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Things to Do in South Dakota

The setting sun illuminates several ridge lines and hills at Badlands National Park. The moon rises in the distance from behind some small clouds.
Sunset at Badlands National Park.

NPS / Mackenzie Reed

This page highlights things to do in South Dakota.

Explore the caverns and above-ground landscapes of Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park. Experience the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park. Visit a Cold War-era nuclear missile silo at Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. These are just a few of the many things to do in South Dakota. Below, you'll find links to things to do and trip ideas.

Things to Do at South Dakota Parks

Layered badlands formations behind fields of green grass under cloudy and billowing clouds.

Badlands National Park

Things to do at Badlands National Park.

A park ranger stands on a metal platform within a long cave passageway with a vaulted ceiling.

Jewel Cave National Monument

Things to do at Jewel Cave National Monument

Sign along roadside reads

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

Things to do along Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

A cylindrical missile inside an underground silo.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Things to do at Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

A canoe loaded with gear sits quietly on a sandy river bank with blue sky above.

Missouri National Recreational River

Things to do along Missouri National Recreational River

Heads of several US presidents carved into the side of a mountain with talus slope underneath.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Things to do at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Two male elk with large antlers standing on a hillside.

Wind Cave National Park

Things to do at Wind Cave National Park.

South Dakota Trip Ideas

Looking for ideas to help you plan your next trip to a national park? These trip ideas provide recommended activities designed to help you figure out how to spend your time. For even more ideas, see search for things to do and trip ideas by park, activity, topic, duration, and more.

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    Part of a series of articles titled Things to Do in the Midwest .

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    Tags: badlands national park, jewel cave national monument, lewis & clark national historic trail, minuteman missile national historic site, missouri national recreational river, mount rushmore national memorial, wind cave national park, midwest, south dakota, things to do

    Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Missouri National Recreational River, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Wind Cave National Park more »

    Last updated: March 15, 2024