South Dakota had been on my travel list for years. The Badlands, ghost towns, the Black Hills, Needles Highway, and Custer State Park all sat at the top of places I hoped to see someday.
This trip would begin with a long drive west across the plains. Along the way we would make several unexpected stops, discover small towns, and begin the adventure that would eventually lead us deeper into South Dakota’s dramatic landscapes.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The first stop of the trip brought us to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The falls sit within Falls Park along the Big Sioux River and are formed by layers of pink Sioux Quartzite rock.
The quartzite itself is incredibly old — a Proterozoic rock formation over a billion years in age. As the river flows over the rock ledges it creates a series of cascading falls that have become one of the most recognizable landmarks in eastern South Dakota.
While the falls are impressive, the vibrant pink and reddish tones of the quartzite cliffs surrounding them are what truly make this location unique.
1880 Town
Continuing west along Interstate 90, we made a stop at 1880 Town. The small roadside attraction recreates a frontier town and has been used as a filming location for several western movies.
It provided a quick chance to stretch our legs, browse a few travel books, and take in a bit of Old West history before getting back on the road.
Roadside Discoveries
Driving across South Dakota means long stretches of open prairie where the horizon seems to stretch endlessly beneath a wide sky. Between the larger towns are miles of rolling grasslands, quiet farmsteads, and the occasional weathered structure standing alone against the landscape.
At times, we would spot an old farmhouse or abandoned building sitting quietly in the tall prairie grass. These forgotten places tell a quiet story of the people who once tried to carve out a life on the plains. Windmills creak softly in the distance, and old boards faded by decades of sun and wind remind you just how harsh and beautiful the prairie can be.
Moments like this are part of what make traveling across the Great Plains so memorable. The drive may feel long, but if you slow down and look beyond the highway, you begin to notice the small pieces of history scattered across the prairie landscape.
An Overnight Stop in Kimball
As the day wore on, we eventually reached the small town of Kimball, South Dakota. Travel fatigue was beginning to set in, so we decided to stop for the night before continuing west the following morning.
Kimball is a quiet prairie town surrounded by farmland and grain elevators that rise above the horizon. While it may not be a major travel destination, towns like this are common stopping points for travelers making the long drive across South Dakota.
A Roadside Dinner
Dinner that evening came from a small restaurant inside a truck stop. Meals like this are common when traveling across rural areas, and sometimes those simple roadside stops turn out to be surprisingly good.
After a long day on the road, the plan was simple — rest up and prepare for the real adventure ahead.
Tomorrow the Adventure Begins
The next morning would take us deeper into South Dakota and closer to the landscapes that had inspired the trip in the first place — the Badlands, the Black Hills, and the winding scenic roads that cut through the region.
The journey west had officially begun, next stop the Pinnacles Entrance of The Balands National Park.