The Happiness Function

We are sharing the best national and state parks to visit on your trip to South Dakota.

There is something special about South Dakota you cannot pinpoint until you visit for the first time. Most of the state is beautiful prairie land. But, as you travel further west, you start to see the Black Hills from a distance.

Growing up in South Dakota, I spent all of my time exploring the Black Hills. I’ve been to every national and state park close to home.

This article is near and dear to me, and I hope it helps you plan a wonderful trip. Here are the best parks, travel highlights, trip tips, and secrets from myself, other travel writers, and folks who call South Dakota home.

The Black Hills Are the Oldest Mountains

Did you know that the Black Hills are among the oldest mountain ranges in the United States?

The Black Hills National Forest, along with all of the state and national parks, is part of what makes South Dakota unique. It is a relatively rural state with lots of wide-open spaces. It has a rich history full of Wild West stories and frontier tales.

Please take a moment to learn about and acknowledge the Tribes that call South Dakota home.

How Many Parks Are in South Dakota?

National Parks: The National Park Service Department of the Interior manages six National Park Service sites.

State Parks: In addition to the national parks, there are 56 state parks.

Best Parks To Visit in South Dakota

Get ready to explore lakes, mountains, rivers, badlands, and prairies.

Though it is in Wyoming, we also include Devils Tower because it is located within the Black Hills and pairs nicely with a road trip through South Dakota.

Map of the Parks

To help you orient yourself, check out the map below to see where each park discussed in the article is located.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Contribution by Ashlee Fechino of The Happiness Function

One of the most iconic memorials in the United States, Mount Rushmore, symbolizes freedom and democracy in America. It is a national treasure.

Mount Rushmore is located in the Black Hills near Keystone. It is open seven days a week.

Fees: It costs $10 to park per car in the parking area.

You Should Know: The Annual National Park Pass does not cover the parking fee.

This national memorial took 14 years to sculpt and cost just under a million dollars to create the iconic images of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. These four presidents were carved out of granite to recognize their influence in shaping America.

Visiting Mount Rushmore brings people together. Along with viewing the famous presidential sculpture, you can browse the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, Sculptor’s Studio, and the famous Avenue of Flags.

Plan to spend at least half a day enjoying your first trip to Mount Rushmore. Four to five hours will give you plenty of time to explore the attractions. You might want to set aside more time if you decide to hike.

Travel Tip: If you are road-tripping with your dog, visitors can take their dog on the Blackberry Trail; however, dogs are not allowed anywhere else except where designated near the parking garage.

Jewel Cave National Monument

Contribution by Ashlee Fechino of The Happiness Function

Did you know Jewel Cave National Monument is the third-largest cave in the world? That’s right.

As of 2022, over 200 miles of the cave have been mapped and explored. Because there is still more to be explored and mapped, it is considered one of the last frontiers in the world.

Experience this underground world through a guided tour. Four tour options are available, including scenic tours, discovery talks, and a tour with historic lanterns. Visitors on the historic lantern tour are likely to see bats.

Planning tip: Wear good walking shoes and bring a jacket. The cave is 49 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition to visiting the cave and exploring a secret world underground, Jewel Cave National Memorial has a few trails to hike above ground.

Above Ground Trails:

• Roof Trail – 0.25-mile distance + takes around 30-45 minutes
• Canyons Trail – 3.5-mile loop distance + takes around 2-4 hours to hike
• Hell Canyon Trail – 5.3-mile loop distance + takes around 2-4 hours to hike

Wind Cave National Park

Guest post contribution by Megan Johnson of Red Around the World

Wind Cave National Park is often overlooked when choosing from many other national parks and even Custer State Park next door. Don’t miss Wind Cave – it is pretty impressive.

The main attraction is a tour of the cave itself, but there are plenty of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. Rankin Ridge is an easy hike to the highest point in the park. 

Travel tip: As you drive around the park, look for wildlife like bison and prairie dogs. If you’re lucky, you may even see a coyote.  

The best time to visit this park is during the summer or fall because of the temperatures and park accessibility. 

This is a unique park because it has a cave, and it is a great place to see wildlife. Seeing bison and prairie dogs are pretty much guaranteed, especially on the side of the park closest to Custer State Park. 

Fees: There is no park entrance fee, but there are fees for a cave tour.  

Badlands National Park

Guest post contribution by Nikki of She Saves She Travels

One of the best things to do in South Dakota is visit Badlands National Park. It’s a unique destination within the state and one of the most underrated national parks in all of the U.S.

Located in the southwestern portion of the state, it’s a great addition to any vacation or can be a part of a week-long stay seeing sights like Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and the greater Black Hills area.

With so many things to do in Badlands National Park, the highlights can be seen in a single day, or visitors can spend multiple days soaking in all the sights in the park. One of the park’s top activities is driving ‘The Loop’ through the park. It’s South Dakota Highway 240, which cuts south from I-90, loops through the park, and reconnects with the interstate.

Be sure to check out these popular park highlights as well:

• Yellow Mounds Overlook
• Panorama Point
• The Window and Door Trails

Fees: To get into Badlands National Park, it’s $30 per vehicle. If you’re planning to visit multiple national parks, the America the Beautiful annual parks pass is $80, which is a great value.

Trip tip: The best times of year to visit the park are spring and fall when the weather is most comfortable. However, if visiting in the summer months, just be sure to bring sunblock and plenty of water.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Guest post contribution by Tiffany Smith of Pennies, Places, and Paws

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site consists of three different areas: The Visitor Center, Delta-09 Missile Silo, and the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility.

Fees: There is no fee for visiting, which is fantastic because it provides a unique opportunity to learn about the Cold War at a real deactivated missile site.

Travel tip: Set aside about 4 hours to see all three locations due to the distance between the sites.

The visitor center is a goldmine of information located near Badlands National Park. Here, you will find a 30-minute film and numerous interactive displays that explain Cold War history and what it was like working at the site.

There is also a small gift shop. The most amazing part of the visitor center is that several of the men who work and volunteer there used to man the site when it was active. They are a fantastic firsthand source if you are interested in hearing about what it was like working there.

Do a Tour: There are cell phone tours available at both Delta-09 and Delta-01 locations. Delta-01 also has a ranger-guided tour for an additional fee that will allow you to enter the Launch Control Facility. For this tour, it is recommended that you book several months in advance.

Crazy Horse Memorial

Guest post contribution by Claire from Claire Pins Travel 

The Crazy Horse Memorial is one of the world’s largest statues, which has slowly been carved into a granite mountain in the Black Hills of South Dakota since 1948. The statue will eventually depict the Native American historical figure known as ‘Crazy Horse,’ who was a leader of the local Lakota people. However, Native American groups have different perspectives about the project.

It is undoubtedly a unique site to visit due to its enormous size, as it will one day stand 641 feet long and 563 feet tall (195 meters by 172 meters). 

Trip tip: While you can observe the statue from the visitor’s center, you can also take a bus ride to the base of the mountain and visit the finished portion of the carving for additional fees. 

The site features special events, including nighttime rock blasting, cultural and artistic presentations, and a multimedia laser show. It also has a restaurant, gift shop, and museum with artifacts, paintings, and historical items. 

While the site is open all year, the best time to visit is between May and September for longer opening hours and better weather conditions.  

Fees: Admission pricing during the high season from May to October is $35.00 for 3 or more people in a vehicle, $30.00 for 2 people in a vehicle, $15.00 for 1 person in a vehicle, or $10.00 per person on a motorcycle, bicycle, or walking. There is no fee for parking.

Prices are a few dollars less during the low season.

Custer State Park

Guest post contribution by Kris with Nomad by Trade

Custer State Park is an absolute gem located in South Dakota’s Black Hills. It is most famous for its wildlife. A large herd of buffalo is typically visible from the park’s roads. You can also find a herd of friendly donkeys that love to beg for snacks along one of the many scenic drives.

Trip tip: For the best chance of spotting animals, drive along the Wildlife Loop road, which winds through the southern portion of the park.

The terrain gets more rugged in the northern portion of the park. Drive the Needles Highway for up-close views of spectacular rock formations. One formation even features a hole in the top, like a needle’s eye. This area of the park is known for its narrow, one-way tunnels through the rock, some of which have mere inches of clearance for larger vehicles.

Visitors may recognize Sylvan Lake in the northern part of the park from the movie National Treasure. A small dam forms the lake, and the massive boulders and rock outcroppings along the edges make it incredibly picturesque. A short hiking trail circles the water, and boats can be rented at the lodge along its shores.

Fees: Entrance to the park costs $20 per car and provides 7 days of access.

The park is open year-round, but many facilities close for the winter, so late spring through early fall is the ideal time to visit.

Don’t Miss: In late September, Custer State Park hosts a huge event called the Buffalo Roundup, when the bison herd is driven into their corrals for the winter. Expect big crowds this weekend, so plan accordingly. This is an event you don’t want to miss!

Bear Butte State Park

Guest post contribution by Tranquil Trekker

Bear Butte State Park is located in southwest South Dakota, near the tiny town of Sturgis. It is open throughout the year (weather permitting). 

The park consists mainly of the butte—or mountain. American Indians gave the formation its name because they thought the shape reminded them of a sleeping bear. It is a “sister” volcanic plug to Devils Tower in Wyoming.

Legend says the bear who scored the sides of Devils Tower is said to have fallen asleep and formed Bear Butte.

Trip tip: This is a sacred site for many local American Indian Tribes. It is common to see prayer bundles tied to trees. Please be respectful and never disturb these.   

The park offers a single hiking trail to the butte’s summit that is around three miles in total length. The mountain was once covered by forest, but a fire several years ago left its sides bare.  While the hike is only moderately difficult, some portions of it that cross scree slopes can feel a bit daunting to people with a fear of heights.

The park also includes a small visitor’s center and picnic area.

There is a small herd of buffalo on-site, and rattlesnakes are common when the weather is warm. These critters are essential for the local ecosystem, so be watchful for them and give them space.

Falls Park

Contribution by Ashlee Fechino of The Happiness Function

Though not a national park or state park, Falls Park is a beautiful city park located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Falls Park is located on the Big Sioux River. It is over 128 acres and offers views of beautiful waterfalls. Falls Park is a top outdoor attraction in Sioux Falls.

The Greenway Trail corridor is home to a 29-mile paved bike trail. Whether you live in South Dakota or are just passing through, be sure to stop and view Falls Park and stretch your legs.

Trip tip: This is the perfect pit stop for your South Dakota road trip.

Devils Tower National Monument – Wyoming

Guest post contribution by Michelle Moyer of Moyer Memoirs Empty-Nest Travel Adventures

Devils Tower, located in northeastern Wyoming, was the first-ever national monument.

It is a gigantic geological protrusion that shoots straight up nearly 1,300 feet out of the Black Hills prairie. It is home to lots of wildlife, including prairie dogs, white-tailed deer, and bald eagles.

The prairie dogs are the most visible animals at Devils Tower. They live in a small community at the base of the tower. Their 600 residents can be seen and photographed scurrying from holes, peeking out for predators, and evaluating the terrain on their hind legs.

The park and Devils Tower are open 24/7 year-round, except for holidays.

Travel tip: There is no camping permitted, so overnight stays are not allowed.

Fees: The entrance fee is $25 for a 1 – 7-day pass per private vehicle. However, there are many fee-free days throughout the year.

Pop Culture Sensation: The park surged in popularity after the release of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which became a pop culture phenomenon. The movie used the monument as an important key setting in several climactic scenes, making it more widely known.

Popular Rock Climbing Spot: Hundreds of straight cracks in the monument divide it into hexagonal columns. Many visitors use these cracks for an ambitious clamber up the Tower. Climbing Devils Tower is one of the most popular activities at the monument, either as an onlooker or a climber. Hundreds of climbers register for this adventure and scale up the tall monument each summer.

The Tower is regarded as a sacred site by many Native Americans. Annually, June is a designated month with voluntary climbing closures. Climbs are restricted in number out of respect for the Native American culture and the American Indian ceremonies that frequently occur during June.

For those seeking adventures with their feet firmly on the ground, there are 5 trails throughout the park. The trails have great views of the monument and the prominent wildlife that thrives in the surrounding prairie.

Featured Image Credit of Sylvan Lake by jkraft5/Depositphotos.com.

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