| Destination |
The Super South Dakota Travel Guide
South Dakota is the perfect destination for an all American road trip. Learn about past US presidents, sacred spaces for indigenous peoples and the westward expansion of the Unites States as we know it. The good, the bad and the ugly – a road trip through South Dakota is a road trip through American history. Additionally, the unique geological formations of the state make a unique natural backdrop to your South Dakota vacation. A right of passage for every American family, South Dakota is calling you!
Historical towns like Deadwood, natural areas like the Badlands and Custer State Park, monuments like Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore, a trip to South Dakota is an educational experience for everyone. Continue reading for all of the South Dakota travel advice from our amazing trips to the State!
Our Top 5 Things to do in South Dakota
Cave Tour: Take an extreme cave tour at Wind Cave or Jewel Cave.
Badlands: Feel small as you explore the large Badlands.
Needles Highway: Explore Custer State Park on one of the most scenic roads in America.
Mount Rushmore: See Mount Rushmore at night!
Reptile Gardens: One of the best reptile shows we’ve ever seen!
June-August is generally considered the best time to visit South Dakota. You’ll have warm weather and sunny skies during these months. However, this is also the school holiday season and therefore has the largest number of tourists.
We’d recommend visiting in April-May or September-October. This is the shoulder season. Temperatures will be slightly lower, though that may be more comfortable for outdoor activities. You’ll also avoid larger groups and traffic jams on the scenic routes.
Getting Around:
South Dakota is perfect for a road trip! With a heap of scenic roads, well maintained highways connecting major sites and spread out sites, it really is the only way to see the state.
Getting to South Dakota can be a challenge. The main airport in South Dakota is in Sioux Falls, in the eastern part of the state. A majority of tourist attractions are in the west. There is a regional airport in Rapid City that is much more convenient for a starting point for your South Dakota road trip. However, there are fewer direct flights and prices can be high. If you’re planning on doing a road trip in South Dakota, I would seriously weigh the time it takes to fly there vs the time it takes to drive there from your home. For us, it’s faster to drive there – and it’s a full day of driving.
Language:
English is an official language of the USA and is the primary language in South Dakota. You’ll be hard pressed to get around without basic English skills.
Know Before You Go
Currency and Budget:
The US dollar is the currency in the US. Credit cards are frequently accepted in South Dakota. You may want cash because businesses will often give you cash discounts.
South Dakota travel is relatively inexpensive compared with other US destinations. Food costs about $25 USD for a full sit-down meal. Accommodations average around $120 USD/night. However, a great budget friendly option is camping. If you choose to camp, your camp fees will be closer to $45/night. If you visit during the summer months, make sure to make reservations ahead of time to save money.
Activities in South Dakota are generally inexpensive, with most of them being outdoor activities. Typically, you’ll have to pay a vehicle admission fee or parking fee for state and national parks, rather than a per person admission. Consider purchasing package tickets if you’re visiting multiple attractions, like the America The Beautiful National Parks pass. If you’re traveling solo, these costs can be high, but if you’re visiting as a family, your per person costs will be low.
Safety:
Don’t pet the fluffy cows! Every year ignorant and deserving tourists wind up hospitalized or worse because they try to pet the bison. Don’t do it! In fact don’t touch any of the wild animals. They will try to hurt you if you do – and I’m on their side in that battle.
Additionally, when visiting the badlands, make sure to stay on marked trails. It can be easy to get lost. Whenever you head out on a hike, make sure you have plenty of water to keep you hydrated and a map to prevent you from getting lost.
Read More Before You Go
