South Dakota Road Trip: 7 Days Exploring the Badlands, Mt Rushmore & More

[@ShirleyPotts-ud3nb]

I really love South Dakota

[@spoonfudge1284]

Your dad is great. He seems like a guy who easily makes friends. That’s probably where you get it from.

[@johntacapan9374]

Father-and-son relationship that's absolutely inspiring, worth emulating, and motivating. I watch many of your videos and you have been influential in my continuous active outdoor and out-of-state out-of-country travels.

[@edwardjohnfriel1333]

Josh - the cinematography and commentary on your videos is always excellent. Loved this piece on South Dakota. Knew very little about this beautiful state and now it’s on the bucket list. Great job, thank you.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Really appreciate that, thanks for the kind words!

[@thomasfox780]

Thanks!

[@jameslovelace8958]

One of the best road trips I’ve ever done. I did it on my bike a month before Sturgis. I got to ride every road with no crowds which made it enjoyable. A bike is the best way to see it.

[@RandomlyAbstract]

Would it be good to travel around SD In March?

[@amandawoodley6476]

I’ve watched this video 3 or 4 times and am rewatching again - I love this video and all your roadtrips!!!

[@fayewilliams8422]

I love seeing you and pops having fun together. I only found your channel about two weeks ago and I am having so much fun watching them all Bad health keeps me home now so thank you for the armchair adventures

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks so much for finding our channel and watching the videos with us!

[@bryanb6217]

South Dakotan here. Awesome video. You highlighted it amazingly. But there's even more to discover. My family has one of the last cabins in Custer State Park. Come join us in it before it's gone.

[@RandomlyAbstract]

Would it be good to travel around SD in March?

[@bryanb6217]

@RandomlyAbstract depends on the year lol. It can still be very cold, I've been ice fishing in March. Mid to late April through Mid October is good(again depending on the year.) Also depends on what you're doing.

[@2011woodlands]

There are a lot of places to explore in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho & Dakotas. Lots of caves, forts, battles, mining towns, national parks.

[@ritaclaxton1920]

I have never been to SD, it truly is an amazing state, thank you for letting me go along on this journey with you, excellent videos and stories about the parks and Mt Rushmore, thank you!😊

[@ElizabethClemens-c2h]

We absolutely love watching yall.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Appreciate that!

[@woneymalian]

Nice video! Pops is a great guy, reminds me of my own dad! This video made me want to visit this beautiful state! A fan from Brazil!

[@zeevon9]

You do the best videos! Really enjoyed watching!👍

[@crossoverdreamer7016]

I've been to Mount Rushmore. The different views of the faces look smaller than I expected them to be. It was still a cool experience. I even got a souvenir T-shirt.

[@Loren_Vosser]

I am watching your videos especially this one with the sense of wonder I had as a child except now I 61 yrs old!!😂 I love your videos especially with your Pop if I ever return to the USA 🇺🇸 I will have to visit a national park as shown to me by yourself thank you and your Pop from London uk

[@AaronPIA]

I'd been considering going to Mt. Rushmore next year but wasn't sure. You've convinced me!

[@stevenbloss8416]

Spent 30 years on the road before I started doing people stuff like this. Many ideas i could throw at these guys for locations, and some even nicer places to go back and try!

[@frankcauthorn1472]

Great video! love SD , you guys need to go back because you missed some amazing spots. Michson Rail Trail, Custer SP ,Why no Crazy Horse? Hill City, Pringle bike art, Surgis is cool, Hot Springs has a great Mammoth museum.

[@RobertGrogan-b8p]

Can't Wait to watch! It was a pleasure running into Pops and Josh in Wall drug. Great conversation and such a great Channel to follow! Keep up the good work guys Thanks , Bobby and Tracy Grogan

[@popshiking]

Was great to meet you!

[@barbredgreen3403]

How awesome!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Enjoyed meeting you! Thanks for following the channel

[@FBMoy]

Great video! Pops and your road trips are such a highlight! Hope there’s many more

[@Benno101able]

Yes sir, Great video and it looks like you and Pops had a great time! Always enjoy your travel and road trip adventures

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks so much for watching it!

[@Trash__Man]

I am HYPED for this one

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for watching!

[@lorimb4753]

What a fun trip! I love all the unusual stops you make. Pops in the re-enactment was great! Thank you for another great trip, looking forward to the next one.😊

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks so much for watching it and for the comment!

[@Hummingbirds2023]

Josh, You truly out did yourself on the tour of South Dakota, Only tjing I ever knew about SD is Mt Rushmore thsts it! I have never been there WOW was I impressed! This was the most Well done beautiful tour of south dakota, I truly loved this vlog, south dakota was beautiful and so clean and tourist friendly, well layed out. I loved the cloudy rainy skies, I would loved to have toured this state with my family too. My mom and grandma would have loved it. The badlands were stunningly beautiful. The waterfalls everywhere breathtakin, I would LOVE living in south dakota after watching this show. Thank you!! You and your dad were a big crack up this trip too! So much fun together! 😂❤❤

[@MichaelRei99]

So many great things to see in our great country. No reason to leave before seeing every inch here!

[@maxt1617]

At 56:02 is funny! Your big, gentle father lifting the phone to his ear, only to find the cord was too short so he had to stoop 😂

[@gpoverchuk]

You really hit jackpot with all the wildlife ❤

[@terryrea9244]

Thanks! Love the SD trip ❤

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate it!

[@dollygurrrl]

Awesome photography! Thank y’all so much!

[@matteovinci83]

Have been watching the channel for a while now, apart from the amazing destinations, its just awesome to see you and pops having so much fun together on these trips. I hope I get to venture over there before too long and have a chance to do some of these adventures with my own dad. Thanks for showing us all these great places, keep up the awesome work. With excitement, from down under 🌅🇦🇺

[@Vegasbud702]

Your videos are always very informative. I’ll be going there for the new year 2024/25. Thanks for all the good info.

[@TimothyHorth]

Another amazing video with you and pops!! Can’t wait to see the next one!!!

[@ThroughMyLens]

More to come! We filmed 5 road trip videos this summer!

[@jessbest3151]

This was another amazing video and can't wait to visit South Dakota !

[@garygrow8373]

This is one of your best videos! Thanks.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Wow, thanks! Appreciate the kind words!

[@lindsaystewart90]

Watching from Nova Scotia Canada!!! This is definitely on my list of states to visit someday!

[@ThroughMyLens]

So cool! Would love to visit Nova Scotia sometime!

[@stinainsd]

@@ThroughMyLensyou can go see the bay of fundy - highest tides in the world

[@amorfood]

I can’t believe you were all by yourself at Sylvan lake!! We went in July and there were sooo many people. Loved our Rushmore trip!

[@alliesyn]

Yayyyyy! A very long video! I’ve never been up around this area and I love how it looks. My family also obsesses over cowboy history. My 4 year olds first vacation was the Grand Canyon on Christmas Day & Tombstone for New Years. Tombstone is fantastic.

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

The Black Hills are awesome for kids. So many things TML didn't see. A scenic train, panning for gold (salted, so you'll certainly find a few flakes), Armadillo's ice cream in Rapid City, Wildlife Loop rd, Mikkelson Bicycle trail (110 miles long), and a lot more.

[@AdventuresofAwesomeJoe]

Love watching your videos with your dad. Great content.

[@brenda9990]

Loved this video. Thanks for sharing this part of the country. Amazing!

[@francisebbecke2727]

Cool video! My wife and I have been there, but you two saw a lot more. This gives us a reason to return!

[@ThroughMyLens]

So glad you got to experience it as well!

[@andreajohnson1796]

Gorgeous, fabulous, wonderful and beautiful , so awesome to see those sites. Thanks for sharing Josh and Pops

[@ThroughMyLens]

Our pleasure!

[@franco817]

Hell yeah! I literally hit most of these spots a month ago on a 7 day trip

[@ThroughMyLens]

So cool! Glad you got to see it as well!

[@30VLADIMIR]

Beautiful! Am shocked by the journey!

[@debbiestevens4171]

I learn a lot and laugh a lot with each video. It’s fun to travel along with you.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for coming along with us!

[@cindywestlake6278]

Cant wait!!! We have been twice, in 2016 and 2020 and absolutely loved it!!

[@ThroughMyLens]

So cool! I would love to go back!

[@cowboyscoffee]

What a beautiful trip with your dad. We've been out there many times. Thank you❤

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you got a chance to explore the state as well!

[@zabajart]

My wife and I just came back to Georgia at the end of September, after seeing a lot of sites you all saw and am 10 minutes into your trip right now to make a few comments, surprised you all did not catch the short trail from the Eisenhower trail in Deadwood to see the scenic overllook , a must see, we had a lot of wind when we hiked and some thunder in the distance, so we got out in time 👍

[@conniewojahn6445]

Another great trip! Thanks for the take-a-long. Love morning coffee. I'd go for something other than the five cent stuff. South Dakota wasn't what I was expecting. Do you guys ever eat Asian? Can't recall ever seeing that. Pizza, yes, plenty of pizza, and hamburgers.

[@xiggroc]

Love when u and pops do these adventures! The views are so amazing fr !🦾🫡

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you like them!

[@sharmaineramnarine8253]

Another one added my to do list,great video as always Josh and Pops 🎉🎉🎉.

[@kyleranderson5557]

Watecha bowl is owned by my friend LT. he makes incredible food and it’s one of my top spots for comfort food here when I’ve had a long week or month. Thanks for going there!

[@MovingToAdventure]

Your trip to the Badlands reminds me of my trip to Petrified Forest. Very similar parks and we both brought rain!

[@Starfish2145]

I can’t believe how much you packed into that first day! I would’ve only been able to do half of that

[@lets.go.places2gether]

I never had an interest in visiting south Dakota, now after watching this video Im in awe and really want to visit it. Its on my bucket list!

[@ThroughMyLens]

I was blown away by how awesome it was as well!

[@VentureThrills]

South Dakota has so much to offer! This road trip guide covers all the must-see spots. 🚗🌄

[@ThroughMyLens]

It really does, such a cool state

[@karenscannell5713]

@@VentureThrills yw

[@majorbuzz]

I took my 12 year old son on a road trip from central Ohio to the Black Hills in 2002. We camped in Custer State Park. We didn't do the Sylvan Lake hike, but we did rent a canoe while we were there. When I saw the National Treasure movie, I immediately realized that the movie was wrong in placing the lake where it was. My son took a photo of a faint daytime moon through the eye of the needle. A great photo for a Sony 3.2 megapixel point and shoot of that era.😊

[@bigjon3426]

Come during the sturgis rally for an experience like no other. Second week of August every year.

[@goldensuki]

I love the son-father bond ❤️.You forgot to visit Crazy Horse monument.

[@bettsboysadventure3539]

Well done as per usual

[@gandrjourneys]

Another Great Video Josh! A great inspiration as always.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@popshiking]

Was an awesome trip! I was so surprised with all South Dakota had to offer!!

[@ThroughMyLens]

For sure, such an amazing state!

[@googleuser2170]

Love seeing Pops act in the Wild Bill show. You two have a great relationship.

[@ThroughMyLens]

haha yea it was fun to see him so excited about it!

[@RyanKimba]

Hey Josh! Just wondering, ever plan on doing a live stream or video talking about your all-time favorite trips you've done? I compiled a list of my favorite trips and also one of my favorite hikes. It was a lot of fun to do 😎

[@ThroughMyLens]

Sounds like a great idea! Will have to talk about that on the next live stream

[@FrankQuin-v2y]

Thanks for sharing

[@kellyjohnson3617]

My moms family was born and raised in that area. My great grandpa own and ran a hotel as well as a fish farm outside of spearfish. The black hills are magical. The needles drive is phenomenal. Only been to that area once. I def want to go back one day. My mom said the prairie dogs would walk into my grammas kitchen and tug on her skirt to beg for scraps. My gramma grew up in a sod house because they couldn’t afford very much wood so they used what was plentiful and free. The family would just make more sod bricks to expand their home as they expanded the family. My grandma and grandpas family were homesteaders and prospectors. They never found gold but my great grandpa was a South Dakota territory senator. My grammas oldest brother raised his family and lived out the rest of his life in Wall. Wall is a pretty fun stop. Reminds me of Knott’s berry farm without the rides. lol

[@ThroughMyLens]

Wow what a fascinating part of your story! Thanks for sharing that with us!

[@DyanK614]

Loved the vlog! What a great road trip! I ❤ South Dakota!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for watching it!

[@SFBenjaminK]

Dakota that's a place I'm going when I retired especially for somebody like me just have the social security to live by, this is the place to go to get retired, it's quiet, calm and safe it's just a lay back beautiful there 🤙😘

[@MichaelRei99]

As long as long harsh winters don’t bother you.

[@SFBenjaminK]

@@MichaelRei99 When your senior citizen and retire ,you don't go out too much in the roads or go to work daily, so don't matter that much, most states have that four season

[@TheLethcoe]

Great video! If ever back in Rapid City, should check out the Chapel in the Hills. And if you’re there with your family take the kids to Story Brook Island, the kids will love it.

[@LeonorCummings]

Thank you for visiting South Dakota. This is the best place I have lived, so peaceful, open space, good people who are close to nature and honor the creator.

[@lindajohnson177]

Awesome! So fun to see your travels!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@stephbrandenburg9957]

Thank you! I like seeing Mount Rushmore from those three tunnel vision view points! Much more than the North by Northwest movie scene. Eve Marie Saint hanging onto facial features… but over the top as a kid watching classic film.

[@slighwentwalking2025]

That was quite an adventure. Lots of unique displays and historic sites. So many things to see and do in a place that I assumed was not noteworthy at all. Well done mates 👍

[@ThroughMyLens]

So glad you enjoyed it, we had a lot of fun exploring SD for sure

[@karenscannell5713]

Hi ! Looks a cool place to visit as well very pretty with the falls and parks. This definitely would be a nice place to visit! 😊

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for watching and I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@maiaohe]

My family and I did a SD road trip last year and experienced some of the attractions you showed. You did however miss Crazy Horse and all the things to see there.

[@ilovesparky13]

Great video! Definitely an underrated state to visit.

[@ThroughMyLens]

It really is!

[@marlesmeep]

I still can't believe we were there at the same time! I seen you at Needles highway and so regret not figuring out a way to turn around. Lol we went the opposite direction you did!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Aww bummer! Always love saying hi!

[@douglasmcbryan3705]

Our favorite place to vacation. We go to the Crazy Horse Volkssmarch every year. Nancy

[@percymcnabb4746]

wow, so awesome.

[@SmallWonda]

That was a very fun road trip - one vacation I drove from Baraboo Wi across to North Dakota, into South Dakota and back thru' Iowa - I did prefer SD to the North - again, I think a lot of these places have really upped their game this century and visitors are going to get a really great experience and there seems to be a lot to see & do and great food experiences - that Fry Bread looked amazing - I loved that stuff. Thanks guys, must catch up with Pop's channel.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for the comment! I hope to do North Dakota in the future, I have never been there

[@dorseykindler9544]

So excited! My favorite 80s childhood road trip was to South Dakota. Saw everything from the Corn Palace to Wall Drug!

[@ThroughMyLens]

So cool! I am glad you got to explore it!

[@joanedwards-de6pl]

The same sculptor who sculpted the Dinity Statue constructed the Arc of Dreams. Dale Lamphere is the sculptor.

[@birdman5223]

Wonderful place👍👍👍. Great stuff y’all😉

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks so much!

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

The hike up Black Elk (formerly Harney) peak from the Sylvan lake trailhead isn't too bad. It was a long time ago when I hiked it, but we did it with a 5 year old. I don't recall having to carry him more than just a little. Nice view from the building on the top. To do the area justice, drive Needles Highway (west to east), then go south a bit and hook up with the west end of the Custer State Park wildlife loop road, then when you finish the WLR you are within a mile of the south end of Iron Mountain Rd, which you can drive (south to north) up to Mt. Rushmore.

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

I should have added that a few miles south of the start of SD 87 (Needles Highway) on US 385 is Crazy Horse mountain. Much bigger than Mt. Rushmore but won't be finished for another 50 years at a minimum. Also, right at the end of the Wildlife Loop Rd is the State Game Lodge, which was the summer White House for President Calvin Coolidge.

[@AdventuresofMeganandMike]

We loved the video! If you and Pops ever want to explore Falls Park in Greenville, SC we’d love to show you around!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Sounds great! Appreciate that!

[@JamesDuncan-Author]

Excellent. Great video.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thank you very much!

[@MrfiX725]

Oooo, Coconut Creme pie is my JAM!!!!

[@ThroughMyLens]

It is so good!

[@zerxilk8169]

We enjoyed that very much.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johng5710]

Surprised you didn't spend more time in Custer State Park. Lots of good hikes there and there's the wildlife loop road through the southern part of the park that looks like a completely different park than the northern part where you can see tons of bison and other wildlife.

[@wallywalston3805]

Hi Josh, My family lived in Minot North Dakota when I was a Kid, We've been to all over the Dakota's. One little tidbit I learned from a Docent at the International Peace Garden the Canadian Border with North Dakota, is that the early map makers mislabeled the Turtle Mtns and the Black Hills. The Turtle Mtns are in ND, if you've been there the hills are very dark with dense tree's. you've been to the Black Hills , their not so black and have stone ridge tops...kinda like a turtle. Making Maps back in the 1800s was real hassle so they just stuck with the misprint...

[@EdCook-f4q]

You didn't say his name, but that cutout of the tallest man ever was Robert Wadlow. Not sure why it's in that museum because he lived in Alton, Illinois. He used to walk right by my mom's house in the mornings. He did some traveling due to his height so perhaps, he wound up in South Dakota at some point. There is a life size statue of him in an Alton Park that you can stand beside and get photos. I did it with my family. One thing I remember reading about him is he needed custom made shoes.

[@Froggie6767]

South Dakota is such an underrated vacay spot! They let us bring our dog into Saloon 10! Made our trip☺️☺️

[@ThroughMyLens]

I agree it is such a gem!

[@DrMyEyes]

6'7"?! 😮 You're both very funny. Great video!

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

Josh, the same person, Dale Lamphere, made both the Dignity statue and the Arc of Dreams that you saw in Sioux Falls.

[@TedChandler-r1i]

great video, i did that trip in 2012, cant wait to go back, pops looked like he was living it up on that rabbit , 1880 train ride in keystone was well worth it , so much to see of what God made out there

[@barbarashepheard9735]

Woohoo! Looks good.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Hope you enjoy!

[@tonyz376]

Hey Josh, love your videos and I always look forward to everything you post. But if pops is 6'7" you must be pretty tall too since you don't look that much different in size to him.

[@Thatsotaguy]

Super excited 🎉

[@ThroughMyLens]

I hope you liked it!

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

The "not sure what this is" was indeed a pronghorn antelope. I haven't finished the video, but you quite often can see Bighorn Sheep at the overlooks on the west side of the park. EDIT: I should have watched about 10 seconds longer. LOL Glad you got to see them. Not everybody does.

[@rachels7343]

Loved this video! Are we going to see you visit all American national parks?

[@ThroughMyLens]

That's the plan! Not sure how long it will take though haha