There have been so many changes and uncertainties that we have all had to face this year. It's made us all view travel a lot differently. Personally, it’s given me a much deeper appreciation for places that are closer to home. It’s also given me the chance to explore states in the US that I’ve always wanted to visit. This was the perfect opportunity for me to explore South Dakota and Wyoming. I've always heard great things about these two states but I really had no idea about everything they had to offer. My friend Mena and I did some research and decided to embark on a road trip from Badlands National Park to Bighorn National Forest. The prospect of exploring somewhere completely new to me brought back that feeling of excitement and discovery that I had been missing for the last six months.
We started in the Badlands where it really felt like we were on another planet. With jagged mountain peaks and incredible spires, the unique and rugged landscapes of the Badlands are truly like stepping into another world. This jewel of South Dakota completely surpassed my expectations. The incredible textures of the Badlands are endlessly fascinating. The different colors and striations on the rocks make for unique and striking compositions around every corner. I had so much fun capturing the different sights and settings of this one of a kind place. One of the unexpected highlights of this area was a place called Wall Drug Store. Protip - get the maple donut, you’ll thank me later! And don’t forget to take a selfie with a bison.
We made our way through South Dakota and onto our next stop where we explored the Black Hills National Forest. There were so many great spots to explore in the Black Hills National Forest and what impressed me most was the huge diversity of landscapes all in one single area. One of my favorite hikes here took us to an otherworldly spot completely surrounded by towering spires. We couldn't help but look up and feel extra small among these giants. I loved driving on the narrow roads surrounded by spires and just staring up in awe. As we made our way to Spearfish, two of my favorite stops along the way were Blackbird Espresso and Leone’s Creamery. The Zucchini bread and wild huckleberry ice cream were out of this world.
I couldn’t believe how much we had seen in South Dakota in just three days. I wished we had even more time to explore but it was time for a change of scenery as we made our way to Wyoming. Exploring the wide range of natural wonders in Wyoming was amazing. The landscape changed so much since the beginning of our journey in South Dakota. With its own charm and no shortage of unique spots to explore, Wyoming is a must-visit destination for those looking for a slice of nature in America’s heartland. I tend to find the most inspiration when I’m visiting a place for the first time. Exciting and nostalgic all at once, exploring the wide range of natural wonders in Wyoming was nothing short of incredible. From commanding mountain peaks to rolling prairies as far as the eye can see, the constantly changing landscape was endlessly beautiful. One of the most striking features of the landscape there is Devils Tower. With unique hexagonal columns of igneous rock, this tower commands the area and really makes you feel small. This place has been on my bucket list for quite some time now and it definitely did not disappoint!
What I really liked about Wyoming was the wealth of places to explore that we discovered with a little bit of research ahead of time. We skipped Yellowstone this time around as we had our eyes set on exploring some lesser known areas. We found one of the most impressive waterfalls in Bighorn National Forest where we spent a few hours running around photographing all of the different angles. We wrapped up the trip with a hike to our own private oasis. We had these natural pools all to ourselves and it was the perfect way to end the trip. I think it’s safe to say that I will definitely be back soon. There’s so much to explore here and endless adventures for those looking for new and exciting locales in the US.
This trip is sponsored by South Dakota Tourism and Travel Wyoming.