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What makes South Dakota unique?
- South Dakota is a vast, sparsely populated state known for its rolling prairies and stunning landscapes.
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What natural attractions can visitors explore in South Dakota?
- The state features the dramatic Black Hills National Forest and towering granite peaks, from which the famous Mt. Rushmore is carved.
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What historical monuments can visitors see?
- South Dakota is home to the Crazy Horse Memorial, a significant tribute to Native American history.
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What outdoor activities are available in South Dakota?
- The state offers a wealth of state parks, recreational areas, and scenic byways that provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and wildlife watching.
Best Time to Visit South Dakota State & National Parks
- May to June – Mild temperatures, blooming wildflowers, and perfect for hiking and sightseeing.
- September to October – Cooler weather, fewer crowds, and ideal for exploring scenic landscapes.
- July & August – Warm and dry, great for camping, wildlife viewing, and outdoor activities.
- December to February – Snowy season offering opportunities for snowshoeing, skiing, and solitude.
- Late September – Prime time for enjoying fall foliage and crisp hiking conditions.
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1. Badlands National Park
Explore dramatic landscapes and admire unusual rock formations.
Badlands National Park is a national park that is renowned for its dramatic rock formations, towering spires, steep canyons, and sprawling grasslands teeming with bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs. Located in southwestern South Dakota, the 242,756-acre park features several attractions including the Fossil Exhibit Trail, a boardwalk displaying fossils uncovered in the park; the Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), which winds past numerous scenic lookouts; and interesting hiking trails near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. The Badlands National Park protects 64,144 acres of designated wilderness area which is home to the black-footed ferret, one of the most endangered mammals in the world. The park also administers the nearby Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.
25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750, Phone: 605-433-5361
2. Bear Butte State Park
Hike scenic trails and enjoy breathtaking summit views.
Located six miles northeast of Sturgis, BBear Butte State Park is a state park named after Bear Butte, which is also known as Mato Paha or Bear Mountain and is thought to be a sacred mountain. Formed millions of years ago, the 4,426-foot peak is one of several intrusions of igneous rock in the Black Hills where visitors can see all four surrounding states from the summit. The trees have small bundles, small pouches and colorful pieces of cloth hanging from the trees that were placed there by individuals worshipping on the sacred mountain. The Bear Butte Education Center in the park boasts several displays highlighting the mountain’s history, geology, and cultural beliefs of the Northern Plains Indians. Activities in the park include hiking, backpacking, camping, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
20250 Hwy 79, Sturgis, SD 57785, Phone: 605-347-5240
3. Beaver Creek State Nature Area
Discover peaceful trails and admire quiet natural beauty.
Beaver Creek State Nature Area is a nature area and state park near Ona Beach State Park in Lincoln County and is part of Brian Booth State Park. Located a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, the park is centered around the paddling Beaver Creek, which meanders through wide and flat bends and is home to a wealth of bird and wildlife, including beaver, river otter, heron, and osprey. The creek is surrounded by wildlife-filled riparian habitat, and the slow, meandering flat water is ideal for a family-friendly adventure of canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle-boarding. Beaver Creek State Natural Area serves as a vital part of the Beaver Creek watershed, connecting marsh habitats and coastal areas with ancient, old-growth forests. A Welcome Center offers information about the wildlife in the area, and guided kayak tours.
48351 264th Street, Valley Springs, SD 57068, Phone: 605-594-3824
4. Custer State Park
Drive scenic routes and spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
Tucked away in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota, Custer State Park is a state park and wildlife reserve named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer. South Dakota's largest and first state park, Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of spectacular terrain is one of the last remaining wild sanctuaries in the country where buffalo roam freely. Custer State Park is packed with fantastic recreational activities from hiking to hay wagon riding. Hit one of the many trails on foot, horseback or mountain bike and soak up the natural beauty of the area. Buffalo Jeep Safaris travel through the park in open-air jeeps in search of buffalo, elk, and pronghorns and can be combined with a Chuck Wagon Cookout at the end of the safari.
25453 SD-87, Custer, SD 57730, Phone: 605-255-4531
5. Fort Sisseton State Park
Explore historic buildings and enjoy a relaxing family trip.
Fort Sisseton State Park is a picturesque state park centered around Fort Sisseton, a historic fort named after the nearby Sisseton Indian Tribe. Resting atop the Coteau des Prairies, the 1864 fort was originally a frontier army outpost called Fort Wadsworth and features stone barracks, officers' quarters, a guard house, a powder magazine, and other buildings. A Visitor Center features interpretive displays, guided tours, and a gift shop, and facilities in the park include a boat ramp, campground, camping cabins, canoe, and kayak rentals, and event tent rentals. Activities in the park include boating, birdwatching, camping, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, fishing, and snowshoeing.
11907 434th Avenue, Lake City, SD 57247, Phone: 605-448-5474
6. Hartford Beach State Park
Walk along sandy shores and savor peaceful lake views.
Hartford Beach State Park is a beautiful state park and natural recreation area that surrounds Big Stone Lake. The lake is a section of the River Warren, which was created by water from melting glaciers around 10,000 years ago and today, provides an idyllic setting with a wooded forest for picnicking and camping. Big Stone Lake features scenic timbered shorelines, rugged rock-strewn bluffs, and Hartford Beach, after which the park is named. Activities in the park include water-based sports on the lake, such as swimming, boating, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking, and land-based fun such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, and volleyball.
13672 Hartford Beach Rd, Corona, SD 57227, Phone: 605-432-6374
7. Jewel Cave National Monument
Explore exciting underground passages and admire stunning crystal formations.
Jewel Cave National Monument is home to Jewel Cave, the third longest cave in the world with over 200 miles of mapped passageways. Located 13 miles west of the town of Custer in the Black Hills, the caves are filled with calcite crystals, draperies, box work, frostwork, flowstone, hydro-magnesite balloons, stalactites, and stalagmites. Open all year round, and visitors can enjoy three different tours of the cave system, namely a scenic tour, a historical tour, and wild caving tour. The scenic tour is a half-mile loop through a paved and lighted central portion of the cave; the historic tour explores the earliest-discovered part of the cave, and the wild caving tour delves into an undeveloped part of the cave.
11149 US-16 B-12, Custer, SD 57730, Phone: 605-355-3700
8. Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area
Enjoy water activities and relax on a quiet weekend.
Nestled between Lake Cochrane and Lake Oliver, Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area is an 88-acre area which provides a wealth of outdoor recreational activities, including camping, boating, fishing, and kayaking. Named for the first homesteader in the area, Byron J. Cochrane, who built his home on the south side of the lake in 1872, Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area has several facilities including a boat ramp, a campground, camping cabins, picnic shelters, and toilets. Activities in the park range from boating, fishing, sunbathing and swimming to basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, and golf.
3454 Edgewater Dr, Gary, SD 57237, Phone: 605-882-5200
9. Lake Herman State Park
Discover easy trails and admire peaceful lakeside views.
Lake Herman State Park is a state park in Lake County that surrounds the 1,350-acre glacial Lake Herman, which is open for year-round recreation including boating, camping, picnicking, and swimming. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and camping at 72 campsites with electric hook-ups or two overnight cabins, along with disc golf, horseshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The park features rolling prairie grasslands and native oak woodlands which teem with birds and wildlife and make for excellent bird and wildlife watching.
23409 State Park Dr, Madison, SD 57042, Phone: 605-256-5003
10. Lewis & Clark State Recreation
Enjoy boating adventures and explore scenic shoreline trails.
Lewis & Clark State Recreation is a popular resort park in southeastern South Dakota near Yankton. Located on the northern shore of the 31,400-acre Lewis and Clark Lake, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area features three separate campgrounds called the Yankton Section, Midway Section, and the Gavins Point Section, all of which are set along the shores of the lake. Facilities in the park include day picnicking, overnight camping, marinas, and boat launching ramps, an archery range, and a disc golf course, and activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and several nature trails. Other activities include archery, basketball, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf, horseshoes, snowshoeing, soccer, and volleyball.
43349 SD-52, Yankton, SD 57078, Phone: 605-668-2985
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