Posted in South Dakota Hiking, Nature June 13, 2022 by Catherine Armstrong

11 Amazing South Dakota Hikes Under 3 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love

You can easily spend all day hiking the beautiful trails in South Dakota, but sometimes you want to reach your destination in just an hour or two. Some of the best hikes in South Dakota are less than three miles long. They pack so much beauty in that you just might want to do more than one in a day!

2. Brule Bottom Trail: Union Grove State Park

3. Stockade Lake Trail: Custer State Park

9. Prairie Vista Trail: Big Sioux Recreation Area

11. Cliff Shelf Nature Trail: Badlands National Park

What’s your favorite hiking trail in South Dakota? What do you think are the best hikes in South Dakota? Let us know in the comments!

Address: Bear Butte State Park Drive, Bear Butte State Park Dr, Southwest Meade, SD 57788, USA

Address: Union Grove State Park, 1215 220th St, Gladbrook, IA 50635, USA

Address: Custer State Park Spur, Custer, SD 57730, USA

Address: Spearfish Canyon, North Lawrence, SD 57783, USA

Address: Devils Bathtub Trailhead, 1917 Spearfish Canyon Hwy, Lead, SD 57754, USA

Address: Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA

Address: Custer State Park, 13438 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730, USA

Address: Falling Rock Road, Falling Rock Rd, South Dakota 57702, USA

Address: Big Sioux State Recreation Area, 410 W Park St, Brandon, SD 57005, USA

Address: Presidential Trail, Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57751, USA

Address: Cliff Shelf Nature Trailhead, SD-240, Interior, SD 57750, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in South Dakota

June 18, 2022

Danielle Schwartz

Can I hike to historical sites in South Dakota?

Yes, there is a fantastic place to hike to historical sites in South Dakota. If you’re a history buff, you should definitely make your way to the Mount Roosevelt Memorial Tower in Deadwood, known by many as the “Friendship Tower.” The sweet story is that Seth Bullock built the tower in memory of his friend Teddy Roosevelt following the President’s death. You can even climb the stairs to the top of the tower and have a gorgeous view of the whole surrounding area.

What are the best waterfall hikes in South Dakota?

Our state is known for its stunning natural environment and its many wonderful features. One of our favorite things to do in the warm months is to hike to waterfalls. If you’re looking for the best waterfall hikes in South Dakota, you’re in luck. We’ve compiled a list of the most enchanting water features for you to enjoy. If you’re near Hot Springs, check out Cascade Falls for a lovely break from city life. You can go swimming here too! Spearfish Falls is a truly striking waterfall, at 47 feet tall! This hike is not too long either, so it’s the perfect easy day trip.

What is the best wildflower hike in South Dakota?

When the weather warms up and everything is blooming, you will be so glad you know about one of the best wildflower hikes in South Dakota, Harney Peak, which is also known as Black Elk Peak. It’s not the easiest hike in the state, but you will know it’s worth it when you see the colorful flower popping up all around you and enjoy the panoramic views from the mountain.