5 Reasons to Elope in South Dakota as well as a photographer’s favorite locations

1. First off, the people. Every person, from tourist to local, was so kind and easy to have a conversation with. Getting to know them, their recommendations for food and attractions steer your experience in a fun direction.

2. The sunsets and starry nights. The colors and vibrancy of those South Dakota sunsets are indescribable. The stars are unreal as well, there’s so many once you start looking they just light up the sky.

3. The Badlands. I have yet to experience a disappointing time in the Badlands. It looks like the surface of another planet and is so wide and vast you feel you’re the only one experiencing it. You also don’t have to hike far to get gorgeous sweeping views (all of the photos below were from the road or a short walk from the car). Often buffalo roam across prairie dog towns and cross right in front of vehicles.

4. The variety. It’s roughly a 2hr drive from the desert vibe of the Badlands to the lush green mountains and peaks of Keystone and the Black Hills, not to mention the iconic views of Mount Rushmore. It allows yous two very different kinds of views for your elopement and a day after session without too much travel.

5. Staying at Hinterwood. Having a place to get ready that is both comfortable, cute, and run by some of the kindest hosts helps make your elopement experience extremely enjoyable. I’ve stayed at both the Woodsley and Notch Cabin and highly recommend either of them, though the Notch is a bit smaller and intimate. It’s also located outside of Keystone so it’s pretty close to Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, and several other choice locations for an amazing experience and photos.