• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Visit the Akta Lakota Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Visit the Akta Lakota Museum
© Tammy J Kelly/stock.adobe.com

2. Enjoy Badlands National Park with Kids ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Enjoy Badlands National Park with Kids
© tiva48/stock.adobe.com

3. Explore Black Hills Caverns

Category: Attractions
Explore Black Hills Caverns
© tcantaffa/stock.adobe.com

4. Visit the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary

Visit the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary
© cynthia skaar/stock.adobe.com

5. Take the kids to the Bramble Park Zoo

Category: Kids & Family
Take the kids to the Bramble Park Zoo
© Dudarev Mikhail/stock.adobe.com

6. Admire the Crazy Horse Memorial

Category: Attractions
Admire the Crazy Horse Memorial
© Nicki/stock.adobe.com

7. Hike in Custer State Park

Category: Activities
Hike in Custer State Park
© jkraft5/stock.adobe.com

8. Dacotah Prairie Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Dacotah Prairie Museum
© Pavel Losevsky/stock.adobe.com

9. Four Mile Old West Town

Four Mile Old West Town
© fergregory/stock.adobe.com

10. Grand River Museum

Category: Activities
Grand River Museum
© Noel/stock.adobe.com

11. High Plains Western Heritage Center

Category: Attractions
High Plains Western Heritage Center
© Mishael Photography/stock.adobe.com

12. Historic Adams House

Category: Attractions
Historic Adams House
© Ryszard Filipowicz/stock.adobe.com

13. Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village

Category: Attractions
Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village
© argentum/stock.adobe.com

14. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Category: Activities
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
© Olga Mendenhall/stock.adobe.com

15. Reptile Gardens

Category: Activities
Reptile Gardens
© Natalia/stock.adobe.com

16. Rushmore Cave at Rush Mountain Adventure Park

Tours
Rushmore Cave at Rush Mountain Adventure Park
© lapis2380/stock.adobe.com

17. The Mammoth Site and Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
The Mammoth Site and Museum
© rzysztof Wiktor/stock.adobe.com

18. Wind Cave National Park

Category: Activities
Wind Cave National Park
© CheriAlguire/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

  • South Dakota is a north Midwestern state known for its endless prairies, rolling meadows, and blue skies.
  • One of the state’s greatest attractions is Black Hills National Forest, which is home to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.
  • The Black Hills has state parks, freshwater lakes, innumerable campsites, trail rides, hiking trails, and rock climbing opportunities.
  • History and science merge in South Dakota to reveal fossils and bones from the Prehistoric Era and Ice Age, as well as artifacts of Native American history.
  • Visitors will enjoy learning about early pioneer days and the tribes of the northern Great Plains.

Map:


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