RV Road Trip from St. Louis to the Badlands and Beyond

Day 1: St. Louis → Scotts Bluff National Monument

Morning: Depart St. Louis early and enjoy a scenic drive across Missouri into Nebraska, covering roughly 650 miles. Take a short break in Kearney for coffee and stretch your legs.

Afternoon: Arrive at Scotts Bluff National Monument. Walk the Bluff Trail to the summit for sweeping views of the historic Oregon Trail and the surrounding prairie.

Evening: Set up camp at the nearby Scotts Bluff KOKO or a state park site, fire up the grill, and review the itinerary for the next day.

Day 2: Scotts Bluff → Badlands National Park (including Ferguson Falls)

Morning: Leave Scotts Bluff after sunrise and head west on I‑80, then US‑385 toward the Badlands National Park entrance. Stop at a local diner in Wall for a hearty breakfast.

Afternoon: Explore the Badlands Visitor Center, then drive the scenic Badlands Loop Road, stopping at iconic viewpoints such as Big Badlands Overlook and Window Trail. A short side‑trip leads to Fergus Falls, a tranquil waterfall tucked in the park’s backcountry.

Evening: Camp at the Badlands Campground (or nearby private RV park), enjoy stargazing on the clear prairie sky, and prepare for a full day of outdoor adventures tomorrow.

Day 3: Badlands → Wind Cave National Park → Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Morning: Depart Badlands early and drive north to Wind Cave National Park. Take a guided tour of the massive limestone caverns, known for its boxwork formations.

Afternoon: After exiting the cave, head east on US‑20 to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota). Stop at the visitor center, then cruise the scenic Loop Road for wildlife sightings of bison, elk, and prairie dogs.

Evening: Set up camp at the Rogers Campground within the park, enjoy a campfire dinner, and soak in the rugged Badlands‑like landscape under a canopy of stars.

Day 4: Theodore Roosevelt → Mount Rushmore → Chippewa Moraine State Park

Morning: Leave the park and travel west on US‑85 to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Arrive in time for the morning lighting ceremony and explore the Presidential Trail.

Afternoon: After lunch in Keystone, drive north to Chippewa Moraine State Park in western Wisconsin (via I‑90 and US‑12). Stop at the visitor center to learn about the park’s unique glacial geology.

Evening: Pitch your RV at the Chippewa Moraine Campground, take a short hike to the scenic lake, and unwind with a quiet evening by the water.

Day 5: Chippewa Moraine → Return toward St. Louis (Optional Extension)

Morning: Enjoy a sunrise walk around the park’s lakes, then begin the long drive back east. Consider a brief stop at the historic town of La Crosse, WI, for coffee.

Afternoon: Continue the journey through Iowa, stopping at the Effigy Mounds National Monument for a quick hike and cultural insight.

Evening: Arrive back in St. Louis, unload the RV, and reflect on the diverse landscapes and historic sites experienced throughout the trip.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Scotts Bluff National Monument – 2 hours – $25 entry fee
• Badlands National Park – 4 hours – $30 entry fee
• Fergus Falls (within Badlands) – 1 hour – included
• Wind Cave National Park (guided tour) – 2 hours – $25 entry fee
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park – 3 hours – $25 entry fee
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial – 2 hours – $10 entry fee
• Chippewa Moraine State Park – 3 hours – $5 entry fee
• Effigy Mounds National Monument – 2 hours – $5 entry fee
• Total Estimated Cost: $125

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a day at Wind Cave to explore additional cave tours or a night hike for wildlife spotting. To shorten the trip, skip the optional return stop at Effigy Mounds and drive straight back to St. Louis after Chippewa Moraine; this will reduce the itinerary to four full days while still covering all major attractions.