Pack the van, bring the kids and discover South Dakota. Ditch the theme park for otherworldly Badlands National Park. Skip the crowds for Historic Deadwood. Find hidden gems across South Dakota, from small towns to family-friendly national parks. Discover Great Faces and Great Places all year round. Whether you're showing your kids the sights that amazed you as a child or uniting the family with the spirit of adventure, these attractions will help you craft a trip that will delight the entire family. After all, the best souvenirs of a family vacation are the memories that last forever… although a stuffed jackalope is pretty cool, too!
Scenic horseback rides with the family through Badlands National Park.
A sweet treat in front of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
Hit the road along the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.
Make a stop at the iconic roadside attraction, Wall Drug Store.
Take in the rushing water at Falls Park.
Walk among free-flying butterflies at the Butterfly House & Aquarium in Sioux Falls.
Family-Friendly Black Hills Adventure
Roam wild in Custer State Park, feel the breeze at Wind Cave National Park and wander crystal-laden paths at Jewel Cave National Monument. South Dakota is home to the best hidden-gem national parks for families. Find your freedom in the Black Hills, brimming with underrated, family-friendly vacation spots. It’s marvels like these that make western South Dakota a timeless family vacation destination that never gets old.
Mount RushMORE Family Fun
Visitors who come to South Dakota for Mount Rushmore National Memorial are shocked by how much more there is to discover. Meet more famous faces at Crazy Horse Memorial® (just 17 miles away from Rushmore) and Dignity: Of Earth & Sky in central South Dakota. The Mount Rushmore State offers adventure for all ages — the affordable, underrated kind. Discover hidden gems and family-friendly attractions built alongside history and tradition.
"How Does This Exist!?"
South Dakota landscapes are made for wild adventures and limitless spaces, for photo ops and jaw-drops. Across the Great Plains to the rolling Black Hills and staggering granite formations like the Needles, South Dakota landscapes create endless fun for families. To start, unleash your junior rangers in Badlands National Park and find waterfalls right off the road in Spearfish Canyon. Let your kids run wild amongst the greatest South Dakota has to offer your family.
Scenic Drives for All Ages
It's hard to say which view is better: the Black Hills National Forest or your kids' awestruck 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.
Kid-Friendly Roadside Highlights
You aren't cooped up for long when you road trip through South Dakota. Between the wacky attractions at Wall Drug Store in Wall and The World's Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, you'll find plenty of stops that are a little quirky and a lot of family-friendly fun. See South Dakota as it was intended, weaving through hidden gems and small towns on an iconic family road trip. And remember, it's not about the destination, It’s about the journey.
Great Faces, Great Places, Great Family Fun
The horizons and history of South Dakota are equally limitless. This is where stories leap to life and Indigenous culture stands proud. Unearth family vacations for all ages, from T. rex bones and pioneer homes to landscapes from outer space.
Family-Friendly, Wallet-Friendly Favorites
Whether you're four or 40, it doesn’t cost a cent to feel like a kid. South Dakota, though often overlooked, teems with kid-friendly wonders. Find priceless fairy-tale theme parks in Aberdeen, beaches in Watertown, and dinosaur playgrounds in Rapid City. Unlock the best-kept secrets of the Midwest and give your kids a mix of whimsy, wonder and adventure on a budget.
Get Serious About Playtime in SoDak
If children 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 in Brookings and The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs are great places to start for unforgettable fun for the whole family. Stop by museums and historical attractions on a road trip or visit hubs like Rapid City and Sioux Falls for a seriously inspiring family vacation.
Dream Bigger in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota's largest city, is the hub for big-time attractions the whole gang will love. Experience Sioux Falls through the seasons, from vibrant spring blossoms in Falls Park to apple picking in autumn. This is a city overflowing with affordable and accessible family fun. The top of your list should include the Arc of Dreams sculpture and the Butterfly House & Aquarium. Stick around a little longer and discover more family fun at the Washington Pavilion and Kirby Science Center as well as the Great Plains Zoo. During the summer, watch big smiles come for free at The Outdoor Campus.
Soak Up Flip-Flop Season
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! Pack your bags, get your kids in the car and mosey up to the Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region in the northeast for endless plunges. Get your beach towels ready for sunscreen-streaked fun on the mighty Missouri River or at Lewis and Clark Lake in Yankton.
South Dakota Family Passports
Win prizes just by discovering the bountiful hidden gems and cultural experiences South Dakota offers. Take advantage of these FREE mobile-exclusive passports and unearth some memory-making SoDak spots for the entire family. Those smiles will last long after the adventure is over. Winning cool stuff while creating memories and bonds that will last a lifetime? Priceless.
EXPLORE SOUTH DAKOTA PASSPORTS
Family Fun Escapes Southeast Passport
Southeast South Dakota is rich with fun for all ages. Discover vibrant city life, rich Indigenous history, beautiful natural areas and unique family attractions. Time to take a trip and create memories that last a lifetime.
Northbound Family Adventures Passport
From the well-known to the hidden gems, northeast South Dakota has fun for the entire crew. Discover glacier-shaped lands where glistening lakes meet rolling prairies under vast, open skies.
Start Something Great
South Dakota’s full of surprises, from Sioux Falls in the southeast to the Black Hills in the west and everywhere in between. With so much to do, it's hard to know just where to start and how to entertain all ages. Get started with these sample trip itineraries — each is packed with tips for your epic South Dakota family expedition.
