South Dakota State & National Parks

Location:

Interior, SD

Highlights:

If you're looking for surreal landscapes, ancient fossils, and abundant wildlife, Badlands National Park is the place to be. With towering spires and sweeping grasslands, this South Dakota gem offers one of the most dramatic vistas in the American Midwest.

We Recommend This For:

Road trippers, wildlife watchers, geology buffs, hikers, photographers, and anyone fascinated by prehistoric life and rugged terrain.

What we Love:

Scenic drives, rare wildlife sightings, fossil discoveries, and those jaw-dropping views at every turn on the Loop Road.

• Drive the 39-mile Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), which winds through the heart of the park and offers dozens of scenic overlooks.
• Walk the Fossil Exhibit Trail—a boardwalk that highlights fossils found in the area with interpretive signs and real fossil replicas.
• Hike near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, where trails range from short and easy to more challenging, all with unforgettable views.
• Spot wildlife such as bison, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, and possibly the elusive black-footed ferret—one of the world’s rarest mammals.
• Visit the nearby Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, managed by the park, to explore Cold War history in stark contrast to the natural surroundings.

Cost:

$30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass; annual passes and interagency passes available

Distance from Rapid City, SD:

About 75 miles southeast—approximately a 1.5-hour drive

How to Get to Badlands National Park:

Take I-90 east from Rapid City to Exit 110 or Exit 131, then follow signs to the park entrance. The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is located off SD-240 (Badlands Loop Road).

Address:

25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750
Phone: 605-433-5361

Location:

Sturgis, SD

Highlights:

Looking for a hike with breathtaking views and deep spiritual meaning? Bear Butte State Park offers both, with panoramic Black Hills scenery and sacred Native American traditions rooted in every step.

We Recommend This For:

Hikers, spiritual travelers, history buffs, cultural learners, and anyone who values quiet reflection and natural beauty.

What we Love:

The summit views across four states, the sacred symbols left by worshippers, and the educational displays that deepen your connection to the land’s rich spiritual and geological history.

• Climb the 4,426-foot Bear Butte—an ancient igneous rock formation offering 360-degree views of South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.
• Observe colorful prayer cloths, pouches, and bundles tied to trees, placed by Indigenous worshippers honoring the mountain’s sacred energy.
• Learn at the Bear Butte Education Center, which features exhibits on the mountain’s cultural significance to Northern Plains Indians, its unique geology, and regional history.
• Enjoy activities like hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, camping, and horseback riding through the expansive landscape around the butte.

Cost:

$8 per vehicle for a daily pass; South Dakota park permits accepted

Distance from Sturgis, SD:

Approximately 6 miles northeast—about a 10-minute drive

How to Get to Bear Butte State Park:

From Sturgis, head northeast on SD-79. The park entrance is well-marked, and signage leads to the visitor center, trailheads, and campground areas.

Address:

20250 Hwy 79, Sturgis, SD 57785
Phone: 605-347-5240

Location:

Valley Springs, SD

Highlights:

Looking for a tranquil, family-friendly paddle through lush wildlife habitat? Beaver Creek State Nature Area is a peaceful waterway experience that links coastal forests, marshes, and riparian wildlife together in one unforgettable outing.

We Recommend This For:

Paddlers, birdwatchers, families, nature photographers, and anyone seeking a serene outdoor escape surrounded by rich biodiversity.

What we Love:

Calm, meandering waters ideal for beginners, old-growth forests lining the creek, and the chance to spot beavers, otters, herons, and ospreys up close.

• Paddle through wide, flat bends on a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard—perfect for slow exploration and peaceful family adventures.
• Watch for beavers, river otters, great blue herons, and ospreys as you travel through riparian corridors rich in native species.
• Learn at the Welcome Center, which offers information about the park’s role in the Beaver Creek watershed and local wildlife ecology.
• Join a guided kayak tour for a deeper dive into the natural history and habitats of this coastal forest and marshland ecosystem.

Cost:

Free entry; guided kayak tours may have a fee

Distance from Sioux Falls, SD:

Approximately 20 miles east—about a 25-minute drive

How to Get to Beaver Creek:

From Sioux Falls, take I-90 E to Exit 410, then head south on County Road 105 to 264th Street. The nature area entrance is marked and includes parking and the Welcome Center.

Address:

48351 264th Street, Valley Springs, SD 57068
Phone: 605-594-3824

Romantic South Dakota Parks

Location:

Custer, SD

Highlights:

Dreaming of wild buffalo, mountain views, and chuck wagon cookouts? Custer State Park is South Dakota’s crown jewel—a sprawling wilderness where you can hike, ride, and roam through one of America’s most awe-inspiring natural reserves.

We Recommend This For:

Wildlife enthusiasts, families, photographers, horseback riders, hikers, and anyone seeking a quintessential Black Hills experience.

What we Love:

The chance to see buffalo up close, go off-road in an open-air Jeep, and end the day with a hearty cowboy cookout under the stars.

• Explore 71,000 acres of protected Black Hills beauty—South Dakota’s largest and oldest state park, established in honor of Lt. Colonel Custer.
• Watch herds of free-roaming buffalo, along with elk and pronghorns, from scenic drives or guided wildlife Jeep tours.
• Hike, bike, or ride horseback along miles of trails through pine forest, granite spires, and rolling hills.
• Join a Buffalo Jeep Safari followed by a Chuck Wagon Cookout—complete with cowboy songs, campfire stories, and a Western-style meal in the open air.

Cost:

$20 per vehicle for a 1- to 7-day pass; separate fees for safaris and cookouts

Distance from Rapid City, SD:

About 40 miles southwest—approximately a 1-hour drive

How to Get to Custer State Park:

From Rapid City, take US-16 W through Keystone and Hill City, then follow signs south to the park entrance near SD-87. Visitor centers and ranger stations offer maps and tour info.

Address:

25453 SD-87, Custer, SD 57730
Phone: 605-255-4531

Location:

Lake City, SD

Highlights:

Step back in time and paddle through prairie lakes—Fort Sisseton State Park blends fascinating 19th-century military history with all the beauty and activity of a modern nature escape.

We Recommend This For:

History lovers, families, paddlers, campers, birdwatchers, and anyone seeking a unique mix of cultural heritage and outdoor recreation.

What we Love:

The perfectly preserved 1864 stone fort buildings, scenic lake access, and the chance to combine historic tours with canoeing or snowshoeing—depending on the season.

• Explore Fort Sisseton’s original frontier-era structures including stone barracks, officer quarters, a guardhouse, and powder magazine.
• Visit the on-site Visitor Center to browse historical exhibits, take a guided tour, or stop by the gift shop.
• Paddle the calm waters by renting a canoe or kayak, or fish off the shore after launching from the boat ramp.
• Stay overnight in the campground or cozy camping cabins, and enjoy year-round activities like hiking, birding, and winter snowshoeing.

Cost:

$8 per vehicle for daily entrance; rental and camping fees vary

Distance from Watertown, SD:

Approximately 60 miles northeast—about a 1-hour drive

How to Get to Fort Sisseton:

From Watertown, take US-212 E to SD-25 N, then follow signs to 434th Avenue. The park entrance is well-marked and leads directly to the fort and campground.

Address:

11907 434th Avenue, Lake City, SD 57247
Phone: 605-448-5474

Location:

Corona, SD

Highlights:

Craving a scenic lakeside escape with both rugged beauty and recreational fun? Hartford Beach State Park wraps around the glacially carved Big Stone Lake and offers wooded trails, water sports, and relaxing beach time all in one place.

We Recommend This For:

Campers, paddlers, families, anglers, nature photographers, and anyone looking to combine lake views with outdoor adventure.

What we Love:

The timbered shoreline, rock-strewn bluffs, and the wide range of both water- and land-based activities—plus peaceful lakeside campsites perfect for sunset views.

• Swim, boat, fish, or paddle on Big Stone Lake—a glacier-carved body of water with clear shorelines and calm stretches perfect for water play.
• Hike or bike through the wooded trails, which weave through forests, bluffs, and scenic picnic areas.
• Camp at the park’s well-equipped campgrounds, nestled in tree-lined areas ideal for stargazing or morning lake views.
• Play onshore with volleyball courts, picnic shelters, and horse-friendly trails that offer even more ways to enjoy this lakefront retreat.

Cost:

$8 per vehicle for daily entry; additional fees for camping and boat rentals

Distance from Watertown, SD:

Approximately 45 miles northeast—about a 1-hour drive

How to Get to Hartford Beach:

From Watertown, head east on US-212, then north on SD-15 toward Corona. Turn onto Hartford Beach Road—signs lead to the park entrance and campground area.

Address:

13672 Hartford Beach Rd, Corona, SD 57227
Phone: 605-432-6374

Location:

Custer, SD

Highlights:

Ever wondered what it’s like to explore one of the longest caves in the world? Jewel Cave National Monument invites you underground to witness dazzling calcite formations, rare minerals, and over 200 miles of passageways beneath the Black Hills.

We Recommend This For:

Geology lovers, spelunkers, families, photographers, and adventurers of all levels—from casual tourists to serious cave explorers.

What we Love:

The crystal-lined chambers, the choice of guided tours for all comfort levels, and the sense of awe that comes with stepping into the third longest cave system on Earth.

• Take the scenic tour—a half-mile paved, lighted loop perfect for first-time visitors and families.
• Join the historic tour, which includes narrow passages and stairs as it ventures into the earliest-discovered areas of the cave.
• Challenge yourself on the wild caving tour—an off-trail experience that explores the cave’s undeveloped passages and requires crawling, climbing, and headlamps.
• Marvel at rare cave formations like frostwork, boxwork, flowstone, and hydro-magnesite balloons that make Jewel Cave geologically unique.

Cost:

Entry to the monument is free; tour fees range from $6 to $45 depending on the tour type and age group

Distance from Custer, SD:

About 13 miles west—roughly a 20-minute drive

How to Get to Jewel Cave:

From the town of Custer, take US-16 west toward Newcastle. The entrance is well-signed with ample parking and a visitor center offering tickets and trail information.

Address:

11149 US-16 B-12, Custer, SD 57730
Phone: 605-355-3700

South Dakota Parks for Families

Location:

Gary, SD

Highlights:

Looking for a small, scenic spot with lake views and family-friendly recreation? Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area offers boating, swimming, and peaceful camping between two glistening lakes in eastern South Dakota.

We Recommend This For:

Families, lake lovers, anglers, campers, and anyone seeking a relaxing getaway with classic summer fun on and off the water.

What we Love:

The calm lake perfect for kayaking, the historic ties to South Dakota’s early settlers, and the blend of nature, sports, and comfort in a cozy 88-acre retreat.

• Camp lakeside with your choice of campsites or cabins—perfect for weekend getaways or weeklong family stays.
• Fish or boat on Lake Cochrane, accessed via a convenient boat ramp that opens up the water for anglers and paddlers alike.
• Play on dry land with facilities for basketball, volleyball, golf, and horseshoes, or just relax at picnic shelters with lake views.
• Swim or sunbathe along the peaceful shoreline, where the gentle waters make it a safe and fun choice for all ages.

Cost:

$8 per vehicle for daily entry; additional fees for camping and cabin rentals

Distance from Brookings, SD:

Approximately 50 miles northeast—about a 1-hour drive

How to Get to Lake Cochrane:

From Brookings, head east on US-14, then take SD-101 north toward Gary. Follow signs to Edgewater Drive for the recreation area entrance.

Address:

3454 Edgewater Dr, Gary, SD 57237
Phone: 605-882-5200

Location:

Madison, SD

Highlights:

Want a lakeside getaway that’s just as magical in winter as it is in summer? Lake Herman State Park wraps around a stunning glacial lake and offers year-round recreation from sunny swims to snowy ski tracks.

We Recommend This For:

Campers, paddlers, birdwatchers, disc golfers, and anyone looking for outdoor adventure across all four seasons.

What we Love:

The variety of activities—boating, camping, biking, disc golf, skiing—and the park’s peaceful blend of prairie and oak woodland habitats.

• Camp at one of 72 electric hookup sites or stay in one of two cozy cabins—perfect for quick getaways or long weekends.
• Hike or bike through native prairie grasslands and oak forests alive with birds, deer, and other wildlife.
• Swim or paddle on Lake Herman’s 1,350 acres of open water, ideal for kayaking, canoeing, or boating on warm days.
• Play disc golf or horseshoes in summer, then snowshoe or cross-country ski through rolling trails come winter.

Cost:

$8 per vehicle for daily entry; fees apply for camping and cabin rentals

Distance from Sioux Falls, SD:

Approximately 55 miles northwest—about a 1-hour drive

How to Get to Lake Herman:

From Sioux Falls, take I-29 N to SD-34 W toward Madison. Follow signs to State Park Drive just west of town to reach the entrance.

Address:

23409 State Park Dr, Madison, SD 57042
Phone: 605-256-5003

Location:

Yankton, SD

Highlights:

Want a lakeside vacation packed with recreation, relaxation, and gorgeous views? Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area on the shores of massive Lewis and Clark Lake is a go-to spot for camping, boating, hiking, and every outdoor sport you can think of.

We Recommend This For:

Families, water sports lovers, RV campers, trail explorers, and anyone looking for an all-in-one lakeside resort-style park.

What we Love:

The variety of campgrounds, full slate of activities from archery to horseback riding, and the enormous lake that makes every day feel like a summer vacation.

• Stay at one of three scenic campgrounds—Yankton, Midway, or Gavins Point—each offering lake access, modern amenities, and easy trail connections.
• Boat, paddle, or swim in the 31,400-acre Lewis and Clark Lake, with marinas and multiple launch ramps making water access a breeze.
• Explore trails by foot, bike, or horseback, and enjoy games like disc golf, volleyball, soccer, basketball, and even archery at designated areas.
• Camp, picnic, or snowshoe in winter—the park’s year-round appeal makes it a favorite for South Dakota adventurers of all ages.

Cost:

$8 per vehicle for daily entry; fees apply for campsites and marina use

Distance from Sioux City, IA:

About 75 miles northwest—approximately a 1.5-hour drive

How to Get to Lewis & Clark Recreation Area:

From Sioux City, take US-20 W to SD-50 W, then SD-52 west into Yankton. Follow signs to the recreation area and its campground sections along the lake’s northern shore.

Address:

43349 SD-52, Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: 605-668-2985