11 Summer Vacation Ideas
It’s never too late or too early to plan your next trip. So branch out and try something new this year. Need inspiration for summer vacation ideas? We loved these destinations, and I hope you will too! 11 Awesome Summer Vacation Ideas 1. Buffalo National River, AR The 135 mile Buffalo National River is located…
Badlands Fossil Hunting
One of the things we like best about Badlands National Park in South Dakota is that visitors aren’t restricted to the trails. You can basically roam anywhere. And, while you’re exploring, be sure to keep an eye out for fossils. Badlands Fossil Hunting Many types of fossils can be found in Badlands National Park. Previous…
Custer State Park Sunday Gulch Trail
Of the many things to see and do in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Custer State Park is at the top of my list. Its beauty rivals that of many national parks. The best way to experience Custer State Park is on foot. And a hike on Sunday Gulch Trail is a great way…
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
The Minuteman Missile Historic Site is a very unique place to visit. During the Cold War, Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) were hidden throughout the Great Plains. Air Force personnel were stationed in launch control facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Nuclear missiles could be launched at a moment’s notice. The Minuteman Missile National Historic…
Badlands Sage Creek Rim Road
Badlands National Park in South Dakota, like many national parks, has a main road that crosses the park providing easy access to many of the trails and points of interest. Undoubtedly, most of your time will be spent on the Loop Road. But, there is another less traveled scenic drive, Badlands Sage Creek Rim Road,…
Custer Cabins: Blue Bell Lodge
If you’re traveling to the Black Hills of South Dakota, you can’t go wrong staying in Custer State Park. Located near Rapid City, this state park rivals many national parks in terms of awesomeness! Fortunately, there are many Custer Cabins available right in the middle of the action! Blue Bell Lodge Cabins We stayed in…
Tip & Tee: Mammoth Site
Travel tees make the BEST souvenirs! In Tip & Tee, I show off an awesome tee I picked up on my trip and share a trip tip for that destination! If you’re looking for a unique experience in the Black Hills of South Dakota, look no further than the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs. This treasure…
7 Things to Do in Custer State Park
Custer State Park surprised me. I’m not sure exactly what I expected. But, that wasn’t it. This state park in the Black Hills of South Dakota rivals some of the national parks in terms of awesomeness! Custer State Park is one of the largest state parks in the US. It is located approximately 30 miles…
5 Awesome Easy National Park Hikes
The Yellowstone National Park Act was signed into law on March 1, 1872 by Ulysses S. Grant. This act created the world’s first national park, Yellowstone. Since that time, the number of national parks in the United States has grown to 61. Each of these federally protected areas offers something memorable. In most parks, you’ll…
Awesome Easy Badlands Hike: Fossil Exhibit Trail
Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota about an hour from Rapid City. Don’t let the name fool you. The Badlands is not as desolate and dull as the name might imply. It is a beautiful landscape teeming with wildlife. Badlands National Park boasts several unique hiking trails such as the Notch Trail and…
Good Eats in the Black Hills
Good food is a big part of vacation fun! Fortunately, on our recent South Dakota adventure, we had no trouble finding good eats in the Black Hills. On our Black Hills trip, we stayed in a cabin with a kitchenette and an outdoor grill. So, we fixed many of our own meals at the cabin.…
Black Hills Gold Mine
The Black Hills in South Dakota experienced a gold rush in the late 1800’s. When planning our Black Hills vacation, I knew I wanted to take a tour of one of the historic Black Hills gold mines in the area. We selected the Big Thunder Gold Mine. The Big Thunder Gold Mine is located in…
Hot Springs Mammoth Site
There are more things to see and do in the Black Hills of South Dakota than most of us can fit in one trip. However, if you’re looking for something truly unique, then don’t miss Hot Springs Mammoth Site! This tour is unlike any other tour you’ve ever experienced. About Hot Springs Mammoth Site Mammoth…
Rapid City Dinosaur Park
The Rapid City Dinosaur Park in South Dakota is one of the area’s iconic tourist attractions. It was built in 1936 and is a reminder that dinosaurs once inhabited the area. As a result, many fossils have been found along the ridge. Yes, this attraction is super cheesy. But, who says cheesy can’t be fun?…
8 Must-See Sights in 8 Must-See National Parks
This year for National Park Week, I picked a different park each day and highlighted a must-see sight in that park. It’s been a lot of fun reflecting on the uniqueness of so many national parks across the USA. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to travel to these special places! And,…
Badlands National Park Must-See
Badlands National Park is an extraordinary environment. On our recent trip we stayed in the park for three nights. I really wish we could have stayed longer! Badlands is a unique National Park in that it has an open hike policy. This is awesome! Venturing off-trail is allowed in order to keep an eye out…
Tip & Tee: Badlands Cedar Pass Lodge
The Badlands of South Dakota was originally established as a National Monument in 1939. It wasn’t until 1978 that it was finally designated a National Park. The Badlands has an open hike policy. This policy is unique in national parks. It allows visitors to go off trail to better enjoy the incredible geologic features as…
Tip & Tee: Badlands Park Night Sky
ionsBadlands National Park is located in central South Dakota and is a must for any South Dakota vacation itinerary. The landscape in Badlands park is unique and offers a significant contrast to what you’ll see in South Dakota’s Black Hills to the west. We discovered on our recent trip that Badlands National Park offers fun…
8 Must-See Sights on a Black Hills Vacation
The Black Hills of South Dakota is a fun family vacation destination! There is so much to see and do in this corner of South Dakota that I could be perfectly happy spending 2 weeks on a Black Hills vacation! Unfortunately, most us can’t spend 2 weeks! With so many things to do and limited…
Tip & Tee: Wind Cave National Park Tours
Wind Cave was designated a National Park in 1903 by Theodore Roosevelt. Wind Cave National Park is located in South Dakota near the Black Hills and shares a border with Custer State Park. Wind Cave National Park offers three different ranger guided walking tours. These tours are rated easy to strenuous based on the amount…
Wind Cave Fairgrounds Tour
Tom and Jesse Bingham came across an unassuming hole in 1881. As the story goes, the wind from this hole blew Tom’s hat right off his head. A few days later, that hat was sucked in the hole by the wind. This hole was an opening to Wind Cave. Wind Cave National Park is the…
Fun Fact: Wind Cave National Park
The main attraction at Wind Cave National Park is, of course, the cave itself. This incredible cave system boasts the largest concentration of rare boxwork formations in the world. With all those passages, it is one colossal underground maze. In your excitement to tour the cave, don’t miss what’s on top! Above Wind Cave sits…
Fun Fact: The Custer State Park Buffalo Herd
The bison, commonly referred to the as the American buffalo, was officially designated the National Mammal of the United States in 2016. Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota is one of the best places to see these magnificent mammals. Buffalo were introduced to Custer State Park in 1936. The small herd…
The Corn Palace of South Dakota
Mitchell, South Dakota is home to a quirky and one of a kind attraction – The Corn Palace. I’ll admit when I first heard about The Corn Palace, I was somewhat skeptical. However, a trusted source from South Dakota insisted it was worth a stop. She was right. I’m glad we made time for a…
Fun Fact: Badlands National Park Fossil Finds
Badlands National Park boasts one of the largest mammal fossil deposits in the world! Park visitors can even join in the fossil hunting fun. Badlands has an open hike policy, so you are not required to stay on designated trails! This policy, rare in a national park, actually encourages visitors to go off trail to search…
The Badlands Notch Trail
The Notch Trail in Badlands National Park is one of the park’s most popular trails. If you do much research on the Badlands, you’ll likely come across photos of a long wooden ladder on a rock face. This is the Badlands Notch Trail. It is a 1.5 mile round trip hike which is rated moderate to…
Tip & Tee: Driving to Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is arguably one of the most recognizable icons in the National Park System. The massive scale and realism of this sculpture completed in 1941 is mind boggling! It is no surprise that over 3 million people visit this symbol of America each year. Trip Tip: Mount Rushmore For an extra special treat, approach…
Tip & Tee: Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is known for its unusual and colorful rock formations. It is also teeming with wildlife including bison and big horn sheep. With miles of hiking trails and scenic drives to explore, you can spend countless hours roaming this rugged landscape. Badlands National Park Trip Tip Throughout the park, you will see signs warning…