Morning: Load up the RV in St. Louis and set off westward, cruising through the rolling hills of Missouri and into the Great Plains. Stop at a family‑friendly rest area for coffee and stretch the legs.
Afternoon: Continue the 900‑mile journey, crossing into Kansas and then Nebraska; the open sky and occasional prairie vistas make for a relaxing drive. Pull into a campground near Valentine, SD, to refuel and restock supplies.
Evening: Arrive at a RV park just outside the Badlands National Park entrance. Set up camp, enjoy a sunset over the rugged formations, and share stories over a campfire dinner.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive the Badlands Loop Road, stopping at the Visitor Center for maps and ranger tips. Hike the Notch Trail for dramatic cliff‑side views and photogenic rock formations.
Afternoon: Visit the Fossil Exhibit Trail to learn about the region’s prehistoric past, then take a leisurely drive to the Pinnacles Overlook for sweeping vistas of layered badlands.
Evening: Return to the campground for a relaxed evening; enjoy stargazing on the clear prairie sky, one of the darkest night‑time environments in the continental U.S.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Badlands early and head north to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Walk the Presidential Trail to view the iconic faces up close and visit the Sculptor’s Studio.
Afternoon: After lunch in Keystone, drive the short distance to Wind Cave National Park. Take the Natural Entrance tour (if available) to explore the world’s longest known cave system.
Evening: Set up camp at the nearby Riverside Campground and unwind with a quiet dinner, listening to the sounds of the forest and nearby river.
**Day 4: Scotts Bluff National Monument**Morning: Head east across the prairie to Scotts Bluff National Monument in western Nebraska. Climb the historic Bluff Trail for panoramic views of the Oregon Trail’s historic crossing.
Afternoon: Explore the museum to learn about the emigrants, Native American history, and the geology of the bluffs. Take a short drive to the nearby town of Gering for a local lunch.
Evening: Camp at the Scotts Bluff KOA, where you can enjoy a peaceful night under the stars and prepare for the longer drive north the next day.
Find HotelsMorning: Begin the long drive northward, crossing South Dakota into Minnesota. Stop for breakfast in Sioux Falls before continuing toward the fertile farmlands of western Minnesota.
Afternoon: Arrive in Fergus Falls and explore the scenic Otter Tail Lake shoreline. Walk the downtown historic district, visiting local boutiques and the beautiful downtown park.
Evening: Park the RV at the Fergus Falls RV Park and enjoy a relaxed evening by the lake, perhaps taking a sunset paddle or simply unwinding on the campsite patio.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive west to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Begin with the South Unit’s Elkhorn Ranch Visitor Center, then hike the Wind Canyon Trail for striking canyon vistas.
Afternoon: Cross to the North Unit and stop at the historic Maltese Cross Cabin. Take the short hike to the Painted Canyon Overlook for dramatic red‑rock formations against the prairie.
Evening: Camp at the Riverside Campground within the park, enjoying a quiet night surrounded by the rolling Badlands‑like terrain.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart the park and head south to Chippewa Moraine State Park in western Minnesota. Explore the park’s glacially‑carved landscapes on the Lakeside Trail.
Afternoon: Paddle or fish on the pristine lakes, then visit the visitor center to learn about the region’s glacial history. Begin the return leg toward St. Louis, stopping for a late lunch in Mankato.
Evening: Arrive back in St. Louis, unload the RV, and reflect on a week of diverse scenery—from badlands to bluffs, caves, and glacial lakes.
Find HotelsIf you’d like to extend the trip, consider adding an extra day at Theodore Roosevelt National Park to explore the scenic Badlands Loop and the historic towns of Medora and Belfield. To shorten the itinerary, you can combine Day 4 and Day 5 by skipping the overnight stay in Fergus Falls and heading straight to the North Dakota park; the drive is long but doable with an early start. Always check road conditions and park reservation requirements ahead of time, especially for campgrounds that fill quickly during the summer season.