Mount Rushmore in Fall
Handwritten So Much South Dakota, So Little Time
 

Come explore South Dakota

It’s MORE THAN 77,000 square miles of pure wonder.
Filled with so many things to see, smell, TASTE, hear and feel.
And endless reasons to pack your bags.

Natural beauty and wonder await you in South Dakota, often referred to as the land of infinite variety. Ranked 16th in size among the 50 states and located in the North Central region of the United States, it is also part of the Great Plains and boasts more miles of shoreline than the state of Florida. 

You'll be inspired to expand your journey from the Black Hills and Badlands in the west to the glacial lakes and outdoor adventures of the northeast. Along the way, follow the Missouri River as it flows through central South Dakota, pausing to experience the history of Lewis and Clark. And discover the land of the southeast, with its bustling cities, quiet country escapes and family attractions.

There are endless fun things to do in South Dakota for adventurers of all ages and interests — especially the iconic Great 8 landmarks that put our state on the map. Explore many other sites and attractions, eat delicious foods and find a cozy place to stay for the night — whether a B&B, campground, RV park, resort or hotel. Family fun is easy when traveling with kids here, between all the waterparks and amusement parks, rodeos, drive-in movies and more. And above all else, be sure to relax and enjoy the good life while in SoDak.  

Need more guidance? Use our maps of South Dakota, get some travel tips or follow a trip itinerary. As you venture back home, you’ll know you truly made memories that will last forever.
 

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Great 8
Badlands National Park

This striking South Dakota landscape boasts a maze of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires. Skeletons of three-toed horses and saber-toothed cats are among the many fossilized species found here. Wildlife abounds in the park’s 244,000 acres and can often be seen while hiking, camping and traveling the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway.

badlands national park
Badlands
Great 8
Mount Rushmore National Memorial

America's Shrine of Democracy, Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the 60-foot faces of four great American presidents who represent the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. 

Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore
Great 8
Jewel Cave National Monument

The third-longest cave in the world features a variety of tours below the surface and a 1,279-acre park with nature trails above ground.

Jewel Cave Interior
Jewel Cave
Great 8
Custer State Park

Few truly wild places remain in this country. Custer State Park is one of them. Nearly 1,300 bison wander the park’s 71,000 acres, which they share with pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats and a band of burros.

Needles Highway
Custer State Park
Great 8
Historic Deadwood

Walk in the footsteps of historic Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. This 1870s gold rush town became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Today, it teems with Black Hills entertainment and things to do including concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas and parades.

Deadwood
Deadwood reanactors
Great 8
Missouri River

History and adventure abound along and on the waters of the Mighty Mo’. Free-flowing sections and four reservoirs — Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case and Lewis & Clark Lake — are prime for fishing, boating and water recreation.

Missouri River Fishing
Pierre Missouri River
Great 8
Wind Cave National Park

The first cave to be designated a national park, Wind Cave National Park features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations along with 33,851 acres of forest and prairie on the surface, creating a sanctuary for wildlife.

Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave
Great 8
Crazy Horse Memorial

Korczak Ziolkowski began work on Crazy Horse Memorial in 1948. Once complete, this tribute to the Lakota leader will be the largest mountain carving in South Dakota, and the world. The on-site Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center also provide opportunities to learn and explore.

Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse
Badlands
Badlands icon
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore icon
Jewel Cave
Jewel Cave icon
Custer State Park
Custer State Park icon
Deadwood reanactors
Deadwood icon
Pierre Missouri River
Missouri River icon
Wind Cave
Wind Cave icon
Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse Icon

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#HiFromSD

Another adventure is always waiting just around the bend in South Dakota. Get inspired and say #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences!

Black Hills National Forest
IN SOUTH DAKOTA, OUR PLACES ARE
Larger Than Life

We're ready to surprise and amaze you. So bring your imagination — and your sense of wonder — and discover the greatness that lies within our beloved lands.

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Trip Planning Resources
Illustrated image of three bison grazing in Custer State Park. The Needles rock formation is visible in the background.
Let Us Help You Plan
Feeding a burro
Stay In Touch With SD
A woman stands in front of a painting featuring two multicolored individuals with rainbows of color cascading over them
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The Travel

South Dakota Stories Podcast

Badlands landscape with podcast logo overlay

South Dakota is where buffalo roam, gunslingers entertain, and mountains and monuments stand tall over open land. Produced by the award-winning Armchair Productions and recorded on-location throughout South Dakota, this audio adventure podcast is designed to do more than just let you hear what it’s like to be there! 

Available now on SpotifyApple and Amazon.

Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway
Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway // West Region Map
Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway // West Region Map
Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway

Some of the most incredible roads anywhere make up the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. Mix in America’s most patriotic monument and you have a never-to-be-forgotten road trip.

Badlands National Park
Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway
Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway
Road Trips
Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway

Some describe it as lunar-like, others say desert, but the Native Americans were the first to call it mako sica or "bad lands." We think you’ll come up with your own description for Badlands National Park.

Custer State Park, South Dakota
Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway Map Icon
Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway Map Icon
Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway

Searching for animals you don’t see in your neighborhood? Custer State Park’s 18-mile Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway has just what you're looking for!

Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway Map Icon
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway Map Icon
Spearfish Canyon State and National Forest Service Scenic Byway

Towering limestone cliffs and a rushing mountain stream keep you company along the 19-mile stretch of US Highway 14A known as Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

Native American National and State Scenic Byway
Native American Scenic Byway Map Icon
Native American Scenic Byway Map Icon
Native American National and State Scenic Byway

Breathtaking views of the Missouri River, diverse landscapes, and tribal history and culture are showcased on the Native American Scenic Byway, running north and south through central South Dakota. The route takes travelers through the lands of the Yankton, Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Sioux Tribes.

Badlands National Park
Meet Our
Great Faces
Antelope
 
Pheasant
 
Elk
 
Mountain Goat
 
Burro
 
Bighorn Sheep
 
Prairie Dog
 
Buffalo
 
Coyote
 
Turkey
 
Deer
 
bald eagle