What to do in The Dakotas

Activities, attractions and tours

Mount Rushmore; very cool but very touristy!
Mount Rushmore; very cool but very touristy!
This is a very special place for my family and I. My grandfather, Raymond Berg, and great-grandfather, Alfred Berg, both worked on this national monument.
A little closer view of President George Washington.
Sylvan Lake, known as the "crown jewel" of Custer State Park, is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Created in 1881 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch, it offers picnic areas, rock climbing, small rental boats, swimming, and hiking trails. It is also popular as a starting point for excursions to Harney Peak and The Needles. A hotel was operated on the shore of the lake in the early 20th century. The lake was featured in Disney's 2007 film National Treasure: Book of Secrets. The film made the lake appear to be located directly behind Mount Rushmore when in reality it is actually five miles southwest of Mount Rushmore.
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What to do in The Dakotas

Popular places to visit

Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Mount Rushmore

4.5/5(14 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Mount Rushmore, a popular spot to commune with nature in Keystone. Discover the area's notable monuments or seek out its horse riding.

Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore which includes outdoor art and art

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Visit this popular landmark in South Dakota to see firsthand the enormous sculptures of four U.S. presidents carved into a mountain.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Sunset on Sylvan Lake at Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Custer State Park

4.5/5(7 reviews)

You can take time to visit Custer State Park during your travels to Custer. Amble around the area's scenic parks or seek out the horse riding.

Custer State Park
Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park

Despite the forbidding name, this park has great beauty in its cliffs, prairies and ancient fossil beds.

Badlands National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Travel back in time to the badlands, a world of bison, never-ending prairies and lively pioneer towns.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Will it ever be completed? It’s quite an endeavour. I enjoyed walking around the visitors centre.

Crazy Horse Memorial

4.5/5(6 reviews)

Find out about the history of Custer with a stop at Crazy Horse Memorial. Discover the area's notable monuments or seek out its horse riding.

Crazy Horse Memorial
Path to Crow Peak #TakeAHike

The Black Hills

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at The Black Hills during your travels in Hill City. Discover the area's mountain views and shops.

The Black Hills
Wind Cave National Park which includes caves and caving

Wind Cave National Park

5/5(1 review)

View unusual crystalline patterns underground and wildlife, pleasant prairies and forests above ground at this park created on land once inhabited by Lakota Indians.

Wind Cave National Park

Watiki Water Park

3/5(1 review)

Enjoy the thrill rides with your children at Watiki Water Park during your visit to Rapid City. Attend a sporting event while in this family-friendly area or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants.

Watiki Water Park

Explore areas of The Dakotas

These falls are right in town surrounded by a nice park.

Downtown Sioux Falls

5/5(1 area review)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Sioux Falls, Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science and Old Courthouse Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Sioux Falls
I love water towers

Downtown Deadwood

If you're spending some time in Downtown Deadwood, Gold Dust Casino & Hotel and Silverado are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Deadwood
#Perspective Stopped off in Rapid City on our way to Yellowstone NP, was blown away by the graffiti art down some of its back lanes. Thought the overhead power lines created great leading lines through the image.

Historic Rapid City

Historic Rapid City is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Main Street Square or Art Alley.

Historic Rapid City
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West Acres

While visiting West Acres, you might make a stop by sights like West Acres Mall and Roger Maris Museum.

West Acres
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Northwest Sioux Falls

If you're spending some time in Northwest Sioux Falls, Sanford Pentagon and Sioux Falls Arena are top sights worth seeing.

Northwest Sioux Falls
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Mall District

While visiting Mall District, you might make a stop by sights like Empire Mall and Cinemark Century Sioux Falls 14.

Mall District