Badlands National Park · NPS Photo · Public domain (US federal government)

Road Trip Guide:
South Dakota

Explore South Dakota

When Peter Norbeck proposed South Dakota's Needles Highway, engineers said it was impossible; the State Historical Society says 150,000 pounds of dynamite proved them wrong and the road opened in 1922. His Iron Mountain Road doubles back on itself in pigtail loops as it climbs, and its three single-lane tunnels each frame a view of Mount Rushmore.

Around 28 breweries sit near the stops we cover in South Dakota. 12 of them are brewpubs with a kitchen, which off the motorway is often the useful part. The kitchen figure is a floor: the source lists some full restaurants as production sites.

Brewpub locations from Open Brewery DB (MIT)

Around 1 public campgrounds sit near the stops we cover in South Dakota. All of them are first-come rather than bookable. Public campgrounds run by federal agencies. State-park and private campgrounds are not included.

Outdoors

Public land, water and snow — the places that are the reason for the drive.

National parks and federal sites in South Dakota

7 National Park Service sites in South Dakota, including 2 designated National Parks. We have written guides to only a few of these — the rest are here so you can see what is in the state.

*Check before you go. Entrance fees, seasonal road closures, timed-entry reservations and whether a site suits your family are set by each park and change through the year. Follow the link and check with the park itself.

Park register from the National Park Service (public domain)

State parks in South Dakota

15 state parks we know of in South Dakota. We have not visited these and have no guide to them — this is a list of what exists, so you can look one up.

See all 15

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
Bear Butte State Park
Custer State Park
Fisher Grove State Park
Good Earth State Park
Hartford Beach State Park
Lake Herman State Park
Lewis & Clark Recreation Area
Newton Hills State Park
Oakwood Lakes State Park
Palisades State Park
Roy Lake State Park
Sica Hollow State Park
Spirit Mound Historic Prairie
Union Grove State Park

*Check before you go. Opening hours, entry fees, campsite availability and whether a park suits your family are not in this data and change with the season. Several of these are day-use only. Please confirm with the park before setting out.

State park locations from Wikidata (CC0)

Lakes in South Dakota

7 lakes in South Dakota that we have checked. These are the ones from our research that we could check against an official page — not every lake there is. We have not been to these; this is what the official pages say, so you can look one up.

Lake Francis Case
near Chamberlain; Oacoma; Pickstown; Platte · 102,000 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - walleye (primary), bass, crappie, pike, catfish
- BoatingBoating and sailing; boat ramps at state campgrounds
- Rentals & marinaMarinas on the lake (Corps and partners)
- SwimmingSwimming listed among lake activities
- CampingState of South Dakota campgrounds above and below Fort Randall Dam
- SeasonFishing year-round
Run by US Army Corps of Engineers (Fort Randall Dam); SD GFP State Recreation Areas
Lake Oahe
near Pierre SD; Mobridge SD; Bismarck ND; Fort Yates ND · 370,000 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - walleye, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, northern pike; stocked salmon
- BoatingBoating, skiing, tubing, paddling; boat ramps around the lake
- CampingCorps campgrounds at Beaver Creek, Cattail Bay, Hazelton; others by state, tribes
Run by US Army Corps of Engineers (Oahe Dam); other areas run by tribal, state and local agencies
Lake Sharpe
near Pierre; Fort Pierre; Fort Thompson; Lower Brule · 56,884 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, northern pike
- BoatingBoating and fishing; Left Tailrace boat ramp and courtesy dock; boats barred 500 ft below dam
- CampingLeft Tailrace campground: electric hookups, showers, dump station
Run by US Army Corps of Engineers (Big Bend Dam); SD Game, Fish & Parks recreation areas
Lewis and Clark Lake
near Yankton SD (~4 mi); Springfield SD; Niobrara NE · 31,400 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - NE or SD resident licenses valid on both shores
- Boatingyes - boating and sailing
- Rentals & marinayes - Lewis & Clark Marina (SD) has slip and boat rentals
- Swimmingyes - swim beaches at SD recreation area
- Campingyes - four campgrounds at SD Lewis & Clark Recreation Area
- EntrySD recreation area daily $10 resident, $15 nonresident
Run by US Army Corps of Engineers (Omaha District); NGPC & SD GFP co-manage public lands
Pactola Lake
near Rapid City SD (~15 mi) · 800 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - lake trout; large brown trout in Rapid Creek above and below
- BoatingMotorized and non-motorized boating; waterskiing; two boat launches
- Rentals & marinaFull-service marina with gas, groceries, food
- Swimmingyes - swim beach
- Camping88-unit campground and a group campground
- EntryFee site; campground fees vary
Run by US Bureau of Reclamation (dam/water); US Forest Service (Black Hills NF)
Sheridan Lake
near (between Hill City and Rapid City) · 375 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - trout, northern pike, perch, bass, panfish; fishing piers
- BoatingMotorized and non-motorized boating; waterskiing; boat launches
- Rentals & marinaNorth Shore marina with slip rental; boat rental at marina
- Swimmingyes - North Shore (largest on forest) and South Shore swim beaches
- Camping129-site campground (South Shore); group campground (North Shore)
- EntryNorth Shore day use $7 per vehicle, $50 annual pass; campground fees vary
- SeasonIce fishing popular in winter
Run by US Forest Service (Black Hills NF)
Sylvan Lake
near (Custer State Park, Custer County) · 17.3 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes
- BoatingCanoeing and kayaking
- Rentals & marinaBoat and water sport rentals at Sylvan Lake Lodge
- Swimmingyes
- CampingSylvan Lake Campground, 39 sites; not suited to RVs over 27 feet
- EntryCampsite $16/night tent-only, $34 with electric
- SeasonCampground opens Open House Weekend, runs to Oct. 1, weather permitting
Run by SD Game, Fish & Parks (Custer State Park)

*Check before you go. Every lake here links to the official page we checked it against. 4 of these state a price we read off that page on the date we checked. Fees, seasons, water levels, algal advisories and ramp closures change without notice and belong to the agency that runs the water. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something the lake lacks. Never assume a lifeguard. Whether a beach is staffed turns on the season, the day, and which agency runs that particular beach — two beaches on one lake can differ. If that matters to your family, confirm it with the agency before you set out.

Skiing and Snowboarding

1 in this state.

Terry PeakLead
Black Hills mountain near Deadwood

This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. We do not list rentals: our source marked every ski area in the country “likely” to have them and confirmed none, so there was nothing to publish. Most hills do rent gear — ring ahead rather than take that from us. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.

Long Bike Trails

1 in this state.

George S. Mickelson Trail
Length
109 miles
Surface
Crushed stone
End to end
Deadwood SD – Edgemont SD
Black Hills route with trestles and four rock tunnels

This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.

Days out with the family

Gated attractions with a front door, a ticket and a car park.

Zoos and Wildlife Parks

4 across South Dakota, by town.

Bear Country USA — some details below are unconfirmedRapid City
Season
seasonal
One admission covers drive-through and walk-through areas; tickets online or at office
* We could not confirm: hours/prices on separate page not read. Check their site before you go.
Reptile Gardens — some details below are unconfirmedRapid City
Season
seasonal
* We could not confirm: hours/rates on separate widget not read. Check their site before you go.
Great Plains Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedSioux Falls
* We could not confirm: official site blocked automated reading; details not checked; hours/admission not checked. Check their site before you go.
Bramble Park Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedWatertown
* We could not confirm: official site blocked automated reading; details not checked; hours/admission not checked. Check their site before you go.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. 1 of these carries an accreditation we confirmed against the accrediting body’s own register. Where there is no badge we did not confirm one — that is not a judgement on the place, and a good many municipal, state and university sites belong to no register we check. 4 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, prices and seasons change without notice, so check the operator’s own site — every name above links to it.

Water Parks and Theme Parks

4 across South Dakota, by town.

Evans Plunge Mineral Springswater parkHot Springs
city-owned indoor mineral spring pool with slides; hours not checked
Storybook IslandSeasonaltheme parkRapid City
free storybook-themed children's park; holiday lights in winter
WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resortwater parkRapid City
indoor, year-round
Wild Water WestSeasonalwater parkSioux Falls
2026 season ended Sep 7

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. 2 of these run a season rather than opening year round. Opening and closing dates move every year and we hold none of them, so check the park’s own calendar before you build a day around it. Prices, hours and ride closures change without notice — every name above links to the park’s own site.

Wineries and Distilleries in South Dakota

3 producers in South Dakota that we have checked. These are the ones from our research we could check against their own site — not every producer there is. We have not been to these; this is what their own sites say, so you can look one up.

With the Wind Vineyard & Winery
winery · Rosholt, SD · Eastern South Dakota
Farm winery near Rosholt with a second tasting room at 285 Main St, Hill City.
- Reservationswalk-in
- Foodyes - small plates (Hill City)
- Phone(605) 212-5166
10722 Lake Road, Rosholt, SD 57260
Belle Joli Winery
winery · Sturgis, SD · Black Hills · founded 2000
Sparkling wine house beside a vineyard near Sturgis; a second tasting room is at 594 Main St., Deadwood (605-571-1006).
- Toursyes - tour booking link
- Phone(605) 347-9463
3951 Vanocker Canyon, Sturgis, SD 57785
Valiant Vineyards / Stone Faces Distillery
winery and distillery · Vermillion, SD · Missouri River (SE South Dakota) · founded 1996
Described by the state tourism office as South Dakota's oldest winery; Stone Faces Distillery operates on site.
- HoursMon-Thu 12-5pm; Fri 12-6pm; Sat 11am-6pm; Sun 11am-5pm
- Reservationswalk-in
- Phone(605) 624-4500
1500 W. Main St, Vermillion, SD 57069

*Check before you go. Every producer here links to its own site, which is where we read these details on the date we checked. Opening hours, tour times, tasting fees and who may come in change without notice and belong to the producer. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something they lack. None of these say anything about children, so do not plan around it without asking them.

Roadside oddities in South Dakota

World's Largest PheasantGiant statue / World's largestHuron
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
SD-37 / US-14
28-foot, 22-ton fiberglass pheasant from 1959
Read on the page we checked
South Dakota Tractor MuseumQuirky museumKimball
Cost to see it
Costs something — we did not find the price published
When you can see it
Seasonal — not open all year
Nearest road
I-90
Restored tractors plus a windmill, outhouse and schoolhouse
- Open seasonally, not all year
Read on the page we checked
World's Only Corn PalaceOdd building / architectureMitchell
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Only while it is open, and we did not find its hours published
Nearest road
I-90 exit 332
Building redecorated yearly with murals made of corn and grain
Read on the page we checked
Porter Sculpture ParkFolk art / sculpture gardenMontrose
Cost to see it
Costs something — we did not find the price published
When you can see it
Seasonal — not open all year
Nearest road
I-90
Scrap-metal sculptures including a 60-foot bull head
- Open seasonally, not all year
- Fine for most children, but look it over before you let them loose
Read on the page we checked
Al's OasisRoadside attraction / tourist stopOacoma
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Only while it is open, and we did not find its hours published
Nearest road
I-90 exit 260
Old-school stop with 5-cent coffee and buffalo burgers
Read on the page we checked
Dinosaur ParkGiant statue / World's largestRapid City
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
I-90 / US-16
1936 concrete dinosaurs on a hilltop overlooking downtown
Read on the page we checked

See the other 1

Wall Drug StoreRoadside attraction / tourist stopWall
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Only while it is open, and we did not find its hours published
Nearest road
I-90 exit 110
Sprawling cowboy mall famous for free ice water and 5-cent coffee
Read on the page we checked

These are things you can go and look at, not a recommendation of any of them. Oddities move, get sold and quietly disappear more than anything else we list, so check anything you are driving a long way for. 2 of these are named for a record. That is what the place calls itself — we have not checked the record itself. Where this list says we did not find a price or opening times published, that is exactly what we mean. A blank is not “free” and not “always open”. Some sit on private land and can only be seen from the road — please do not go onto anyone’s property. Every entry links the page we read it off.

Venues and Annual Events

9 across South Dakota, by town.

Where to see something

Corn PalacearenaMitchell
Address
604 N. Main St.
Capacity
3,250 (concerts)
Murals made of corn redone yearly; domes added 1937.
Denny Sanford PREMIER CenterarenaSioux Falls
Address
1201 N. West Ave.
Capacity
13,000
Sioux Falls arena.
Sturgis Buffalo Chipfestival groundsSturgis
Hours
Event days only (rally)
Address
20622 Fort Meade Way
Campground and concert grounds founded during Sturgis Rally.

What is on, and when

Brown County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairAberdeen
Usually
Mid-August, over several days
Held at
Brown County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
South Dakota State FairfairHuron
Usually
Late August–Labor Day, over several days
Held at
South Dakota State Fairgrounds
Turner County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairParker
Usually
August
Held at
Turner County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Central States Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairRapid City
Usually
Late August
Held at
Central States Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Sioux Empire FairfairSioux Falls
Usually
Early August, over several days
Held at
W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds
Sturgis Motorcycle RallySturgis
Usually
August, over several days
Held at
City of Sturgis and Black Hills region
Since
First held 1938

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Events are listed by the month they usually fall in, because that is what we hold — we do not publish dates, and a month is not a promise. Check the organiser before you plan around one. 3 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, line-ups and ticketing change without notice, so check the venue’s or organiser’s own site — every name above links to it.

On the road

Before you set off.

Scenic roads through South Dakota

Federally designated scenic byways and All-American Roads, with the places we publish along each one in the order you meet them.

Native American Scenic Byway2 states · 6 places we publish Peter Norbeck Scenic BywaySouth Dakota · 6 places we publish

What to wear in South Dakota

Illustrated outfit board for South Dakota: four seasonal panels of clothing with average temperatures.

Spring 57°/32°F (14°/0°C)

Spring brings changeable temperatures, cold wind, and warming afternoons.

Wear: Start with a long-sleeve tee, stretch pants, and a fleece or sweater. Add a rain shell when the wind or showers pick up.
Shoes: Water-resistant walking shoes with grip; boots for muddy stops.
Pack: fleece or sweater
rain shell
light beanie
spare dry socks

Summer 83°/57°F (28°/14°C)

Summer can be hot on the plains and cooler in the Black Hills.

Wear: Try a loose tee or breathable sun shirt with lightweight shorts or airy pants. Add a light overshirt after sunset.
Shoes: Breathable closed-toe walking shoes for dusty stops; hiking shoes for uneven trails.
Pack: sun hat
sunglasses
light sun shirt
light evening layer
spare socks

Fall 60°/35°F (15°/2°C)

Fall brings chilly mornings and colder late-season conditions.

Wear: Build around a long-sleeve tee, comfortable pants, and a sweater or fleece. Add a wind-resistant jacket for breezy overlooks.
Shoes: Walking shoes with grip; water-resistant boots for wet or muddy routes.
Pack: sweater or fleece
wind and rain shell
beanie
light gloves
spare socks

Winter 31°/11°F (0°/-12°C)

Winter can be very cold, with exposed wind and snow.

Wear: Use thermal top and bottoms, an insulating fleece or sweater, and a wind-resistant insulated parka. Add insulated pants for extended outdoor stops.
Shoes: Waterproof insulated winter boots with wool or synthetic socks.
Pack: thermal base layers
insulated parka
insulated pants
beanie
mittens
neck gaiter
dry spare socks

Adjust for your route. Pack a fleece for Black Hills summer evenings and breathable light outfits for hot plains days. Eastern routes may feel more humid.

Climate background: NOAA State Climate Summary

See what to wear in every state →

Keep exploring

See It in the Book

Explore South Dakota

Locations in South Dakota

Deadwood

Pierre

Rapid City

Sioux Falls

Wall

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

National parks and federal sites in South Dakota

State parks in South Dakota

Lakes in South Dakota

Skiing and Snowboarding

Terry PeakLead

Long Bike Trails

Zoos and Wildlife Parks

Bear Country USA* — some details below are unconfirmedRapid City

Reptile Gardens* — some details below are unconfirmedRapid City

Great Plains Zoo* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedSioux Falls

Bramble Park Zoo* — some details below are unconfirmedWatertown

Water Parks and Theme Parks

Evans Plunge Mineral Springswater parkHot Springs

Storybook IslandSeasonaltheme parkRapid City

WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resortwater parkRapid City

Wild Water WestSeasonalwater parkSioux Falls

Wineries and Distilleries in South Dakota

Roadside oddities in South Dakota

World's Largest PheasantGiant statue / World's largestHuron

South Dakota Tractor MuseumQuirky museumKimball

World's Only Corn PalaceOdd building / architectureMitchell

Porter Sculpture ParkFolk art / sculpture gardenMontrose

Al's OasisRoadside attraction / tourist stopOacoma

Dinosaur ParkGiant statue / World's largestRapid City

Wall Drug StoreRoadside attraction / tourist stopWall

Venues and Annual Events

Where to see something

Corn PalacearenaMitchell

Denny Sanford PREMIER CenterarenaSioux Falls

Sturgis Buffalo Chipfestival groundsSturgis

What is on, and when

Brown County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairAberdeen

South Dakota State FairfairHuron

Turner County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairParker

Central States Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairRapid City

Sioux Empire FairfairSioux Falls

Sturgis Motorcycle RallySturgis

Scenic roads through South Dakota

What to wear in South Dakota

Spring 57°/32°F (14°/0°C)

Summer 83°/57°F (28°/14°C)

Fall 60°/35°F (15°/2°C)

Winter 31°/11°F (0°/-12°C)

Keep exploring

Bear Country USA — some details below are unconfirmedRapid City

Reptile Gardens — some details below are unconfirmedRapid City

Great Plains Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedSioux Falls

Bramble Park Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedWatertown

Brown County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairAberdeen

Turner County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairParker

Central States Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairRapid City