Free South Dakota Travel Guides & Mobile App
Plan your perfect trip to South Dakota. Get 100% free travel guides, audio tours, and local tips on the web or via the Evendo companion app.
Discover South Dakota: From the iconic Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial to the stunning Badlands and charming small towns, it's a land of history and natural beauty.
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When is the best time to visit South Dakota?
Best: June, August–September · 23–28°C| Month | High (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| January | -1 | 10 |
| February | 1 | 12 |
| March | 9 | 20 |
| April | 17 | 30 |
| May | 21 | 50 |
| June (best) | 27 | 60 |
| July | 30 | 50 |
| August (best) | 28 | 50 |
| September (best) | 23 | 30 |
| October | 15 | 30 |
| November | 7 | 20 |
| December | 0 | 10 |
Top city travel guides in South Dakota
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Mount Rushmore Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, combines monumental sculpture, Black Hills scenery, Native history and family-friendly sightseeing near Keystone and Custer.
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Deadwood Deadwood, South Dakota blends Black Hills gold-rush history, preserved Main Street, museums, casinos and cemetery views with frontier culture and scenic drives. -
Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, South Dakota, pairs the Big Sioux River's waterfalls with sculpture, museums, prairie history, local dining and an easy-going downtown.
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Custer Custer, South Dakota, brings Black Hills history, granite scenery, wildlife drives and cave tours together near Custer State Park, Crazy Horse and Wind Cave.
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Rapid City Rapid City blends Black Hills scenery, Lakota heritage, dinosaur landmarks, public art and easy access to Mount Rushmore and Badlands adventures.
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Mitchell Mitchell, South Dakota blends Corn Palace murals, Indigenous archaeology, prairie history and welcoming small-city culture along the I-90 corridor.
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Regions of South Dakota
Every region of South Dakota, with guides to the cities, landmarks and local highlights inside each one.
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Badlands Explore South Dakota’s Badlands for layered rock formations, fossil history, prairie wildlife, dark skies and memorable drives near the Black Hills.
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Black Hills Discover the Black Hills in South Dakota: A land of majestic mountains, rich history, and thrilling outdoor adventures. Explore iconic monuments, scenic parks, and historic towns.
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Northwest South Dakota Discover the rugged beauty and rich history of Northwest South Dakota, home to Badlands National Park, Deadwood, and Black Hills National Forest.
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Southeast South Dakota Explore Southeast South Dakota for Sioux Falls, Missouri River recreation, Indigenous heritage, prairie landscapes, museums and welcoming small cities.
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Northeast South Dakota Explore Northeast South Dakota for glacial lakes, prairie wildlife, Dakota history, small-city museums and open-road journeys between Aberdeen and Watertown.
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South Central South Dakota Explore South Central South Dakota for Missouri River reservoirs, prairie landscapes, Indigenous heritage, museums and wide-open outdoor adventures.
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Top destinations in South Dakota
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota combines monumental presidential sculpture, Black Hills history, scenic trails and nearby heritage attractions.
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Badlands National Park Badlands National Park in South Dakota reveals striped cliffs, fossil beds, prairie wildlife, scenic drives and Lakota heritage in a deeply eroded landscape. -
Custer State Park Custer State Park in South Dakota combines granite spires, bison-filled grasslands, scenic drives, mountain lakes, hiking and Black Hills heritage.
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Devils Tower National Monument Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming combines striking geology, Indigenous heritage, wildlife, scenic trails and climbing near the Black Hills.
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Wind Cave National Park Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, pairs remarkable boxwork caverns with bison-filled prairie, ponderosa woodland, scenic drives and Black Hills heritage.
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Crazy Horse Memorial Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota reveals a vast mountain carving, Lakota heritage, Black Hills history and cultural attractions near Custer.
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Best locations in South Dakota
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Tourist attraction
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Granite portraits of U.S. presidents etched into Black Hills mountain, embodying nation's formative ideals amid pine forests and sweeping trails.
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Tourist attraction
Badlands National Park
Eroded pinnacles tower over fossil-rich prairies where bison thunder across golden grasslands in South Dakota's stark Badlands National Park.
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Tourist attraction
Custer State Park
South Dakota's Black Hills masterpiece with 1,500 bison roaming free across prairies, granite needles piercing skies, and trails scaling peaks in untamed wilderness.
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Tourist attraction
The World's Only Corn Palace
Mitchell's cornstalk canvas builds massive annual murals capturing South Dakota's farming legacy, sports icons, and pioneer tales in golden kernels.
Explore South Dakota on the map
Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, regions, destinations and locations are.
Neighbouring country travel guides
The closest countries to South Dakota, if you are planning to cross a border on the same trip.
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North Dakota Discover the rugged beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality of North Dakota, the untamed frontier of the United States.
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Nebraska Discover Nebraska: A blend of rich history, diverse landscapes, and unique attractions in the heartland of America.
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Minnesota Discover Minnesota: From the bustling Twin Cities and cultural landmarks to the serene lakes and expansive wilderness, experience the diverse beauty and welcoming spirit of the North Star State.
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Wyoming Discover Wyoming: A Land of Unspoiled Beauty, Rich History, and Boundless Outdoor Adventures in the Heart of the American West.
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Iowa Explore Iowa: The American Heartland with its blend of rural charm, vibrant cities, rich cultural experiences, and natural beauty, perfect for nature lovers and cultural enthusiasts.
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South Dakota in Photos
Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.
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