The Badlands on a steel horse

Overlooking magnificent geological wonders as you ride down twisty roads. Nothing is so beautiful, so untouched. Sitting on your steel horse, you seem transported back into the wild west as you overlook the stone pyramids, deep canyons and domes displaying shades of color that cannot be captured on film.  The views are incredible, that is the only way it can be described. Nothing is so beautiful than the scenery of the Black Hills and Badlands.

The Black Hills is not only a cornucopia of spectacular scenery but also home to Mount Rushmore. Work began on this structure in 1927 and took 14 years, 400 workers and one million dollars. The region provides spectacular National and State scenic byways.




Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway

This 70 mile stretch of scenic byway has been named one the 10 most beautiful byways in the United States and named for the late Peter Norbeck , a South Dakota conservationist, Governor and U.S. Senator. The Byway includes picturesque lakes, towering granite formations, six picture-perfect tunnels, tight hairpin curves, spiral “pigtail” bridges, and the wildlife ranges of Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, Black Elk National Wilderness Area and Custer State Park.

Along the route, be prepared to encounter steep grades, sharp curves and tunnels, which all add to the uniqueness and beauty of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. Wildlife crossings are not marked, because they could be anywhere. A traffic jam here can be caused by a herd of buffalo or mountain goats.

Nothing beats the rugged beauty of the Badlands which features an inspiring and striking collection of stone pyramids and canyons boasting various shades of color.



Unique among the Nation’s National Parks, half of the Badlands National Park is made up of a mixed grass ecosystem that is unlike any other on earth; it consists of many native plants and animals. There is a short scenic loop along highway 240 that takes about an hour and is a great way to explore the park. There are about 14 scenic overlooks along the way which provide spectacular views.

If you have only gone to South Dakota for the Sturgis Rally and not traveled around this State, you have missed out on the beauty and magnificence that is truly South Dakota.