Wall, South Dakota Travel Guide
Introducing Wall, South Dakota! Situated on I-90 and on the outskirts of Badlands National Park, Wall is a popular spot for national park and interstate travelers. While the town may only have 700 residents, it attracts millions of visitors a year! One of Wall’s biggest draws is the Wall Drug Store, a very famous and popular roadside attraction with as much of a cult following as a Buc-ees. Located near Rapid City, SD (50min, 55 miles) and Pierre, SD (2hrs, 120 miles), Wall is the perfect stop for history, food, and fun. Read further to learn about all Wall has to offer!
Wall is one of the gateways to the Badlands! Badlands National Park attracts around a million visitors a year! The unique mixed grass prairie landscape is full of fossil beds and many animals, such as prairie dogs, big horn sheep, bison, and black footed ferret. Visitors can hike, camp, gaze at the stars, and see the pinnacles and buttes. This park is perfect for driving, too, with many overlooks to stop and take in the views. There are many popular hikes in the park, including Notch Trail, Fossil Exhibit Trail, and Saddle Pass Trail.
Wall Drug Store is an icon and a must-stop while in Wall! If you drive in on I-90, you’ll be sure to see a billboard or two for it. From actual drugstore items to food, gifts, and even a giant dinosaur, this is an experience you do not want to miss! Wall has some museums worth checking out, too. Head to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site to see a relic from the Cold War. You can even see a missile in the silo! Wounded Knee Museum is nearby too, which tells the history of the massacre of the Lakota people by the US military in 1890. Stop by Prairie Homestead to see an old sod house from the early 1900s, or stop by Robert’s Prairie Dog Town to see some prairie dogs. Also in Wall is the National Grasslands Visitors Center, which is helpful for travelers to learn more about the area.
Wall is a great place to fuel up on food, too! For breakfast, try Wakin’ Bacon, and be sure to try their Wakin’ Bacon Burger, or grab coffee from Wall Stompin’ Grounds Coffee House. For lunch, stop by Wall Drug Store for convenient food options, or head to Salty Steer for burgers. For dinner, get American favorites from Red Rock Restaurant & Lounge or Badlands Saloon & Grille.
Need a place to stay in Wall? Consider booking a room at Badlands Frontier Cabins, Hansen Inn & Cabins, Sunshine Inn, or Welsh’s Motel. Need a whole rental for yourself? Consider booking a Vrbo. Here are some of our favorites: Charming Home for 4.
Want to visit Wall, but not sure when? Consider coming during one of their many festivals, such as Wall Celebration, Badlands Astronomy Festival, or Wheelin’ to Wall. Whatever you’re into, Wall, South Dakota has something worth seeing. We hope this travel guide gives you a glimpse into life in Wall that can inspire a future visit. To find more travel guides near you, check out our map!
Happy Travels!
The Modern Travel Guide
