Experience The Beauty Of South Dakota’s Hidden Highways

When you have a little extra time, it's always nice to blaze a different trail and take an alternate route. Yes, you can get there faster with I-90, but there's a lot to see when you make it a backroad adventure from Sioux Falls to Rapid City.

I like to leave early and make a day of it. In this post I'll tell you about a favorite route of mine that gets us from east to west, South of Interstate 90.

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Out of Sioux Falls, I like to take Highway 42 and head west. When you get to Bridgewater you'll have a decision to make. Just stay on and keep going west. Bridgewater has a couple friendly stops to stop for snacks if you didn't stock up before you left Sioux Falls. Your trip will take you through Stickney, Aurora Center before you drift south to keep on track.

One of the nice things about taking the backroads is you get to see so much more. Some might call it boring, but if you like to check the crops, and see the farmsteads and acreages it's a nice trip. Oh, and we're getting closer to the River.

Let's check that GPS and move our route down to Highway 44. We'll be stopping in Platte. Platte is the ultimate when it comes to driving through the heart of a small South Dakota Town. I usually stop at Boom's and grab a bite to eat before continuing.

After a stop in Platte, it's time to cross the river. In the summer you'll see quite a few campers and boats along and out on the water. I told you the Missouri River was popular. Now you'll be able to see it and cross it. On the way you can tell you're kids to try to hold their breath as you cross the bridge. For good luck of course and to keep things quite in the car.

After the bridge we'll watch the signs and head for Winner. When we get to Winner, we'll be checking out wheat fields and cattle. Don't look now, but many of the cattle you'll see are actually out grazing in huge pastures. While you drive you can look out the winshield and dream about being a cowboy.

From winner we'll head to Mission. From Mission, let's head north a bit and make our way up to White River. White River is the home of some of the friendliest people you'll find in the state. Oh, and it's 'country.' Real Country that you're traveling through now.

South Dakota is called the land of Infinite Variety and by now you can see why. Things Change. We go from green, with corn and bean fields. The scenery now is mostly hard grass and cattle. Stop the car and get out along the shoulder of the road. It will be easy because there's not much traffic out here!

After White River, the route is CRAZY. Most people NEVER see places like Cedar Butte, Wanbalee and Interior. The cut from Wanbalee to Interteror is classic cowboy country. Interior to Scenic will find you ready to shut down. That'll be happening soon as you'll be pulling into Rapid City in about 90 minutes.

Did I mention you should fill up with gas in either Winner or Mission. You'll want to! Gas stations are few and far between on this wild and western road trip!

So we finally pull into Rapid City. Why the hell did we do that? To see something different. to think some different thoughts and to subtly put this off the beaten path on your bragging' sheet.

Maybe next time I'll share my favorite route taking a north route across the state.