Top Things to do in South Dakota
Top Hotels in South Dakota
- 1. Best Western Plus Rapid City Rushmore
- 2. Bavarian Inn, Black Hills
- 3. K Bar S Lodge
- 4. Hampton Inn & Suites Southwest/Sioux Falls
- 5. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Sioux Falls
- 6. Deadwood Gulch Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
- 7. Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites
- 8. Comfort Suites Conference Center Rapid City
- 9. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Rapid City
- 10. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Rapid City, SD
What to do and see in South Dakota, United States: The Best Nature & Parks
South Dakota has good golf courses, skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hiking, and biking among rolling prairies, pine forests, and granite mountain peaks like Mount Rushmore. Glacial lakes and Missouri River reservoir lakes provide great fishing, boating, canoeing, water skiing, and windsurfing. The whole family will enjoy this prairie land where grain growing begat roadside attractions like the Corn Palace in Mitchell. Everything made from corn, even the popcorn, tastes better here. Where buffalo roam, roadside diners serve up buffalo and luscious homemade fruit pies. Shop for good deals on cowboy boots on the same Black Hills and Badland Main Streets where cowboys and cowgirls outfit themselves. Be near the eroded buttes, spires, and prairie grasslands of Badlands National Park in Lead, Deadwood, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Hill City, Custer, and other nearby towns. The whole family will enjoy watching for big game like bison, bighorn sheep, antelope, eagles, and hawks. Drive the one-hour Hwy 240 loop road, with a side-trip to Robert's Prairie Dog Town. Learn about the Oglala Sioux Tribe at the White River Visitor Center, which is near Wounded Knee. Tour the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site's Cold War nuclear silos, just outside the Park's boundaries. About 90 minutes west of Badlands National Park is Mount Rushmore. Lead, Deadwood, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Hill City, Whitetail Springs, and Custer are also very near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and Jewel Cave National Monument. View Mount Rushmore from the aerial tramway in Keystone, which also houses the Borglum Historical Center celebrating the artist behind the sculpting of Rushmore. Take the kids to the Dinosaur Park in Rapid City. Attend Custer State Park’s Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival. Bedazzle the whole family with sparkling calcite crystals in 151-mile long Jewel Cave. Bison, pronghorn, and elk graze the grasslands of Wind Cave National Park. Central South Dakota has the state capitol, Pierre, in addition to numerous lakes along the Missouri River. Go fishing and boating in the rivers and lakes. Take the kids to the South Dakota Discovery Center and Aquarium in Pierre to see the state’s native fish. Drop by the Dacotah Prairie Museum along the James River in Aberdeen in the northeast to learn prairie history and natural history. Swing by Sioux Falls to see the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial and special exhibits at the Old Courthouse Museum. Choose from among 10 golf courses in Sioux Falls.
Restaurants in South Dakota
1. Black Hills
2. Custer State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,886 reviews
A 73,000-acre wilderness that draws comparisons to Yellowstone National Park when it comes to spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife.
Reviewed By sharonn874 - Saint Paul, United States
We spent a wonderful day here - hiking - walking around the lakes - driving the wildlife loop - having a picnic - we were here years ago and it made us remember how much we loved it back then!! Make sure to visit this park !!
3. Sylvan Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,902 reviews
Popular lake in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By spookie5150 - Jefferson City, United States
Sylvan lake is one of several lakes in Custer State Park and probably the prettiest. There is lots to do in this area, several great hiking trailheads accessible from the parking lot, a nice easy trail around the lake, a general store, picnic areas, etc. The rocks on the far side of the lake are a scrambling/climbing paradise for kids (or adults) who may not be up for the longer trails nearby. If you're passing through and don't have a ton of time, I think this is probably the best "bang for your buck" quick stop in the park. Get there early for some solitude. Not to be missed!
4. Spearfish Canyon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 775 reviews
This scenic 19-mile drive in the Black Hills that passes cliffs, waterfalls and the Spearfish Creek gives one the feeling they are in the rainforest.
Reviewed By yowsah1 - Lansing, United States
This drive had it all: Tree-covered mountains, picturesque waterfalls and streams, dramatic rock formations, wildlife sightings, the works! It seemed like there was something breathtaking around each bend. There were many spots where you could pull off the road - great for shutterbugs or those wishing to get a closer view of things. A rubberneckers delight!
5. Badlands Wall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,304 reviews
A ridge that goes through the park, and is the site of incredible rock formations, which are being eroded, and therefore slowly change over time.
Reviewed By MartyB719 - Jensen Beach, United States
We met a man along I-90 going to Jasper to experience the Solar Eclipse. He was going to by-pass the Badlands. We convinced him to travel through as it is a unique National Park. The rugged and aired landscape is awe inspiring. We traveled from Sioux Falls and the ride took four hours. Driving through route 240 through the Badlands took us another two hours. We still had time to make it to the iconic tourist trap of Wall Drugs and an hour later to Rapid City. We were able to hike on two well-formed trails, stop at several over-looks, see the Prairie Dogs, and stop at the Ben Reifel Visitors Center and Cedar Pass Lodge. The only regret was not spending time at the Paleontology Lab at the Ben Reifel Visitors Center. Ancient bones have been found from the rhino, horse and saber-tooth-tiger that date back 33 million years ago. The word “Badlands” is a Lakota Indian origin, “Mako Sica.” There were a number of American Native Indians living here before the Lakota’s, an estimated 11,000 years ago. About forty-five miles south is the “last historic Indian battle, 1890,” known as Wounded Knee. Driving in North Dakota, we came by “Badlands” too in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There was a tad more vegetation and wild horses and bison were roaming around. If you found this review “helpful” in any way, please press “LIKE” to let me know.
6. Black Elk Peak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 282 reviews
At over 7,200 feet, this is the Black Hills tallest mountain.
Reviewed By arichard1129 - Cleveland, United States
Now known as Black Elk Peak, This was a great hike that offers amazing views of the Black Hills. This is the highest point in the USA east of the Rockies. The hike itself is pretty moderate, a steady incline up to the top which is 7,200 and there is a fire tower at the top which has some awesome views! Great moderate hike to do!
7. Needles Eye
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,688 reviews
A geological formation located in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By NancyG202 - Boyne City, United States
The Needles Eye is part of the Needles Highway drive in Custer State Park. With unusual rock formations, including a tunnel less than 8 feet wide and the Needle Eye, it also offers wonderful views of the surrounding area and is a great spot for a short hike or rock climbing.
8. George S. Mickelson Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
112-mile rails-to-trails project which goes through the Black Hills.
Reviewed By 777genah - Golden, United States
So much history and great family ride! Very beautiful the entire way! Favorite moment was seeing Crazy Horse from the trail!! Highly recommend!
9. Black Hills National Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 885 reviews
This empty expanse where Native Americans once roamed is now a national forest.
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, United States
The Black Hills Forest covers a vast area of western South Dakota - more than 1.25 million acres! It's an excellent vacation destination because of the wide variety of attractions and recreation opportunities. One could easily spend a week exploring this beautiful area; we were there for four days and did not do everything, we could have easily filled two more days. We explored the historic main street at Deadwood, visited the DC Booth Fish Hatchery at Spearfish, drove through Spearfish Canyon and were enchanted by three waterfalls, learned about mining at Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, gawked at the enormous carved faces of four presidents on Mt. Rushmore, drove the scenic Needles Highway through imposing stone pinnacles, navigated the unique pigtail bridges and stone tunnels of Iron Mountain Road (Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway), took a peaceful morning hike around Sylvan Lake, spotted wildlife like deer, prairie dogs, bison and pronghorns at Custer State Park, marveled at the fossilized bones of extinct animals at The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, visited Wind Cave National Park, and took a ride on the vintage 1880 steam train between Hill City and Keystone. We didn't visit the Crazy Horse Memorial or Jewel Cave National Monument this trip. (The above attractions all have separate Tripadvisor pages.) The Black Hills Forest hosts numerous campgrounds and picnic areas, plus there are lakes and streams for fishing, swimming and kayaking. There are many hiking trails of various lengths and difficulties, and also the 109-mile George S. Mickelson Rail-Trail for walking or biking. For those who like a more thrilling adventure, there are zip-lines, water parks, horse stables, and helicopter rides available. Food and lodging are available at the towns of Deadwood, Lead, Keystone, Hill City, Custer and Hot Springs. There is no charge to enter the forest, but some of the above attractions charge a parking or admission fee. Some roads, services, and attractions may be closed in winter.
10. Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By MNDoodles - Stillwater, United States
What a treasure this place is, for every age. We loved the beautifully maintained original farmstead with its live donkeys, geese, chickens, and sheep kept on the property. Also on the property, brought from the local area, is an old school house and church. The new visitor center was closed when we visited due to the 2020 virus but it looked great. We came back to the homestead a second time and loved the fantastic bike trails, about 8-9 miles, with parts of the ride next to the Missouri River. The trail was excellent condition crushed limestone with much of it in the shade, great on a warm day. Absolute heaven this place is. A hidden gem well worth visiting.
