Annual celebrations, rodeos and outdoor traditions are all alive and well in central South Dakota.
Annual celebrations, rodeos and outdoor traditions are all alive and well in central South Dakota.
It’s the little things that can make or break a trip. Make sure you're perfectly prepared for your South Dakota adventure with everything you need to know about traveling here so yours goes without a hitch!
Another adventure is always waiting just around the bend in South Dakota. Get inspired and say #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences!
It’s the little things that can make or break a trip. Make sure you're perfectly...
In South Dakota, we know good food.
Being an agricultural state means it's easy to source the freshest ingredients—from our big foodie cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City to smaller mining or farm towns with a surprisingly great dining scene like Deadwood and Watertown.
That makes everything tastes a little better. Enjoy meat-and-potatoes staples and unique culinary masterpieces created by some of the finest chefs in the world. Our Scandinavian, German, Dutch and Native American ancestries influence things in the tastiest of ways. Even the pickiest of palates will find something to love. And don't leave without checking out South Dakotas' breweries for top-shelf craft beer to wash it all down. Search the listings for the perfect way to satisfy your cravings!
South Dakota's culinary scene has been shaped by Indigenous people, immigrants, farmers, hunters ... and even church-basement ladies. Take a four-course road trip to meet some of the talented people making South Dakota so delicious.
Being an agricultural state means it's easy to source the freshest ingredients—from our big foodie...
Every vacation has a beginning and an end, but what about everything in between? Read Road Journals from real South Dakota visitors, find a scenic route, check out curated itineraries or explore more in our Spotlights below. You'll find all the information and inspiration you'll need to plan your South Dakota adventure.
Go where the road takes you for our most famous views.
Focused points of view that get you up close.
Every vacation has a beginning and an end, but what about everything in between? Read...
History and adventure abound along and on the waters of the Mighty Mo’. The Missouri River's 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.
Below you’ll find trip-planning tools & frequently asked visitor questions to help you plan your next great adventure to South Dakota's famous river.
Just go with the flow. Explore the mighty Missouri River and the vibrant South Dakota towns along its banks — Pierre, Chamberlain, Yankton and Vermillion.
20207 SD Highway 1804, SD57501
United States
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Intricate, wind-carved rock formations, ancient stalactites and a seemingly endless network of sprawling caverns are all hallmarks of the world-famous Wind Cave National Park. If you’re looking for a truly unique spelunking experience, this is the place. Wind Cave was the first cave designated a national park. Explore one of the world’s largest mapped cave systems, decorated with rare boxwork formations along the cavern walls. Above ground, explore 33,970 acres of forests and prairies that act as a natural sanctuary for bison, elk, prairie dogs and more.
Below, you’ll find more trip-planning tools and frequently asked visitor questions to help you plan your next great adventure to Wind Cave National Park.
Due to high visitation, cave tours often sell out 2 to 3 hours in advance and may sell out for the entire day by midday. Tickets may be purchased in advance via Recreation.gov. A credit or debit card is required for on-site payments for cave tours, campground fees and Interagency Passes at Wind Cave National Park.
See what other travelers discovered at Wind Cave National Park, and use the hashtag #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences.
A sacred site with allure both above and below the surface.
26611 US Highway 385
Hot Springs, SD57747
United States
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Due to high visitation, cave tours often sell out 2 to 3 hours in advance...
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. Hiking trails, scenic drives, bike rides and safari tours are perfect ways to explore this impressive South Dakota attraction.
Find trip-planning tools and frequently asked visitor questions to help you plan your next great adventure to Custer State Park.
Watch as wranglers and rangers round up more than 1,300 stampeding buffalo during the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, held the last Friday of September.
Feel the ground rumble and see the dust fly as 60 cowboys and cowgirls saddle up to bring in a thundering herd of 1,300 buffalo at the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. But we’re not just watching it. We’re in the thick of it, as we get thrown around on the back of a truck chasing the herd across the wide-open plains!
See what other travelers discovered at Custer State Park, and use the hashtag #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences.
Explore 71,000 acres of unmatched beauty and free-roaming wildlife in Custer State Park, alongside the action-packed towns of Rapid City, Sturgis and Custer.
13329 US Highway 16A
Custer, SD57730
United States
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
With a name inspired by the crystals that line its walls, Jewel Cave National Monument is even more significant as the third-longest cave in the world. This South Dakota treasure includes various cave tours below the forest and a 1,279-acre park with nature trails above ground.
Enjoy a stroll along the 1/4-mile Roof Trail, an easily accessible trail near the visitor center that features picnic tables and benches, or the 3.5-mile Canyons Trail, which goes through Lithograph and Hell canyons before winding back to the visitor center parking lot. View recently reintroduced bighorn sheep in the Historic Area.
The monument released a series of interpretive podcasts via the official Jewel Cave Facebook page and the National Park Service's YouTube channel for additional visitor enjoyment. Below, you’ll find more trip-planning tools and frequently asked visitor questions to help you plan your next great adventure to Jewel Cave National Monument!
Advance cave tour reservations are strongly recommended! Secure your spot now at Recreation.gov. Limited tickets are also available on-site on a first-come, first-served basis, and go especially fast in peak season months.
See what other travelers discovered at Jewel Cave National Monument, and use the hashtag #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences.
An underground wilderness sparkling with brilliant color.
11149 US Highway 16, Bldg. B12
Custer, SD57730
United States
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy a stroll along the 1/4-mile Roof Trail, an easily accessible trail near the visitor...
Ready to walk in the footsteps of historic Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock? This 1870s gold rush town earned National Historic Landmark status in 1961. Today, it teems with Black Hills entertainment and things to do, including concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas and parades.
Below you’ll find more trip-planning tools and frequently asked visitor questions to help you plan your next great adventure to Historic Deadwood!
See what other travelers discovered in Historic Deadwood, and use the hashtag #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences.
Join us as we mosey down Historic Deadwood’s streets in search of legendary tales and infamous characters from this wild frontier. Along the way, we discover that Deadwood is truly alive ... well, besides the ghosts!
A city rich in frontier history and Wild West infamy.
501 Main Street
Deadwood, SD57732
United States
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At the request of Chief Henry Standing Bear, 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. See history in the making, and don’t miss the on-site Indian Museum of North America® and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center®’s educational and cultural programming.
Below, you’ll find trip-planning tools and frequently asked visitor questions to help you plan your next great adventure to Crazy Horse Memorial!
Join us to uncover what makes Indigenous culture in South Dakota so unique. As you hear these stories and the history of this fascinating heritage, you’ll soon discover that you need to experience South Dakota for yourself!
See what other travelers discovered at Crazy Horse Memorial®, and use the hashtag #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences.
Never forget your dreams.
12151 Avenue of the Chiefs
Crazy Horse, SD57730
United States
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
