Morning: Depart St. Louis early and head west on I‑70, enjoying the rolling Missouri plains. Stop for breakfast in Columbia, MO, before crossing into Kansas.
Afternoon: Continue on US‑36 and I‑90, arriving at Badlands National Park in the late afternoon. Set up camp at Cedar Pass Campground and take a short sunset walk along the Door Trail.
Evening: Cook dinner in the RV and relax under the night sky, spotting the iconic layered rock formations of the Badlands illuminated by starlight.
Find HotelsMorning: Hike the Notch Trail for breathtaking views of the rugged canyons and wildlife spotting opportunities.
Afternoon: Drive the Badlands Loop Road, stopping at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center for exhibits, then explore the Fossil Exhibit Trail.
Evening: Return to camp for a sunset photo session at the Pinnacles, followed by a campfire dinner.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Badlands early and drive north to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where you’ll witness the iconic presidential carvings.
Afternoon: Head to Wind Cave National Park for a guided cave tour showcasing the unique boxwork formations, then stroll the above‑ground prairie loop.
Evening: Camp at the nearby Rattlesnake Campground, enjoying a quiet evening by the fire.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel south on US‑26 to Scotts Bluff National Monument, climbing the historic Oregon Trail vista for sweeping views of the surrounding prairie.
Afternoon: Walk the North Rim Trail and visit the interpretive museum detailing pioneer history.
Evening: Set up at the Scotts Bluff Campground and enjoy a relaxed dinner while listening to the sounds of the prairie night.
Find HotelsMorning: Begin the long drive eastward, crossing into South Dakota and then Minnesota, stopping for coffee in Sioux Falls.
Afternoon: Continue through the scenic Minnesota River Valley, arriving in Fergus Falls by late afternoon. Explore the historic downtown and the beautiful Otter Tail River trail.
Evening: Park the RV at the Fergus Falls KOA, enjoy a waterfront dinner at a local restaurant, and rest for the next day's adventure.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Fergus Falls early and head west to the North Dakota border, entering the Theodore Roosevelt National Park – South Unit.
Afternoon: Drive the scenic Loop Road, stopping at the Chariton River Overlook and hiking the Wind Canyon Trail for bison sightings.
Evening: Camp at the Ranch Campground, savoring a sunset over the Badlands‑like terrain before a quiet night in the park.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel south to Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Trail in western Minnesota, beginning at the North Shore Trailhead.
Afternoon: Hike the Lake Loon Loop, exploring glacial landforms, kettle lakes, and historic farmsteads.
Evening: Return to the RV at the nearby Chippewa Moraine State Park Campground, concluding the trip with a reflective campfire dinner.
Find HotelsIf you have extra time, add a day at the Badlands for sunrise photography or extend your stay at Theodore Roosevelt National Park to explore the North Unit and the historic town of Medora. To shorten the trip, combine Mt. Rushmore and Wind Cave into a single day and skip the drive to Fergus Falls, focusing instead on the North Dakota parks for a more compact itinerary.