Your friendly guide to national parks, road trips, and all things outdoors
I've done the drive from Wisconsin to Utah a lot. Like, so many times. We counted the other day and since moving to Utah in 2016, we've driven across the US 19 times. 19! They've pretty much all been between Wisconsin, Florida, and Utah with varying routes. We like to make stops along the way…
Continue reading ➞ Amazing Places To Visit On A Wisconsin to Utah Road Trip
I love scenic drives. That's no surprise if you've been here a while, so when we were in South Dakota in October I looked up as many as I could in the Black Hills. While we didn't make it to all of them (that's you Spearfish Canyon) we did make it to two and one…
Continue reading ➞ All About The Needles Highway In The Black Hills Of South Dakota
There are affiliate links in here. I get a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. I loved the Cathedral Spires Trail in the Black Hills. Like, I loved it so much. This was such a cool hike and the area is so unique. It's a trail that takes…
Continue reading ➞ Hike The Cathedral Spires Trail On The Needles Highway In The Black Hills
The Rankin Ridge hike in Wind cave National Park offers the best views from the highest point in the park. This was our first real activity when we got to South Dakota and I was so excited to see me some bison and prairie dogs. The last time we were here we just drove through…
Continue reading ➞ Rankin Ridge Hike: The Best View In Wind Cave National Park
There are affiliate links in here. I get a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. Well, we're finally back to my South Dakota trip from.. October. Today we're looking back at the Sylvan Lake Loop Trail which is one of the best stops along the Needles Highway in…
Continue reading ➞ Hike The Sylvan Lake Loop Trail Along The Needles Highway In South Dakota
Our time in the Black Hills in October was packed full of hikes and scenic drives. The first drive we did, well I guess second if the Custer Wildlife Loop counts, was Iron Mountain Road from Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore. While I wasn't super excited about the beginning of it, I definitely loved…
Continue reading ➞ Drive Iron Mountain Road From Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore In South Dakota
There are affiliate links in here. I get a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. One of the first things we did when we got to the Black Hills in South Dakota was head to the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road, well, right after visiting Wind Cave…
Continue reading ➞ Bison, Burros, And The Black Hills: The Best Things To Do In Custer State Park
Badlands National Park is awesome in the summer, but I wanted to see it in the winter, covered in snow. Now that I've seen (almost) all the parks between Utah and Wisconsin in the spring or summer, it's time to see them in the winter. Everything just looks so different with a layer of snow.…
Continue reading ➞ Badlands Below Zero: Tips For Visiting The Badlands In The Winter
I don't know how I missed it last year since I stayed 20 minutes away, but I did. I missed Wind Cave National Park, a short drive from Hot Springs, South Dakota and a couple hours from the Badlands. It's neighboring Custer State Parkand close to Mount Rushmore. I mean really, how did I miss…
Continue reading ➞ An Afternoon With Bison In Wind Cave National Park
Last year you may recall a post called Back To The Badlands when, in fact, it was my first time there. Well, buckle up or get ready or something because I actually went back to the Badlands. Twice. I bet you're already impressed and you haven't even read about it yet. Well, on my way…
Continue reading ➞ Back To The Badlands (For Real This Time)
I always saw the commercials at home for visiting South Dakota. I always thought why would you want to go there for fun? I always thought it was flat and boring with nothing to look at SPOILER ALERT: It's not, that might actually be Illinois (at least until I visit again, maybe.) Sorry, Illinois. Sort of. …
Continue reading ➞ Why South Dakota Isn’t Actually The Worst
Ok, so I didn't go back to the Badlands. It was my first time there. I just liked the sound of it. I was so excited to see the Badlands. It's probably what I was looking forward to the most for the drive out to Bullfrog. It all started last summer when I found a…
It was a busy day. We left Brookings bright and early with the Badlands on our minds. We figured since we were close, we would go to Mount Rushmore too. I had heard some not so exciting things about it, that it's not all that impressive, but I mean, we had to go. It's Mount…
Continue reading ➞ Visit Mount Rushmore On Your South Dakota Road Trip
372 miles to Wall Drug! 243 miles to Wall Drug! 117 miles to Wall Drug! 9 miles to Wall Drug! We couldn't not go to Wall Drug when we were this close to it. I saw the signs the first time I was in South Dakota, but it was all the way on the other…