Welcome to the Dakotas! Your road trip begins in Rapid City, known as the gateway to the Black Hills. The city boasts a lively arts and dining scene, alongside stunning natural surroundings and the relaxed charm of a small town.

Spend the afternoon wandering walkable Downtown, where you’ll find colourful street art and the ‘City of Presidents’ statues. Why not check out a gallery or a museum, such as the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, the Museum of Geology or the Dahl Arts Centre.

There is no shortage of delicious restaurants to try, and you can usually find live music in one of Rapid City’s many bars.

Alex Johnson Hotel (or similar)

Collect your car this morning, and head to Mount Rushmore National Monument. This spectacular memorial showcases the colossal faces of presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln carved into the rockface. Marvel at this bucket-list monument, and get a behind the scenes look into the creation process at the Sculptor’s Studio.

From Mount Rushmore, visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. Depicting the Oglala Lakota warrior of the same name, the memorial has been under construction since 1948 and, although it’s not yet finished, its sheer scale and the significance behind it make it a fascinating place to visit.

Then, make your way to historic Deadwood. The town itself is a National Historic Landmark, and it really does feel as though you’re stepping back in time. Take a stroll along Main Street through the Victorian-era buildings, now housing saloons, restaurants and casinos.

Rapid City > Mount Rushmore > Deadwood | 88 miles

Deadwood Gulch Resort (or similar)

Spend the day exploring this fascinating gold rush town. The Adams Museum offers free admission and is a great introduction to Deadwood’s history, featuring all manner of gold rush artefacts. Learn about the legendary frontier figures of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock, then head out to explore the streets they once roamed.

A great way to discover all of Deadwood’s sights is on a historic walking tour, wandering the town’s key sites as you listen to stories of the outlaws and pioneers that shaped the area.

In the evening, immerse yourself in the town’s history, watching a re-enactment of the ‘Shootout on Main Street’ (put on throughout the summer), or catch a show at Outlaw Square. Round off the day with a hearty dinner at a local steakhouse, before try your luck at one of the many casinos.

Deadwood Gulch Resort (or similar)

Continue your exploration of the Wild West today, as you travel to the authentic cowboy town of Medora. With a stunning network of trails through the Badlands, one of the best ways to explore is on horseback taking a guided ride through the stunning landscapes. For a less hands-on introduction to cowboy culture, visit the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, learning about the figures and events that shaped the state.

For a one-of-a-kind delicacy, try Medora’s famous ‘Pitchfork Steak Fondue’, where expertly aged 12oz steaks are loaded onto pitchforks, before being dunked into oil and served alongside a plethora of delicious sides dishes.

Another must-do on any visit to the town is catching a performance of the Medora Musical. Shown throughout the summer, this outdoor performance combines country music, comedy and sketches, even bringing horses up on stage, before a firework finale.

Deadwood > Medora | 218 miles

Rough Riders Medora (or similar)

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a real hidden gem, boasting some incredible landscapes. Medora is the gateway town to the park’s stunning South Unit, where you’ll find two visitor centres, a scenic drive through the park, plenty of hiking trails and lots of wildlife.

Whether you’d like an easy stroll or a challenging hike, you’ll find something to suit you. The Wind Canyon Trail is just 0.4 miles long, but offers striking views, or the 0.8 mile Coal Vein Trail is a great place for wildlife spotting. For keen hikers, the Petrified Forest Loop takes around six hours, exploring ancient forest and Badlands wilderness.

Alternatively, the 48-mile drive through the park takes around two hours, winding through rolling Badlands, with plenty of viewpoints on the way. The stunning Painted Canyon is also accessible by car, a colourful rock formation with layers of red and orange hues.

Rough Riders Medora (or similar)

This morning, continue to North Dakota’s capital of Bismarck. Situated on the banks of the Missouri River, the city blends historic buildings and cultural attractions with colourful gardens and riverside parks.

Explore the State Capitol, taking a walk through the beautiful grounds dotted with monuments, or taking a guided tour for a behind the scenes insight into the state government. There is also an observation deck on the 18th floor of the Capitol Building, for spectacular bird’s eye views over the city.

A great way to spend an afternoon is visiting the State Museum or the North Dakota Heritage Center, or alternatively enjoy a stroll through the riverside Sonali Garden. For a different perspective, a Lewis and Clark Riverboat Cruise allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery that lines the river, spot wildlife and learn about historic sites.

Medora > Bismarck | 133 miles

Radisson Bismarck (or similar)

Earning its fame thanks to the 1996 film and the subsequent TV series ‘Fargo’, this bustling city offers plenty to do.

Explore museums like the Bonanzaville Museum and Pioneer Village, and the Fargo Air Museum, showcasing life in Fargo old and new.

The characterful Downtown district boasts the iconic Art Deco Fargo Theatre, as well as great shopping and eating. Wander through boutique stores, and visit Bewhalla Market, that serves a huge array of food and drink from local vendors. There is also a growing craft beer scene in the city, so check out some of the city’s quirky breweries, including the famous Drekker Brewing Company.

Bismarck > Fargo | 196 miles

Fargo Clubhouse and Suites (or similar)

Leave Fargo this morning, journeying through vast open prairies and rolling farmland. Make a stop in Brookings, where you can visit the South Dakota Art Museum or wander through the McCrory Gardens, before continuing to South Dakota’s Sioux Falls.

Named after the cascades that tumble through Falls Park in the city’s Downtown district, Sioux Falls is picturesque and inviting. Enjoy an afternoon exploring the park’s scenic trails and the ever-changing art walk in downtown.

Sioux Falls really comes to life in the evenings, with over 700 restaurants to choose from, and nightly live music to be found.

Fargo > Sioux Falls | 243 miles

Sioux Falls Clubhouse and Suites (or similar)

Head west across South Dakota, taking in sprawling prairies and charming small towns on the way to the state capital. Mitchell makes a great stop en route, where you’ll find the Corn Palace. This quirky roadside attraction is really an extravagant events space, adorned with murals made of corn.

Perhaps break up the drive again in Chamberlain, taking a walk along the Missouri River, before you continue to Pierre. Here, explore the elegant Capitol Building, stroll along the riverfront trail and check out some of the many restaurants.

Sioux Falls > Pierre | 224 miles

Baymont by Wyndham (or similar)

South Dakota’s rolling farmland gradually becomes the rugged Badlands with dramatic rock formations on your journey today. Make your way to the traditional Western town of Wall, famous for the colossal and eclectic Wall Drug Store. This iconic roadside institution has its own museums, cowboy-themed shops, where you can pick up a unique souvenir, and plenty of dining options.

Enjoy a relaxed evening in Wall tonight, before you head to your hotel within Badlands National Park, ready to explore tomorrow.

Pierre > Wall > Badlands National Park | 147 miles

Cedar Pass Lodge (or similar)

Spend today exploring the dramatic scenery of Badlands National Park.

For stunning views you can drive the Badlands Loop Road in around two hours, stopping at scenic overlooks to soak in the views and search for glimpses of wildlife like bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs.

If you’d like to explore on foot, the Notch Trail is around a mile and a half long, showcasing some fascinating rock formations, before bringing you to the ‘Notch’, a stunning viewpoint looking down over the valley.

The sunsets are spectacular in the park, with its captivating rock formations glowing amber. The best spots to watch it are the Pinnacles Overlook, Conata Basin Overlook and Bigfoot Pass Picnic Area, and, once the sun has gone down, you can witness incredible starry skies.

Cedar Pass Lodge (or similar)

Your adventure through North and South Dakota draws to a close today. Enjoy the final leg of your road trip as you journey back to Rapid City.

Wall > Rapid City | 54 miles