Summary of Things to Do in South Dakota
South Dakota is home to some of the best National Parks in the country. Free entry to these parks is available on certain days, but you’ll find plenty of other complimentary things to do on a South Dakota vacation to fill your other days. Be sure to check before you go to make sure entry policies haven’t changed and make donations when you can to non-profits.
Custer
1. Jewel Cave
It’s the third longest cave in the world and has more than 180 miles of mapped passages. Jewel Cave is a National Monument you’ll definitely want to explore. In 2019, the per person fee for Jewel Cave can be found here.
2. Black Hills National Forest
Over 1.2 million acres of forest and mountains make up the Black Hills that stretch through South Dakota and Wyoming, allowing for endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and watching nature. You can discover streams, lakes, canyons, and unique rock formations in the Black Hills National Forest.
Deadwood
3. Mount Moriah Cemetery
Learn about some of the notables in South Dakota history, including Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, through a visit to Mount Moriah Cemetery.
4. Main Street Shootout
Head back to the Old West for a bit and enjoy the Gun Fights on Main Street in Deadwood. The battles are staged with blank bullets, but it’s still entertaining many a few times a day.
5. Adam’s Museum
W.E. Adams founded a museum in Deadwood to preserve and display the history of the Black Hills region. This free museum— donations are suggested— is now called the Adams Museum, after the man who donated the building to the city.
Elsworth Air Force Base
6. South Dakota Air and Space Museum
Visit the Elsworth Air Force Base for a look into military and aerospace at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Admission is complementary and the backdrop is a beautiful Black Hills scene.
Hill City
7. Teddy Bear Town
Downtown Hill City has some fun shops to explore, but Teddy Bear Town is more of a museum for you to purchase items. It holds the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Teddy Bear Collection” with 9,000 different bears.
8. Civilian Conservation Corps Museum of South Dakota
While South Dakota worked to preserve the country’s national resources during the financially difficult 1933-42 period, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) emerged. The goal was not only to preserve resources but also to work with the thousands of young men who were contributing projects to Hill City and the surrounding areas.
Interior
9. Badlands National Park
This breathtaking National Park is a must-see on the list of things to do in South Dakota. A car pass is only $25 for 7 days or $30 for a year.
Keystone
10. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
This massive sculpture in a mountain of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln has become one of the most recognizable scenes in the United States. You can take the trail to explore the massive carving, museum, and interactive exhibits. There is no admission charge to visit Mount Rushmore, but there is a parking charge in the lot.
Rapid City
11. Museum of Geology
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is home to a wonderful geology museum that explores paleontology and mineralogy through gems, fossils, and skeletons. The museum also features an interactive kids zone.
12. Storybrook Island
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Storybrook Island is open in Rapid City. Admission is free to this theme park, which combines education with fun.
13. Dinosaur Park
Bring your kids to Dinosaur Park in Rapid City for free fun as they check out the Brontosaurus, T-Rex, and other giant creatures sculpted here. It’s worth the walk up the hill to see some amazing views of South Dakota.
14. Downtown Art
Rapid City offers unique opportunities to view fantastic displays of art with Art Alley, the Sculpture Project, and the City of Presidents. The downtown area resembles an open-air museum. Be sure to leave plenty of time to walk around and explore.
Sioux Falls
15. Sculpture Walk
Sioux Falls is another South Dakota city that strongly supports the arts. The Sculpture Walk is an outdoor exhibit showcasing sculptures downtown. Each sculpture remains for one year, during which they are eligible for awards and purchase before new sculptures are placed. Visitors have something new to see every year.
16. Sioux Falls Heritage Museum
Located within the Old Courthouse in Sioux Falls, the Heritage Museum is a restored quartzite building from the 1800s. Explore three floors of exhibits that highlight this region’s history.
Official Website
Spearfish
17. D.C. Booth Historic Natural Fish Hatchery
The Booth Society utilizes the Historic National Fish Hatchery for cultural, educational, and recreational enjoyment in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
18. Spearfish City Park
This city park has enough to keep Spearfish residents and visitors busy with a skate park that’s nearly 10,000 square feet, a five-mile recreation path, and ball fields, sand volleyball, and tennis courts.
19. Roughlock Falls State Recreation Area in Spearfish Canyon
Nature lovers and photographers will appreciate the breathtaking Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon. Walking paths and hiking trails lead to the falls, which flow beautifully into Spearfish Canyon.
Wall
20. Wall Drug Store
You could probably spend a day at Wall Drug Store. Yes, there are things to buy in various stores, but there’s also a selection of restaurants—which offer five-cent coffee—a traveler chapel, a mining and panning experience, and plenty of places for kids to climb and explore. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular roadside attractions in the country. Don’t leave without a donut.
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