South Dakota Vacation Guide - 2025 South Dakota Vacation Guide
WINTER WONDERLANDS
2025-12-15 09:34:42
Experience South Dakota's
Evergreen forests heavy with snow, sprawling lakes stilled by ice and vast prairies sprinkled with sugar-white snowflakes — winter in South Dakota is a magical time of year. Here’s how to enjoy endless outdoor fun when the temperatures drop.
SKIING
No matter your skill level, Terry Peak Ski Area in Lead has a slope for you. Looking for a challenge? Brave the Holy Terror and Inferno runs. New to the sport? The Little Phil Trail is the way to go. On the opposite side of the state, Great Bear Ski Valley in Sioux Falls has 14 downhill runs and also offers adaptive ski lessons for people with mobility challenges. Cross-country skiers should check out the George S. Mickelson Trail, extending 109 miles from Edgemont to Deadwood, or Dakota Nature Park in Brookings.
SNOWMOBILING
Hop on a snowmobile and explore South Dakota’s wide open spaces. Black Hills National Forest, with an annual snowfall of around 150 inches, has 350 miles of trails reserved for snowmobiles from December to March. In the northeastern part of the state, the Coteau Des Prairies System’s 330 miles of snowmobile trails weave through the communities of Watertown, Clear Lake and Brookings.
ICE FISHING
Ice fishing is a favorite winter pastime for many South Dakotans, especially in the central and eastern parts of the state. Some renowned icefishing locales include Lake Oahe, Lake Francis Case, Waubay Lake and Lake Thompson. For first-timers, book a local fishing guide who can set you up with portable shacks, heaters and all the gear you need for a successful day of jigging.
CABINS & LODGES
Star-studded skies. Wood crackling in the fireplace. There’s nothing cozier than a winter cabin stay in South Dakota. In Custer, Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort offers deluxe cabins in the heart of the Black Hills. Yak Ridge Cabins and Farmstead in Rapid City is a secluded woodland retreat within an hour’s drive of top attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
It’s easy to get into the holiday spirit in South Dakota. At Rapid City’s Holiday Celebration and Winter Market, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, you’ll find only-in-South Dakota goodies for everyone on your list. Marvel as the streets of Sioux Falls come alive during Winter Wonderland from November through January, with thousands of twinkling lights, colorfully decorated trees and animated displays around every corner.
WHAT TO PACK
Winter weather in South Dakota ranges from mild to extreme, with average January highs below 32° F and average lows below 10° F. We recommend dressing in layers: a wool base layer, fleece mid-layer and windproof outer layer. Other items to throw in your suitcase include waterproof boots, warm hats, scarves, gloves and thick socks. If you’re planning to play in the snow, bring snow pants and a waterproof jacket, too.
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