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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 make western South Dakota a timeless family vacation destination that never gets old.


Hidden Treasure: South Dakota’s Custer State Park

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


South Dakota: Great Faces, Great Places, Genuine Experiences

Start your South Dakota exploration in Badlands National Park

"How does this exist!?"

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.


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You aren't cooped up for long when you road trip through South Dakota. Between the wacky attractions at 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.


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South Dakota: A Special Place to Explore | Travel South Dakota

Great Faces, Great Places

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.


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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.


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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&nbsp;Falls Park, the inspiring Arc of Dreams sculpture and the&nbsp;Butterfly House &amp; Aquarium.


Taste the Flavors of South Dakota

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


Yankton, South Dakota: A Small Town That Thinks A Little Bigger | Travel South Dakota

Seeing SoDak: What It's Like to Experience South Dakota

Start Something Great

Family

Caves, spires, granite faces and alien landscapes? Think twice before booking a family vacation to Western SoDak!

18 Reasons to Never Take Your Kids to South Dakota's Black Hills & Badlands

South Dakota's family-friendly trails wind through rivers, prairies, the Black Hills and Badlands, with fun stops and photo-worthy views.

5 Family-Friendly Trails in South Dakota

Buffalo roam. Mountain goats climb. Eagles soar. And that's only a taste of the wildlife in South Dakota.

South Dakota Wildlife Viewing

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?

Attractions & Entertainment

Little ones will love South Dakota’s family adventures — packed with fun, laughter and memories to last.


Kid-Friendly Family Vacation Guide

When it comes to roadside stops, South Dakota boasts some of the best, including Wall Drug Store & The World's Only Corn Palace.

Awesome Roadside Attractions

Follow photographer Jill Emmer and her family as they capture South Dakota’s wild beauty, one adventure at a time.

A Family Road Trip to the Black Hills & Badlands of South Dakota

Black Hills National Forest contains beauty for every season, making it a great place for travelers to relax or get wild.

Black Hills National Forest – 1.2 Million Acres of Wilderness

You'll find some of South Dakota's top attractions along I-90. Here's your guide to the must-see stops along this east-west route.

Interstate 90 Itinerary: The Road Most Traveled

Going on an adventure shouldn’t break the bank. In South Dakota, that’s not a problem!

20 Free Things to Do in South Dakota

Explorers can learn about Rapid City’s prehistoric past at Dinosaur Park, an attraction filled with larger-than-life sculptures.

Dinosaur Park: Get Prehistoric in the Black Hills

Outdoor Activities

At America’s Shrine of Democracy, four great U.S. presidents represent the nation’s birth, growth, development and preservation.

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Enter an otherworldly landscape of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires, where ancient skeletons are forever preserved in stone.

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Few truly wild places remain in America. With 1,300 bison wandering 71,000 untamed acres, Custer State Park is one of them.

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History and adventure abound on the Mighty Mo', whose giant reservoirs and free-flowing waters are prime for boating and fishing.

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The first cave to be designated a national park, Wind Cave reveals seemingly endless natural wonders both above and below ground.

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Step into the world’s third-longest cave to explore a treasure trove of calcite crystals, cave popcorn and dripping stalactites.

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Walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock in this 1870s gold rush town.

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Witness history in the making. When finished, this tribute to Lakota leader Crazy Horse will be the world’s largest mountain carving.

Family Fun