As the weather continues to warm up, we’re getting more and more excited for spring in South Dakota. So many of our best attractions are even better when the weather is nice, and some don’t even open until temperatures are mild. Here’s a list of 11 of our favorite spots to visit in the spring, and we’ve found some in both East River and West River!
We’ve already written full feature articles on each of these places. Click the link below each description to see our full article with more photos and details.
- McCrory Gardens, Brookings
McCrory Gardens/Facebook McCrory Gardens comes to life in the springtime, and you definitely don’t want to miss TuliPalooza, when thousands of tulips cover the landscape in bright hues. Click here for our full article.
- Crazy Horse Memorial And Laughing Water Restaurant
Mark Samson/Google The Crazy Horse Memorial isn’t finished, but it’s still magnificent. While you’re visiting, make sure to enjoy a meal at Laughing Water Restaurant, which offers some tasty South Dakota fare with an amazing view. Click here for our full article.
- Lake Louise Recreation Area, Miller
Lake Louise Recreation Area/Facebook The Lake Louise Recreation Area is seriously underrated, and the beautiful lake is just one of many recreation opportunities here. In addition to fishing and boating, you’ll also enjoy a basketball court, playground, volleyball court, plenty of shady trees, and a nice campground. Click here for our full article.
- Blue Bell Lodge At Custer State Park, Custer
Custer State Park One day at Custer State Park is never enough, so you’ll want to plan an overnight stay. The adorable cabins at Blue Bell Lodge are available in different sizes to meet your needs. Click here for our full article.
- The Outdoor Campus, Sioux Falls and Rapid City
The Outdoor Campus/Facebook Visit The Outdoor Campus locations to get excited about spring and summer. The two campuses are managed by the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, and admission is free. You’ll learn a host of outdoor skills here, and see plenty of wildlife, too. Click here for our full article about the Sioux Falls location. Click here for our full article about the Rapid City location.
- Badlands National Park
Dale Bohlke/flickr Did you know that Badlands National Park is one of the best places in the state to see thousands of stars? Stargazing here is truly a magical experience. Click here for our full article.
- Big Sioux Recreation Area, Brandon
Big Sioux Recreation Area/Facebook You’ll find plenty to keep you busy at the Big Sioux Recreation Area. Hike the Prairie Vista Trail, fish or canoe in the Big Sioux River, practice your archery skills and more. Click here for our full article.
- Little Devil’s Tower, near Sylvan Lake
Sydney Daane/Alltrails For a fun hike with panoramic views, take the Little Devil’s Tower trail in the Black Hills. It’s 3.8 miles out and back, and along the way you’ll enjoy incredible scenery. Click here for our full article.
- Bear Country, Rapid City
Management/Tripadvisor See bears and other wildlife up close at Bear Country in Rapid City. You’ll take a tour along a three-mile long road that lets you get up close and personal with 20 North American species. Click here for our full article.
- DeSmet
Erika K./Tripadvisor The little town of DeSmet is the perfect place to spend a day this spring. Take a tour of the historic sites that were important places to Laura Ingalls Wilder during her life, and visit the Ingall’s Homestead. Click here for our full article.
- Mount Rushmore National Monument And The Presidential Trail, Keystone
Víctor C/Tripadvisor Visit Mount Rushmore soon, before tourists make this popular monument a crowded, noisy place. For some great views of the monument, take a stroll along the Presidential Trail - it’s just .6 miles long. Click here for our full article.
What’s your favorite place to go in the spring? Tell us in the comments!
McCrory Gardens/Facebook
McCrory Gardens comes to life in the springtime, and you definitely don’t want to miss TuliPalooza, when thousands of tulips cover the landscape in bright hues. Click here for our full article.
Mark Samson/Google
The Crazy Horse Memorial isn’t finished, but it’s still magnificent. While you’re visiting, make sure to enjoy a meal at Laughing Water Restaurant, which offers some tasty South Dakota fare with an amazing view. Click here for our full article.
Lake Louise Recreation Area/Facebook
The Lake Louise Recreation Area is seriously underrated, and the beautiful lake is just one of many recreation opportunities here. In addition to fishing and boating, you’ll also enjoy a basketball court, playground, volleyball court, plenty of shady trees, and a nice campground. Click here for our full article.
Custer State Park
One day at Custer State Park is never enough, so you’ll want to plan an overnight stay. The adorable cabins at Blue Bell Lodge are available in different sizes to meet your needs. Click here for our full article.
The Outdoor Campus/Facebook
Visit The Outdoor Campus locations to get excited about spring and summer. The two campuses are managed by the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, and admission is free. You’ll learn a host of outdoor skills here, and see plenty of wildlife, too. Click here for our full article about the Sioux Falls location. Click here for our full article about the Rapid City location.
Dale Bohlke/flickr
Did you know that Badlands National Park is one of the best places in the state to see thousands of stars? Stargazing here is truly a magical experience. Click here for our full article.
Big Sioux Recreation Area/Facebook
You’ll find plenty to keep you busy at the Big Sioux Recreation Area. Hike the Prairie Vista Trail, fish or canoe in the Big Sioux River, practice your archery skills and more. Click here for our full article.
Sydney Daane/Alltrails
For a fun hike with panoramic views, take the Little Devil’s Tower trail in the Black Hills. It’s 3.8 miles out and back, and along the way you’ll enjoy incredible scenery. Click here for our full article.
Management/Tripadvisor
See bears and other wildlife up close at Bear Country in Rapid City. You’ll take a tour along a three-mile long road that lets you get up close and personal with 20 North American species. Click here for our full article.
Erika K./Tripadvisor
The little town of DeSmet is the perfect place to spend a day this spring. Take a tour of the historic sites that were important places to Laura Ingalls Wilder during her life, and visit the Ingall’s Homestead. Click here for our full article.
Víctor C/Tripadvisor
Visit Mount Rushmore soon, before tourists make this popular monument a crowded, noisy place. For some great views of the monument, take a stroll along the Presidential Trail - it’s just .6 miles long. Click here for our full article.
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