Cabins in South Dakota

With four distinct seasons, guests in South Dakota vacation rentals can choose their favorite time of year to visit. Although the weather is typically sunny, breezy, and fair, South Dakota can experience extreme fluctuations. Due to a semi-arid continental climate, summer temperatures can reach over 100°F, while winter temperatures often drop below zero.

1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

The iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of America’s most popular attractions. The gigantic mountainside sculpture depicts the faces of US presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. It was created by artist Gutzon Borglum between 1927-1941.

2. Rushmore Tramway Adventures

Rushmore Tramway Adventures offers a bunch of adrenaline-pumping experiences on a mountaintop near Mount Rushmore. Experience the gorgeous vistas of South Dakota’s Black Hills with ropeways, zip lines, and alpine slides.

3. Big Thunder Gold Mine

The Big Thunder Gold Mine is a museum located inside the replica of a late 19th-century gold mill. The thrill of walking through a mine deep under the earth, as well as learning about its history and treasures, makes for an adventurous and educational activity. Children will also love the gold panning experience here.

4. Bear Country USA

Take the two-mile drive through Bear Country USA, located within the Black Hills, to see indigenous animals in their natural habitat. Along with black bears, there are over 20 other varieties of wildlife like buffalo, wolves, and elk in this park. There is also a walkway enclosing an area dedicated to baby animals that you can pet.

5. The Butterfly House and Aquarium

The Butterfly House and Aquarium in Sioux Falls is a treasure trove of over 800 butterflies and aquatic creatures. You can not only look at but even touch, sea cucumbers and even stingrays here.

6. Storybook Island

There's more family fun at Storybook Island in Rapid City. It’s a family theme park where the attractions are based on locations and characters from popular children’s books. Best of all, admission to the park is free.

Seasons should be taken into account when you visit South Dakota. For vacationers who prefer a white winter, Great Bear Recreation Area near Sioux Falls is perfect for frosty activities. Snow tubing, snowboarding, and skiing are just some of the active pursuits available at Great Bear during the winter. For the remainder of the year, guests can hike, fish, and explore acres of wilderness.

Those visitors who enjoy snowmobiling, ice climbing, and ice fishing should head to the Rapid City, Spearfish, or Sundance areas.

Consider basing yourself in Deadwood if you wish to visit the Black Hills. This town offers casinos, live entertainment, and fine dining. You might explore Custer State Park, considered one of the nation’s top ten state parks. Here, you can catch a glimpse of mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and bison. Activities include fly-fishing, hiking, and rock-climbing.

Drive northeast in the state to see prairies and glacial lakes such as Lake Thompson. Enjoy plenty of outdoor adventures here, including camping, fishing, and biking. In the central part of South Dakota, you’ll find the Missouri River region. With more than 3,000 miles of shoreline, it provides excellent fishing, kayaking, sailing, and swimming.

South Dakota offers visitors an opportunity to connect with the past, and one way to do this is through the annual Buffalo Roundup. Held in September at Custer State Park, wranglers corral more than 1,300 bison.

Four days in August brings car enthusiasts together in Deadwood. Concerts, a classic car competition, and hot-rod races are some of the events. For those visitors wanting to taste a bit of the West, head to Vermillion for Ribs, Rods & Rock n’ Roll. This annual State Barbeque Cook-off draws a crowd for a two-day event in September.

Many towns in South Dakota hold parades for major vacations. However, Sioux Falls has one of the best. The annual Parade of Lights in November features dazzling displays of lights and elaborately decorated floats.