Good news! It is more than possible to have a relaxing road trip with toddlers in tow. Check out this list of our favorite toddler-friendly places to help you plan a visit to the Black Hills of South Dakota.
[Post Updated March 2023]
Our daughter had just turned 2 when we decided it was time for a road trip to South Dakota. I was anxious to get a trip in before I hit the 3rd trimester with our son, so we started planning and hit the road.
We had a great time… partially because we didn’t run out of snacks and we made nap time a priority. Ahh… naps: the single most important thing to remember to do when you’re on vacation with babies & toddlers. Do. Not. Forget. This.
Happy trails, friends!
Favorite Toddler-Friendly Sites In and Around the Black Hills, South Dakota
1880 Town
If you’re coming from the east on I-90, be sure to make a stop at the 1880 Town on your way to the Black Hills. We kept seeing billboards for the town on our way across the state and what can I say? Their advertising worked! We stopped (because after driving 8.5 hours the day before and another 1.5 right away that morning, our toddler daughter needed to run.) We were pleasantly surprised at how much we could see and learn about life in the 1880s. It was a good spot to take a relaxing break from the road.
Wall Drug (Wall, SD, off of I-90)
This is a great place to recharge and explore. Wall Drug has something for everyone (and I mean everyone!) Our girl was a little sleepy (read: cranky) when we got there so we didn’t stay too long. There’s always next time for more exploring! Check out the story of how Wall Drug came to be a must-see tourist stop here.
Not far from Wall Drug is the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. If you have time, check it out! (It’s best to hit this stop when your toddler is ready and willing to take a nap in the stroller.)
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is astounding and photos don’t begin to do it justice. You can spend as much time as you want exploring or driving around in the park. We arrived mid-morning and parked at the visitor’s center. There were many areas that she could climb successfully and she loved our time there! After exploring for a while we had a picnic lunch in the back of the car.
After lunch we drove the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway and hoped that our girl would take a well-deserved nap (and she did!) It was a long, peaceful drive and we were able to take it all in and take notes of places we wanted to stop “next time”.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Before you go, check their calendar for special events and be sure to time your arrival for when it opens for the day. Mount Rushmore is a can’t miss, and you won’t soon forget its impressive nature.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial Basic Visitor Information
Our toddler loved many things about our visit: the flags leading the way to the terrace, the Presidential Trail, the ice cream (of course), and climbing up and down the many, many steps in the amphitheater. Toddlers and steps… iykyk.
Dinosaur Park, Rapid City
The dinosaur park was built in 1936 and “sits on a ridge of sandstone that encircles the Black Hills. Along this ridge, dinosaurs of the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous have been found. View the seven life-sized, concrete replicas of monstrous prehistoric reptiles that inhabit the park.” (Travel SD)
To get up to the park (which has FREE admission,) visitors need to climb a decent-sized flight of steps. If your toddler is a determined one it’ll be no problem. (I told you my daughter loves climbing steps, right?) The view of Rapid City from the top is really neat, and kids enjoy exploring around the dinosaurs.
Custer State Park
What a beautiful park. We drove the Wildlife Loop and saw lots of bison. Anyway, we stopped for lunch at the Legion Lake Lodge and took a short walk around the lake to the playground. Our daughter loved that!
Wind Cave National Park
I highly recommend visiting this National Park in the Black Hills region. It is beautiful and it isn’t just about the cave. If you do decide to go into the cave, your successful visit depends heavily on your toddler’s mood. (This probably goes without saying.)
I know, I know, who in their right mind would take a toddler down into Wind Cave… where they can’t make a quick escape if said toddler throws a tantrum?
We would.
BUT…
We got there right when it opened and were one of the first tours of the day. We took the shortest tour. I’ll be honest, we got some looks when we carried her into the elevator.
BUT…
Our toddler had a good, healthy snack on the way there and she wasn’t close to being ready for lunch or for her nap. We prayed she’d do well and wouldn’t you know it? She handled the experience with flair!
The tour guide for the Accessibility Tour was so kind to our toddler. I realize it’s her job to be kind and courteous, but I think we all know that isn’t always the case. She gave our daughter her back-up flashlight and let her shine it all around the cave. It was an easy tour, easy enough for our just-turned-two year old daughter to climb the steps and stay on the path. At the end, our entire spelunking crew left the cave in excellent spirits.
See? It is possible to go caving with toddlers! Godspeed, my friends.
Reptile Gardens
I was pleasantly surprised at just how much the Reptile Gardens had to offer! We easily could’ve spent all day seeing the creatures and enjoying the botanical gardens. Our toddler had a blast and especially loved seeing the giant tortoises and climbing “inside” the prairie dog town.
Bear Country
Bear Country is a really neat place. The animals appeared to be well taken care of and the ones in the drive-thru wildlife park had the run of the place. Enter at your own risk and enjoy getting up close (from the safety of your vehicle!) Our toddler loved this the drive-through experience and the Wildlife Walkway to see even more animals up close.
Crazy Horse Memorial
“The mission of Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians.” (crazyhorsememorial.org)
There is so much to learn and see at the Crazy Horse Memorial. Tap here to see what’s happening there to make it easier to plan your visit.
Old MacDonald’s Farm
Old MacDonald’s Farm south of Rapid City is like your local pumpkin patch on steroids. This farm is a petting zoo with about 100 farm animals for visitors to experience in a safe, relaxed environment. A must-see if you have toddlers in tow!
Storybook Island
Storybook Island is such a special place and our toddler’s favorite part of our South Dakota vacation. This city park offers free admission and consists of “over 7 acres of playsets, free range play space, a carousel, and a train.” (storybookisland.org)
On Our Way Home from the Black Hills
We stayed in Sioux Falls on our road trip way back home after our time in the Black Hills region. We spent some time at the Butterfly House & Aquarium. The tanks in the aquarium are low enough for a toddler to gaze into without having to lift them up. Our daughter wasn’t too sure about the Stingray Touch Pool, but she enjoyed watching them.
When they’re available, grab a butterfly feeder to try to “catch” a butterfly in the butterfly house. Our toddler sat still long enough for a butterfly to land on her feeder- she was so excited!
Last but not least, we took a ride on the Sioux Falls Downtown Trolley. Our daughter loved the ride, and my husband and I were able to learn some surprising history about Sioux Falls on the hop-on and off tour through the downtown area.
Before we even left South Dakota we were already planning our next trip back. You can read about that trip in this post.
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