Come visit Black Hills Highlands near Spearfish and enjoy our friendly, hairy coos! Take your time and relax with the cows and sheep in beautiful Black Hills scenery. Our ranch is located where the northern Black Hills and prairie meet, and where so much adventure and fun await. Our tours are designed to be a friendly, hands-on introduction to both Scottish Highland cattle and sheep, as well as to the ever-changing prairie ecosystem. We'll start with a brief safety talk including an overview of what to expect and how to behave around our livestock. Then, off to meet the stars of the show. Have your camera and smiles ready. Tours are by appointment, can accommodate 2-6 people, last approximately 2-2.5 hours, and cost $50 for adults, $25 for students 12-21, and are no charge for children younger than 11.
1st Fridays on Main in Mitchell is held the first Friday of each month, 5-9 p.m., May through September (May 2, June 6, July 4, July 31, and September 5, 2025). Event goers will enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, activities and games for both adults and children. This free event is held around the Corn Palace Plaza in downtown Mitchell, corner of 6th Avenue & Main Street. (July 4 hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. July 31 is a Thursday and is the Palace City Pre-Sturgis Party.)
Events at the annual Twin Brooks Threshing Show include quilting, lead pouring, blacksmithing, sanctioned Kids Pedal Pull, tractor pull, threshing and baling, as well as horse demonstrations, saw mill demonstrations, log cabin, school house, flea market, homemade food and music. There are parades both days, 1 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Cockshutt Farm Equipment is featured in 2025, our 39th annual show. Weekend admission is $10 for adults and free for children under 12. Souvenir buttons are available.
The Black Hills Plein Air Paint-Out gathers artists in western South Dakota to paint the beautiful Black Hills in late September. The area offers rolling green hills, thick green forests, prairie, lakes, creeks, and wildlife. Hill City and Custer State Park both have a myriad of awe inspiring painting options, and a quick drive will take you to two historic monuments: Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. This event includes daily plein air painting, homework displayed for sale in a gallery, Artists meet and greet, wet sale, Sponsors and Artists reception, and a Quick Draw Competition and Auction. See the Hill City Arts Council website for complete details.
Given the great success of Aberdeen's downtown Wine Walk (held in May), we added a version craft beer lovers won’t want to miss. Sample local and regional brews, handcrafted and unique. Beer drinkers, this is your opportunity to pair two of the best things in life – shopping and drinking. The Brew Walk consists exploring ten downtown business stops on Main Street and includes craft beer samples from both regional and South Dakota-local breweries. Hours are 5-8 p.m. The start of the walk is at Malchow Plaza, 506 S Main Street.
The Canton Open Air Market features homemade crafts, jewelry and baked goods, as well as produce and locally-roasted coffee. Different food trucks and musicians are featured each week. Held in Jack Fox Park 5-8 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month, May through August.
Castlewood Days brings the community together to celebrate small town life. Held annually the second weekend in August in Castlewood in northeastern South Dakota, this festival offers fun and entertainment for all ages. Events throughout the weekend and around town include a kiddie bike parade, bean bag tournament, 5K color walk/run, car show, tractor show, parade, inflatables, food vendors, a street dance and more. For the latest up-to-date information, check the Castlewood Days Facebook page. 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the event.
Participants can expect to select from 30 different Whiskeys including Rye, Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, Japanese & Canadian at several different locations during Deadwood's Big Whiskey festival. Tickets will get you 15 sample tickets so you can choose what you’d like to sample. Whiskey tasting is from 4-8 p.m. Registration is at Saloon No. 10 from 3-5 p.m. Big Whiskey tickets are limited to 300 participants.
Newton Hills State Park near Canton hosts its annual Fall Festival. From 1-5 p.m., there will be a craft fair with multiple craft and food vendors. Additionally, park staff will have make-and-take crafts available for children as well as trebuchets throwing pumpkins. From 7-9 p.m. there will be a self-guided two-mile walk through the deep woods of the park with local bands and performers stationed along the path. The event is free, but a State Park License is required. 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the festival.
Yee-Haw, Ride Em Cowboy! Join us for the Mount Rushmore Rodeo at Palmer Gulch June 14, June 21, August 3, August 9 and August 16, 6-9 p.m. Come enjoy the Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc, Bareback Riding, Team Roping, Barrel Racing and the Mutton Bustin. There will be thrills, spills and good ole' fashioned western fun. Stay at our Black Hills resort (Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch or Mount Rushmore Lodge at Palmer Gulch). Don't forget your favorite pair of boots and cowboy hat. Admission: Free for those staying at Palmer Gulch. Admission is a $10 day-use fee for non-guests, $5 for ages 6-12, and 5 and under are free.
