The Black Hills Adventure: Badlands, Deadwood & Devil’s Tower

On our way back to Chicago, we carved out time to explore the Black Hills of South Dakota, and wow—this place is breathtaking. Towering pine-covered hills, jagged peaks, and winding roads made it one of the most scenic detours on our route home. But as always, our adventures in the Black Hills were filled with more than just views.

The Rock Shop Surprise in the Black Hills

One afternoon we stopped at a small rock shop, lured in by the kind of quirky roadside charm we can never resist. An older man with a limp came out of another building, gave us a nod, and said, “Just one second, I need to turn on the lights.”

When we walked in, it was HOT. And right by the front door sat a huge plastic container. My brain immediately went to reptiles—because obviously, fate loves to test me with snakes and lizards. (Lucky me, right?)

Instead, inside were baby foxes. Much cuter, but still completely unexpected. The man explained he had a passion for foxes and wolves, and before we knew it, we were being shown his personal version of a “Tiger King” sanctuary—about 40 different types of foxes and 10 wolves of all kinds. It was wild and, honestly, pretty incredible to see them all up close.

This was just one of his pet wolves that we got to see up close!

Devil’s Tower

From there, we made our way to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming—an enormous, almost otherworldly monolith rising out of the earth. This natural wonder has been sacred to Native American tribes for centuries and became America’s first National Monument in 1906. Standing at its base, you can see why—it looks like something carved by giants, with vertical columns stretching into the sky.

Devil's Tower was super impressive!

Crazy Horse Memorial

Back in South Dakota, we visited the Crazy Horse Memorial, an ongoing mountain carving honoring the legendary Lakota leader. Though it’s still under construction, the sheer scale is awe-inspiring. When completed, it will be the world’s largest mountain carving—towering even larger than Mount Rushmore. Even unfinished, it’s a powerful sight.

I hope we get to see this done in our lifetime!

The Badlands

We couldn’t pass through without stopping at the Badlands, with its dramatic, eroded landscapes that look like another planet. The highlight? Watching big horn sheep wander effortlessly along those rugged formations while we snapped photos like paparazzi.

We hung out with this guy for a while, as he grazed!

Deadwood: Wild West History

We also spent time in Deadwood, a town that wears its Wild West history proudly. Founded during the 1876 gold rush, it was home to legendary names like Wild Bill Hickok (who was shot during a poker game) and Calamity Jane. Walking its streets today, you still get that rowdy, lawless energy—only now it’s mixed with casinos, saloons, and history tours.

Bridal Veil Falls in Spearfish

Our Black Hills adventure wrapped with a stop at Bridal Veil Falls in Spearfish Canyon. Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and lush forest, the waterfall cascaded down like something out of a fairytale. It was a peaceful finale to a region full of surprises, history, and jaw-dropping scenery.

The Black Hills gave us a little bit of everything—natural beauty, quirky roadside encounters, deep history, and plenty of wildlife. It was a perfect reminder that even on the journey home, there are still incredible stories waiting just around the bend.