OffBeat Pathfinder Basecamp

If you’ve ever driven I-90 across South Dakota, you know the siren call of Wall Drug’s endless billboards—“Free Ice Water!” “See the Jackalope!” But Wall is more than a quirky pit stop, and last month I decided to stick around for a day to see what all the fuss was about.

Spoiler: totally worth it.

Yes, Wall Drug is an insane blend of Old West nostalgia, kitsch, and taxidermy, but walk a few blocks away and you’ll find a town with genuine character. I wandered Main Street at sunrise and stumbled into a conversation with a local rancher outside the hardware store—he told me about a nearby prairie dog colony (worth a visit if you don’t mind being judged by rodents). Later, I grabbed a cinnamon roll bigger than my face at the Wall Drug café—trust me, share it unless you have a death wish.

The real surprise? Badlands National Park is five minutes down the road, and sunset there is a full-on psychedelic experience. I hiked the Notch Trail just as golden hour hit, and felt like I’d landed on Mars (if Mars had bighorn sheep and fewer billionaires). If you have kids or a good sense of humor, don’t skip the Wall Drug Backyard—animatronic T-Rex, splash pad, and photo ops galore.

Travel tips:
- Don’t skip breakfast at the Red Rock Restaurant (locals know).
- The Cowboy Museum is tiny but a fun five-minute detour.
- Get your Wall Drug bumper sticker…or they’ll give you ten.

Question: Anyone else found Wall to be more than a bathroom break? Hidden gems or cautionary tales? Let’s hear your Wall stories!

(*P.S. I still have three Wall Drug bumper stickers if anyone’s desperate…*)

Love this, Drifter! I thought Wall was just tourist bait until my truck broke down there in ‘22. Got stranded overnight and ended up at the bar with some local rodeo guys—best story of my whole trip. Didn’t pay for a single drink, but had to listen to an hour-long debate about who has the meanest cattle dog in the Dakotas. And you’re right about those cinnamon rolls: mine lasted two states.

Badlands at sunrise = magic.

Wall Drug’s donut holes are the real MVP—don’t fight me on this. I second the Red Rock breakfast rec, and if you want a great photo, there’s a painted bison statue by the old train depot that barely anyone notices.

Did you try the “free ice water”? I swear it’s 70% nostalgia, 30% glacier runoff.

Wall Drug’s donut holes are the real MVP—don’t fight me on this. I second the Red Rock breakfast rec, and if you want a great photo, there’s a painted bison statue by the old train depot that barely anyone notices.

Did you try the “free ice water”? I swear it’s 70% nostalgia, 30% glacier runoff.

Spent a rainy night in Wall last fall—campground was muddy but the owner let us park under an awning and told us the best local fishing spots. If you need supplies, the hardware store will special order almost anything (they got me tent stakes overnight). Only regret: didn’t get a jackalope selfie.

Pro tip: The best view of the Badlands is from the town’s water tower at dusk.

GlacierGuru wrote: Tue May 14, 2024 2:40 pm Spent a rainy night in Wall last fall—campground was muddy but the owner let us park under an awning and told us the best local fishing spots. If you need supplies, the hardware store will special order almost anything (they got me tent stakes overnight). Only regret: didn’t get a jackalope selfie.

Pro tip: The best view of the Badlands is from the town’s water tower at dusk.

I found the Jackalope