Free Ice Water and Furry Friends: Your Guide to Dog Friendly Wall Drug
If you are driving through South Dakota with your pup, it’s impossible to miss the numerous billboards for dog friendly Wall Drug. The signs promise free water, 5-cent coffee, delicious donuts, great deals on souvenirs, and more. By the time you arrive in the Badlands, you’re convinced you need to at least stop by this unique roadside attraction- and you can!
This stop is the perfect way to kick off (or end) your South Dakota vacation with your furry friend. I’ve been to Wall Drug multiple times over the years, and we finally brought our pups with us on our last trip.
In this article, I’ll go over what to expect during your visit, where your dog is allowed, and some helpful tips to help your trip go smoothly. Get ready, here’s everything you need to know before bringing your dog to the famous Wall Drug Store.
Is Wall Drug Dog Friendly?
Yes, Wall Drug is dog-friendly! Your pup is welcome in the Wall Drug shops and most of the surrounding stores as well. They need to be leashed or in a carrier at all times, and of course, you must pick up after them. The only place they’re not allowed is in the restaurant area.
What to Expect When You Visit Wall Drug
Wall Drug is a truly unique roadside attraction that can be a little hard to describe to anyone who has never been. It started out as a simple drug store in the 1930s that drew in customers off the main road with the promise of free ice water.
Today, it still draws in travelers with billboards that start hundreds of miles away, advertising free ice water, 5-cent coffee, and souvenirs. It’s grown beyond a simple drug store and is now home to restaurants, shops, and a courtyard with statues and activities to keep visitors entertained. It’s become so popular that more stores and restaurants have moved in around it.
This roadside attraction can be a little overwhelming, especially if you go during tourist season when they can get up to 20,000 visitors a day. The stores and restaurants in Wall Drug are all interconnected, so it’s easy to get turned around when you are inside.
Behind the main line of stores is the “Backyard” area with photo ops and activities for children (or kids at heart). Behind the “Backyard” is another little strip of buildings with a few more stores, another small cafe area, etc.
Wall Drug Price and Hours
Wall Drug is completely free to visit, so it’s up to you how much to spend on food, souvenirs, and travel necessities. The hours are slightly different depending on what you are looking for, and they may change slightly in the off-season.
The main area is generally open every day from 8 am – 9 pm, stores from 8:30 am – 8:30 pm, and the Cafe from 8 am – 8 pm. The pharmacy is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am – 5 pm. Keep in mind that the surrounding stores have their own hours.
Parking at Wall Drug
Wall Drug has its own large free parking lot. In the busier summer months, you may have to drive around to find a spot or park a few blocks away. They also have separate parking areas for large trucks and campers.
Are there Bathrooms at Wall Drug?
Don’t worry, Wall Drug has bathrooms! They are located in 5 different areas throughout their stores and restaurants. Look for signs that will direct you to the nearest restroom, and they’ll be easy to find.
Where to Stay When Visiting Wall Drug
There are tons of places to choose from if you are visiting the area. It’s about 8 miles from Badlands National Park and about an hour from Rapid City. There are also several places to stay in Wall, South Dakota, which is where Wall Drug is located.
Visiting Dog Friendly Wall Drug
Wall Drug is an amazing tourist attraction to visit when traveling through western South Dakota, especially with a dog. This stop has great deals on all sorts of Black Hills souvenirs and travel necessities. It’s like being able to take your pup shopping at a mall, though there are a few things you should be aware of, so let’s dive right in.
Wall Drug Store, Shops, and Pharmacy
Wall Drug is full of different stores, including a pharmacy. Your four-legged friend is welcome in every one of their stores. However, this is definitely a place where just because you can take your pup everywhere, doesn’t mean you should.
Be aware that there are some tight spaces and blind corners you have to navigate around. It can get pretty packed with other tourists and their pups, so it’s up to you to decide what your dog can handle.
We ended up putting two of our pups in backpack carriers during the trip. Charlie (chihuahua mix), so he would be safe from being stepped on, and Francis (pit mix) got carried for a little bit when it got really busy, because he seemed to get overwhelmed on the ground.
Several of the stores carry breakable items like glass sculptures and other types of artwork. If your dog suffers from “happy tail” or tends to be excitable, you will want to avoid these stores or aisles so you don’t end up buying an item that your pup breaks.
You should also keep an eye out for things like food, medications, and other items that may be tempting for your pup that are within their reach. Our husky tried grabbing some candy down one aisle and did manage to grab a toy. The stuffed jackelope she nabbed is now one of her favorites- even though it’s not technically a dog toy.
Wall Drug does carry some dog items if you like buying your furry family members souvenirs of their own, like we do. They even carry our Pup Passports so you can commemorate your trip!
Turn Every Adventure with Your Pup into a Lasting Memory!
Create a tribute to all the places you’ve explored together and the experiences you’ve shared along the way.
With this unique travel journal, you’ll have a fun and easy way to:
- Document their travels with photos
- Track destinations
- Keep important health info organized.
- Plus, fun features like a bucket list and fillable USA map
Wall Drug Restaurants and Snacks
It shouldn’t be surprising that dogs aren’t allowed inside their restaurants, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get food or sit down somewhere to eat it. You can get all sorts of snacks, including fresh donuts, in several of their stores.
If you want to get something more substantial, you’ll want to go to the Gallery Cafe, Soda Fountain, or Prairie Food Parlor. In this situation, someone in your group will have to stay outside with the dog while someone else puts in the order and carries the food out.
Once you get your food, there are several places where you can sit and eat, even with pets. Any table or bench outside the food areas is fair game. There are also a couple of tables in between the Gallery Cafe and Soda Fountain where you can sit, which is considered ‘outside’ the food areas. If you have any questions about where to go, the staff is super helpful in guiding you to the right place.
Wall Drug Backyard
In between the two stretches of stores is the Backyard. This area has a ton of fun photo opportunities, a seating area, as well as some kid-friendly activities like gem mining. This is a great place to take some memorable photos for your pup’s passport and to relax outside of your car for a while.
Nearby Stores
Outside of the official Wall Drug Store area, you will find other stores and restaurants along the street. Not all of these places are dog-friendly, so be sure to ask before you go inside. On our latest trip there, we found that almost all of the stores were ok with our pups entering, but none of the restaurants. Some of the stores were even nice enough to put out water bowls for passing pups!
Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Wall Drug
Every person (and pup) who goes to the Black Hills should stop at Wall Drug at least once! Here are some tips so everyone in your pack can enjoy your visit:
- Know Your Pup. This stop might not be for every furry friend. If your dog doesn’t do well with crowds or lots of other doggies, then it might be best to go right when they open or skip it altogether.
- Keep Everyone Hydrated. South Dakota gets HOT in the summer. Make sure to give your dog plenty of water breaks so they don’t overheat.
- Remember Bathroom Breaks. With plenty of water breaks comes great responsibility. Give your dog ample opportunity to go outside so you can avoid embarrassing accidents inside.
- Brush up on Basic Travel Behaviors. This stop will go smoother if your dog has some basic travel behaviors like loose leash walking and “leave it” down pat.
- Practice Situational Awareness. This is a stop where it’s important to pay attention to what’s happening around you. Be aware of the people, pets, and products around your pup so you can keep everyone safe and happy.
Nearby Attractions to Wall Drug
For ideas of more places to visit in the Black Hills, check out these stops:
Attractions near Wall Drug
Dog-Friendly Attractions near Wall Drug
For a more complete list, check out our South Dakota Attractions or Free Things to Do in the Black Hills posts.
Stop by for Donuts, Jackalopes, and Dog Treats
Wall Drug is more than just a quick roadside attraction; it’s the perfect blend of tourist trap and prairie hospitality. Whether you need good food, memorable souvenirs, or just a chance for you and your pup to stretch your legs, this stop should be on everyone’s Midwestern bucket list.
Make sure to stop by and take advantage of the free ice water and fun photo ops with your pup for your travel scrapbook and Instagram. This is one of those stops you won’t want to miss!
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