![]() Saddle Pass, Door, Window, and Notch Trails can all be completed in a day (they’re short but sweet), and if you’ve got more time, take on Castle Trail (10 miles). You’ll want to drive all of Badlands Loop Road - around 30 miles - from park end to park end. You’re looking at a snapshot in time.Īrrive early enough in the day to give yourself plenty of time to crawl all over this Mars-like fossil bed. (That said, some of the formations are a whopping 75 million years old.) It’ll all be gone in another 500,000 years, and for the record, existing for a mere million years is a geological blink. ![]() This red, white, cream, yellow, pink, and gray geological wonderland pops out of the prairie like you’ve crash-landed into alien territory - in actuality, the Badlands are the result of 500,000 years of ancient seabeds subsiding, streams carving the rock layers, open savanna being covered in ash, and the wind giving it all a good lash. Photo: Sam Dean, courtesy of Visit Rapid CityĪs you drive east out of Rapid, you’ll start to notice that you’re creeping into a rugged, wilder realm. Both parks also offer nature talks, giving you the chance to touch some of the cave formations outside of the cave. And since the majority of visitors are busy exploring underground, these walks are even better than they sound. Wind Cave has some 30 miles of hiking trails (look for bison, elk, and mountain lions), while Jewel Cave has a couple self-guided trails as well. Compare that to the (entirely different) boxwork and popcorn of Wind Cave, and you’ll practically be an expert in subterranean formations.īonus: The appeal of these parks doesn’t stop underground. Jewel Cave is the third-longest cave on Earth, and you’ll get to explore a portion of its 190+ underground miles, all lined by intensely intricate calcite crystals. One may be a National Park, the other a National Monument, but neither should be missed. Do your research and your reserving beforehand.Īnd repeat after me: Do both. There’s quite a variety to choose from any time of year (even more in summer), and they’re all very different. This will guarantee you a departure time, and also allow you to pick the tour of your preference. And by the time you’ve completed two cave tours, you’re exhausted and ready to nosh.įor both, you’re going to want to reserve a tour online. Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park are next-door neighbors - most people hit Jewel Cave first and end with Wind Cave, as the latter is a straight shot back to Rapid when you’re done. This is cave territory, formed by the sea some 330 million years ago. Travel south of Rapid City an hour toward Custer and take note: The landscape above ground may be stunning, but under the surface lie even more wonders. Trip #2: Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument With 10,000+ people tackling it yearly, the Volksmarch is one of the most popular organized hikes in the country. The trek - a 6.2-mile round trip hike through the surrounding woods - culminates on the ridge of Crazy Horse’s arm. If you want to get even closer, you’ll need to visit during either the spring or fall Volksmarch. When you’re at the site, you can either marvel from a distance or take a quick bus ride to the rocky base of the sculpture. It’s been in the works since 1948 and currently features little more than Crazy Horse’s profile, but once complete, the Oglala Lakota warrior and his steed will rise 27 feet taller than the four US Presidents. Crazy Horse Memorial is the world’s largest in-progress sculpture carving, as well as the longest ongoing. Once you’ve walked the Presidential Trail and toured the Lincoln Borglum Museum on the lower level (and brushed up on your Mount Rushmore facts), it’s time to see the other massive granite memorial in the area - just down the road about 15 miles. Then, join travelers from all over the globe in some good old-fashioned selfie snapping, using these giants as a grand, granite backdrop. Spot your home state’s flag and pillar, and keep an eye on the four famous faces watching from above. Mount Rushmore National Memorial - the American icon that needs no introduction - is often the main reason travelers visit the city that locals simply call “Rapid.” Shoot southwest on Hwy 16 from downtown and only half an hour later the car will be parked and you’ll be parading down the Avenue of Flags.
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