Are Badlands Good?
I drove the badlands loop about a week ago, and would also recommend it. While you’re there, stop and see the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. This attraction is fairly new, so there aren’t any signs for it. Get off I-90 at Exit 116 and turn southward. The pavement ends almost immediately, but a dirt road continues a short distance, turns left and ends at a rectangular area, fenced but with an open gate, containing an open, glass-roofed silo complete with an unarmed training missile. If you’re lucky enough to find a ranger there, his name will be Cody; say hi for me. Not too far east there’s also a lovely, less traveled and less bizzare scenic route along the Missouri river. It starts around Oacoma (on I-90), follows SD50 up to Fort Thomson, crosses the Big Bend Dam and heads through the Lower Brule Indian Reservation via county route 10 and SD1806, ending in Pierre. If you find yourself in Pierre, I recommend the Pier 347 cafe.
