Touring the South Dakota Badlands + More
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that Sherman, Mr. SP, and I are on a road trip out west. Today I’m sharing a tour of sites we enjoyed touring in South Dakota.
I’m sharing the sites in the order that we saw them.
The World’s Only Corn Palace
After a few days of driving, we finally reached South Dakota where our touring fun began. The first stop was the Corn Palace in Mitchell.
The Corn Palace was built in 1892.
Corn murals decorate the front and side of the building.
The Corn Palace is redecorated each year with naturally colored corn and other grains and native grasses.
12 different colors of corn are used to decorate the Corn Palace.
A different theme is chosen each year, and murals are designed to reflect that theme.
Ear by ear the corn is nailed to the Corn Palace to create a scene.
The decorating process usually starts in late May with the removal of the rye and dock. The corn murals are stripped at the end of August and the new ones are completed by the first of October.
Everything is corn-themed!
The arena inside the Corn Palace is used for games, performances, graduations, and more.
Wall Drug
A Wall Drug bumper sticker from Mr. SP’s childhood hangs in our basement. After seeing this sticker since 1993, I finally got to see Wall Drug in person.
A cowboy held Sherman while we looked around.
We didn’t stay long at this tourist trap!
The Badlands
Our next stop was the Badlands.
The Badlands are gorgeous and we really enjoyed driving from overlook to overlook to enjoy the views.
We both were excited to see Buffalo.
Prairie dogs were another fun site to see.
We did more driving and then the site seeing started again.
Mount Rushmore
I have always wanted to see Mount Rushmore and it didn’t disappoint.
It was amazing to see George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln carved in stone.
It took 14 years to complete this fabulous monument.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Our next stop was Crazy Horse Memorial.
Mr. SP visited Crazy Horse when he was a child and it was interesting for him to see how much progress has been made on the memorial since that visit.
Eventually, the memorial will look like this.
Our next stop is Cody, Wyoming! Be on the lookout for my next travel post.
Very cool trip, Paula! I have seen your posts on Instagram, I love that pic of Sherman and the cowboy…and I love your pompom hat!
This is so cool Paula! This exact trip is on our agenda, I hope next year. I can’t wait to see your next post. Enjoy!
Wow! The trip of a lifetime! The scenery is gorgeous.
Have a wonderful time!
Suzanne
You are visiting a beautiful part of the country, Paula. I haven’t been there in years, but my favorite memory was horseback riding with my Dad and coming over the crest of a hill and seeing Mount Rushmore. Enjoy!
Paula, Thank you so much for your reply. I’ll keep on looking for the shade as I thought it was so nice. Our family has been out in the black hills many time and I was glad to see that you got to Wall drug as well as all the other places we have visited. At one time there was an gold mine in Lead that you could tour but am not sure if it is still there. In the park there is Needles highway which is narrow but pretty. And also listed in the park info should be the Nature trail (or something like that) that can be viewed by car around late afternoon and you will see masses of buffalo coming down from the hills for the night and donkeys that will come right to the car begging (windows up). Also, if you are heading to Montana, Glacier National Park is beautiful as are the Yogo Sapphires that are found only in Montana in the US. Have a wonderful trip and stay safe and healthy. nd please know how much us followers love your blog.
Fantastic, Paula! This is the same route we took on our great American road trip in 2016! Lol the Corn Palace and Wall Drug…..the best things were all the road signs leading to the anticlimactic stops 🤣 we saw a rodeo in Cody! Enjoy your trip, so fun!
I really enjoyed your post, Paula. The Badlands remind me of Drumheller in Alberta Where lots of dinosaur remains were discovered.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post, Paula! Your photos are fantastic. I would love to do a road trip like this. Looking forward to your next post! Travel safe, and have fun!
Thank you, Amy!
I have really enjoyed your travel pictures. I have been to many of the places, so it brings back many memories. Plus I’ve got to visit new places because of your pictures
Thank you so much, Marilyn!
Paula have a great trip with with Mr SP and Sherman photos are great.
Thank you so much, Laura!
Ok, I e got to put this trip on my bucket list!
We are having so much fun!
Beautiful pictures! Those buffalo look a bit huge! Looks like a great trip so far! Hope all is going great for you too an that younare relaxing and enjoying yourself!
Thank you so much, Sandra!
What an amazing road trip! Your pictures are beautiful! Enjoy!
Thank you so much, Lynne!
The Corn Palace and how they refresh it each year is amazing! What creative people. Love the badlands – never been there but definitely want to go!! Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much, Crystal!
This is a great post. I have never been to this part of the country..i enjoyed learning about the Palace..
Thanks for sharing!
I hope you can plan a road trip out west one of these days, Karen.
So many great places to visit. Glad you got to visit them all.
So am I. We had such a good time!