Western South Dakota offers majestic granite spires, bubbling hot springs, pine-covered peaks and unique rock outcroppings. Named “Paha Sapa” by the Native Americans, the Black Hills are full of scenery, adventure and rich history. From Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial® to Custer State Park, Badlands National Park and so much more, this region boasts one of the largest concentrations of national parks, monuments and caves in the Midwest.
Meanwhile, Indigenous art at Prairie Edge & Sioux Trading Post, family-friendly attractions at Dinosaur Park and Reptile Gardens, libations at Sick-N-Twisted Brewery and Naughti Wines, and many more fun activities await in between outdoor adventures and exploration. No matter what your idea of a perfect vacation is, you’re sure to discover remarkable destinations that capture the spirit of America within the Black Hills and Badlands region.
Outdoor Activities in Western South Dakota
Adventure beckons in the Black Hills & Badlands, where rugged landscapes set the stage for unforgettable outdoor experiences. Hike scenic trails through towering peaks, set up camp beneath the ponderosa pines of Black Hills National Forest or saddle up for a horseback ride through rolling prairies.
Thrill-seekers can climb world-class rock faces or navigate the churning waters of Spearfish Canyon. Rent ATVs or snowmobiles from Mad Mountain Adventures. In the Badlands, surreal rock formations create a hiker’s paradise, while wildlife watchers can spot bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs roaming freely.
The Travel South Dakota Stories
South Dakota is where buffalo roam, gunslingers entertain, and mountains & monuments stand tall over open land. Produced by the award-winning Armchair Productions and recorded on-location throughout South Dakota, this audio adventure podcast is designed to do more than just let you hear what it’s like to be there!
Available now on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon.
America's Shrine of Democracy, Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the 60-foot faces of four great American presidents who represent the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. Beginning summer 2019 and lasting approximately 18 months, enhancements are being made to the park grounds. Mount Rushmore remains open during this time.
Few truly wild places remain in this country. Custer State Park is one of them. Nearly 1,300 bison wander the park’s 71,000 acres, which they share with pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats and a band of burros.
The third longest cave in the world features a variety of cave tours below the surface and a 1,279-acre park with nature trails above ground.
Walk in the footsteps of historic Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. This 1870s gold rush town became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Today, it teems with Black Hills entertainment and things to do including concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas and parades.
This striking South Dakota landscape boasts a maze of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires. Skeletons of three-toed horses and saber-toothed cats are among the many fossilized species found here. Wildlife abounds in the park’s 244,000 acres and can often be seen while hiking, camping and traveling the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway.
Awesome Things To Do in Western South Dakota
Western South Dakota Attractions
