Dinosaur at SD Childrens Museum

Create Great Memories

Real Fun Places. Real Great Adventures.

The best souvenirs of a family vacation are the memories that last forever (although a stuffed toy jackalope is pretty cool too). You'll see below that South Dakota has all the ingredients for an unforgettable getaway.

Custer State Park Jeep Ride
Bison Icon
Play Video

Act Naturally in the Black Hills

Roam wild in Custer State Park, feel the breeze at Wind Cave National Park, and unearth a gem at Jewel Cave National Monument. It’s marvels like these that earned the Black Hills a #11 ranking on PureWow’s "50 Best Vacations for Kids in the U.S" list.

Family in Front of Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore Icon
Play Video

Get Some Face Time

Visitors that come for Mount Rushmore are shocked by how much there is to discover. Meet more famous faces at Dignity: Of Earth & Sky and the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Play Video
Family at Badlands National Park
Badlands Icon
Play Video

"How does this exist?"

South Dakota landscapes are made of wild adventures and limitless spaces, for jaw-drops and Christmas card photo-ops. To start, unleash your junior rangers in Badlands National Park and find waterfalls right off the road in Spearfish Canyon.

1880s Train
Train Icon

Window Shop the Scenery

It's hard to say what view is better: the Black Hills National Forest or your kids' awe-struck faces pressed against the window. Glue them to the edge of their seat on the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, then stretch your legs with hikes for all ages.

Jackalope at Wall Drug
Jackalope Icon

Visit Roadside Highlights

You aren't cooped up for long when you road trip through South Dakota. Between the wacky attractions at the Wall Drug Store and The World's Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, you'll find plenty of stops that are a little quirky and a lot of fun.

Play Video
Dignity Statue
Dignity Statue Icon
Play Video

Great Faces, Great Places

The horizons and history of South Dakota are equally limitless. This is where stories leap to life and Native American culture stands proud. Map a vacation for the ages among T-Rex bones, pioneer homes, and landscapes from outer space.

Storybook Land
Castle Icon

Wallet-Friendly Favorites

Whether you're four or 40, it doesn’t cost a cent to feel like a kid. Find priceless fairy-tale theme parks in Aberdeen, beaches in Watertown, and dinosaur playgrounds in Rapid City.

Childrens Museum T-Rex
T-Rex Icon

Get Serious About Playtime

If kids learn through play, then kids learn an awful lot around here. Spark their creativity—and yours—at educational attractions around the state. The Children's Museum of South Dakota and the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs are great places to start.

Arc of Dreams
Arc of Dreams Icon
Play Video

Dream Bigger

Sioux Falls (South Dakota's largest city) is the hub for big-time attractions the whole gang will love. The top of your list should include Falls Park, the inspiring Arc of Dreams sculpture, and the Butterfly House & Aquarium.

Midway Beach
Waterfall Icon
Play Video

Soak Up Flip-Flop Season

South Dakota’s in the middle of the country, but we’re anything but landlocked. In reality, it has more miles of shoreline than the state of Florida. Get your beach towel ready for sunscreen-streaked fun on the Mighty Missouri River, or Lewis & Clark Lake in Yankton.

Play Video
Horseback Riding
Play Video

Start Something Great

South Dakota’s full of surprises, from Sioux Falls to the Black Hills and everywhere in between. With so much to do it's hard to know just where to start. Get started with these sample trip itineraries—each is packed with tips for your Mount Rushmore State expedition.

Win a Free

Family Vacation

Ready for greatness? Sign up for your chance to win a South Dakota getaway.

Trip Planning Tools
hotels
Places to Stay
Native American Dancers facing sunset at Rosebud Fair, Wacipi and Rodeo in Rosebud, South Dakota
Plan Your Trip