From vibrant cities to quiet country escapes, southeast South Dakota offers a mix of arts and culture, family attractions and outdoor exploration.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city, is a dynamic hub anchored by breathtaking Falls Park. Stroll the SculptureWalk, visit the Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History, and savor a thriving dining and craft beer scene. In Vermillion, history and music lovers can discover rare instruments at the renowned National Music Museum. Yankton, one of South Dakota’s oldest towns, invites visitors to boat, fish and relax lakeside at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, or experience the Missouri National Recreational River as the famous explorers once did. Small-town charm thrives in places like Mitchell, home to The World’s Only Corn Palace.
Outdoor Activities in the Southeast
With winding rivers, dramatic palisades and peaceful prairies, southeastern South Dakota is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. In Sioux Falls, stroll through scenic Falls Park, where the Big Sioux River cascades over pink quartzite, or soak up the region’s Indigenous heritage at Good Earth State Park at Blood Run. Palisades State Park impresses with towering cliffs, drawing climbers, hikers and kayakers.
The southeast region offers exceptional fishing, boating and swimming across 175 lakes and rivers — including the vast Lewis and Clark Lake in Yankton. Book a guided fishing or hunting trip with Riibe Outdoors, or explore on your own at Great Bear Recreation Park, a 200-acre natural playground that transforms into a winter wonderland for skiing, snowboarding and tubing.
Awesome Things To Do in Southeastern South Dakota
Southeast Region Attractions
82 Mickelson Drive
Yankton, SD57078
United States
