11 Out Of This World Summer Day Trips To Take In South Dakota

One thing about the lazy days of summer is that they tend to slip away from us pretty fast. How many fun trips in South Dakota have you taken so far this season? If the answer is, "Not nearly enough," you should add a few of these day trips to your calendar! Here are 11 of the best day trips in South Dakota that you'll want to do ASAP:

1. Have some adventures and makes some memories at Rushmore Tramway Adventures.

This amazing adventure park in Keystone, South Dakota has an alpine slide, chairlift, tramway, zipline, aerial park and more to keep you entertained all day. There's something for every member of the family here.

2. Splash in the Devil's Bathtub

You'll find the Devil's Bathtub in Spearfish Canyon. It's just a short half-mile hike to this pretty pool and waterfall, and before you reach the pool, you can take a slide down the natural waterslides - slick rocky chutes that will cool you right off!

3. Be a kid again at the Children's Museum of South Dakota.

The Children's Museum of South Dakota in Brookings is the perfect place to spend a hot summer day. Play and learn at the interactive exhibits, and enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch.

4. Spend the day playing at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area.

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area is located in the eastern portion of the state, near Sioux Falls. There's plenty to keep you busy here all day long - from swimming and beach lounging to paddle boarding and hiking.

5. Hop aboard the 1880 Train.

If you love trains, history or the beauty of the Black Hills National Forest, this is a train trip in South Dakota you don't want to miss. Hop aboard at either Hill City or Keystone, then enjoy a scenic ride, complete with a narrated history.

6. Step back in time at Prairie Homestead.

Head to the town of Phillip for a day of fun and history. Prairie Homestead features a restored sod home, chicken coop, outhouse, farm implements and farm animals. Get a feel for what it must have been like to be an original settler here.

7. Hike, fish, picnic and practice your archery skills at Hartford Beach State Park.

Hartford Beach State Park is up in the northeast corner of the state, and you'll fall in love with it as soon as you discover it. The park is nestled on the banks of Big Stone Lake, and it offers plenty of recreation opportunities for the entire day.

8. Take a drive along the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park

The 18-mile-long Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park is a drive everyone should take during the summer. You'll enjoy incredible scenery and see tons of wildlife, including bison, pronghorn, deer, prairie dogs and more.

9. Lace up your hiking boots and tackle Bear Butte.

Bear Butte stands 1,253 feet above the prairie, and it's a truly gorgeous hike to reach the top. The 3.1-mile trail is steep and will take some effort, but it's definitely worth your while. This sacred place is stunning.

10. Bask in South Dakota's natural beauty at Big Sioux Recreation Area.

Big Sioux Recreation Area is just east of Sioux Falls. Visit for a day of canoeing and disc golf. Enjoy several hiking trails, including a special archery trail and another trail that takes you over a cool suspension bridge.

11. Slip, slide, and splash at Watiki Waterpark.

You'll avoid sunburn while swimming and splashing at this gigantic indoor waterpark in Rapid City. Watiki Waterpark has waterslides, a lazy river, pools, hot tubs, and plenty of fountains to get you soaked.

Which of these places have you visited already this year? Tell us about your summer trips in the comments!