11 Reasons Why 2026 is the Year to Visit South Dakota

There’s a buzz in the air in South Dakota this year. With America 250 celebrations sweeping the nation, the state is unveiling new experiences, fresh openings and milestone events that make 2026 an unforgettable time to visit. From a monumental fireworks show to new ways to explore the great outdoors and connect with America’s history, here’s why there has never been a better time to visit South Dakota.

Pro tip: Our Stars & Stripes Passport helps you get even more out of your South Dakota adventure this year. Simply check in at designated stops and earn points for prizes at every place you visit.

1. Mount Rushmore Fireworks & 85th Anniversary

As part of the American 250 signature lineup, Mount Rushmore National Memorial will be hosting a special fireworks event on July 3. While the event itself has limited capacity, the memorial will be completely open to all visitors for the annual July 4 celebrations, including reenactments and performances. The event coincides with the monument’s 85th anniversary of completion, adding just another reason to celebrate one of America’s most iconic landmarks. More event details will be announced closer to July.

2. Deadwood Sesquicentennial: 150 Years of Wild West History

2026 also marks 150 years since Deadwood was founded during the Black Hills Gold Rush, and the town still crackles with unbridled frontier energy. This National Historic Landmark invites visitors to step back into its rowdy past — from gunslinger shootouts on Main Street to rodeos, saloons and museums that bring its notorious characters to life.

3. Badlands National Park: #1 on Fodor's Go List (2025)

Badlands National Park leaves a big impression, which is why Fodor’s named it the top U.S. place to visit in 2025. Bison, bighorn sheep and other majestic wildlife move through the park’s striking terrain, and its rocky formations are home to some of the world’s richest fossil beds. For an overview of it all, head to one of the higher viewpoints to see the park’s 244,000 acres spread out before you.

4. Redlin Art Center Unfinished Art Exhibit

This spring, the Redlin Art Center in Watertown will honor the 10th anniversary of wildlife artist Terry Redlin’s passing with an exhibition featuring his never-before-seen unfinished paintings and drawings. The new permanent display offers an intimate look at Redlin’s creative process and the work he left behind. For fans of the man once called “America’s Most Popular Artist,” it’s a must-see. 

5. South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center Reopens

In Pierre, the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center fully reopens this summer after a transformative two-year renovation. Long known for sharing the state’s rich history and heritage, the center will welcome visitors back with upgraded amenities, a revitalized education center and research facility, and refreshed exhibits that explore South Dakota’s story from our Indigenous culture to the Lewis and Clark expedition while celebrating 250 years of American democracy. 

6. Experience the Best Pheasant Hunting in the Nation

Pheasant hunting is a deeply rooted tradition in South Dakota, and ongoing conservation work keeps numbers high and hunters happy year after year. Endless stretches of prairie await seasoned hunters, while beginners can head out with expert guides who provide access to prime habitat and private preserves. 

7. EV Road Trips Made Easy With the South Dakota Fast Charging Plan

South Dakota is rolling out an expanded network of fast-charging stations to make road trips easier than ever for electric-vehicle drivers. The plan adds convenient, accessible and affordable chargers along popular travel routes, allowing visitors to see more of the state without worrying about running low on power.

8. Travel Free from Crowds

If you, like so many travelers these days, are searching for a quiet escape with plenty of room to roam, South Dakota delivers. Our wide-open spaces, unhurried pace and under-the-radar attractions from east to west make it easy to trade the crowds for true breathing room. For an even more peaceful retreat, consider visiting in winter, when the state’s vast landscapes transform into a snow-dusted outdoor playground. 

9. Embrace “Cowboy Core”

Agritourism is having a moment, and farm stays offer a uniquely South Dakota experience. Visitors can wake up on a real working farm and connect with the daily rhythms of a place where agriculture really is a way of life. In Scenic, Circle View Guest Ranch sits in the heart of the Badlands and invites guests to join morning chores, swap stories by the fire, and meet the animals. Circle F Farmhouse in Tripp feels like a home away from home, with a full kitchen, a craft room and a quiet patio. Custer’s Pleasant Valley Farm & Cabins offers serene views, wildlife watching and easy access to popular Black Hills attractions.

Explore more South Dakota farm stays

10. Jeep Freedom Rolls Into Sturgis

Famously the stomping ground of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally each August, Sturgis Buffalo Chip hosts Jeep Freedom this June — a gathering of Jeep enthusiasts from around the country in celebration of America’s rugged frontier spirit. Expect live music on the Buffalo Chip stage, plenty of camaraderie, and chances for once-in-a-lifetime off-road adventures.

11. A Bigger, Better Palisades State Park

Palisades State Park, known for its dramatic Sioux quartzite formations rising sharply from Split Rock Creek, is nearing the final phase of a five-year expansion in 2026. The park has more than doubled in size since 2021, adding a new entrance and welcome center, 77 campsites, four cabins, an accessible playground, a disc golf course, and improved river access for kayaking and fishing. Just 30 minutes from Sioux Falls, the park has sealed its status as a true gem of the South Dakota state park system. Be on the lookout for more upgrades and features coming soon, including an archery range.