South Dakota

South Dakota is home to the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota tribes; powwows (or wacipi) are held throughout the year, and you can learn more about Native American culture at the Crazy Horse Memorial and its museum, the Indian Museum of North America. While you’re here, check off iconic U.S. landmarks like Mount Rushmore—where you can glamp at Under Canvas—and Badlands National Park. You can see 1,400 bison from a safe distance at the Custer State Park Bison Center.

A herd of bison at Custer State Park in South Dakota.

Custer State Park is home to a large herd of 1,500 bison.

Photo by Anh Luu/Shutterstock

Overview

Planning Your Trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to South Dakota.

READ BEFORE YOU GO
RESOURCES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP
Resonance’s annual ranking considers factors such as a city’s diversity, variety of cultural attractions, outdoor activities, and access to education to give a comprehensive view of what it’s like to visit and live in these places.
These locations all shine during the shoulder season.
From Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin to Grand Portage State Park in Minnesota, hikers, campers, and outdoor adventurers will want to add these 12 best state parks in the Midwest to their list.
In South Dakota and Wyoming, endless historical and cultural attractions mean unforgettable family-friendly fun.
Cyclists on the Parks, Peaks, and Prairies Trail will visit the plains of Wyoming, Devils Tower National Monument, the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, the Badlands of South Dakota, and more.
The latest site-specific exhibition from British artist Bruce Munro decorates a historic South Carolina landscape with thousands of illuminated, flower-like bulbs. The impressive display is now welcoming visitors as the state begins to reopen after coronavirus lockdowns.
The story behind one of the United States’ biggest man-made tourist attractions
The 50 Best Things to Do This Summer in All 50 States: The Midwest