South Dakota Travel Guide
Step into a land where bison roam vast plains, colorful buttes reach for the sky, and underground caverns descend far below. Here you can experience the great outdoors in the Black Hills and celebrate former presidents at Mount Rushmore. Native populations have lived off of Dakotan land for thousands of years, and 9 tribal governments live within this state. Bring your respect to these populations, and come enjoy South Dakota’s other-worldly monuments, photogenic landscapes, and intriguing history.
Things To Do in South Dakota
15 Things to Do in South Dakota near Mount Rushmore and Rapid City
The southwestern corner of South Dakota has a surprisingly long and wonderful list of things to do. Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and Custer State Park are the big draws for many visitors to this part of the United States, but there is plenty more to keep you busy. In this post, we cover the best things to do in South Dakota near Rapid City.
South Dakota Itinerary
One Week South Dakota Itinerary: Black Hills & the Badlands
On this one week South Dakota itinerary, visit Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks, Custer State Park, and day trip to Devils Tower National Monument.
Badlands National Park
From the top things to do in the park, to the best trails to hike, and sample itineraries to help you plan your time, here are our articles about Badlands National Park.
Badlands National Park Travel Guide
In our Guide to Badlands National Park, learn about the best things to do, the best hiking trails, where to eat, and where to stay.
10 Great Hikes in Badlands National Park
One of the best ways to see Badlands National Park is from a hiking trail. And one of the great things about this park is that most of the hikes are short and sweet, perfect for all ages and ability levels. In this guide, we cover the 10 best hikes in Badlands National Park. The […]
15 Amazing Things to Do in Badlands National Park (+ Photos & Map)
Badlands National Park is a highly underrated park in the United States. The colorful buttes, spires, and pinnacles create one of the most photogenic landscapes in the country. Bison and bighorn sheep roam the largest mixed-grass prairie in the United States. The sunrises and sunsets are magical, the hiking trails are short and sweet, and […]
How to Hike the Notch Trail in Badlands National Park
The Notch Trail is the most thrilling trail in Badlands National Park. This hike is pure fun. It features a walk through a scenic canyon, a climb up a wooden ladder, and a brief walk along a cliff trail. The Notch Trail ends with a beautiful view of the Badlands. Notch Trail Hiking Stats Distance: […]
One Perfect Day in Badlands National Park
One day in Badlands National Park is just enough time to visit the overlooks, hike the short but sweet trails, and see how many bison you can count. If you get your timing right, you can also watch the sunrise and/or the sunset, when this park is its most beautiful. Quick Facts about Badlands National […]
The Castle Trail: One of the Best Hikes in Badlands National Park
The Castle Trail is a 5-mile, point-to-point trail that wanders through the “backcountry” of Badlands National Park. There are several different ways to hike this trail, depending on your interests and the amount of time and energy you have. In this post, learn about your different options and pick out the route that is best […]
Wind Cave
Learn about the best things to do in Wind Cave National Park, both below and above ground.
6 Great Things to Do in Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park gets its name for its large, underground cavern and maze of passageways. What many people may not be aware of is that above ground, this park is home to one of the largest prairies in the USA, and with that comes amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. In this guide, we cover the […]
Lookout Point Trail & Centennial Trail Loop | Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park is home to one of the longest cave systems in the world. Touring the cave is the main reason for visiting this park but there is a lot more to do here than explore this underground world. Above ground, Wind Cave National Park is home to one of the largest mixed-grass […]
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of the most famous landmarks in the United States. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is worth a quick visit, whether you are touring South Dakota or road tripping across the United States. In this post, learn how to visit Mount Rushmore, with tips to have the best experience.
How to Visit Mount Rushmore: 10 Things to Know Before You Go
Custer State Park
Tucked away in the Black Hills of South Dakota is an unexpectedly amazing state park. Custer State Park, with its scenic drives, short but thrilling hiking trails, lakes and rivers, and plentiful wildlife, offers something for everyone.
Best Hike in Custer State Park: Little Devils Tower, Cathedral Spires & Black Elk Peak Loop
Custer State Park has a great list of hiking trails, ranging from easy, lakeshore strolls to fun rock scrambles to challenging climbs to the highest peaks. You can combine three of these trails into one loop, creating what just might be the best hike in Custer State Park. This loop includes three of Custer’s top […]
Custer State Park: Best Hikes, Best Scenic Drives & Best Things To Do
Tucked away in the Black Hills of South Dakota is an unexpectedly amazing state park. Custer State Park, with its scenic drives, short but thrilling hiking trails, lakes and rivers, and plentiful wildlife, offers something for everyone. In this post, learn about the best things to do in Custer State Park, with ideas on how […]
Devils Tower
Devils Tower is not located in South Dakota. It is located in Wyoming and makes a great day trip from Rapid City or the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Complete Guide to Devils Tower: How to Plan Your Visit
Devils Tower National Monument is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States. Sacred to Native Americans, popular road trip destination, and alien landing site a famous movie, Devils Tower evokes mystery and wonder from visitors of all ages. In this post, learn how to visit Devils Tower National Monument, with things to […]
The Perfect Devils Tower Day Trip from South Dakota
If you are planning a Devils Tower day trip from South Dakota, we have a great loop for you to drive. This is an awesome road trip…not only do you get to visit Devils Tower but you will also visit historic towns and waterfalls, go on a wonderful scenic drive, and even have the option […]
Yellowstone Road Trip
If you have plans to road trip from South Dakota to Yellowstone, learn about the different driving routes across Wyoming and check out our Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore Road Trip Itinerary.
How to Drive between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone
At first you might be wondering, why write a post about how to drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone? Sounds easy, right? Just connect the two points on a map and pick the quickest route. But what if I told you that you had several options and each of these included a different but very […]
Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore: 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary
This is one of the best road trips in the USA. With 10 days, you can visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but that’s not all. You also have enough time to visit the highlights of Grand Teton, day trip out to Badlands National Park, spend some time at Wind Cave National Park, and […]
More Information About South Dakota
Here are a few more articles about things to see and do in and around South Dakota.
15 Great Places to Work Remotely in the USA
The COVID-19 pandemic brought huge changes to how we live and work. With lockdowns and social distancing, employees of many businesses began to work remotely. Home offices, kitchens, and spare bedrooms became the new office space for many people. What we thought would be a temporary adjustment has now become a more permanent aspect of […]
Best National Parks in the USA: 15 Amazing Parks for Your Bucket List
Stretching from the South Pacific, across the United States and into the Caribbean, are 63 national parks. These national treasures are filled with scenic drives, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, wildlife, historic sites, and endless opportunities for adventure. In this guide, we cover 15 of the best national parks in the USA and what […]
Best USA Road Trips: 18 Ideas for Your Next Big Adventure
One of the best ways to explore the USA is on a good old-fashioned road trip. Cruise along Route 66, road trip through the Florida Keys, explore the American Southwest, or even drive from coast to coast. In this guide, we share 18 of the best USA road trips…18 great ideas for your next big […]
Ultimate US National Parks List for 2024 (+ Printable Checklist)
The US national parks are one of this country’s best ideas…land set aside for the preservation of the natural world and the enjoyment of the people. Every few years, another park gets added and the US national parks list grows a little longer. Over the past 150 years, 63 national parks have been created in […]
Top Experiences in South Dakota
Badlands National Park. Badlands National Park is a highly underrated park in the United States. The colorful buttes, spires, and pinnacles create one of the most photogenic landscapes in the country. Bison and bighorn sheep roam the largest mixed-grass prairie in the United States. The sunrises and sunsets are magical, the hiking trails are short and sweet, and for those looking for more solitude, you can take your pick from a handful of backcountry experiences.
Wind Cave National Park. Wind Cave National Park gets its name for its large, underground cavern and maze of passageways. What many people may not be aware of is that above ground, this park is home to one of the largest prairies in the USA, and with that comes amazing wildlife viewing opportunities
Custer State Park. Tucked away in the Black Hills of South Dakota is an unexpectedly amazing state park. Custer State Park, with its scenic drives, short but thrilling hiking trails, lakes and rivers, and plentiful wildlife, offers something for everyone.
Mount Rushmore. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of the most famous landmarks in the United States. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, this national memorial draws 2 million visitors per year. Mount Rushmore is worth a quick visit, whether you are touring South Dakota or road tripping across the United States.
Crazy Horse Memorial. The Crazy Horse Memorial is currently under construction. When it is finished, it will depict Crazy Horse, an Oglala Lakota warrior, riding a horse and pointing towards his tribal lands. The memorial will be the world’s second tallest statue, after the Statue of Unity in India.
Rapid City. Rapid City is the perfect place to stay at if you wish to visit South Dakota’s most popular memorials, monuments, and parks. In the downtown area, life sized statues of the nation’s presidents stand proud, along with prominent Native American artistry that line alleys and fill shops.
Jewel Cave National Monument. Jewel Cave is the third longest cave in the world with over 200 miles of mapped passageways. Similar to Wind Cave, you can tour the cave on a ranger-guided tour or hike the above ground trails.
Bear Butte State Park. This state park is located north of Rapid City. It is home to Bear Mountain or Mato Paha, the Lakota name given to this site. This mountain is sacred to the American Indian tribes who hold religious ceremonies here. In the park, you can challenge yourself by summiting Bear Mountain, or hike an easier trail around Bear Butte Lake. Fishing, boating, and horse-back riding are also offered here.
Needles Highway. The Needles Highway is a spectacular 14-mile drive through aspen forests, meadows, and large granite spires that shoot out of the ground. The highway has become one of Custer State Park’s most popular attractions.
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway is a 70-mile byway that includes the scenic drives in Custer State Park: Wildlife Loop Road, Iron Mountain Road, and Needles Highway. This road has been named one of the 10 Most Outstanding Byways in America.
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is a 20-mile-long road that weaves its way along Spearfish Creek. Along the drive, limestone cliffs that are 1,000 feet tall tower overhead. During the drive, you can stop at overlooks, waterfalls, and you have the option to add on a short hike.
Deadwood. Return to the Wild West where gold was all the rage and cowboys walked the streets. At the town of Deadwood, you can watch re-enactments of Old Western legends, learn how the gold rush shaped the town, and enjoy live concerts and parades. From Deadwood, there are also opportunities to hike in the Black Hills and see bison wander nearby fields.
The Mammoth Site. Be amazed by this paleontological site in Hot Springs, South Dakota where over 60 mammoths were uncovered in 1974.
Best Time to Visit South Dakota
Spring, summer, and fall are great times to visit South Dakota.
In the spring and fall, daytime temperatures range from the 50’s to the 70’s. Rainfall is more likely during the spring months, so if you want to drier weather, go in autumn.
Fall colors peak in South Dakota from late September into early October. We visited South Dakota the second week of October and fall colors were just past peak.
During the summer months, temperatures can be blazing hot in Badlands National Park. However, in the Black Hills, temperatures are more moderate, with daytime high’s reaching 80°F.
The winter months in South Dakota are very cold. Needles Highway in Custer State Park closes during the winter months due to snow.
US National Parks
US National Parks
The US National Parks make an excellent travel destination, whether you are planning a cross-country road trip or a weekend getaway. In our guide to the national parks, get detailed trip planning information, advice on which parks to visit by season, and itineraries to help simplify your travel planning process.