Morning: Depart St. Louis early and head west on I‑70, enjoying the rolling Missouri prairies. Stop at a family‑run diner in Columbia for a hearty breakfast.
Afternoon: Continue to Kansas City, where you can stretch your legs at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and its iconic sculpture garden.
Evening: Park the RV at a well‑equipped campground near the river, grill dinner, and relax with a sunset view over the Missouri River.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive north on I‑29/I‑90 to the Badlands National Park visitor center, where a quick ranger talk sets the scene for the day.
Afternoon: Explore the park’s dramatic spires on the Badlands Loop Road, stopping at viewpoints like the **Panorama Point** and **Big Badlands Overlook**.
Evening: Return to the nearby campground, enjoy stargazing on the expansive prairie sky, and share stories around the fire.
Find HotelsMorning: Arrive at Mount Rushmore National Memorial for a sunrise view of the carved presidents, then visit the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center.
Afternoon: Head to Wind Cave National Park, taking the Natural Entrance tour to marvel at the unique boxwork formations.
Evening: Stay at a campground in the Black Hills, where you can hike a short trail to the **Pine Ridge** for a quiet evening walk.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel east to the historic Scotts Bluff National Monument, climbing the North and South Ramps for sweeping views of the Oregon Trail route.
Afternoon: Visit the historic **Mormon Trail Museum** and take a short hike along the **Pioneer Trail** to learn about westward migration.
Evening: Camp near the bluff, enjoy a sunset that paints the red rock pink, and listen to the distant calls of prairie birds.
Find HotelsMorning: Cross into Minnesota and arrive in Fergus Falls, strolling through the downtown riverwalk and the historic **Herbert Hoover National Historic Site**.
Afternoon: Rent a kayak to paddle the **Otter Tail River**, then explore the **Afton State Park** trails for a scenic nature break.
Evening: Set up at a local RV park, dine at a farm‑to‑table restaurant, and enjoy a quiet night beside the falls.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive west to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, stopping at the visitor center for wildlife spotting tips.
Afternoon: Cruise the **Scenic Loop Road**, pausing at **Elk Creek** and **Mossy Creek** for short hikes and potential bison sightings.
Evening: Camp at the **Cedar Pass Campground**, where you can watch the prairie sunset and hear the distant howl of wolves.
Find HotelsMorning: Explore the rugged terrain of Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area**, taking the **Moraine Trail** to see glacially carved landscapes.
Afternoon: Enjoy a leisurely paddle on **Lake Chippewa**, then begin the drive back toward St. Louis, stopping for a late lunch in Sioux Falls.
Evening: Arrive home after a memorable journey, unload the RV, and reflect on the diverse scenery experienced across the Midwest and Northern Plains.
Find HotelsIf you have extra days, consider adding a detour to the **Black Hills' Custer State Park** for wildlife drives or extending your stay at **Lake Superior's Apostle Islands** for kayaking. To shorten the trip, skip the Fergus Falls segment and combine Badlands with Mount Rushmore on the same day, reducing overall travel time while still hitting the major highlights.