Other great things to do in Custer State Park include:

• having a picnic on Sylvan Lake. 
• Black Elk Peak Hike if you are a more accomplished hiker. 

And on top of these natural attractions there are a few other activities that appeal to travelers but particularly for families. 

Some activities that you could do in Custer State Park include horse riding, restaurants, safari jeeps and more. We also recommend booking dinner in the park at the 

Chuck Wagon Dinner 

This is a traditional dinner from the Bluebell Lodge in the park. You take a 45 minute hayride through the park to go to a chuck wagon feast complete with food and singing. Just be sure to book this experience in advance as it does get filled up early. 

You can stay in the park at the Lodges, the most popular being the Bluebell Lodge, but be sure to make reservations early as this does get filled up very early. 

For more information on the perfect way to spend time in Custer check out our  two day Custer State Park Itinerary. 

Day 5 of your South Dakota vacation itinerary 

On Day 4 of our South Dakota vacation itinerary we recommend heading away from Rushmore and Rapid City towards the Black Hills and Deadwood. 

The first activity of the day is to drive the 

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

You may think after driving The Needles Highway and the Iron Mountain Road that south Dakota wouldn’t have many more scenic drives left to offer. However then you drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. 

This road is 22 miles long and will take you roughly two hours to drive if you want to stop at some of the amazing overlooks. 

Some of the most popular stops are at the many waterfalls along the road including but not limited to:

• Bridalveil Falls,
• Roughlock Falls, and
• Spearfish Falls

There is also a huge hydro power plan on the route that is worth stopping to see and film buffs will recognise much of the terrain as filming locations for the award winning film Dancing With Wolves. 

Once you have completed your drive we recommend the next stop on your trip as the town of Deadwood. 

Deadwood Cemetry

Deadwood is renowned because of its connections with many of the Wild West Era heroes and because of its popularity on film and screen such as in the TV show Deadwood with Timothy Oliphant and Ian McShane and also in films such as the classic musical Calamity Jane. 

In case you haven’t watched the TV show which tells the story of the towns foundation, Deadwood was founded in 1876 during the Gold Rush. 

It attracted many of Wild West America’s most famous people such as Wild Bill Hicock and Calamity Jane, both of whom have graves in the Deadwood cemetery. 

Deadwood was a dangerous place and largely abandoned at the close of the Gold Rush but now it is a popular tourist attraction in South Dakota. 

Some highlights on a trip to Deadwood are strolling down main street, finding famous graves in the graveyard or watching a recreation shootout. 

Black Hills National Forest

For those looking for some more outdoor pursuits I recommend visiting the Black Hills National Forest and enjoy some more hikes. 

Or alternatively you could go to Sturgis the town famous for its Motorbike rally but also for having a great Motorcycle Museum. 

Day 6 of your South Dakota Road Trip 

Ok, I know that this is your South Dakota Road Trip planner, however we recommend nipping just over the South Dakota border into Wyoming to visit 

Devil’s Tower National Monument

DEvils Tower National Monument

It would be a travesty to close to a national monument and not visit which is why we recommend heading to the Devil’s Tower. 

Devils Tower is a stroking geological feature and was famously the filming location for the culmination of the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It truly is a great place to spend a morning. 

Once you are finished we recommend heading into Rapid City to spend your last afternoon. 

Rapid City is a great city that has a lot to offer no matter what kind of traveller you are. We have a whole guide on visiting Rapid city with kids here but for your afternoon we recommend heading to one or two of the below attractions, depending on which appeals to you most. 

Dinosaur Park

A visit to Dinosaur Park for your south dakota vacation itinerary

A visit to Dinosaur Park is a must for your South Dakota vacation itinerary.  The Dinosaur Park was created to capitalised on the tourists visiting the area to see Mount Rushmore and to help spark economic growth in the region. 

The Dinosaur Park in Rapid City contains seven dinosaur statues on a hill overlooking the city and is now on the National Historic Register of Places.

At the park you can see the five original dinosaurs ( an apatosaurus, a T Rex, a Triceratops, a Stegosaurus and a Trachodon) as well as two other statues added at a later date. 

Admission to see the dinosaur park is free so it is a great thing to do if you are on a budget.

While there it is worth completing the Skyline Drive as it offers unrivalled views of the city.

Storybook island

Things to do In Rapid City with kids / Best Things to do in Rapid city with toddlers

If you are visiting Rapid City with toddlers or younger kids this quirky free attraction is a must. It is a small park created by the Rotary club of Rapid City and contains statutes of all the main storybook and fairytale characters

President Walk

Things to do in Rapid City

Another must in the centre of Rapid City is to walk the avenue of Presidents. The bronze life size sculptures are a really quirky way to end your visit to south Dakota.

All around the city you will find bronze statues of the presidents of the United States in famous poses. 

What else to add to your 7 day South Dakota Road Trip Planner

For your last day in South Dakota we recommend selecting the option that most appeals to you form the below, or covering something you missed off the above.

Some options for your final day include:

Bear Country

A drive through park that will guarantee bear spotting. This is a great addition to a road trip to South Dakota for people who want to see a bear but haven’t had any luck at seeing them in the wild. We tried during our trip but we didn’t see a bear unfortunately and this is a must do for us on our next visit to the area. 

The Reptile Gardens

The Reptile Gardens is a  guiness world record holding collection of reptiles. This was a huge hit with our toddler and I would say is one of the best things to do in Rapid City with toddlers. 

FAQS about planning a trip to South Dakota

How far out do you need to start planning a trip to south dakota.

We didn’t have much lead in time when we were planning a trip to South Dakota. We started planning about two weeks prior to our trip and we were travelling at peak season.

However we did find that some of the accommodation we initially considered such as places to stay near Mount Rushmore, Badlands and accommodation in Custer State Park were actually already fully booked.

If you want one of these accommodations, which I think really will enhance your experience then I would recommend that you start planning a trip to South Dakota about a year out however we are proof that you can plan last minute road trip to South Dakota. 

Should you buy an America the Beautiful Pass for this trip?

America the Beautiful Pass is an 80USD pass that grants you access to all the National Parks and some national monuments. However it does not grant access to the State Parks such as Custer. 

In this guide we recommend visiting Badlands (20USD Admission), Devils Tower (25 USD), Mount Rushmore (free)  and Wind Cave (free admission but tour is an additional fee). Custer State Park is outside of the America the Beautiful remit. 

Therefore if these are the only parks you plan to do in the year, it will not be a cost saving. However if you plan to visit more national parks and national monuments then the America the Beautiful Pass may be worth it for you. 

How far is Badlands National Park to Mount Rushmore – can you do it in a one day?

If you only have one day in South Dakota then it is possible to do Badlands and Mount Rushmore in the same day.

The time between Badlands National Park to Mount Rushmore is  about an hour and a half depending on traffic and which Badlands entrance you are at.

If you want to travel from Wall south Dakota to Mount Rushmore the driving time is around 1 hour 20 minutes. 

If possible however I would visit the Badlands and Wall on a different day to Rushmore to maximise time in your itinerary. 

Have you done a South Dakota Road Trip? What would you add to this itinerary? 

Saturday 15th of June 2019

Iron Mountain Road outside of Keystone is a must do. With the pigtail bridges, spectacular overlooks, and tunnels framing Mt. Rushmore I would put it on par with needles highway.

Angharad Paull

Monday 20th of May 2019

I've been to the Badlands - but a long time ago, I remember loving the name! This looks fab, what a great itinerary and I didnt know where Mount Rushmore was either! #fearlessfamtrav

Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays

Sunday 19th of May 2019

South Dakota is now on my list, ashamed to admit that if asked I would not have been able to tell you where Mount Rushmore was before! #FearlessFamilyTravel

MomOfTwoLittleGirls

Saturday 18th of May 2019

That looks like an awesome family trip. It's definitely one I'm pinning for our future US trip. To see running bison is a must!! #fearlessfamtrav

Nicky@Go Live Young

Friday 17th of May 2019

What a fantastic destination for a family road trip. The scenery looks amazing. The US is somewhere we need to explore a lot more of #fearlessfamtrav

South Dakota Road Trip – 7 Stops You Don’t Want To Miss

South Dakota. Driving east on I-90, the state seems pretty boring and flat. Then just before you hit the Wyoming border, BOOM! You got Rapid City, the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills! Our opinion quickly changed about a South Dakota road trip. Here is our recommendation for an epic South Dakota Family Vacation!

If you have even more time look to add this road trip into a National Park road trip and continue on the adventure!!

Table of Contents

South Dakota Road Trip Route

The Badlands

The Badlands are awesome! They are so beautiful and unlike landscapes you would normally see in the United States. It is so weird how they aren’t there and then all of a sudden you drive into the park and there are these amazing formations everywhere. It’s like you’re on another planet!

When we went, it was hot. Like hot with a capital H. O. T!! They say that happens in the Badlands and it is usually warmer than other areas. It must have to do with the ground and how it reflects or absorbs the heat (I don’t really know what I am talking about), but just believe me when I say it gets HOT! Like regularly 100+ in the summer.

Hiking In The Badlands

There are some really cool hiking areas, like the Notch Trails, so be prepared by bringing water and not going too far down a trail without having water with you. Plus if you are going to be climbing, make sure your kids have Keens or running shoes on. We had regular flip flop sandals and we were slipping all over the place.

There are lots of opportunities to get out and climb and see some amazing views! Even though it is hot, you can still look for wildlife like prairie dogs. It was too hot for our kids and I don’t blame them.

We spent a lot of time in our car driving around and checking things out. Then we would jump out of the car to check out a cool spot for 5 minutes then jump right back in the car. You can drive Badlands Loop Road for a great look at the north part of the Badlands.

They do have a nice air conditioned visitor center with a museum, an opportunity to get your Junior Ranger badge, and even get a Badlands tattoo!

I would expect nothing less from a place called the Badlands! If you are continuing your trip east from the Badlands, check out Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Learn more about boondocking in Badlands National Park . This is another area with few places to stay. So if you’re looking for a lot of vacation home, hotel, or campground options during your South Dakota family vacation, you’ll probably have to look farther out.

Nomad View – There is an epic camping spot you can stay at right outside the park. It is on BLM land so it is free but there are no hookups and it can get crazy windy. But the views are amazing! If you are interested in staying here and boondocking check out our post for tips on boondocking.

We weren’t sure what to expect of a city in South Dakota that’s near Sturgis and Deadwood, but we were pleasantly surprised by how cool the downtown area was! If Rapid City isn’t on your list of places to visit on your South Dakota road trip, it should be.

They have an awesome square in the city that has a stage for music, a large open grassy area, and a splash pad for kids. The square is also surrounded with restaurants and shops. We ate down the street at the Firehouse Brewing Company . It was a great family friendly restaurant with a nice outdoor eating area and the kids all left with fireman hats. Score!

After dinner we walked down the street and hung out in the square, played tag on the grass, danced on the stage, and of course got soaked in the splash pad. When it gets dark you can keep playing in the colorful lights that go on display making it look like the water is changing colors.

They also have amazing murals on the outside walls of the buildings and statues on the street corners throughout the downtown area. I am sure the city has even more to offer, but our kids were happy and content in the square so we just hung out there.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

Even though it’s an hour driving west of Rapid City, Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is a gorgeous 20 mile drive through the Black Hills of South Dakota . With vertical cliffs and high walls, some of the canyons only get 1 hour of sunlight a day. This drive should make your list of things to do on your South Dakota road trip!

Dinosaur Park

**Temporarily closed. Reopening in May 2024 hopefully!

This is a free park at the top of Rapid City where the kids can climb around on dinosaurs. There is also an amazing view of the city from here.

The Dinosaur park has a gift shop/concession area. I think it is worth a stop if you are in the area!

Where to stay

Vacation home.

Luxurious Purle House – Renovated historic home located just 5 minutes from all the downtown shops and restaurants. Take a walk or ride your bike!

Staybridge Suites Rapid City – Rushmore – Located in Rapid City just miles away from downtown, the Rushmore Mall, and museums, this hotel offers a swimming pool and is pet friendly.

The Rushmore Hotel & Suites – Just a 10 minute walk from downtown, the Rushmore Hotel is a great location to stay in Rapid City. It also has a martini lounge with live music on the weekends.

Bear Country

We almost didn’t go. We had just been to Yellowstone and we had seen multiple bears out in the wild. However, I read a few reviews and they were really good, so we decided to give it a try. I am really glad we did. It was really cool!

You drive in, pay, and then follow a road through the park which takes you right into the habitat of each of the animals. They had wolves, mountain lions, bears, and more! I mean Oh My!

When we got to the bears, we couldn’t believe how many there were. There had to be over 20 bears and they were right there next to your car. They were very clear about how you HAD to keep your windows closed at all times and I see why!

When you were done driving through, you pulled over in a parking lot and walked around to check out all the baby animals. There were the cutest bear cubs, baby foxes, and so many more adorable baby animals.

We highly recommend making this one of your stops on your South Dakota road trip! We have mixed feeling about zoos and animals in captivity. Especially since being at Yellowstone. But I have to say that the animals all looked well fed and happy.

**Open seasonally!!

Custer State Park

Custer State Park covers 71,000 miles and is South Dakota’s largest state park. While you are here we recommend you visit the Black Hills, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake and do the Wildlife Loop Road.

If you are looking for a unique adventure check out this hot air balloon trip over the Black Hills and Custer State Park!

Check out all the details below:

Black Hills

We were really impressed with the Black Hills National Forest area which includes Custer State Park and the stops we list below. There are so many great things to do in the Black Hills .

Iron Mountain Road

We drove this beautiful 17 mile road which consists of 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 tunnels, and some of the best scenery in South Dakota! As you drive, you go through these super tight square cut-outs in the mountains. A couple of them give you an amazing view of Mount Rushmore. If you have a high zoom lens for your camera, bring it with you because you can get some amazing pictures!

Norbeck Overlook

We stopped at Norbeck Overlook on the Iron Mountain Road and the kids did some impromptu rock scrambling. Then we continued driving.

When driving through, make sure the vehicle you have isn’t too tall or wide for some of the tunnels on the drive. There are literally square cut-outs in the rock that only a single car can fit through. Consult the all-knowing Google if you have a wide car or a dually truck. This was one of the coolest drives we have been on and is definitely a must on a South Dakota family vacation.

Needles Highway

Another must-see is Needles Highway. Seriously do it! You drive up to the top of the mountain and see these needle-like formations. They were really cool and looked like something out of the Lord of the Rings. Precious!

Once you reach the top you drive through this tight tunnel. It is a bit nerve wrecking but also really cool!

Sylvan Lake

At the top is Sylvan Lake. We brought our blow up paddle boards and got out to do some paddle boarding and to hang out by the lake. There is a beach area here as well but it was pretty busy so we opted to set up on the grass across the lake from the beach. It was perfect for paddle boarding.

You can also hike around Sylvan Lake for a nice easy walk.

Sunday Gulch Trail

An awesome 4 mile loop trail that is marked as Hard on All Trails . We did it clockwise which meant that we climbed up and out of the gulch at the end which was super fun. I would not want to go counter clockwise and climb down into the gulch first. It is hard but well worth it!

Wildlife Loop Road

We have done this drive a couple times and we have heard that you could see a lot of animals. Unfortunately we only saw a few our first time. It was a nice drive but after being at Yellowstone , it just couldn’t compare.

The second time we saw a huge herd of Bison. We were hoping to see the burrows but we never did. After seeing the bison (close by where we started) we didn’t see anything else and it was a somewhat long and boring drive . . . I guess it just depends on what animals are out.

If you are in the area, we still recommend you stop. It was really pretty and we know people who have had the burrows actually stick their heads in the window of your car! If you want to know more check out this post: Things do in Custer State Park .

Vacation Homes

The Wandering Goat – A 3-acre getaway provides a nice place to relax on the 3-sided porch to take in all the beautiful views after a day at Custer State Park.

Cozy Creekside Cottage – This cottage is a little off the beaten path but only a short drive to Custer State Park. The outside deck area has a grill and a gas fireplace.

Hidden Lake Campground and Resort – About a 45 minute drive from Custer State Park, Hidden Lake Campground is situated on a lake. Go canoeing, kayaking, or fishing during your stay.

Larsson’s Crooked Creek Resort – Located 2 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota this campground has 84 RV sites, 15 cabins, a 14-room lodge, and12 Presidential Creek Side Sites. Amenities include a barn with music and kids movies and an on-site café and bakery.

There are very few places to stay in this area so just be aware as you’re planning your South Dakota family vacation.

Mount Rushmore

I have mixed feelings about Mount Rushmore National Memorial . I mean it is a mountain with faces carved out of it . . . But it is one of those places that you can’t not do on a South Dakota road trip. I don’t know if it is the National Park setup that makes it that way or if it is just the awe of what they were capable of doing to the rock and how cool and detailed the faces are.

If you have never been, you should go. There is a museum area, a video, restaurant, and concessions. Plus your kids can get a Junior Ranger badge (check, homeschooling done for the day!).

We stayed late to see the lighting of Mount Rushmore. I wouldn’t recommend you do that. We thought there would be a light display or fireworks or something. Nope, they literally just put a spot light on the mountain, and prior to that, they talked for about 20 minutes. If your kids are older, they would enjoy the talk and presentation beforehand. With younger kids, they couldn’t have cared less. So we spent the majority of the time trying to keep them quiet.

Then when the light show was done, we sprinted for the car so we didn’t get stuck in the parking garage! So, if you are going to stay, you would want to watch/listen from as far back as possible so you can be the first one out. A trick Clark Griswold taught me 🙂

You don’t have to pay for getting into Mount Rushmore (this was a stipulation by the designer or something) but you do have to pay to park. Sneaky sneaky.

If you are looking for a tour so you don’t have to do the planning check out this Rapid City: Private Black Hills Monument Full Day Tour.

The Carriage House at McDonald Mountain Ranch – Although this is only a 1 bedroom cabin, it does have 2 bathrooms, 2 levels, and would be great for a quick stay. Offers a washer/dryer and is just a short drive from Mount Rushmore.

Keystone Escape w/ Amazing Mt Rushmore View – The porch views from this escape are breathtaking. This 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom cabin would be great for a family looking to explore Mount Rushmore.

Baymont by Wyndham Keystone Near Mt. Rushmore – Located in Keystone, South Dakota, this hotel is less than 2 miles from Mount Rushmore. Black Hills National Forest is only 12 miles away.

Ramada by Wyndham Keystone Near Mt Rushmore – Just minutes away from Mount Rushmore, this option offers an indoor heated pool, hot tub, gift shop, and fireplaces in the guest rooms.

If you are looking for more parks nearby, Wind Cave National Park is about a 30 minute scenic drive south of Custer State Park. If you have extra time, this stop would be a great addition to your South Dakota family vacation.

South Dakota has a lot to offer and you could either make it a quick stop as part of a longer road trip or you could stay in Rapid City for the week and spend a good day or two at each of the locations we mentioned.

We spent a week there and know there is a ton more to do, like the 1880 train in Keystone, South Dakota. Let us know in the comments of other places you have been to in South Dakota. I’m sure we’ll be back!

Also if you like this area we recommend checking out these other great posts for family vacations and road trips!

Things to do with kids in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Road Trip With Kids: 11 Tips To Make It Enjoyable For Everyone

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9 thoughts on “South Dakota Road Trip – 7 Stops You Don’t Want To Miss”

My kids are grown now – the youngest graduates from college this year but 5 years ago we took an epic out west road trip and included South Dakota in our trip. We went to several of the places that you went to including Custer State Park. But for us we saw so many animals there : coyote, prairie dogs, pronghorns, wild burros and a buffalo traffic jam. Then at Yellowstone – one moose and a few scattered buffalo. Go figure! My kids so loved this trip that my oldest – who is 27 – went back to SD this summer and did the Black Hills and Badlands on his own.

That is so funny! We saw HUNDREDS of buffalo in Yellowstone and several grizzlies, then in Custer, we did see the prairie dogs, but that was pretty much it. Like you said, go figure! That is very cool your oldest went back there. That means he really enjoyed the trip you took before 🙂 Great job!

• Pingback: Crazy Family Adventure Visit A National Park: Best. Vacation. Ever. - Crazy Family Adventure

I am in the planning stages of this road trip. How long were you in the Rapid City/Badlands/Custer area? Where did you stay? Looking forward to your response.

We were in Rapid City for only a few days. We stayed at 3 Flags RV park.

This is wonderful, thank you! I’m wondering about your accommodations – did you move around, stay somewhere and use it as a home base for day trips? Other? Thank you so much!

We stayed at an RV park just outside of Rapid City. That offered a good base camp to everything in the area.

Thanks for the details…. very helpful for me since I am in charge to plan for a road trip to SD. How many days total is this itinerary?

Great! I would say a week would be good! But you could do it less time or more time. We usually prefer not to be rushed.

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Travel South Dakota puts throwback twist in first Super Bowl ad

Ad debuted during big game sunday.

South Dakota is more than a “one-hit wonder.”

That was the pitch involved in Travel South Dakota’s first Super Bowl ad, which involved a collaboration with the 2000s one-hit-wonder band Nine Days.

The band reworked its hit single “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” into a revamped “Absolutely (Story of a State),” a catchy way of touting South Dakota’s many exciting offerings.

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“We took a really fun approach with the spot,” said Jim Hagen, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. “We’ve all heard it before that South Dakota has Mount Rushmore, but is there really anything else? Is it just a ‘one-hit wonder?’ And nothing could be further from the truth.”

The band “was amazing,” he continued. “They were more excited about the project than we were. They couldn’t have been a nicer group of guys to write the lyrics to be South Dakota specific, and it turned out really great. We were excited to showcase this.”

The 30-second commercial debuted during the big game Sunday through broadcast, cable and CTV live in select markets, with additional markets airing an extended 60-second cut. Priority markets included Denver, Minneapolis, Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City, along with Rapid City and Sioux Falls. The commercial will continue to run in many of the key markets through late February.

“Those are definitely our top drive markets, and we’re still overwhelmingly a drive-market state,” Hagen said. “But that being said, kudos to the Sioux Falls and Rapid City airports for setting all-time records in 2023, so more people are discovering us by plane as well.”

The remix-turned-TV-commercial was developed and conceptualized in collaboration with ad agency Karsh Hagan, which is based in Denver.

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South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem Banned From Setting Foot in 7,578.9 Square Miles of South Dakota

By Bess Levin

Fresh off a teeth-based scandal in which she appeared to do an infomercial for an out-of-state dentist office , Kristi Noem has been banned from setting foot in approximately 10% of the state she oversees as governor of South Dakota. And not in, like, a casual “please stay away, lady” sense but in a “could be thrown out for trespassing” manner.

The Daily Beast reports that Noem, who is on a short list of possible Donald Trump running mates, has been officially legally barred from visiting three separate reservations that comprise roughly 10% of South Dakota’s 75,789.6 square miles of land area . On Tuesday, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council voted to bar her from its reservation, following Noem’s claims that Mexican drug cartels “have been successful in recruiting tribal members to join their criminal activity” and that “some tribal leaders…are personally benefiting from the cartels being here.” (She has also suggested that Native Americans don’t care about their children being successful.) The move by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe follows similar ones from the Oglala Sioux and the Cheyenne River Sioux.

In a statement , Lakota People’s Law Project director Chase Iron Eyes said, “It’s not acceptable for Kristi Noem to lie repeatedly, stoke further division, and endanger the people of the sovereign nations which pre-exist the United States and South Dakota, which have illegally annexed and occupied sovereign territory of the Oceti Sakowin. Noem is now prohibited from entering sovereign territory of Sioux bands and is subject to detention and/or removal if she violates banishment orders, meaning the state’s governor is barred from entering more than 10 percent of all land her state claims is within its ‘borders.’” Standing Rock Sioux Tribe chairwoman Janet Alkire called Noem’s remarks “wild and irresponsible,” adding: “Rather than make uninformed and unsubstantiated claims, Noem should work with tribal leaders to increase funding and resources for tribal law enforcement and education.”

A spokesman for the governor told The Daily Beast: “Banishing Governor Noem does nothing to solve the problem. She calls on all our tribal leaders to banish the cartels from tribal lands.”

In February, Trump confirmed that Noem was on a short list of candidates he is considering adding to his 2024 ticket.

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The 2024 solar eclipse is today! Here's everything you need to know to see it in Oklahoma

Today's the day millions of Americans have been waiting for: a total solar eclipse will cross over 15 states this afternoon.

For the first time in more than 100 years, areas of Oklahoma will experience a total solar eclipse. The eclipse will start in southwest Texas and move across the United States, including directly over southeast Oklahoma towns like Broken Bow, Idabel, Hugo and Antlers .

During the eclipse, the moon will completely block out the sun, casting a shadow on the Earth.

Here's everything you need to know to witness the eclipse, including when it will happen, where to watch and what the weather will look like.

Live updates: Monday's solar eclipse is today in Oklahoma, what time will it start?

What is a total solar eclipse?

According to NASA, a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and earth and completely blots out the sun for a few minutes.

Anyone located in the center of the moon's shadow, known as the path of totality, will experience a total solar eclipse. The sky will darken and, if the weather cooperates, the sun's corona, or outer atmosphere, will be visible.

When is the solar eclipse 2024? When does the solar eclipse start near me?

The 2024 solar eclipse is Monday, April 8, 2024. Its path of totality will cross the United States from approximately 1:27 p.m. to 2:35 p.m. central time. That's when, if you're in the path of totality, the sky will darken for several minutes and the air will get colder.

Use the ZIP code locator  below to find out when the eclipse begins and ends in your area — and what it will look like. (Can't see it? Hit refresh.)

What time is the solar eclipse in Oklahoma?

The  eclipse will enter Oklahoma  as it crosses the Red River at about 12:27 p.m., and exit the state at about 3:07 p.m., according to National Eclipse.

But the total eclipse, the direct casting of the Moon's shadow, will only last from about 1:44 p.m. to 1:51 p.m. in the state,  Great American Eclipse estimates .

The center path of the eclipse, where totality lasts the longest, travels through Oklahoma for a mere 31 miles, the shortest distance of any state through which the centerline travels.

How long will the eclipse last in Oklahoma?

The  Oklahoma towns that will experience the longest span of totality , or darkness when the moon completely covers the sun, include Idabel and Broken Bow, according to Eclipse2024.org. Totality will last around 4 minutes and 18 seconds in Idabel, and 4 minutes and 16 seconds in Broken Bow.

There are a few unincorporated communities in Oklahoma that will see about an extra second of totality.

When is the solar eclipse in Oklahoma City?

According to Eclipse2024.com , the first of the moon's shadow will be visible over the sun in Oklahoma City just before 12:30 p.m. and the last of the moon's shadow will exit Oklahoma City just after 3 p.m.

If you're hoping to witness the darkness that comes with a total solar eclipse, including getting to see the sun's outer corona, you'll want to make the drive to a city in the path of totality. However,  Oklahoma City is much closer to the path of totality  than it was during the 2017 total solar eclipse.

For Oklahoma City, this will remain a partial eclipse and safe eclipse viewing glasses will need to be worn throughout the event.

What is the eclipse weather forecast in Oklahoma?

The National Weather Service in Tulsa said there's a moderate to high likelihood the  low cloud cover will remain north of the path of totality , which includes a chunk of southeast Oklahoma.

Thick, upper level clouds could stay mostly north as well, leaving mostly thinner cloud conditions across southeast Oklahoma, allowing for the eclipse to be seen through the clouds in these areas and in areas to the northeast.

Oklahoma eclipse weather: Low clouds may stay north of totality, allowing for eclipse viewing

According to USA Today, low clouds are the  worst clouds for an eclipse . Wispy, high cirrus clouds would still allow the eclipse to be seen from the ground, while cumulus clouds are more unpredictable.

There is also a threat of severe storms expected in southern Oklahoma starting around 9 p.m. Monday night.

Travel safety tips for 2024 solar eclipse

If you're traveling to the path of totality to view the solar eclipse , either in Oklahoma or another state, here are some tips to ensure the best experience:

• Pay attention to local traffic updates, and bring a physical map with you incase cellular service goes down.
• Fill up on gas before heading into rural areas, where trucks carrying fuel may have trouble reaching due to traffic.
• Keep food, water and medical supplies handy in your vehicle. There's no way to know how long you'll be stuck in traffic.
• Only remove your eclipse glasses during the few minutes of totality, when the face of the sun is completely blocked out.
• Don't stop on the side or shoulder of the road to view the eclipse.
• Arrive to your destination early, and leave late to give traffic time to calm down.

Eclipse festivals, watch parties in Oklahoma

• Oklahoma state parks  in the path of the total eclipse  include Lake Wister, Talimena, Clayton Lake, Beavers Bend and Raymond Gary.
• Science Museum Oklahoma  will host eclipse day activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including telescopes set up outside for safe viewing, creating indirect eclipse viewers, plus a storytime and crafts inside the museum.
• Fort Towson's 1840s Eclipse Watch Party:  At the Fort Towson Historic Site, visitors can explore the historic location, watch demonstrations by reenactors and witness the total solar eclipse in the afternoon.
• Cherokee Landing State Park  in Park Hill:  eclipse viewing party  with refreshments, eclipse glasses and family-friendly activities.
• Tenkiller State Park  in Vian: Visitors can make their own shadow viewer, eclipse button and pick up a commemorative eclipse T-shirt and viewing glasses from the park gift shop, and watch the solar eclipse take place in the sky over the lake.
• Fenley Farm s in Valliant: Weekend camping and day passes to view the eclipse. The six-day event will include bonfires, music, singing, storytelling, and a cookout.
• Bigfoot Spring Music Festival  in Honobia: live music, food and craft vendors, camping and Bigfoot-themed events

How to make your own eclipse viewer

• To build a box pinhole viewer you'll need a cardboard box, scissors, white sheet of paper, aluminum foil, a pencil, tape and a push pin.
• You'll need to cut the white sheet of paper, so it fits one end of the box, then tape it onto the inside of the box.
• On the opposite side of the paper, cut two holes on either end of the box. One for a viewing hole and the other, cut out a piece of the aluminum foil so it'll cover the hole completely. Tape the foil over the hole.
• Use the push pin to poke a tiny hole in the center of the foil and your pinhole viewer is complete.

When is the next solar eclipse after 2024?

Total solar eclipses are rare, with the next one visible in the US not  for another 20 years . The path of totality for the 2044 total solar eclipse will only pass through three states: Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Total solar eclipses with such a wide-reaching audience are even more rare, but much of the US is in luck as the next year, 2045, will bring  another total solar eclipse . That time, fifteen states will be in the path of totality, including a much larger portion of Oklahoma.

Solar eclipses can only happen during a new moon,  according to the National Weather Service .

Contributing: Kesheira Lately

Solar eclipse live: Watch live coverage from path of totality

[See eclipse livestream below]

On Monday, millions of people across the United States will get to see a rare total solar eclipse , the first in the U.S. since 2017 and the last until 2044.

And millions of others who aren't in the path of totality will see a partial solar eclipse .

Depending on where you are will determine how much of the sun will be covered by the moon. Those along the path of totality — which stretches from northern Mexico into Texas, the Midwest and East Coast and, finally, southeast Canada before moving out to sea, according to  NASA — will see a total solar eclipse, in which the moon appears the same size as the sun and blocks the entire disk, leading to a period of darkness lasting several minutes.

In Jacksonville and across Northeast Florida, about 62% of the sun will be obscured.

What time does the eclipse start in Jacksonville?

In Jacksonville, the eclipse will begin at 1:47 p.m. and continue to 4:19 p.m. At its peak at 3:05 p.m., about 64% of the sun will be obscured by the moon. ( Search eclipse times by ZIP code .)    

Solar eclipse live: Watch a livestream from the path of totality

So if you want to experience the total solar eclipse from the path of totality, you'll want to follow USA TODAY's livestream of the eclipse as it moves across the country.

When will the next solar eclipse happen?

A solar eclipse is a rare phenomenon: it won't happen again in the U.S. again for another 20 years, on Aug. 23, 2044. Even then, its path of totality will stretch across Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota — hundreds of miles northwest from Monday’s eclipse path.

So grab your eclipse glasses and head outside to view it. And view the live stream to see what really makes a solar eclipse so special.

Watch CBS News

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse  crossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show  where and when astronomy fans could see the big event  as skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun , according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have also  checked their ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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