Capturing the Beauty of the Dakotas: 9 best Photo Spots in North and South Dakota
The Dakotas, with their vast prairies, rugged badlands, and iconic landmarks, offer a treasure trove of photo opportunities. From the sweeping landscapes of North Dakota to the dramatic vistas of South Dakota, these states are a photographer’s paradise. Here are some of the top photo spots in North and South Dakota that will leave you with stunning images and lasting memories.
We continued our road trip from Montana. It was our first time visiting North Dakota. We mainly wanted to see Theodore Roosevelt National Park. My husband and I visited South Dakota and its Badlands National Park over 10 years ago on our 72-day national park road trip. We both loved it and were excited to introduce it to our kids this time.
Here are some of our favorite photo spots.
North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Located in the rugged Badlands of North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a rich history tied to the conservation legacy of its namesake.
We made our first visit to the park and the state after Montana. There was a thunderstorm. Part of the scenic loop was closed. So the trip was brief.
If you enjoy amazing landscape but little or no crowd, this would be a perfect place.
👉 Boicourt Overlook
Among all the stops we made along the South Unit Loop Road, Boicourt Overlook was my favorite. I could imagine the vibrant hues of the badlands at sunrise and sunset would contribute particularly striking images.
We were not able to stay till sunset due to the driving distance to reach our hotel. But the afternoon walk was still enjoyable.
👉 Buck Hill Trail
Buck Hill Trail offers a short but rewarding hike to one of the highest points in the park, providing panoramic views of the rugged badlands.
In addition to walking up the steps directly to the viewpoint, which took no more than a couple of minutes, we walked up the hill on the other side of the parking lot and did a good hill top hike.
The hiking trail was narrow. You had to watch out either bison poop or cactus. But when you take a break, the view into the far distance certainly would bring some joy.
👉 Wind Canyon Trail
Another brief, picturesque hike offering stunning views of the Little Missouri River and the rugged badlands. It could possibly be a great spot to watch sunset if we had the chance to stay.
South Dakota
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is a photographer’s dream, with its dramatic landscapes of eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires. The park’s unique geological formations and vibrant colors create a surreal and otherworldly atmosphere.
The Badlands Loop Scenic Byway is a 31-mile drive through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in South Dakota. The road winds through Badlands National Park, offering numerous pullouts and overlooks where you can capture panoramic views of the rugged terrain.
👉 Yellow Mounds
My favorite viewpoints of Badlands National Park. We even have a canvas print at home of a photo I took at Yellow Mounds over 10 years ago.
What set Yellow Mounds apart from other lookouts in Badlands National Park are the vibrant colors and the more curved lines along the rock formations.
The mounds were created by ancient sea sediments and volcanic ash, providing a striking contrast to the surrounding landscape.
This unique geological formation offers excellent opportunities for photography and a fascinating glimpse into the park's geological history.
Ironically, the first evening when we arrived. It was right after a severe thunderstorm. It was right during sunset, and I didn’t think too much before climbing onto a mound to access to a higher vantage point.
Little did I know that the dirt mound was so sticky that my shoes got heavier and heavier until I couldn’t move. I set up my tripod wherever I was as I was running out of time to capture the splendid sky colors.
I had to live with my subpar compositions during this first sunset. Did I still enjoy it? Absolutely!
👉 Prairie Wind Overlook
Prairie Wind Overlook in Badlands National Park offers expansive views of the park's vast prairies, providing a serene contrast to the rugged badlands formations.
It's an ideal spot for capturing the sweeping grasslands and experiencing the tranquil beauty of the park.
Many people might overlook this location. It probably doesn’t ring the bell you are actually in Badlands. It has been my husband’s favorite place, and of course I had to capture it.
👉 Bigfoot Pass
My second favorite photo spot in Badlands National Park.
As we drove through the park, along the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway, to recon for potential vantage points for my sunset shoot, we stopped nearly at all the major lookouts.
I liked that Bigfoot Pass offered a variety of photo opportunities from different angles and directions.
Since it was my second favorite option to photograph during sunset, I had to dedicate my precious time to my top favorite, Yellow Mounds.
Had we stayed for a few more evenings, I would have loved to photograph Bigfoot during sunset.
Besides the lookouts mentioned earlier, Conata Basin, Norbeck Pass, White River Valley Overlook could all be my potential vantage points to photograph landscape during sunset.
We even drove all the way to the southwest section of the park to do some recon. The gravel road to sleep mountain overlook was more rugged experience. If you have limited time to explore Badlands, the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway should still be your top choice.
Custer State Park, SD
Custer State Park is a vast wilderness area known for its scenic drives, abundant wildlife, and stunning landscapes.
The park’s diverse scenery, from rolling prairies to dense forests, provides endless opportunities for capturing the beauty of the Black Hills.
👉 Needles Highway
Needles Highway in Custer State Park is a scenic 14-mile route that winds through stunning granite spires, narrow tunnels, and lush forests.
The interesting rock formation reminded me of our trip to Cappadocia Turkey last year. Of course the narrow, winding drive experience at Needles Highway was completely different.
The road offers breathtaking views and numerous photo opportunities, including the famous Needles Eye Tunnel and Sylvan Lake.
👉 Wildlife Loop Road
Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park is a picturesque 18-mile drive known for its abundant wildlife, including bison, pronghorn, deer, and wild burros.
This scenic route offers numerous opportunities to observe and photograph animals in their natural habitat, set against the park's beautiful rolling plains and pine-covered hills.
Unfortunately, just as we entered the loop road, we encountered a thunderstorm. We jokingly predicted that we might see zero animals during the drive, and it almost came true.
We waited out a bit until the rain stopped. Before we exit the loop road, we scored a couple of pronghorns and a lone bison.
Nevertheless, it was a beautiful drive with amazing landscape. Even without the animals, it should still be worthwhile to explore.
👉 Norbeck Overlook
If you are interested in photographing Mount Rushmore, South Dakota’s major landmark, but want to bypass the big crowd in Mt Rushmore National Memorial, you can see or even photograph Mount Rushmore at various locations in Custer State Park.
As we arrived in South Dakota right before July 4th, and we already toured the memorial before, we decided to bypass the crowd.
Norbeck Overlook in Custer State Park provides sweeping views of the Black Hills and the distant profile of Mount Rushmore, making it a prime spot for photography and relaxation.
Named after Peter Norbeck, a key figure in the creation of the park, the overlook highlights the region's natural beauty and historical significance.
Photo Tip
Most first time visitors to South Dakota would probably want to see its most significant landmark: Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
The memorial is a colossal sculpture carved into the granite face of the Black Hills, depicting the faces of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Completed in 1941, it symbolizes the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States.
Mt Rushmore seen from Norbeck Overlook
The easiest way to photograph Mount Rushmore up close is of course to visit the memorial itself.
Mt Rushmore seen from Wildlife Loop Dr
But if you decide to bypass the crowd like us and photograph it from other locations, be prepared to have a telephoto lens.
With a telephoto lens of 70-200mm, zoomed all the way to 200mm, I was able to capture the president rocks from a few different vantage points in Custer State Park.
The first photo above was from Norbeck Overlook and the second was from Wildlife Loop Dr.
However if you use a mid zoom or wide angle lens, the photos from far distance might not turn out great. This is the case when equipment does matter.
In summary, the Dakotas offer a wealth of diverse and stunning photo opportunities, from the rugged badlands to the iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a seasoned professional, I hope the above photo spots in North and South Dakota will inspire you to capture the essence of the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
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