One thing about the lazy days of summer is that they tend to slip away from us pretty fast. How many fun trips in South Dakota have you taken so far this season? If the answer is, “Not nearly enough,” you should add a few of these day trips to your calendar! Here are 11 of the best day trips in South Dakota that you’ll want to do ASAP:

  1. Have some adventures and makes some memories at Rushmore Tramway Adventures.

Rushmore Tramway Adventures/Facebook This amazing adventure park in Keystone, South Dakota has an alpine slide, chairlift, tramway, zipline, aerial park and more to keep you entertained all day. There’s something for every member of the family here. Rushmore Tramway Adventures, 203 Cemetery Rd, Keystone, SD 57751, USA

  1. Splash in the Devil’s Bathtub

Mia R./Tripadvisor You’ll find the Devil’s Bathtub in Spearfish Canyon. It’s just a short half-mile hike to this pretty pool and waterfall, and before you reach the pool, you can take a slide down the natural waterslides - slick rocky chutes that will cool you right off! Devils Bathtub Trailhead, 1917 Spearfish Canyon Hwy, Lead, SD 57754, USA

  1. Be a kid again at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota.

Children’s Museum of South Dakota/Facebook The Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings is the perfect place to spend a hot summer day. Play and learn at the interactive exhibits, and enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch. Children’s Museum of South Dakota, 521 4th St, Brookings, SD 57006, USA

  1. Spend the day playing at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area.

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area/Facebook Lake Vermillion Recreation Area is located in the eastern portion of the state, near Sioux Falls. There’s plenty to keep you busy here all day long - from swimming and beach lounging to paddle boarding and hiking. Lake Vermillion State Recreation Area, 26140 451st Ave, Canistota, SD 57012, USA

  1. Hop aboard the 1880 Train.

Eagle525/Tripadvisor If you love trains, history or the beauty of the Black Hills National Forest, this is a train trip in South Dakota you don’t want to miss. Hop aboard at either Hill City or Keystone, then enjoy a scenic ride, complete with a narrated history.

  1. Step back in time at Prairie Homestead.

938fg/Tripadvisor Head to the town of Phillip for a day of fun and history. Prairie Homestead features a restored sod home, chicken coop, outhouse, farm implements and farm animals. Get a feel for what it must have been like to be an original settler here. Prairie Homestead, 21070 SD-240, Philip, SD 57567, USA

  1. Hike, fish, picnic and practice your archery skills at Hartford Beach State Park.

Hartford Beach State Park/Facebook Hartford Beach State Park is up in the northeast corner of the state, and you’ll fall in love with it as soon as you discover it. The park is nestled on the banks of Big Stone Lake, and it offers plenty of recreation opportunities for the entire day. Hartford Beach State Park, 13672 Hartford Beach Rd, Corona, SD 57227, USA

  1. Take a drive along the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park

northwoodsorbust/Tripadvisor The 18-mile-long Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park is a drive everyone should take during the summer. You’ll enjoy incredible scenery and see tons of wildlife, including bison, pronghorn, deer, prairie dogs and more. Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road, Wildlife Loop Rd, Crazy Horse, SD 57730, USA

  1. Lace up your hiking boots and tackle Bear Butte.

Clint/flickr Bear Butte stands 1,253 feet above the prairie, and it’s a truly gorgeous hike to reach the top. The 3.1-mile trail is steep and will take some effort, but it’s definitely worth your while. This sacred place is stunning. Bear Butte, Southwest Meade, SD 57788, USA

  1. Bask in South Dakota’s natural beauty at Big Sioux Recreation Area.

Big Sioux Recreation Area/Facebook Big Sioux Recreation Area is just east of Sioux Falls. Visit for a day of canoeing and disc golf. Enjoy several hiking trails, including a special archery trail and another trail that takes you over a cool suspension bridge. Big Sioux State Recreation Area, 410 W Park St, Brandon, SD 57005, USA

  1. Slip, slide, and splash at Watiki Waterpark.

Watiki Waterpark/Facebook You’ll avoid sunburn while swimming and splashing at this gigantic indoor waterpark in Rapid City. Watiki Waterpark has waterslides, a lazy river, pools, hot tubs, and plenty of fountains to get you soaked. WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort, 1314 N Elk Vale Rd, Rapid City, SD 57703, USA

Which of these places have you visited already this year? Tell us about your summer trips in the comments!

Rushmore Tramway Adventures/Facebook

This amazing adventure park in Keystone, South Dakota has an alpine slide, chairlift, tramway, zipline, aerial park and more to keep you entertained all day. There’s something for every member of the family here.

Rushmore Tramway Adventures, 203 Cemetery Rd, Keystone, SD 57751, USA

Mia R./Tripadvisor

You’ll find the Devil’s Bathtub in Spearfish Canyon. It’s just a short half-mile hike to this pretty pool and waterfall, and before you reach the pool, you can take a slide down the natural waterslides - slick rocky chutes that will cool you right off!

Devils Bathtub Trailhead, 1917 Spearfish Canyon Hwy, Lead, SD 57754, USA

Children’s Museum of South Dakota/Facebook

The Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings is the perfect place to spend a hot summer day. Play and learn at the interactive exhibits, and enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch.

Children’s Museum of South Dakota, 521 4th St, Brookings, SD 57006, USA

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area/Facebook

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area is located in the eastern portion of the state, near Sioux Falls. There’s plenty to keep you busy here all day long - from swimming and beach lounging to paddle boarding and hiking.

Lake Vermillion State Recreation Area, 26140 451st Ave, Canistota, SD 57012, USA

Eagle525/Tripadvisor

If you love trains, history or the beauty of the Black Hills National Forest, this is a train trip in South Dakota you don’t want to miss. Hop aboard at either Hill City or Keystone, then enjoy a scenic ride, complete with a narrated history.

938fg/Tripadvisor

Head to the town of Phillip for a day of fun and history. Prairie Homestead features a restored sod home, chicken coop, outhouse, farm implements and farm animals. Get a feel for what it must have been like to be an original settler here.

Prairie Homestead, 21070 SD-240, Philip, SD 57567, USA

Hartford Beach State Park/Facebook

Hartford Beach State Park is up in the northeast corner of the state, and you’ll fall in love with it as soon as you discover it. The park is nestled on the banks of Big Stone Lake, and it offers plenty of recreation opportunities for the entire day.

Hartford Beach State Park, 13672 Hartford Beach Rd, Corona, SD 57227, USA

northwoodsorbust/Tripadvisor

The 18-mile-long Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park is a drive everyone should take during the summer. You’ll enjoy incredible scenery and see tons of wildlife, including bison, pronghorn, deer, prairie dogs and more.

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road, Wildlife Loop Rd, Crazy Horse, SD 57730, USA

Clint/flickr

Bear Butte stands 1,253 feet above the prairie, and it’s a truly gorgeous hike to reach the top. The 3.1-mile trail is steep and will take some effort, but it’s definitely worth your while. This sacred place is stunning.

Bear Butte, Southwest Meade, SD 57788, USA

Big Sioux Recreation Area/Facebook

Big Sioux Recreation Area is just east of Sioux Falls. Visit for a day of canoeing and disc golf. Enjoy several hiking trails, including a special archery trail and another trail that takes you over a cool suspension bridge.

Big Sioux State Recreation Area, 410 W Park St, Brandon, SD 57005, USA

Watiki Waterpark/Facebook

You’ll avoid sunburn while swimming and splashing at this gigantic indoor waterpark in Rapid City. Watiki Waterpark has waterslides, a lazy river, pools, hot tubs, and plenty of fountains to get you soaked.

WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort, 1314 N Elk Vale Rd, Rapid City, SD 57703, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Day Trips in South Dakota May 19, 2022 Tori Jane What are some unique things to do around South Dakota?   South Dakota is one of those amazing places that doesn’t tend to get the love it deserves. It’s filled to the brim with tons of amazingly lovely natural wonders, offbeat roadside attractions, and so much more to do and explore. Some of our favorite unique things to do around South Dakota include some famous things like visiting Mount Rushmore. Sure, it might be a typical activity once you arrive in South Dakota, but there’s a reason for that: it’s one of a kind, and truly the single most “South Dakota” thing you can experience. Other fun things to do in South Dakota include the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, where you can wander halls filled with aviation history far and wide. Admire vintage military aircraft, awe at actual missiles, and learn something new every time you stop in. Finally, you’ll also want to check out Storybook Island. It’s an amusement park that brings the pages of all our favorite stories from childhood to life – literally!   What are the best day trips near me in South Dakota?   What’s more fun than an old-fashioned day trip? How about a day trip in South Dakota? We think yes! There are so many places to visit in South Dakota that we’re not even sure where to begin, but we do have a few favorite places to share. With more than 60 state parks and state recreation areas, South Dakota is an amazing day trip destination. Some of our favorite spots include heading out to Lewis and Clark Lake, where you can indulge in activities like biking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, and even archery! Another favorite place to visit in South Dakota is the Crazy Horse Memorial. It’s a lovely homage to North American peoples, and it’s technically unfinished, as the artist, Korczak Ziolkowski, passed away in the 1980s mid-project.   Where are the best getaway spots near me in South Dakota?   Now, we may be a little biased, but we kind of feel like every place in South Dakota is the perfect getaway spot in South Dakota! Of course, some places are a little more suitable than others, and as with most things, we have some favorites. We love escaping to the Terry Peak Ski Area, a family-friendly destination filled with skiing, snowboarding, and lodging galore. And speaking of lodging, why not check out the Lodge at Deadwood? It’s among the most fascinating and luxurious places to stay in South Dakota, and its proximity to downtown Deadwood, South Dakota, ensures it’s a place anyone can fall in love with.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Day Trips in South Dakota

May 19, 2022

Tori Jane

What are some unique things to do around South Dakota?   South Dakota is one of those amazing places that doesn’t tend to get the love it deserves. It’s filled to the brim with tons of amazingly lovely natural wonders, offbeat roadside attractions, and so much more to do and explore. Some of our favorite unique things to do around South Dakota include some famous things like visiting Mount Rushmore. Sure, it might be a typical activity once you arrive in South Dakota, but there’s a reason for that: it’s one of a kind, and truly the single most “South Dakota” thing you can experience. Other fun things to do in South Dakota include the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, where you can wander halls filled with aviation history far and wide. Admire vintage military aircraft, awe at actual missiles, and learn something new every time you stop in. Finally, you’ll also want to check out Storybook Island. It’s an amusement park that brings the pages of all our favorite stories from childhood to life – literally!   What are the best day trips near me in South Dakota?   What’s more fun than an old-fashioned day trip? How about a day trip in South Dakota? We think yes! There are so many places to visit in South Dakota that we’re not even sure where to begin, but we do have a few favorite places to share. With more than 60 state parks and state recreation areas, South Dakota is an amazing day trip destination. Some of our favorite spots include heading out to Lewis and Clark Lake, where you can indulge in activities like biking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, and even archery! Another favorite place to visit in South Dakota is the Crazy Horse Memorial. It’s a lovely homage to North American peoples, and it’s technically unfinished, as the artist, Korczak Ziolkowski, passed away in the 1980s mid-project.   Where are the best getaway spots near me in South Dakota?   Now, we may be a little biased, but we kind of feel like every place in South Dakota is the perfect getaway spot in South Dakota! Of course, some places are a little more suitable than others, and as with most things, we have some favorites. We love escaping to the Terry Peak Ski Area, a family-friendly destination filled with skiing, snowboarding, and lodging galore. And speaking of lodging, why not check out the Lodge at Deadwood? It’s among the most fascinating and luxurious places to stay in South Dakota, and its proximity to downtown Deadwood, South Dakota, ensures it’s a place anyone can fall in love with.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

South Dakota is one of those amazing places that doesn’t tend to get the love it deserves. It’s filled to the brim with tons of amazingly lovely natural wonders, offbeat roadside attractions, and so much more to do and explore. Some of our favorite unique things to do around South Dakota include some famous things like visiting Mount Rushmore. Sure, it might be a typical activity once you arrive in South Dakota, but there’s a reason for that: it’s one of a kind, and truly the single most “South Dakota” thing you can experience. Other fun things to do in South Dakota include the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, where you can wander halls filled with aviation history far and wide. Admire vintage military aircraft, awe at actual missiles, and learn something new every time you stop in. Finally, you’ll also want to check out Storybook Island. It’s an amusement park that brings the pages of all our favorite stories from childhood to life – literally!  

What are the best day trips near me in South Dakota?  

What’s more fun than an old-fashioned day trip? How about a day trip in South Dakota? We think yes! There are so many places to visit in South Dakota that we’re not even sure where to begin, but we do have a few favorite places to share. With more than 60 state parks and state recreation areas, South Dakota is an amazing day trip destination. Some of our favorite spots include heading out to Lewis and Clark Lake, where you can indulge in activities like biking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, and even archery! Another favorite place to visit in South Dakota is the Crazy Horse Memorial. It’s a lovely homage to North American peoples, and it’s technically unfinished, as the artist, Korczak Ziolkowski, passed away in the 1980s mid-project.  

Where are the best getaway spots near me in South Dakota?  

Now, we may be a little biased, but we kind of feel like every place in South Dakota is the perfect getaway spot in South Dakota! Of course, some places are a little more suitable than others, and as with most things, we have some favorites. We love escaping to the Terry Peak Ski Area, a family-friendly destination filled with skiing, snowboarding, and lodging galore. And speaking of lodging, why not check out the Lodge at Deadwood? It’s among the most fascinating and luxurious places to stay in South Dakota, and its proximity to downtown Deadwood, South Dakota, ensures it’s a place anyone can fall in love with.