26 Essential South Dakota Experiences To Plan for 2026

South Dakota is an exciting and all-too-underrated place that's just waiting for the adventurous sorts out there to discover it. It’s scenic and worthy of love: There are countless amazing small towns, unique eateries, natural wonders, incredible stays, and more to look forward to. I’ve compiled a list of 26 things I plan to do in South Dakota in 2026. How many will I get to? I suppose we’ll see.

Some of these are stays, some are hikes, some are parks—you’ll see. One thing is for certain, though: By the time you’re through this list, you’ll be aching to get out and explore the incredible state of South Dakota in 2026. How many of these have you already done? Which ones will you do before the end of the year?

1. Take in the Awe-Inspiring Views on the Cathedral Spires Trail 

The legendary Cathedral Spires Trail is hidden within Custer State Park and certainly counts as “short and sweet,” coming in at just 1.7 miles in length. Perhaps obviously, it offers unique views of the Cathedral Spires, a fascinating and photogenic geological formation thought to be a couple of billion years old. The trail is open year-round and is a perfect example of how majestic South Dakota is. If you love hiking and want to take your game up a notch, check out AllTrails Plus—it's wonderful, and I don't know how I hiked before I got it.

2. Enjoy a Homestyle Meal at Leo’s Good Food in Redfield 

Redfield is one of those places that isn’t known for much other than being the “Pheasant Capital of the World.” I think this is at least a little unfair; it’s also the home of Leo’s Good Food, and like I’ve said before, it’s appropriately named. This little mom-and-pop joint serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it features a menu of some of the best comfort foods you’ll ever enjoy. It’s one of my favorite little places in the entire state, and I’m confident it’ll become yours, too.  

3. Spend the Weekend at the Castle in the Sky 

I can’t say enough amazing things about this absolutely incredible vacation home in South Dakota. Overlooking Rapid City on a jaw-dropping hill with utterly awesome views, this stunning home is everything you could ever hope for in a weekend escape. It’s not enormous, sleeping up to three guests in one bedroom, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in pizazz. It’s elegant and cozy, and I think you’ll daydream about returning from the moment you leave.  

4. Enjoy the Great Outdoors in the Winter 

Okay, let’s be real here for a second: winter in South Dakota can be positively frigid. All too many folks see this as a reason to hunker down indoors for the entire season, but I think this is madness; South Dakota is a winter wonderland, and I can prove it. There are hundreds of amazing things to do here when everything’s covered in snow, from winter festivals to skiing, snowshoeing, winter hikes, winter/holiday markets, and SO much more. I might argue that wintertime in South Dakota is the most vibrant time of year: there are a million ways to enjoy it. 

5. Explore Sioux Falls, One of the Happiest Cities in the USA 

Fun fact: Sioux Falls has been called one of the happiest cities in the United States—and more than once! I’m inclined to agree. It’s ridiculously charming, offering seemingly endless things to do, and thanks to low crime rates, great cost of living, and friendly residents, it truly is an awesome place to call home. It’s also wonderful to visit—the perfect city for a weekend trip (or longer). Come to Sioux Falls and "fall" in love—I sure did.  

6. Spend a Weekend in Rapid City at the Hotel Alex Johnson

I’m not sure what my favorite part of this hotel is: the incredible, elegant vibe, the modern feel, the unique rooms, or maybe the sparkling city views; no matter what, though, I can’t wait to get to Rapid City, one of my favorite places in South Dakota, and when I do, you know I’ll be staying at the Hotel Alex Johnson. Oh, and did I mention there’s a rooftop terrace? Because there’s a rooftop terrace. 

7. Enjoy a Delightful Day Trip 

Oh, man. South Dakota is an awesome place for those who enjoy a good old-fashioned day trip. The possibilities are endless, with hundreds of small towns, museums, state parks, and other ideas for the perfect destination. No matter what time of year it is or where in the state you can be found, day trips in South Dakota are always a great idea.

8. Explore the Badlands

Did you know that you can get a magic pass that you only pay for once, allowing you to access tons of state and national parks all over the state? You sure can. I typically grab my America the Beautiful Pass from the AllTrails Gear Shop, and then I’m set. All those day trips and road trips I’m talking about here? If you plan on doing more than one, you should absolutely consider getting yourself a pass for 2026. It pays for itself quickly. The national parks of South Dakota are waiting—will you answer their call?

9. Bathe in Fall Colors at Spearfish Falls 

If summer in South Dakota wasn’t quite your thing, perhaps fall will be. Autumn in South Dakota is my other favorite season, thanks to all the foliage in this beautiful state exploding in fiery color as the seasons shift from summer into fall. Is it just me, or do all the colors that burst before the snow flies a special shade of brilliant? Every year, I love to do a fall foliage road trip in South Dakota, bringing my cameras along for the ride—and Spearfish Falls is one of my favorite stops. To say it’s “jaw dropping” is to understate things a bit. You won’t regret trying it out for a moment.  

10. Check Out One of South Dakota’s Biggest Bookstores 

Rapid City happens to be home to one of the largest discount bookstores in the entire state. Aptly named Everybody’s Bookstore, this book lover's paradise truly has something for everyone. With some 55,000 used books within its bounds, you’ll likely find yourself walking out of this literary haven with a stack of great reads, even if you only intended to buy one or two.

11. Step Into a Fairy Tale on Roughlock Falls Trail 

Hidden away in the town of Lead is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in South Dakota. Known as Roughlock Falls, the hike to reach it has nothing rough about it. It’s nice and easy, and at just under two miles in length, it feels like stepping into a fairy tale more than hiking somewhere in the upper Midwest. Roughlock Falls is one of the most photographed places in the Black Hills; it is astonishingly beautiful, and I can’t wait to experience it again.  

12. Embark Upon an Epic Road Trip  

If you thought South Dakota was awesome for day trips, wait ‘til you take a road trip! South Dakota is an adventurous person’s dream come true, so nobody ought to be surprised that it’s got a bastion of options for road trips as well. Whether you want to be out and about for one day, two days, five days, or more, this little state has you covered. I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet; I can make almost anything a road trip. How about a South Dakota waterfalls road trip? Perhaps I’ll do a ghost town road trip. Which of these would you do? The possibilities are only as limited as your list of ideas.  

13. Go Back in Time at the Historic Bullock Hotel 

Often credited as one of the most haunted places in South Dakota, the old Bullock Hotel opened in 1896. Today, 28 rooms are still in their original settings and decor, and 35 have been updated to something more elegant and modern. I love old-school, historic places, and staying at the Historic Bullock Hotel is the closest I’ll ever get to traveling back in time. I prefer the charm and chic of the vintage rooms, but your mileage may vary.  

14. Ride the Oktoberfest Express in Hill City 

Every autumn, the 1880 Train in Hill City, South Dakota, launches its annual Oktoberfest Express, and when I say it’s magical, I mean it’s magical. What’s more amazing than a train ride through a forest of fiery fall colors? Just about nothing. The train departs in late September, and lederhosen are strongly recommended. Hill City is just about the best place to spend autumn in South Dakota.  

15. Dip My Toes in Some Swimming Holes 

Outside of hot air balloons, my favorite part of summer in South Dakota is all the swimming holes I love to frequent. There are still a few weeks to enjoy a dip, and I always love it where the water is cool and clear, very clean, with all the refreshing properties you could hope for in a favorite swim spot. Some of my all-time favorite swimming holes in South Dakota include Legion Lake in Custer, the Angostura Reservoir in Hot Springs, Sheridan Lake in Rapid City, and many others. Which one will you pick? I plan on doing as many as I can before it gets too cold.  

16. Admire the Views at The Shady Beach Grille in Corona 

Who says you can’t have dinner with a view in the Midwest? You and I certainly know this isn’t true; there are numerous places where you can enjoy dinner with a view, and one of my favorite spots is Shady Beach waterside restaurant in Corona. With year-round patio dining and awesome floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll be taken aback by the views, whether you dine indoors or out. Come see why Big Stone Lake might be home to the best beachfront restaurant in the entire Midwest.  

17. Ponder the Past at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site 

South Dakota is an old state, so to speak, and as a result, it’s filled with history. One of the most fascinating historical sites in South Dakota is the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, which stands as an eerie relic of tense days during the Cold War. Back in those days, several secret sites were nestled around the plains, including the one housed here: the enormous Minuteman Missile. I will tour this one, and I highly recommend doing a tour yourself!  

18. Enjoy a Day Trip in Dell Rapids 

I love small towns. Luckily for me—and anyone who loves small towns—South Dakota is home to many. Dell Rapids is easily one of my favorites, with plenty of things to do and see in town. The town boasts a population of about 4,000 people, and while you’re here, you feel as if you’ve been here your whole life. Folks are friendly here, and you’ll discover an assortment of eateries and shops you’ll never find anywhere else. If you’re anything like me, you, too, might just never want to leave.  

19. Stay in a Super Unique Airbnb

South Dakota is filled with stunning accommodations, but this renovated grain bin in Lake Andes seems truly one-of-a-kind. Tucked away on a working farm, this relaxing retreat provides plenty of peace to help you recharge between boating, fishing, or kayaking at a nearby beach.

20. Stand in Complete Awe at Bridal Veil Falls 

There are so many things I could say about Bridal Veil Falls; it’s 60 feet tall and utterly incredible. It’s truly majestic, and I can’t express enough just how storybook it is. With multiple tiers and a jungle-like paradise surrounding it, you cannot possibly go wrong. I cannot recommend this incredible natural wonder in South Dakota enough.  

21. Get My Mind Blown at the Cosmos Mystery Area  

Have you ever been to a place that just doesn’t make any sense? If you don’t know what I mean by that, then probably not—it's time to change that. Check out the bizarre and fun Cosmos Mystery Area, where gravity seems asleep, and physics forgets how to do its job. Delight in strange visual illusions you can even get on camera—it's a blast, and I can’t wait to go again.  

22. ‘Fall’ in Love With Autumn at Sica Hollow State Park 

Sica Hollow State Park is one of my favorite state parks in South Dakota. It’s gorgeous, offering out-of-this-world views of the landscape unlike any others you’ll find in the state. In the fall, it’s particularly magical; the trees come ablaze with incredible color, offering the same splendid views as always but with an autumnal twist. Wander the park in wonder? I think yes. Wander in the park in wonder at the colors? Definitely!  

23. Meander to Each of the Most Haunted Places in South Dakota 

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, everyone can get a bit of a thrill from visiting eerie, spooky places that make the skin crawl for parts unknown. Why not do a road trip leading us to all the creepiest places in South Dakota? Investigate haunted cemeteries, spooky bridges, abandoned ghost towns, and more—if you dare. Come discover why South Dakota might be the spookiest state in the U.S.  

24. Pick My Jaw up off the Floor at Jewel Cave 

I don’t know about you, but for me, caves are astonishing. Jewel Cave is a place that seems like something straight out of a fantasy novel, not the Midwest. Oh, and it just so happens to be one of the longest caves in the world. More than 220 miles of this cave have been mapped out, and mapping isn’t even done yet. There are miles of this cave that have never been explored before—but perhaps, someday, they will be. For now, though, we’ll just settle for a tour.  

25. Camp at Easton Castle

Not many are aware that South Dakota has its very own castle. Known as Easton Castle, or O-te-la Castle, this legendary structure is believed by some to have inspired parts of L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. Nestled in Aberdeen, South Dakota, this 1880s-era Queen Anne Victorian is a true delight to behold. Even better, you can camp on the castle grounds, reveling in the forested surroundings of this hidden gem.

26. Fall Madly in Love with the Farm Island Recreation Area

Last but not least, I want to show off another incredible hiking trail in South Dakota. It’s short, easy, and scenic, no matter what time of year you show up. I personally love the winter wonderland version of the hike, but in the spring, summer, and fall, it’s amazing in all its own ways. Exploring South Dakota is magic, and hiking is the best way to experience it.  

So, there you have them: 26 incredible things to do in 2026. South Dakota is an amazing state filled with amazing things to do and see, and I think you’ll fall madly in love with it if you do even just a few of these ideas. Whether you’re a nature lover, a city slicker, a country kid, or anyone else at heart, you're sure to adore the stunning state of South Dakota in all its gorgeous glory. What would you add to this list? Tell us about it by filling out our nomination form.

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