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
Countries
Top 10 Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers in South Dakota, United States
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. 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.
2. Needles Highway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 883 reviews
This scenic drive passes by tall rock formations and through tunnels.
Reviewed By kdlew - Smyrna, United States
The needles Highway was a beautiful drive, and a great way to see the Black Hills of South Dakota. Winding road with narrow tunnels and spires all around. Give yourself about an hour and a half and have your camera ready! There a plenty of places to get out and explore, so you may want more time.
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. Iron Mountain Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,646 reviews
Reviewed By Jake48009 - Detroit, United States
You need to do it twice one-way then reverse to get Mount Rushmore framed in the tunnels as you pass through -- Absolutely spectacular! Fantastic ride between Custer State Park and Keystone with amazing views of Mount Rushmore as you pass through several cool tunnels and fun twisty roads. Make sure you sound the horn before entering the tunnels! Bring a jacket and some binoculars. Ride the road during the week. If you are visiting the Custer State Park area, Iron Mountain 16A is absolutely a "must see"... This road has to be one of the most scenic highways in America!
6. Black Hills Balloons
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 154 reviews
We're celebrating 35+ years of flying! Black Hills Balloons flies the southern Black Hills, Custer Valley, and world-renowned Custer State Park. The heart of our flying area is just miles from Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Wind Cave National Park. Your flight over mountains, valleys, lakes & prairies, is one of the best ways to view the Black Hills; home to elk, antelope, deer & buffalo. The beautiful Black Hills is the only place in the world where you can witness such historic, wild landscape & abundant wildlife from a hot air balloon. Flights take place daily at sunrise, weather permitting. Guests can expect an hour flight over the historic & beautiful Black Hills. Celebratory champagne, light snacks & a souvenir flight certificate is included. Established in 1984 (that's 35 years!), Black Hills Balloons has received a TripAdvisor Cert of Excellence multiple years in a row. We take pride in creating the best experience for our passengers and sharing the beauty of the Black Hills.
7. Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 324 reviews
Rock Climbing Guides in the Black Hills of South Dakota since 1989. Adventures for ages 5+ (with a participating adult). No experience needed. All rock climbing gear is supplied. Join us at Custer State Park, South Dakota. Call for a reservation and we will meet you at South Dakota Outdoor Shop (757 Mt. Rushmore Road, Custer, SD 57730) for your guided rock climbing tour. Locations at the Needles of Mount Rushmore, Palisades State Park, and Devils Tower for more experienced climbers. Please reserve as far in advance as possible so that we can best plan to serve you.
8. Black Hills Aerial Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 222 reviews
29 years of experience offering exclusive helicopter tours within the Mt. Rushmore National Park boundaries, Custer State Park, and up close views of Crazy Horse Monument, the Cathedral Spires, and Black Elk Peak just to name a few. Flights range from approximately 5 minutes to an hour along with flights customized to your specific wants and needs. Priced to fit everyone's budget. Enjoy your flightseeing experience with the oldest, most respected helicopter tour company in the region.
9. Catfish Bay Water Ski Park - Greatest Show on H2O
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 366 reviews
The Greatest Show On H2O, Camp OnAqua & Ice Fish Fest are all at Catfish Bay. The show is a fun family event. It has comedy, acting and more all choreographed to amazing stunts on the water. It is an all ages show designed with the family in mind. Our world class water skiers perform dazzling human pyramids, jumps, water ballet, barefoot water skiing and much more. "The Greatest Show On H2O!" has something for everyone to enjoy this summer. Catfish Bay also home to Camp OnAqua, Ice Fish Fest, professional water ski training and more. Go to our website for more information
10. Hollingsworth Horses
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 108 reviews
Hollingsworth Horses offers horseback riding on our outstandingly beautiful 122 acre ranch, Mickelson Trail and the Black Hills National Forest. We offer unguided and guided depending on riding skills. Choosing the riding times and length of your ride separates us from other riding attractions and we are the only establishment offering unguided rides!
Reviewed By BreckBearSki
A 2 hour ride for the family was the highlight of our trip to SD! Mercy was a great guide, kept it interesting, and our 8 year remarked on the drive home "He really wanted to make sure we had a great time." The 125 acre property had lots of hidden gems, the horses were great and well cared for. Would definitely recommend to all riding experience levels, we had a decent amount of experience and wanted a different experience than the nose-to-tail rides, and this is it! Mercy checks out your ability, and you get some reasonable "freedom" while out on the ride (if you want). Attaching a few pictures to show how varied the terrain is. We highly recommend!!!!
