Hot Springs, South Dakota, the Perfect Black Hills Getaway

1. Mammoth Site of Hot Springs

The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota is an active paleontological site and a museum near Hot Springs, South Dakota. The area surrounds a prehistoric sinkhole that formed and was consequently filled with layers of sediments during the Pleistocene era. The sinkhole fill includes the remains of various flora and fauna which has been preserved by being buried in the sinkhole. This site contains the remains of 61 mammoths, including 58 North American Columbian and three woolly mammoths, the world’s greatest concentration of mammoth remains. The museum, which encloses the site, was established in 1974, when the bones were discovered and now contains an extensive collection of mammoth remains. The Mammoth Site offers guided tours, a gaming app and Summer Educational Programs.

1800 US-18 BYP, Hot Springs, SD 57747, Phone: 605-745-6017

2. Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary

The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary was founded in 1988 by Dayton O. Hyde. It is one of the greatest private wilderness areas in the States. The sanctuary, which covers 11,000 acres of private land, is managed by the Institute of Range and American Mustang, also founded by Dayton O. Hyde. It is dedicated to preservation of a balanced ecosystem of the Southern Black Hills. The main mission is to save this once sacred land full of rich Native American and Early Pioneer history from development, to preserve the natural habitat of the ingenious wildlife that lives on the land and to provide a home for unwanted American Mustangs. The sanctuary provides not only freedom and protection for unadoptable and unwanted wild horses, where wild horses can run free in their natural habitat, but also a research area dedicated for solving wild horse herd management.

12165 Highland Rd, Hot Springs, SD 57747, Phone: 605-745-5955

3. Evans Plunge Mineral Springs

Evans Plunge is an indoor pool in Hot Springs, South Dakota, filled with naturally warm mineral water from the local thermal springs. The Lakota and Cheyenne knew about and used the natural river of warm water springs that flows through present-day Hot Springs. Evans Plunge was built in 1890 over a number of small, sparkling springs and one especially large spring of mineral water. The largest spring, at the north end of the Plunge, is known as the "Original Indian Spring." Native Americans drank and bathed in the spring's healing water. Evans Plunge and the other mineral baths in Hot Springs were considered as a cure-all for a multitude of illnesses and were a popular tourist attraction. Today, different springs may be felt as one moves through the clear water of the pool towards the original Indian Spring.

1145 N River St, Hot Springs, SD 57747, Phone: 605-745-5165

4. Pioneer Museum

Pioneer Museum in Hot Springs, South Dakota is located in the former elementary school, a large four story sandstone building on a hill in the town center. The museum is managed by the Fall River County Historical Society and contains a number of unique artifacts from the pioneer era. The exhibits represent the history of Fall River County and surrounds and are displayed in the museum’s 25 exhibit areas. The exhibits include original art by local artisans, including paintings and sculptures made of sandstone, marble and alabaster. There are also hundreds of historic photos of Hot Springs and the Black Hills, as well as famous prints and rich tapestries and quilts from the days gone by. The museum also exhibits objects used in daily lives of pioneer farmers and ranchers such as handcrafted tools, wood cook stoves, old washing machines and kerosene lamps.

300 N Chicago St, Hot Springs, SD 57747, Phone: 605-745-5147

5. Earth Goods Natural Foods

Earth Goods Natural Foods is a grocery store located in the beautiful southern Black Hills, in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Opened since 1996, the store offers the freshest natural foods, food free from chemicals, preservatives and artificial ingredients with no GMO ingredients, a wide variety of vitamins and herbal supplements, extensive selection of gluten free breads, baking mixes, pasta and cookies, bulk herbs and foods, organic produce, green household products and natural body care products. The store also offers occasional seminars on natural and alternative medicine and sampling of healthy foods, as well as a range of free printed literature on nutrition.

738 Jennings Ave, Hot Springs, SD 57747, Phone: 605-745-7715

6. Parks in Hot Springs

Hot Springs is the ideal destination for outdoor recreation in South Dakota as it is home to the mildest temperatures in the state. Even still, it enjoys the unique beauty of every season, and this beauty can be best explored in the many parks that Hot Springs have to offer to its visitors.

• Water lovers will adore a trip to the Angostura Recreation Center, which has 36 miles of shoreline and an awe-inspiring view of gorgeous waters.
• Not to be missed is Butler Park, the largest of Hot Springs’ parks, and a favorite amongst locals.
• Other parks to visit include Cascade Falls, which boasts a natural hot spring just a few miles from the falls, and Centennial Park, which serves as Hot Springs’ de facto town square.

7. Battle Mountain Sanitarium

Established by Congress in 1902, the Battle Mountain Sanitarium was one of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers' original locations. It is one of the thousands of historic properties managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is a National Historic Landmark. This prized sandstone building continues to operate until this day as a general-purpose medical facility, but visitors are more than welcome to drop by and admire the building's architecture as well as learn about its history. Built with a distinct Romanesque and Mission Revival style of architecture, the Battle Mountain Sanitarium stands as the centerpiece of the Black Hills Health Care facility.

500 North 5th Street, Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747, Phone: 605-745-2000

8. World Fossil Finder Museum

The World Fossil Finder Museum is a unique educational destination that beautifully teaches and highlights the wonders of science and fossils. Featuring one-of-a-kind fossils from all over the world, and some found specifically in the Hot Springs region, the World Fossil Finder Museum tells a unique story of the world’s incredible past through their exhibits. Some must-see items that the museum include the Leisey Shell Pit, one of the largest marine reptiles to have ever existed, and which would have roamed the waters during the early ice age. The museum is also home to one of the last remaining American Mastodon skeletons, as well as South Dakota’s largest Tylosaurus fossil.

719 Jensen Highway, Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747, Phone: 605-745-5007

9. Moccasin Springs

Tired bodies find rejuvenation and healing at Moccasin Springs, a natural mineral spa nestled within the Southern Black Hills of South Dakota. While the spa, originally called the Black Hills Spa, finds its origins in 1881, the waters at this natural spring are said to have been used for over a century by indigenous people.

• In this moccasin-shaped pool , the mineral waters of the red rock are said to bring healing and revitalization to all those who visit.
• Today, guests can soak and enjoy the waters at this hillside resort, surrounded by the lovely view of pine trees.
• Moccasin Springs marries the best of rustic and modern aesthetics and features four outdoor natural spring pools which typically have temperatures ranging from 88 degrees Fahrenheit to 102 degrees Fahrenheit (31 to 39 degrees Celsius).
• Where You'll Find it:1829 Minnekahta Avenue, Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747, Phone: 605-745-7625

Moccasin Springs is 3 hr 30 min from Pierre (225.1 miles via US-14 W):