South Dakota Vacation Guide - 2025 South Dakota Vacation Guide
REGIONS PREVIEW
2025-12-15 09:35:08
GREAT PLACES AWAIT
EXPLORE SOUTH DAKOTA’S REGIONS
Wide open grasslands, dramatic rock formations, historical mining towns that nod to Wild West days, panoramic overlooks along the Missouri River — there’s an adventure to be found in every region of South Dakota. In the west, explore the Black Hills & Badlands Region. To the northeast, discover the Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region. In central South Dakota, experience the history of Lewis and Clark in the Missouri River Region, and bring the whole family to the Southeast Region for unforgettable attractions.
BLACK HILLS & BADLANDS
With one of the largest concentrations of national parks, monuments and caves in the Midwest, this region is packed with natural beauty and family-friendly adventure.
HIGHLIGHTS
PARKS & MONUMENTS: See a massive sculpture of four U.S. presidents at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone; awe-inspiring rock formations at Badlands National Park near Interior; the third-longest cave in the world at Jewel Cave National Monument near Custer; boxwork formations at Wind Cave National Park near Hot Springs; a sculpture of the famous Lakota leader at Crazy Horse Memorial® in Crazy Horse; and a herd of 1,300 bison at Custer State Park in Custer.
FAMILY FUN & ATTRACTIONS: Icons are spread throughout this region. Since 1931, Wall Drug Store has refreshed road-weary travelers with free ice water. You can still guzzle down a glass in their famous backyard, or enjoy a 5-cent cup of coffee that pairs perfectly with their pastry specialty: the doughnut. Deeper into the hills, you’ll be surprised that fish were raised and transported via railway from the beautiful D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives in Spearfish. You can see these massive schools swim today!
OUTDOOR EXPLORATION: With more than 450 miles of trails in the Black Hills National Forest, the hiking options are endless. Mountain bikers can opt for the 109-mile George S. Mickelson Trail. Those wishing to ride on motorized trails can explore 3,600 miles of permitted roadways. The region is also known for motorcycling and gives riders many scenic drives to choose from, like the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.
MAJOR CITIES & TOWNS
Belle Fourche, Custer, Deadwood, Hill City, Hot Springs, Keystone, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Wall
Turn to page 34 to learn more about the Black Hills & Badlands Region.
GLACIAL LAKES & PRAIRIES
In this region in northeastern South Dakota, discover glacier-carved lakes scattered across vast prairies, as well as authentic frontier history, great events and affordable family attractions.
HIGHLIGHTS
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS & MUSEUMS: In Brookings, peruse artwork at the South Dakota Art Museum and historical exhibits at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum. Explore the life — and more than 160 original oil paintings — of artist Terry Redlin at the Redlin Art Center in Watertown. Westbound on Highway 212, keep an eye out for the 110-foot Faulkton Grain Elevator Mural by Guido van Helten.
HISTORIC SITES: Relive frontier days when you stroll the grounds of the 1864 military fort at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park near Lake City, or when you ride in a covered wagon across the prairie to a one-room schoolhouse at the Ingalls Homestead near De Smet, where author Laura Ingalls Wilder once lived. In Watertown, take a free guided tour of the 1885 Italianante-style Mellette House, home of South Dakota’s first governor.
FAMILY FUN: See more than 600 animals at Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown, experience imaginative rides and play areas at the nursery-rhyme-themed Storybook Land and the Land of Oz in Aberdeen, zoom down water slides at Splash Central Waterpark in Huron and explore hands-on exhibits at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings.
MAJOR CITIES & TOWNS
Aberdeen, Brookings, De Smet, Huron, Faulkton, Milbank, Sisseton, Watertown, Webster, Wessington Springs
Turn to page 162 to learn more about the Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region.
MISSOURI RIVER
Here flows the mighty Missouri River through prairies, grasslands and idyllic small towns — all teeming with wildlife and authentic Western and Indigenous culture. Fish your greatest catch or roam the rolling river hills to find a pheasant or a breathtaking prairie sunset.
HIGHLIGHTS
NAVIGATE THE LAKES: Four large dams segment the Missouri River in South Dakota and create four reservoirs — massive water landscapes where avid anglers and boating enthusiasts can thrive. Whether it’s salmon fishing on Lake Oahe, swimming in Lake Sharpe, camping on the high banks of Lake Francis Case or sailing on Lewis and Clark Lake, the scenery is stunning — and the crowds are thin.
HUNT LIKE NO OTHER: Trace the woods for deer, flush the fields for pheasants or wade into the wetlands in search of waterfowl throughout diverse hunting grounds. Up, down and around, the river is fair land for finding game.
EXPERIENCE CULTURE & HISTORY: Here on the river are centuries-old towns brimming with ancient artifacts, remnants of bygone eras and five Indigenous tribal lands. To see the grand scope of South Dakota’s history and culture, take the Lewis & Clark Trail and the Native American Scenic Byway, SD highways 1804 and 1806. Both follow the Mighty Mo’ through spectacular river valley country. Along the way, take a tour of Fort Randall Dam, appreciate Native art in the Dakota Plains Gallery, enjoy a wild rodeo in historic Fort Pierre, marvel at an 1800s dentist shop in the Dakota Sunset Museum and stop by the Oscar Howe Murals and Walleye Up Statue in Mobridge.
MAJOR CITIES & TOWNS
Chamberlain, Fort Pierre, Mobridge, Oacoma, Pierre, Platte, Wagner, Winner
Turn to page 186 to learn more about the Missouri River Region.
SOUTHEAST
Experience city lights and starry nights in southeast South Dakota. The state’s largest city, Sioux Falls, offers modern dining, entertainment, shopping and so much more. Outside the city, you’ll find peaceful state parks, rambling rivers, welcoming farms and charming midwest towns.
HIGHLIGHTS
ALL-AGES FUN: Make family memories that will last a lifetime! Get up close and personal with animals of all kinds at Great Plains Zoo. Learn through play at the Washington Pavilion. Zoom down waterslides and float the lazy river at Wild Water West Waterpark. Find both indoor and outdoor family entertainment at Thunder Road, including laser tag, virtual-reality gaming and go-karts.
WATER RECREATION: Head to Falls Park to marvel at the power and beauty of water rushing over our signature pink rock, Sioux quartzite. Visit Palisades State Park where that same stone towers over Split Rock Creek, creating an epic channel for kayaking. Get out on the lakes in Madison, a summertime boating hot spot. Kayak, boat, sail, swim and fish on the National Missouri Recreational River and Lewis and Clark Lake, nestled on the South Dakota-Nebraska border.
CULTURE: Experience our roots and way of life when you visit historical attractions like Prairie Village, Prehistoric Indian Village and the Mead Museum. Follow the trail that Lewis and Clark took through southeast South Dakota. Attend a community festival to get a taste of chislic, kolaches and bratwurst from recipes that have been passed down through generations. Visit a local farm to learn how agriculture has gotten us to where we are today.
Major Cities & Towns
Madison, Mitchell, North Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Yankton
Turn to page 206 to learn more about the Southeast Region.
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