Client Story Series Part 1: South Dakota Adventure

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We’re excited to launch our travel and adventure story series by spotlighting one of our own team members! Advisor Chris Bishop is starting things off by sharing highlights from his recent vacation to South Dakota.

Follow along as we share more travel inspiration from our team and clients. Feel free to share these accounts with friends, family, and colleagues.

South Dakota Adventure

In June of 2025, our family traveled to South Dakota. This time of the year was great, while it did get hot in the Badlands during the afternoon, it wasn’t too bad, and we were early enough to avoid the summer crowds. We had such a great time visiting Yellowstone a couple of years before that we wanted something similar for our vacation. This includes hiking, wildlife not native to the Roanoke area, and unique landscapes. We flew into Rapid City, which was a great location for the things we wanted to see. If you are looking for a meal in Rapid City, you may want to check out a strip of restaurants starting at W Main and 9^th St. 

Devil’s Tower

Our first stop was Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. It was a 1.5-hour drive from Rapid City. We debated whether we wanted to drive this far, but I’m glad we did. This is a unique geological formation (famous for its role in the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind). I enjoyed the path around the tower and learning about its history, including Native American stories and accounts of people who climbed the mountain. We even watched a few climbers scaling the formation while we visited. 

Devil’s Tower

Sundance

On the way back from Devil’s Tower, we happened to eat in the small town of Sundance, which is known for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Also along the drive to Devil’s Tower is Sturgis. We didn’t stop here, but if you are interested in the big bike rally, you may want to drive through.  Also along the drive to Devil’s Tower is the town of Deadwood. This is certainly a tourist destination with shows, casinos, restaurants, and bars. There is some old west history there as well, including the grave of Wild Bill Hickok. Finally, another stop on the way to Devil’s Tower is Spearfish Canyon. We loved the tree-filled canyon, and the landscape was in stark contrast to the Badlands. We hiked several trails near the Spearfish Canyon Lodge. We didn’t stay at the lodge, but it looked beautiful. 

Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse Memorial

Closer to Rapid City, we visited Mount Rushmore. I enjoyed the monument and learning about its history and the engineering involved in its construction. Several people told me that Mount Rushmore is smaller in person, but I didn’t think so and was impressed overall. They host a light show each evening; while it didn’t quite live up to my expectations, it’s worth staying for if you’re already there – just maybe don’t plan your whole day around it.

Mount Rushmore

We also visited the Crazy Horse Memorial. This is a gigantic stone memorial that dwarfs Mount Rushmore and has been in progress for decades and is far from complete. If you are interested in Native American culture and history, or in the history of the monument itself, it is worth the stop.

Custer State Park & Sylvan Lake 

We spent several days at the State Game Lodge in Custer State Park. It was a nice stay, though you could easily save on costs by staying in nearby towns like Custer or Keystone. Staying in the park was not a big advantage. Unlike Yellowstone, where a guide is a must, you can easily explore Custer State Park on your own. There we saw some wildlife in Custer State Park, such as buffalo and various bird species, but nowhere near the variety we saw in Yellowstone. If wildlife is what you are looking for, you would be better served by going to Yellowstone. Two of our favorites in Custer State Park were the Cathedral Spires hike and Sylvan Lake. The Spires hike ends in a hilltop valley surrounded by stone pillars—it felt like we’d been beamed down from the Enterprise into a sci-fi landscape! Sylvan Lake is equally beautiful, offering great hiking and water activities. There are also caves to explore. We went to both Jewel Cave and Wind Cave. They were very different: Jewel Cave was open and expansive, while Wind Cave had narrower passages. If I had to choose, it would easily be Jewel Cave. The expansive chambers and the “Bacon Formation” are incredible. (That said, after these two, I think I’ve officially hit my lifetime quota for cave exploration!)

Cathedral Spires

Cathedral Spires

Badlands

Our final stop was the Badlands. On the way, we stopped at Wall Drug. Yes, it’s a tourist trap, but a fun one! We explored all the shops, had a good lunch, and got a complimentary cup of cold water. They also have an extensive collection of art from South Dakota artists that was impressive to peruse. We actually liked it so much we stopped a second time on our way out.

Wall Drug & Cafe

The Badlands were an impressive landscape with a variety of animals, such as Buffalo, pronghorns, and bighorn sheep. Exploring the Badlands is very easy – one main road with various pullouts. You can see it in a day, but I’d recommend two if you plan on hiking. Keep in mind that hiking in the Badlands is typically on rocks and sandy soil and is very different from hiking in a forest. You are more susceptible to dehydration as a result. If you plan to stay more than one day in the Badlands, I recommend staying at the small cabins at Cedar Pass Lodge. This is one of the few, if not the only, places to stay in the park, and it does provide an advantage because accommodations outside the park are a longer drive. It is also right next to the Badlands Visitor Center. We stayed here and loved waking up to the surrounding scenery. Food options are very limited inside the park. There is a diner at the Cedar Pass Lodge, but otherwise, you may need to pack a lunch. 

Badlands

Badlands National Park Sign

In summary, we had a great time. We all agreed that Yellowstone was more impressive but didn’t regret the visit. South Dakota provided a unique, memorable adventure that we’d recommend to anyone.