Whether it's high speed or a high score, find just the fun you're looking for. South Dakota's got bowling alleys, mini golf courses, go-kart racing, escape rooms and arcades for the whole family!
Whether it's high speed or a high score, find just the fun you're looking for...
Take an exhilarating journey across the state with attractions that feature exotic animals, hands-on activities, and native species in the wild.
South Dakota is an animal kingdom all its own! Whether it's the soaring of bald eagles or the chirping of prairie dogs, you'll never forget the incredible wildlife that makes our state so unique. Find your next furry, feathered or just plain fun friend.
South Dakota is an animal kingdom all its own! Whether it's the soaring of bald...
The variety and depth of South Dakota's museums are enough to turn anyone into a "museum person." From the carefully curated collections at places like National Music Museum in Vermillion to the stopped-time vibe of Adams House in Deadwood and the one-of-a-kind International Vinegar Museum in Roslyn, there are historical artifacts across the state that will keep you thinking and entertained.
Don't forget to keep your eyes open for small-town museums, where Native, military, agricultural, and some just plain weird artifacts will leave you with some fun pictures as well as the ability to start a story with "You know what I saw in South Dakota?"
The variety and depth of South Dakota's museums are enough to turn anyone into a...
South Dakota is truly where history comes to life.
From prehistoric dinosaurs to the Indigenous people who first called this land home to the settlers who came from across the globe to make a better life, South Dakota is extraordinarily rich in history and culture. See the 60-foot-tall faces of the Founding Fathers on Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Behold the world's largest in-progress mountain carving at Crazy Horse Memorial®. Follow the Lewis and Clark Trail, find museums of every size and focus, and experience the Wild West of legend.
Explore more South Dakota historical sites below and start planning your visit!
South Dakota is where buffalo roam, gunslingers entertain, and mountains and monuments tower over open land. Recorded on location throughout South Dakota, this audio adventure podcast is designed to let you hear what it's like to be there. Ready to make your own South Dakota story? Enter for your chance to win a free trip!
Available now on Spotify, Apple and Amazon.
From prehistoric dinosaurs to the Indigenous people who first called this land home to the...
The serene rural scenes of Terry Redlin. The groundbreaking way Oscar Howe captured the Indigenous experience. The unique -- and sometimes strange -- scrap metal sculptures of John Lopez. An alley full of art. A world of only-from-South-Dakota art awaits your discovery.
The serene rural scenes of Terry Redlin. The groundbreaking way Oscar Howe captured the Indigenous...
Sites and attractions around the state include: the Museum of Geology in Rapid City, The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, the Prehistoric Indian Village and Archeodome in Mitchell, the Petrified Wood Park in Lemmon, and Badlands National Park - recognized around the world as one of the richest Oligocene fossil beds.
Thousands of years of prehistoric human and animal evidence lay buried in South Dakota. That's why amazing fossil finds like Sue a T.rex and a triceratops called Shady have attracted national attention after being unearthed in South Dakota. Explore museums and dig sites across the state that offer the thrill of discovering remnants from another time.
Sites and attractions around the state include: the Museum of Geology in Rapid City, The...
For anyone with the spirit of exploration coursing through their veins, there's only one question to be asked: Where do you want to go?
Welcome to the place with all of the answers.
Whether you're searching for iconic monuments or two of the longest caves in the world, wanting some hands-on experience with history, or ready to create family memories without breaking the bank account, this is the place to plan the perfect getaway in South Dakota. These are the places you mark on your map, look for on road signs, and count down the exits until your triumphant arrival—from mines and gold panning, drive-in movies and waterparks, to old West towns and archaeological marvels. Maybe they're places you've waited years to see or revisit. Maybe you didn't know they existed until this moment. No matter how familiar you are with South Dakota, these lists of attractions will place you in a world of discovery and help you create an unforgettable trip in South Dakota.
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.
Another adventure is always waiting just around the bend in South Dakota. Get inspired and say #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences!
Whether you're searching for iconic monuments or two of the longest caves in the world...
Sometimes hauling your own gear and recreational toys isn't always convenient. There are rental businesses and outfitters all across South Dakota ready to get you out on the trails, the slopes, the course, or the water. You can find just about anything, from ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles to canoes, kayaks, snow shoes and bicycles. Plus, many of South Dakota's state parks and recreation areas loan out various equipment!
Find your spot. Get your equipment. Enjoy the ride.
Sometimes hauling your own gear and recreational toys isn't always convenient. There are rental businesses...
Find freedom on the open road in South Dakota.
South Dakota is a must-visit destination for motorcycling enthusiasts. While many motorcyclists first drive the state's highways, interstates and country roads on a trip to Sturgis for the annual rally, they often find other reasons to return. With a multitude of scenic byways and highways, there is no shortage to hit the open road and rev those engines.
Beyond Sturgis, the Black Hills offers some of the best and most scenic motorcycle rides in the United States. In addition to the activities in and immediately around Sturgis, many visitors take day-trips throughout the Black Hills and beyond. Within easy riding distance are many attractions, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial (62 miles), Crazy Horse Memorial (67 miles), Custer State Park (75 miles), Spearfish Canyon (19 miles), Deadwood (13 miles) and Badlands National Park (110 miles).
The rugged terrain of the Black Hills isn't the only popular destination for a motorcycle ride. Many visitors enjoy the wide open spaces of other South Dakota highways that span the state. The Native American Scenic Byway takes travelers from the border of Nebraska through central South Dakota all the way up to North Dakota. Riders can see native prairie grasses, the winding Missouri River, and wildlife and scenery that South Dakota is known for. In northeastern South Dakota, riders can enjoy beautiful glacial lakes on their journey through the area.
Explore the most scenic drives in South Dakota's Black Hills
Every August, the city of Sturgis welcomes bikers from across the country for two weeks of two-wheeled fun. Choose freedom over freeways with 10 days of live music, motocross races and other wild events. Prior to and after the event, many surrounding cities and towns host rallies, festivals and other biker-friendly events to keep the party going.
find out more about the sturgis rally
South Dakota Rides is part of a campaign by the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety to promote motorcycle education and safety. Visit and you’ll find interactive riding maps, information about rider education courses, how to share photos and videos, and how to take part in live chats with other motorcycle enthusiasts.
Another adventure is always waiting just around the bend in South Dakota. Get inspired and say #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences!
South Dakota is a must-visit destination for motorcycling enthusiasts. While many motorcyclists first drive the...
From pro anglers to weekend enthusiasts, South Dakota has year-round fishing opportunities for everyone.
It’s hard to beat the allure of fishing in South Dakota. Whether it’s the feeling of the sun on your face as you cast a line or the thrill of pulling up a gilled treasure from a hole in the ice, the sensations produced by fishing here have a certain kind of magic.
How can one activity be relaxing and exciting at the same time? We’re not sure. We just know that’s how fishing works.
You have plenty of opportunities in South Dakota, where nearly 98% of the state’s waters are publicly accessible and open for fishing. Fly-fish for trout in a flowing Black Hills stream. Reel in trophy walleye from a Missouri River reservoir or land bass and crappie from a northeastern glacial lake. Cold winters transform the state’s bodies of water into solid, shimmering ice fishing playgrounds. Fishing options here range from creeks, rivers and lakes to 63 state parks and recreation areas. Heck, we even have a lake with a ghost town at the bottom. When we say there are options, we mean it. (Check out South Dakota Game, Fish & Park’s up-to-date Public Fishing Access map.)
The residents of South Dakota are a welcoming bunch, and that especially extends to visitors arriving with rod and reel. Accommodations across the state cater to fishing folks, with boat-sized parking spots or restaurants that will cook up your day’s catch. Many shops and organizations also share fishing reports throughout the year. In South Dakota, convenience is key. After all, every minute spent trying to hook that perfect fish is well spent.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro angler, a weekend enthusiast, or a first-timer who doesn’t know the difference between a walleye and a can of tuna. South Dakota has year-round fishing opportunities for everyone. See why anglers travel from all over the world to fish in South Dakota. We’re pretty confident you’ll be, well…hooked.
Set your fishing excursion to South Dakota. The open water. The thrill of a bite. The stories you share on the water or shore. Discover why anglers know South Dakota as one of the best places in the world to cast — and enjoy.
Stay informed on what's happening in South Dakota's great outdoors.
Includes the Fishing Handbook from Game, Fish and Parks; a South Dakota Vacation Guide and a South Dakota State Highway Map.
Whether you’re looking for a guided lodge experience or a public land adventure, we’ve got the resources to get you started.
It’s hard to beat the allure of fishing in South Dakota. Whether it’s the feeling...
