Day 12 was a FULL day. Griff was a trooper in the car and we got to see so much.

We were up and out of the hotel by 7:15 and headed back to the Badlands early before it heated up for the day. It was beautiful in the early morning. 

We took the trailer through a long bumpy dirt road to see “Roberts Prairie Dog Town”. It was well worth the bumpy ride to see this less traveled area of the park. Saw some buffalo from afar and even a mountain goat or two.

After Badlands we made a quick stop to grab groceries and then it was off to Mount Rushmore! This was one of the destinations on the trip that everyone was excited about and it did not disappoint!

The kids even got to partake in the Junior Rangers program and earned badges for all they learned. We took a hike and smelled some trees and got a great close up view of our stone presidents.

After Rushmore we drove through Iron Mountain in the Black Hills. We passed through some amazing one lane tunnels that perfectly framed Mt. Rushmore.


At the bottom of the mountain we had a choice: head to the campsite and make dinner or drive through Custer State Park. With Griffin fast asleep we chose the Wildlife Drive through Custer State Park. Let me just tell you: best decision ever. We got close encounters with both Burros (donkeys) and BUFFALO. It was amazing and although thrilling, Tucker admitted that it was indeed terrifying as well.

Then off to swim and have dinner – pasta and sauce and garlic buttered bread! Yum!