Road Trip: Rapid City to Sioux Falls
Planning a road trip across South Dakota from Rapid City to Sioux Falls? We just returned from an epic road trip and we spent some time driving on I-90. There are some great travel stops along the highway just waiting to be explored. Join me today as we take a road trip from Rapid City to Sioux Falls!
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Road Trip: Rapid City to Sioux Falls
Rapid City, SD
Rapid City is full of amazing things to see. Of course, there is Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park and Needles Highway, but there is also the City of Presidents downtown and Art Alley. Spend your time in Rapid City and explore everything, but then hit the road and discover all there is to see on I-90!
Wall Drug, SD
Located just an hour down the interstate at exit 110 you will find Wall Drug. Once you leave the interstate, it’s only a couple minutes over to historic Wall Drug. Park your car and then enter the main Wall Drug store area on the right side of the street. As soon as you walk in, you know you are in for some tourist driven fun. This place has everything from cowboy hats, cafes, snacks and souvenirs to historical photos, art and even sculptures and photo opp statues.
Make sure you walk through the stores out to the Wall Drug Backyard. This is where the fun really happens! You can climb up and get your photo on the elusive jackalope as well as get pictures on a rodeo bronco and cowboy wagon. (Restrooms are available)
The Badlands
Leave Wall, SD and follow the signs to the Badlands Loop Trail. Make sure you fill up with gas when you leave Wall so you will have plenty of fuel for your next leg of the trip. The Badlands Loop trail is only about 35 miles but could take you up to 3 hours depending on the traffic and how many times you stop at the overlooks. (Restrooms are available at the Visitors Center at the end of the loop trail.)
There is a fee to enter the Badlands Park but you can also use your National Park Annual Pass!
MinuteMan Missile Historic Center
When you exit the Badlands, you will come right out to the interestate at the MinuteMan Missile Historic Center. This is a small interepretive center that gives you a brief overview of the Cold War. If you plan ahead, you can get tickets to actually tour the silos. (Restrooms are avaiable)
Dignity Statue
Drive another 1 ½ hours on I90 to Exit 264 and you will arrive at the Lewis & Clark Info Center where the Dignity of Earth & Sky sculpture towers over the Missouri River. (Restrooms are available)
Corn Palace
About one hour farther at exit 332, you will be able to stop at the Corn Palace. This FREE historic attraction has been attracting tourists since 1892 and features large murals made out of corn cobs. (Restrooms are available)
Falls Park, Sioux Falls
Drive one more hour and arrive at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. This amazing waterfall cascades through the downtown park and gives you amazing scenic views, a place to picnic and relax after a long day of travel.
Need a hotel in Sioux Falls?
Check out the Holiday Inn City Centre for a great night’s sleep! We were too tired to go out for supper after a long day of travel so we ate at the hotel restaurant.
We are always up to try the local favorites so were excited to get the chance to try a South Dakota traditional favorite! Chislic is a traditional dish of cubed red meat most commonly localized to the state of South Dakota. It was a perfect dinner suggestion by the hotel staff and chef and did not disappoint!
Have you ever driven from Rapid City to Sioux Falls? What’s your favorite stop along the way?
