The Badlands and Black Hills – North Dakota, South Dakota & Wyoming
West Dakota doesn't usually get much attention, but this vast, sparsely populated region is home to three national parks: Badlands and Wind Tunnels in South Dakota, and Theodore Roosevelt in North Dakota. It is interspersed with the Montenegrin National Forest and several national grasslands, sports fitness .
The Badlands are so desolate and otherworldly that the park convincingly acts as an alien planet in Starship Troopers. Theodore Roosevelt also had rocky, arid terrain often referred to as the Badlands, although it was also known for its majestic grasslands and thriving bison herds.
Meanwhile, the heavily forested Black Mountains occupy some of the most rugged land between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. The iconic Mount Rushmore lurks within, while the larger Crazy Horse monument is slowly emerging nearby (though it won't be completed for decades). Just south of the center of Montenegro is Wind Cave National Park, which has one of the longest cave systems in the world—and more bison.
Admission: $25 for a 7-day vehicle pass and $12 for a 7-day bike/hike pass at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. In Badlands, a 7-day vehicle pass is $20 and a 7-day bike/hike pass is $10. Parking at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial costs $10, so you should hike in if possible. Wind Cave National Park is free to enter, park and explore. Admission to the cave complex is limited to tours. Fees range from $10 to $30, depending on the itinerary. Children between the ages of six and sixteen are admitted with half price, and children five and under are free. The Crazy Horse Memorial costs $12 per person, with a maximum of $30 per car — so try to carpool when you can.
Best Time to Visit: West Dakota has a very extreme climate with very short spring and fall. May and October – the average season – are usually the ideal combination of low prices and good weather, although unseasonable cold snaps and heat waves (or snowstorms) can occur. More popular terrains and attractions such as the Wind Cave and Mount Rushmore are very crowded during the summer, especially during the holidays and free days like August 25 (the National Park Service's birthday). In the vast spaces of Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt, summer crowds aren't an issue, but maximum temperatures often approaching 100 degrees can be an issue. If you're visiting during the summer, do most of your activities in the morning or evening - this is also the best time to photograph Badlands spires. Unless you're an avid motorcyclist, avoid early August when thousands of cyclists descend on the Black Hills town of Sturgis for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
How to get there: The Badlands and Black Hills cover a vast territory spanning nearly 200 miles east-west and at least 300 miles north-south. The closest airports to Badlands, Wind Tunnels, and Black Mountain are outside Rapid, South Dakota (direct airports to Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Chicago, and Minneapolis start at about $200). From there, it's less than an hour and a half drive to all of South Dakota's major attractions. Theodore Roosevelt is about 5 hours north of Rapid City, a long and beautiful drive. If you want to focus on the area, fly to Bismarck, North Dakota (non-stop flights to Minneapolis, Denver, Las Vegas, Dallas, Chicago and Orlando start around $150, but vary by season different) and rent a car. From there it is a two to three hour drive to the park entrance. In Bismarck and Rapid City, expect to pay at least $30 per day in economic rent, and more during peak tourist periods. Where to Stay: If you're looking for the right hotel or motel near Badlands, there are plenty in Outback Town and Wall Town (home to the always odd but always free Wall Drug). Rates at local Days Inns start close to $60 in May and October. For camping, the original Sage Creek Campground is free, and the more comfortable Cedar Pass Campground is $18 per night. In Montenegro, affordable country cottages and campsites abound, many open year-round. About half are free; most of the rest cost less than $10 a night. Theodore Roosevelt has two campsites: Cottonwood and Juniper. Each cost is $10 per night. There's also a campground called Roundup Group Horse ($40 per group, per night), but it's hard to book.
What to do: Both the Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt have ring drives, which provide excellent opportunities to photograph rock formations—and, if you're lucky, bison herds. These can usually be done on a leisurely morning. Furthermore, Montenegro is a hiker's paradise. Choose from gentle walks like the 2-mile Dutchman Loop or hard climbs like the 5-mile Harney Peak North. There are also easy, moderate hikes in the Wind Caves, but the caves are the real attraction. Worth a visit, usually lasting one to two hours, and takes a moderate walk through narrow passages, majestic caves and bizarre underground forms
