South Dakota Travel Guide: What NOT To Do
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit South Dakota. While many travel blogs will tell you the fun things to see in South Dakota, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do on your South Dakota trip. With tips for visiting Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, and other parts of South Dakota, you’ll be ready to hit the road and visit South Dakota this summer!
Don’t Miss Both Sides of the Missouri River
The Missouri River splits the state of South Dakota into East and West. Each half has a different landscape and culture than the other, so they are both worth exploring. The eastern part of South Dakota more closely resembles the Midwest States with rolling prairies and farms, while the western part of South Dakota is edging close to the Rocky Mountains, so you have more hills and canyons. There are also two time zones in South Dakota, so make sure you pay attention to which time zone you are in!
Don’t Forget Your Wallet When You Visit Wall Drug
If you drive across South Dakota, you’ll see signs for miles, luring you to visit Wall Drug. They tease you with billboards for free ice water, but you’ll inevitably end up spending money while you’re there. They have tons of great souvenirs, not to mention tasty treats to fuel up for the rest of your South Dakota road trip.
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Don’t Miss the Corn Palace
Another great roadside attraction in South Dakota is the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. The palace walls are lined with murals made of corn, hence the name “Corn Palace.” They change the murals each year, so even if you’ve visited before, it’s fun to stop again and see the new murals.
Don’t Assume Both Dakotas are the Same
A lot of people tend to lump together North Dakota and South Dakota. They really are very different states. They both have a lot to offer, but in terms of tourism, there are definitely more tourist attractions in South Dakota. If you are driving cross-country and deciding which route to take, I recommend South Dakota, because there are a lot of cool places to stop along the way.
Don’t Plan 60 Miles to Take 60 Minutes
When planning a road trip through South Dakota and the Black Hills especially, allow more time for driving than you think you’ll need. Some of the roads are narrow and winding, and you’re going to want to pull off the road in many places to take in the beauty of the Black Hills. Give yourself extra time when driving through the Black Hills.
Don’t Plan to Stay in One Area
The Black Hills region is made up of lots of smaller towns and areas and you’ll want to explore them all. It’s best to choose a central location and take lots of day trips because the Black Hills attractions are fairly spread out. Each town has a few attractions, but not enough to fill your entire trip. If you’re traveling with kids, I don’t recommend Deadwood as your base because it is a lot of bars and casinos. It’s more of a fun day trip from Keystone, Custer, or Rapid City.
Don’t Think Deadwood and Sturgis are Just for Bikers
Sturgis is famous for the annual motorcycle rally held each summer. The festivities also spill over into nearby Deadwood and throughout the Black Hills, but those towns aren’t just for bikers. They’re actually great little towns in the Black Hills, and really fun to visit. You might avoid the few weeks in August during the Sturgis Rally, but any other time, you should definitely check out these towns in the Black Hills. If you decide to visit the Black Hills in August, be prepared for crowds and higher prices, and make sure you book your lodging far in advance.
Don’t Mind the Gambling
Gambling is a popular pastime in South Dakota and the South Dakota casinos draw tourists from all over. Especially in Deadwood, it seems like every other shop on the block is a casino. Don’t be fooled by the Wild West storefronts; inside you’ll find slot machines galore! You must be 21 or older to gamble in South Dakota.
Don’t Expect Haute Cuisine
When you visit the Black Hills, expect to find a lot of steak houses and fast-food-type restaurants. Along with a lot of bars, you’ll find lots of bar food. The food is great, but it’s really more meat-and-potatoes cuisine rather than anything unique or innovative.
Don’t Expect Easy Parking
If you visit the Black Hills in the summer, you will be competing for parking spots with lots of other travelers. Even at your accommodation, parking might not be included. If you are renting a home or apartment through Airbnb or VRBO, make sure you ask about parking before you make a reservation.
Don’t Trust the Weather Forecast
It’s possible to have all four seasons in one day in South Dakota. South Dakota weather is all over the place, with cold winters and hot summers, and everything in between, any time of year. Always have a few layers handy when you’re traveling around South Dakota as the weather can change quickly!
Don’t Just Visit Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is definitely South Dakota’s most famous landmark, but that’s not all there is to see in South Dakota. You shouldn’t miss out on Mount Rushmore, but make sure you also visit Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument, Badlands National Park, or any other cool South Dakota attractions.
Don’t Expect Free Parking at Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is a National Memorial, so your Parks Pass will grant you access to the memorial itself, but the parking is not free and not covered by your park’s pass. When you park your car, make sure you bring the ticket along so you can pay at the pay station before returning to your car. All the parking lots are pretty much the same, so don’t worry about where you park; just remember where you parked!
Don’t Just Stick to the Main Trail at Mount Rushmore
When you enter the Memorial, you’ll walk down the path lined with flags from each state, and you’ll get some great views of the monument. But there are also hiking trails through the woods around there as well, so you don’t have to stick with the crowds on the main path. Grab a map at the visitor’s center and see what else you can find here.
Don’t Fly Your Drone at Mount Rushmore
Drones are not allowed in or around the memorial. Don’t try to sneak yours in or try to fly it from a nearby parking area. It’s best to leave your drone for this attraction and just enjoy it with your regular camera.
Don’t Skip the Crazy Horse Memorial
No, it’s not finished and probably won’t be in our lifetime. Even halfway finished, it’s incredibly impressive and it is the largest stone carving in the world. If you bring your kids, they can come back in 30 years and see how much it’s changed. Besides the memorial, there’s also a museum, a welcome center, a restaurant, and a gift shop. This is a great educational attraction in the Black Hills where you can learn about the Lakota tribe.
Don’t Expect Everything To Be Open Year-Round
Many businesses in the area are seasonal, so if you visit after Labor Day, you might find some shops and restaurants have closed up for the season. If there’s something you really want to see or do in the Black Hills, make sure you check ahead to see if they close for the winter and if so, when. We missed out on panning for gold because that was a seasonal activity only for the summer.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from planning a trip to South Dakota. We really enjoyed our time there, and hope our South Dakota travel guide helps you plan your family trip to South Dakota! Want more travel tips for the Western US? Check out some of our other blog posts: