We are flying in quite late (after 9 p.m.) into Rapid City and currently have 6 nights booked in Hill City. I have been undecided about adding Badlands to our itinerary. Would it be worth it and make more sense to stay the first night in Rapid City (near airport), see the Badlands the next day and then head to Hill City?
How long will it take to get from Rapid city airport to the Holiday Inn Express in Hill City?
Add a night in Rapid City for Badlands?
If you drove directly from the airport to Hill City, you%26#39;re looking at a minimum of 45 minutes--probably closer to 60 minutes if you%26#39;re new to the area. Going to the Badlands will retrace these exact miles.
I would stay in Rapid City the first night and add the Badlands first thing the next morning. Then get to Hill City later that day. I don%26#39;t how hard it is for you to unpack and repack for a one night stay--some people hate it--but you%26#39;re essentially saving two hours of drive time by not going to Hill City that night.
You won%26#39;t be able to stay very close to the airport as there aren%26#39;t any hotels by the airport. You%26#39;ll have to go into Rapid City. I%26#39;d pick something near I-90 as that will have you all set up for a morning trip to the Badlands.
Add a night in Rapid City for Badlands?Country Inn and Suites is situated on I-90 - hopefully that will be convenient. How hot does it get in the Badlands in late August? Will this take the whole day or should I also plan Bear Country for the latter half of the day?
Hi SingerMom,
I would definitely take Accomodator%26#39;s advice and stay in Rapid the first night and head for the Badlands the next day.
It can get very hot at the Badlands. I would plan on going early to avoid extreme heat. I am thinking you can probably see the park in a morning, depending on your hiking/stopping interest. There aren%26#39;t a ton of trails; it%26#39;s more a drive through park. You could take a picnic or maybe have lunch in Wall. You could then maybe stop at Bear Country on the way to Hill City. You can definitely see both places in one day.
We also visited in late August and really lucked out with some unusually cool weather. You just never know. We toured the Badlands on an overcast day and actually needed a light jacket.
I%26#39;ve booked the Rapid City hotel for the first night. Will the animals be out and about in Bear Country in the afternoon? How long does it take to see this attraction? Is there time to add Reptile Garden or is that attraction worth looping back for?
The Country Inn and Suites would make a good location for the one night. There are a number of chain restraurants right by it if you%26#39;re hungry when you get to Rapid City at 10 p.m. or so. Rarely do I recommend a chain place but if you get to town that late, I have nothing against grabbing some pizza at Boston%26#39;s Gourmet Pizza which is next to the Country Inn (along with TGI Fridays, Denny%26#39;s, Burger King, etc.).
It can be hot in the Badlands...but late August is usually a little cooler than July or early August. Like slr says, last year it was jacket weather by then. Getting out there in the morning is a good idea--but I wouldn%26#39;t make it a 6 a.m. departure just for the temperatue.
Your boys will probalby like Wall Drug--you might stop in after your loop for the Badlands. Hitting Bear Country on your way to Hill City sounds like a good idea.
There might be time for Reptile Gardens. You%26#39;d only be backtracking a couple miles if you go to Bear Country first.
By backtracking I meant is it worth a sidetrip on another day to Reptile Garden from Hill City?
I would see how time permits on your 2nd day. By the time you see the Badlands and stop at Bear Country, you might be ready to head to Hill City to check into your hotel and visit the pool. If you still have the time and energy, I %26#39;d hit Reptile Gardens, as Bear Country %26amp; Reptile Gardens are almost side by side. If you don%26#39;t feel up to another attraction, I%26#39;d definitely make the side trip from Hill City. We really enjoyed Reptile Gardens even more than Bear Country.
It takes around 2 hours to see Bear Country, and that includes the driving loop, small zoo at the end of the driving trail, and gift shop. They have a really nice gift shop with a large selection of items.
You can spend even more time at Reptile Gardens, as they have some fun shows and neat exhibits. We loved the tic tac toe playing chicken.
Hope this helps.
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