Tag: travel

5 Places To Explore Near Rapid City, SD That Aren’t Mount Rushmore

Posted on by Jane Simpson

When you think of tourist destinations in the United States, you wouldn’t think of Rapid City, South Dakota. It’s not on your bucket list. But you would be surprised just how many tourists travel to South Dakota’s second largest city every year to visit the gateway to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.

However, there’s more to explore in Rapid City than just Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. Instead, you can roam the prairie with buffalo, go on archaeological digs, hike, camp, and kayak. Luckily, we have your complete list of fun destinations in and around Rapid City for the whole family. Schedule your next vacation to South Dakota!

Badlands National Park

Located about an hour southeast of Rapid City, Badlands National Park is a popular destination for those who love hiking and exploring the great outdoors. Its landscapes span several rock formations, steep canyons, and towering spires. You can also meet South Dakota’s native bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs as you explore the grasslands.

You can take the Badlands Loop Road to look at the scenic lands. Luckily, there are several trails for hiking, where you may stumble upon uncovered fossils in the park.

Caving At Wind Cave National Park

Caving is one of the most popular family trips, and South Dakota offers two of the longest caves in the world. The Wind Cave National Park near Hot Springs and Jewel Cave National Monument near Custer in the historic Black Hills allow explorers to travel up to 180 miles underneath the ground.

Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty near unique rock formations, beautiful crystals, and more. A guided tour is available, and Wild Caving Tours gives viewers a realistic caving experience.

Canoeing And Kayaking

One of the best ways to experience South Dakota’s stunning picturesque views is to canoe and kayak on the waters of the Black Hills and Badlands. Thankfully, canoeing is allowed on the majority of lakes and rivers in South Dakota, including Angostura Recreation Area, Bear Butte Lake, Custer State Park, and more.

The best times of the year to canoe and kayak are in the spring and early summer seasons when the water flows at its best. Go canoeing and you’re ready for an amazing adventure.

Custer State Park

Speaking of Custer State Park, it’s another location you must visit. Located in Custer, South Dakota (40 minutes south of Rapid City), the 110-square-mile park is the home of buffalo in grasslands and granite cliffs.

No trip to South Dakota would be complete without seeing the breathtaking country, but also the animals that call the land “home.”

Snowmobiling Trails For Everyone

If you’re visiting South Dakota during the winter months, you probably wonder if there’s anything to do in the snow. Contrary to what you think, there’s plenty to do to calm cabin fever, including snowmobiling.

With more than 1,500 miles of snowmobile trails, South Dakota offers the best trails for snowmobiling. If you feel the need for speed, while playing in the snow, South Dakota is the next destination for you.

For other unexpected opportunities for adventure, check out Québec City, Canada where activities to keep you immersed in nature abound.

Best Locations For Geocaching Adventures

Posted on by Jane Simpson

Calling all nature fans and adventure-seekers! If you’re not already geocaching, what are you waiting for? Geocaching has become a global phenomenon, and it’s most popular with hikers and individuals who are looking for new ways to explore the great outdoors.

But what exactly is geocaching? Where are the best places to navigate?

What’s Geocaching?

Geocaching is an outdoor adventure happening all throughout the world. Millions of participants use the Geocaching app or a GPS device to search for cleverly hidden containers, marked as geocaches. Millions of geocaches exist in over 190 countries, and they’re waiting to be discovered by you.

Starting in 2000, geocaching has become a real-life scavenger hunt for those who actively search for adventures. Geocaches come in all different shapes, sizes, and they’re hidden in some of the most beautiful locations across the globe.

How Do You Get Started?

Geocaching is easy and offers something for everyone. Anyone can participate, as long as you have a desire for adventure. But you’re probably wondering: how do you get started?

To get started, you will need to create a free basic account on Geocaching.com or download the free Geocaching app on your mobile device. From there, you can search for geocache spots near your current location. The Geocaching app will let you know where geocache spots are located across the globe. All you have to do now is travel and search for the exact locations.

Sign The Logbook

Geocaching is more than just a scavenger hunt for yourself; it’s a global community. Millions of people across the globe are traveling to the exact same spot as you to find a geocache box. Once you find a geocache, you must open it and sign the logbook. Read where everyone else has traveled from. Geocaching helps you understand the world is actually very small.

Inside the geocaches, you may discover some trade items (small toys, keychains, trinkets, etc.). You may take these items and leave something of equal or greater value in its place. After you’re done, place the container back exactly where you found it. Share your experience online and join the global geocaching community.

Best Places To Geocache

Are you ready to participate in this real-life treasure hunt? Luckily, there are multiple fun, adventurous places to explore through geocaching. But just in case you desire to explore the most beautiful locations, here’s our list of the best places to geocache.

The countryside of Worcestershire, England

There are four geocaches in Clent Hills (Worcestershire, England) that provide the best view of the English countryside. There aren’t that many geocaches in Russia, but St. Petersburg offers a gorgeous view. While you’re in Asia, you might want to stop by the base of Mount Everest for a breathtaking adventure.

Other gorgeous locations include Berlin, Germany; Easter Island, Chile; Petra, Jordan; San Francisco, California; Rome, Italy; Seattle, Washington; and, others.

Easter Island

Regardless if you’re an experienced geocaching explorer or you’re a beginner, geocaching is your next adventure. It not only teaches you about GPS and how to navigate the world, but it forms a community. We could always use more of that.