Badlands
Badlands
It’s at least an hour’s drive due east on I-80 from Rapid City. The National Park road is @25 miles long. It is two way. Very dramatic land formations without a lot of height!
view from Needles Highway
view from Needles Highway
Needles Highway is a one-way, very twisty/turny road. Lots of loose gravel on the roadway, so be super-careful. Once you start on the road you have to go 10+ miles to get to anywhere else. The scenery is stark, beautiful and unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Lots of tourists who think they are the only ones on the road. This is true of all of the Rushmore area.
Custer State Park. a very pleasent drive, lots of wildlife. Sure to see bison.
View from state route 16A. There are 3 tunnels with views of Rushmore. Very windy and busy with lots of tourists. Parking areas on both sides of the tunnels.