20 Free and Affordable Things to Do in South Dakota

Whether you’re looking for free ways to enjoy arts and culture, kid-friendly activities or the best hiking trails and nature walks, South Dakota offers something for everyone — even if you’re traveling on a budget. Here are 20 of our favorite free activities and experiences.

Originally published on About.com. This article has since been updated with current information.

1. Dignity: Of Earth & Sky

The Dignity sculpture is a stunning combination of art and history. Located next to the Lewis and Clark Welcome Center between exits 263 and 265 on Interstate 90 near Chamberlain, the stainless steel, 50-foot-tall statue was designed by sculptor Dale Lamphere to honor the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people.

2. Main Street Shootouts in Historic Deadwood

Historic Deadwood is a must-see for fans of the Old West. Head back to the time of ambitious gold-rush prospectors and unruly outlaws and enjoy live (and safe!) gunfights several times a day on Main Street. The battles are fought with blank bullets, but the fun is all real.

3. Adams Museum

W.E. Adams founded this free museum in Deadwood (donations are suggested) to preserve and display the history of the region. Now called the Adams Museum, it showcases some amazing Black Hills treasures. Visitors can explore the Legends Gallery, which honors the icons of Deadwood, including Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and others.

4. South Dakota Air and Space Museum

Visit the Ellsworth Air Force Base just outside Rapid City to learn about military and aerospace history at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Comprising four aircraft alert hangars surrounded by vintage military aircraft, the museum offers guests a close-up look at fighter jets and bombers. Admission is free. The exhibits? Supersonic.

5. Termesphere® Gallery

Tucked away outside of Spearfish is a collection of unique art created by an innovative artist. South Dakota artist Dick Termes invented the Termesphere®, a 3D, inside-out view of the physical world captured in a sphere. Some paintings capture moments. Termespheres capture entire perspectives. Take a visit to the Termesphere® Gallery to explore this six-point perspective in action (and maybe bring one home for yourself).

6. Civilian Conservation Corps Museum of South Dakota

While South Dakota worked to preserve the country’s national resources during the financially difficult period of 1933-42, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) emerged. The CCC's initial goal was to conserve resources while engaging thousands of young men in projects that benefitted Hill City and the surrounding areas. Visit the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum to explore these stories through photographs and artifacts.

7. Storybook Island

Home to more than 8 acres of fairy-tale fun, Storybook Island in Rapid City is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend. This family-friendly theme park combines education and entertainment, with 50 playsets, interactive exhibits, a charming carousel and a train. Admission is free all summer long.

8. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

This massive sculpture of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln has become one of the most recognizable places in the United States. You can walk the trail and explore the extraordinary carving, museum and interactive exhibits. There is no admission charge to visit Mount Rushmore, but a parking fee does apply.

9. Museum of Geology

Visit the Museum of Geology at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to explore paleontology and mineralogy through gems, fossils and skeletons. You can can learn more about South Dakota’s extensive natural history in the Hall of South Dakota Minerals. Young geologists can explore Earth's history with hands-on activities in the museum's Kids Zone.

10. SculptureWalk

As South Dakota's largest city, Sioux Falls is packed with fun, free and affordable activities. It's home to a thriving community of artists who work in various mediums. The SculptureWalk is an outdoor exhibit displaying more than 70 sculptures throughout downtown Sioux Falls, from the Eastbank to Uptown and the Steel District. Sculptures are exhibited for one year and are then eligible for awards and purchase before the next group is placed.

11. Rapid City’s Downtown Art

Rapid City offers some unique opportunities to view fantastic displays with Art Alley, the Sculpture Project and the City of Presidents. Being in downtown Rapid City feels like you’re strolling through an open-air museum. Be sure to leave plenty of time to walk around and explore.

12. Dinosaur Park

Looking for free family fun in South Dakota? Bring the whole family to Dinosaur Park in Rapid City to check out the Brontosaurus, T. rex and other giant creatures sculpted here. It’s worth the walk up the hill to check out some amazing South Dakota views.

13. D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives

The D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives in Spearfish is one of the country's oldest operating hatcheries, focused on fish farming and conservation. The museum includes interactive exhibits that depict the fish life-cycle, tools of the trade and how to transport live fish. The surrounding grounds offer stunning views of the pond and a walking/hiking trail.

14. Siouxland Heritage Museums

The Old Courthouse Museum, a Siouxland Heritage Museum, is a restored 19th-century quartzite building with three floors of regional history exhibits. While in Sioux Falls, explore for free the Pettigrew Home & Museum, the elegant 1880s Queen Anne-style home of South Dakota’s first United States Senator.

15. Wall Drug Store

You could spend a whole day at Wall Drug Store. Yes, there are things to buy in various stores, but there’s also a selection of restaurants, a traveler's chapel, a mining and panning experience, and plenty of places for the kids to climb and explore. It’s no wonder Wall Drug is one of the most popular roadside attractions in the country. Don’t leave without a donut.

16. Spearfish City Park

Nestled in the heart of Spearfish, Spearfish City Park offers free outdoor activities for visitors looking to spend time in nature. This city park has plenty to keep Spearfish residents and visitors busy, including a 10,000-square-foot skate park, a 5-mile recreation path, ball fields, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts and more.

17. Roughlock Falls Nature Area

Nature lovers and photographers can enjoy breathtaking Roughlock Falls in the Spearfish Canyon Nature Area. Walking paths and hiking trails lead to the falls, which splash into Spearfish Canyon. Enjoy birdwatching, fishing, hiking and snowmobiling in the winter months.

18. Black Hills National Forest

More than 1.2 million acres of forest and mountains encompass the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, creating endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding and nature watching. You can discover streams, lakes, canyons and unique rock formations in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest.

19. Jewel Cave National Monument

It’s the third-longest cave in the world and has more than 180 miles of mapped passages. Jewel Cave is a national monument you’ll want to explore. There is no entrance fee to enter the monument visitor center, exhibits, gift shop and surface trails. However, all cave access is by ranger-led tour only, which requires a ticket purchase. To learn more, see current Jewel Cave ticket prices.

20. Storybook Land and the Land of Oz

At Storybook Land and the Land of Oz in the northeast city of Aberdeen, step into whimsical play areas and rides inspired by classic nursery rhymes and beloved childhood stories. Follow the Yellow Brick Road through a full-scale recreation of Oz, complete with Dorothy’s house, Munchkinland and the Wicked Witch’s castle.

Bonus: Free Entrance Days at National Parks

South Dakota’s national parks are some of the best in the country, from the moon-like landscapes of Badlands National Park to the underground wonderland of Wind Cave National Park. In 2026, there are 10 days when all National Park Service sites offer free admission. Mark your calendar for these 2026 entrance fee-free dates:

• President's Day (Feb. 16)
• Memorial Day (May 25)
• Flag Day (June 14)
• Independence Day weekend (July 3-5)
• 110th Birthday of the National Park Service (Aug. 25)
• Constitution Day (Sept. 17)
• Theodore Roosevelt's birthday (Oct. 27)
• Veterans Day (Nov. 11)

Be sure to check before you go to ensure entry policies haven’t changed, and make donations when you can. According to the Department of the Interior, U.S. citizens and residents are the only ones eligible for free entry on these days. Non-U.S. residents must pay the standard entrance fees plus a new $100-per-person fee to enter 11 of the most-visited national parks. Military personnel and their families are eligible for a free lifetime Military Pass, which grants access to over 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges and forests.