Scenic Drives

Named one of America's 10 Most Outstanding Byways, some of the most incredible roads anywhere make up the 70-mile Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. This byway's spiraling bridges and hairpin curves lead you through portions of Custer State Park, the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, and near Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Black Elk National Wilderness Area. Mix in tunnels through fantastic granite pinnacles, beautiful mountain lakes and free-roaming wildlife for a never-to-be-forgotten road trip.

The Native American National and State Scenic Byway, running north and south through central South Dakota, showcases breathtaking views of the Missouri River, diverse landscapes, and tribal history and culture. This scenic byway travels through the lands of the Yankton, Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Sioux Tribes.

Following the curves and contours of Spearfish Creek carved through the limestone walls of Spearfish Canyon many millennia ago, this 19-mile scenic byway is framed by spruce, pine, aspen, birch and oak trees climbing the ascending cliff walls. That's just a few of the reasons this is consistently named one of the best fall drives in North America. Waterfalls, outstanding hikes, trout-filled pools, hidden swimming holes and popular climbing spots await travelers of this popular Black Hills route. 

Wind through pine-covered hills, rolling prairies and red-walled canyons. Experience a traffic jam caused by buffalo, meet the popular "beggin’ burros" or spot bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, deer, elk, coyote, prairie dog and numerous bird species on the Wildlife Loop. This 18-mile scenic byway is a highlight of a park that leaves many blown away by nature’s beauty. 

Some describe Badlands National Park as lunar-like. Indigenous people first named it "mako sica" or "bad lands." This 39-mile loop guarantees more than one stop, with breathtaking rock formations, otherworldly hiking trails and 16 designated scenic overlooks.