The most epic, detailed, and easy-to-follow
South Dakota
National Parks Itinerary
for people who love to have a plan
Imagine your upcoming trip to South Dakota…
You’ve been looking forward to this trip for a while.
You’ve made your hard-to-get lodging reservations, using your limited vacation days to travel to one of the most exciting places in America.
And you desperately want it to be unforgettable.
In your mind, you imagine a leisurely drive through Badlands. You easily find a fabulous parking spot at the Notch. And look — you have the infamous ladder all to yourself!
When you visit Mount Rushmore, you don’t have to wait in a huge entrance line, and there aren’t a thousand people crowding around you trying to get the perfect picture. Everyone oohs and ahhs — you finally made it here!
At Wind Cave, you don’t have to stress about getting tour tickets. It’s all taken care of already. After your tour, you come across a picture-perfect herd of bison!
You snap some amazing photos, marvel at these magnificent beasts, and then continue on your way without a hitch.
You breathe in the fresh air…the beauty and solitude of nature rejuvenating your entire body.
Most people want to experience the South Dakota Parks in this way, but unfortunately, a trip like this rarely happens.
Not because it can’t, but because it won’t without a solid plan.
The reality is, most trips to these parks actually include:
- Sitting in traffic as you drive between sights
- Circling parking lots hoping to find a place to park (until your kids are whining and you’re super stressed out)
- Sharing the views with overwhelming crowds that make it difficult to feel the peace and solitude of nature
- Missing out on some amazing spots simply because they are lesser-known or because you run out of time
You’ve been spending a lot of time and money making your trip to South Dakota possible. Booking flights, searching for lodging, poring over maps and guidebooks, and packing your gear.
But don’t forget about the most important part — the day-to-day details!
When you get to South Dakota, WILL YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION YOU NEED to confidently navigate around Badlands, Wind Cave, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and other fun places in the Black Hills?
You need a plan, but not just any plan.
YOU NEED A DIRT IN MY SHOES ITINERARY
With a Dirt In My Shoes South Dakota Parks Itinerary in your hand, your trip can be everything you imagined…and more!
You won’t have to sit in traffic — unless a herd of bison decides to take over the road.
When you arrive at the busiest parking lots, they’ll still be empty.
You’ll confidently navigate through the parks, never having to worry about getting lost or wasting time.
Your kids will put down their phones, turn off the tv, and discover a gorgeous outdoor playground that will ignite their sense of adventure.
You’ll hike on the area’s best trails, including some lesser-known spots that you can enjoy without the crowds.
When you breathe in the fresh air, you’ll feel rejuvenated and calm.
And most of all, you’ll walk away with unforgettable memories and a sense of wonder for this spectacular place (your family will be begging for a return trip before you’ve even left the parks).
I know how to make your trip incredible!
MY NAME IS ASH, AND I’M A FORMER PARK RANGER
“After working as a ranger and answering thousands of questions from visitors from all around the world, I can confidently say that most people totally miss out on some of the best parts of the parks! Don’t let that be you.”
I know that planning a national park trip can be overwhelming — I’ve been the designated trip planner in my family for a long time! Even if you enjoy trip planning, researching and organizing is a lot of work.
On top of that, the added pressure of keeping everyone in your family excited and engaged can be stressful.
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from years of working as a park ranger (and from visiting South Dakota countless times).
Now you can get the same insider information that I share with my closest family members and friends. It’s all included in your Dirt In My Shoes itinerary.
Are you excited to join the thousands of families
who use (and LOVE) these itineraries?
“Highly recommend. I love that she will update you on the important things like closures, required reservations, and itinerary changes.
I’m so glad I bought her itinerary. Saved me a lot of time and money. It’s invaluable info.”
— Lulu G.
A typical 5-day self-guided tour of the South Dakota National Parks costs $200, and a guided tour can cost $1,000+.
Don’t pay that much to see the best of the South Dakota Parks — let me be your guide through the area for less than $15 a day!
GET YOUR SOUTH DAKOTA
NATIONAL PARKS ITINERARY BUNDLE
Whether you have one, two, three, four, or five days in the Rapid City area, I’ve got your sightseeing schedule covered.
SPECIAL NOTE: These itineraries can only be used from mid-May through September when all of the activities are open.
2 Days
Pack a punch and hit the main points of interest in just 2 exciting days.
29 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
3 Days
Dig in deeper as you experience the best of the area in 3 spectacular days.
38 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
…plus a few more activities in the Black Hills!
4 Days
See the best of the Black Hills with this incredible 4-day plan.
43 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
- Historic Deadwood
…plus many more activities in the Black Hills!
5 Days
Fully experience the area with this epic 5-day schedule!
49 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
- Historic Deadwood
- Devils Tower National Monument
…plus many more activities in the Black Hills!
Your South Dakota Parks Itinerary Bundle includes:
- 1-Day Itinerary PDF
- 2-Day Itinerary PDF
- 3-Day Itinerary PDF
- 4-Day Itinerary PDF
- 5-Day Itinerary PDF
- Current Updates!
- 4 hours of video content, including activity descriptions and lodging recommendations
- Extra info about driving an RV, off-season travel, and nearby points of interest
PLUS, get these helpful bonus items:
>>> South Dakota Parks Lodging Guide
>>> South Dakota Parks Dining Guide
Each South Dakota Parks Itinerary also comes with:
- Day-by-day instructions – your days are planned out by region to minimize drive time and maximize sightseeing time
- Driving directions – many people get lost in the park and waste their day, but that won’t be you
- Insider tips – suggestions on exactly when to hit the most popular spots so that you can beat the crowds
- Hour-by-hour schedule – you will know the amount of time needed for driving and hiking so that you won’t miss out on anything
- Helpful links – additional information on lodging, restaurants, camping, maps, and park news
Get the 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5-Day Itineraries plus all of these incredible bonuses for one low price!
$59
SPECIAL NOTE: These itineraries can only be used from mid-May through September when all of the park roads are open.
Each itinerary is delivered digitally to your email inbox — you’ll receive it IMMEDIATELY. Nothing will be mailed to you.
COMMERCIAL USE is prohibited. Please contact me for details.
How It Works
Here at Dirt In My Shoes, I know you want to have a phenomenal trip to the South Dakota National Parks. But if you want your trip to be better than you ever imagined, you need to have a solid plan.
The problem is, how do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to these parks before? The whole research process can be incredibly overwhelming and time-consuming (and you’ll likely still miss out on important details and tips).
I believe that every trip to the Black Hills should be inspiring, rejuvenating, unforgettable, and stress-free! I understand that you’ve put a lot of time, money, and energy into planning this vacation. You’ve been looking forward to it for a long time.
That’s why I created these detailed, hour-by-hour South Dakota itineraries.
I’ll email you an easy-to-follow itinerary that will guide you to the best sights at the best times (so that you can avoid those notorious summer crowds). Then you just show up to the parks and follow the itinerary — no extra guesswork or research required.
It’s time to get your South Dakota itinerary. Now you can stop worrying about every little detail, and instead, start feeling the thrill of your upcoming vacation!
Are you worried about having the
most up-to-date information?
Don’t be!
These itineraries are completely updated to reflect the current conditions in the park. Let me show you how:
“The itineraries are well thought out and very helpful in planning our trips. Great suggestions on what to see and when.
It really helped us navigate our daily plans. I highly recommend using these when making a visit to the national parks.”
— Danny R.
GET YOUR SOUTH DAKOTA
NATIONAL PARKS ITINERARY BUNDLE
Whether you have one, two, three, four, or five days in the Rapid City area, I’ve got your sightseeing schedule covered.
SPECIAL NOTE: These itineraries can only be used from mid-May through September when all of the activities are open.
2 Days
Pack a punch and hit the main points of interest in just 2 exciting days.
29 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
3 Days
Dig in deeper as you experience the best of the area in 3 spectacular days.
38 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
…plus a few more activities in the Black Hills!
4 Days
See the best of the Black Hills with this incredible 4-day plan.
43 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
- Historic Deadwood
…plus many more activities in the Black Hills!
5 Days
Fully experience the area with this epic 5-day schedule!
49 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
- Historic Deadwood
- Devils Tower National Monument
…plus many more activities in the Black Hills!
Your South Dakota Parks Itinerary Bundle includes:
- 1-Day Itinerary PDF
- 2-Day Itinerary PDF
- 3-Day Itinerary PDF
- 4-Day Itinerary PDF
- 5-Day Itinerary PDF
- Current Updates!
- 4 hours of video content, including activity descriptions and lodging recommendations
- Extra info about driving an RV, off-season travel, and nearby points of interest
PLUS, get these helpful bonus items:
>>> South Dakota Parks Lodging Guide
>>> South Dakota Parks Dining Guide
Each South Dakota Parks Itinerary also comes with:
- Day-by-day instructions – your days are planned out by region to minimize drive time and maximize sightseeing time
- Driving directions – many people get lost in the park and waste their day, but that won’t be you
- Insider tips – suggestions on exactly when to hit the most popular spots so that you can beat the crowds
- Hour-by-hour schedule – you will know the amount of time needed for driving and hiking so that you won’t miss out on anything
- Helpful links – additional information on lodging, restaurants, camping, maps, and park news
Get the 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5-Day Itineraries plus all of these incredible bonuses for one low price!
$59
SPECIAL NOTE: These itineraries can only be used from mid-May through September when all of the park roads are open.
Each itinerary is delivered digitally to your email inbox — you’ll receive it IMMEDIATELY. Nothing will be mailed to you.
COMMERCIAL USE is prohibited. Please contact me for details.
Dirt In My Shoes is proud to donate 5% of profits from every South Dakota itinerary purchase to the Badlands National Park Conservancy, an official non-profit partner of the park.
These funds will go toward special projects within Badlands, such as trail maintenance, building a new visitor center, wildlife monitoring and research, and sustainability efforts.
Thank you for your contribution to this amazing national park!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the itinerary updated for current closures and conditions in the park?
The itinerary document can be used whenever you take your vacation — right now, or five years from now. You will receive critical updates from me via email regarding any alterations, changes, closures, and important news that will affect your itinerary.
You can relax knowing that I will provide any information you need to know before and during your trip.
Is this itinerary a good fit for me?
If you’re hoping to see the main sights, get off the beaten path, and hit some fabulous shorter hiking trails, then YES!
All activities included are family-friendly and good for explorers of all ages.
I’ve already planned my trip to South Dakota. Will this itinerary still be useful to me?
Definitely! Even if you already know what you want to see and do while you are there, it’s still important to factor in the driving time and the crowds. I’ve taken all of that into consideration while writing this itinerary, so you can have confidence that you are seeing the attractions in the BEST and easiest way.
This is not my first trip to the park, and I don’t plan on seeing the popular spots (Mount Rushmore or Badlands) again. Should I still purchase this itinerary?
This itinerary is designed for those who have either never been to the South Dakota National Parks before or haven’t been back for many years. If you don’t care to stop at the most popular attractions, this South Dakota itinerary is probably not for you. That being said, if you would really like to delve into some of the area’s longer hiking trails and fun activities, let me know! I would be happy to provide you with my recommendations.
Can I buy the itineraries separately?
The South Dakota 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5-Day Itineraries are only sold as a bundle. This gives you a lot of flexibility in your planning and ensures that you have exactly what you need to explore the parks, even if your plans change!
What if I love to hike and hope to complete some long day hikes?
The itineraries cover the main can’t-miss sights in Badlands, Wind Cave, Mount Rushmore, and Custer State Park {including viewpoints, trails no longer than 3 miles, and wildlife watching}. Leave some extra days free to tackle the area’s longer and more time-consuming hiking trails.
“Our family is addicted to National Park travel, and we couldn’t do it without Dirt in My Shoes. The itineraries are fantastic, thorough, and make planning our trips SO MUCH EASIER.
We’ve also used her “top ten” lists for several parks as well. The most common advice we give friends who want to travel the parks is, ‘pick where you want to go, and then head to Dirt in My Shoes.’
We are forever grateful for the resources that Ash has provided!”
— Jennifer W.
GET YOUR SOUTH DAKOTA
NATIONAL PARKS ITINERARY BUNDLE
Whether you have one, two, three, four, or five days in the Rapid City area, I’ve got your sightseeing schedule covered.
SPECIAL NOTE: These itineraries can only be used from mid-May through September when all of the activities are open.
2 Days
Pack a punch and hit the main points of interest in just 2 exciting days.
29 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
3 Days
Dig in deeper as you experience the best of the area in 3 spectacular days.
38 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
…plus a few more activities in the Black Hills!
4 Days
See the best of the Black Hills with this incredible 4-day plan.
43 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
- Historic Deadwood
…plus many more activities in the Black Hills!
5 Days
Fully experience the area with this epic 5-day schedule!
49 pages that include these points of interest:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Badlands National Park
- Historic Deadwood
- Devils Tower National Monument
…plus many more activities in the Black Hills!
Your South Dakota Parks Itinerary Bundle includes:
- 1-Day Itinerary PDF
- 2-Day Itinerary PDF
- 3-Day Itinerary PDF
- 4-Day Itinerary PDF
- 5-Day Itinerary PDF
- Current Updates!
- 4 hours of video content, including activity descriptions and lodging recommendations
- Extra info about driving an RV, off-season travel, and nearby points of interest
PLUS, get these helpful bonus items:
>>> South Dakota Parks Lodging Guide
>>> South Dakota Parks Dining Guide
Each South Dakota Parks Itinerary also comes with:
- Day-by-day instructions – your days are planned out by region to minimize drive time and maximize sightseeing time
- Driving directions – many people get lost in the park and waste their day, but that won’t be you
- Insider tips – suggestions on exactly when to hit the most popular spots so that you can beat the crowds
- Hour-by-hour schedule – you will know the amount of time needed for driving and hiking so that you won’t miss out on anything
- Helpful links – additional information on lodging, restaurants, camping, maps, and park news
Get the 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5-Day Itineraries plus all of these incredible bonuses for one low price!
$59
SPECIAL NOTE: These itineraries can only be used from mid-May through September when all of the park roads are open.
Each itinerary is delivered digitally to your email inbox — you’ll receive it IMMEDIATELY. Nothing will be mailed to you.
COMMERCIAL USE is prohibited. Please contact me for details.
Dirt In My Shoes is proud to donate 5% of profits from every South Dakota itinerary purchase to the Badlands National Park Conservancy, an official non-profit partner of the park.
These funds will go toward special projects within Badlands, such as trail maintenance, building a new visitor center, wildlife monitoring and research, and sustainability efforts.
Thank you for your contribution to this amazing national park!
I stand by my itineraries 100%, and I know that this information will completely transform your vacation! That’s why I’m happy to give you your money back if you don’t absolutely love your South Dakota Itinerary.
Save it to your device, read through it, and even plan your trip around it. If you still don’t feel like it’s a good fit for you, simply contact me within 7 days for a full refund.
The only thing you have to lose is the trip-planning stress and overwhelm!
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