Five Amazing Day Trips: South Dakota

The midwestern state of South Dakota is well known for the unique geological formations and beautiful landscapes of Badlands National Park, the impressive Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and the scenic drives and wildlife viewing throughout Custer State Park. South Dakota is a great place to explore Native American culture with museums, stores, and points of interest dotted across each of its travel regions. The state park system maintains thousands of acres for hiking, biking, fishing, and sightseeing opportunities throughout the year, along with unique lodging and camping for overnight adventures. From the prairies to the black hills, there is something for everyone to enjoy while exploring and uncovering the many hidden gems across the state. Our day trips start in Sioux Falls and highlight many of the great destinations across the picturesque eastern and central travel regions.

Here are five great day trips across The Mount Rushmore state:

De Smet (Small Town Experiences)

Affectionately known as “The Little Town on the Prairie,” De Smet is located 100 miles northwest of Sioux Falls and was once the hometown of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Today, a visit to this midwestern small town allows visitors to experience authentic pioneer heritage and culture while enjoying the wide-open spaces of the prairie and historic downtown. This day trip takes you to the Ingalls Homestead, preserving a collection of over 2,000 original artifacts and managed by the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society. The open-air museum is a unique destination that tells the stories and showcases life on the prairie, specifically as it relates to the Ingalls Family. Some of the highlights will surely be the covered wagon ride and tour of the one-room school house. Many of the activities are geared towards children, including trying on the fashionable prairie clothing of the period, making corn cob dolls, and braiding a jump rope from twine. Next year (2021) will be the 50th anniversary of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant, taking place on select dates from July 9th -25th at the Theater on the Prairie.

Mitchell (Roadside Attractions / Landmark)

A short one-hour drive west of Sioux Falls is the town of Mitchell and the famous roadside landmark, The World’s Only Corn Palace. It’s probably not too surprising that this is the only corn palace in the world; however, most people don’t know the palace hosts a wide range of indoor events, including local sports and concerts. During the summer months, guided tours of the Moorish revival building are available and provide an “a-maize-ing” amount of information about the attraction. Plan your trip for late August and attend the Corn Palace Festival, a celebration of the annual redecoration of the crop art murals. The festival also features nationally recognized entertainment, unique competitions, and carnival rides, as well as food and specialty vendors.

Vermillion (Museums & Attractions)

An hour’s drive south of Sioux Falls on the Missouri River is the town of Vermillion, home to the University of South Dakota. The town is a great place to spend the day outdoors in its many parks and vibrant downtown district. Our day trip is to the to The University of South Dakota’s National Music Museum, named a “A Landmark of American Music.” The museum will reopen in 2021, after completing an expansive renovation to display the collection of over 15,000 American, European, and non-Western instruments at this world-class institution. From harmonicas and electric banjos to pipe organs and mechanical instruments, there is no shortage of interesting and historic artifacts to see during your visit. You might not expect to find the National Music Museum in South Dakota, but we highly recommend visiting to see this unbelievable collection of unique and finely crafted instruments.

Watertown (Museums & Attractions)

A pleasant 100-mile scenic drive north or Sioux Falls, the small city of Watertown offers visitors a wide range of year-round activities. During the summer months, the area’s rivers and lakes are the main attraction, while the vibrant downtown is always popular for its unique stores and local restaurants. This day trip is to one of the best wildlife art museums in the United States, the award-winning Redlin Art Center, featuring oil paintings by Terry Redlin. The extensive collection of over 150 works of art is presented across the museum’s galleries, which also include original sketches and drawings and the Comforts of Home exhibit, a recreation of the artist’s lakeside cabin featured in the similarly titled painting. After spending a few hours in the museum, take a casual walk along the trails that meander through Conservation Park. Redlin designed the 30-acre park, placing bridges and gazebos for everyone to enjoy while visiting the museum.

Yankton (Parks & Recreation)

Nicknamed “The River City,” Yankton is located about 80 miles southeast of Sioux Falls and was the first capitol of the Dakota Territory. Visit Riverside Park to see a modern replica of the Dakota Territorial Capitol building. Yankton and the surrounding area is also a great place to explore Native American heritage. This day trip takes you to the nearby Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area, the second most visited state park in the South Dakota system. The main attraction is the 25-mile-long Lewis and Clark Lake with over 90 miles of shoreline and plenty of outdoor activities, from hiking to frisbee golf, to keep you busy. To get on the lake, simply visit the Lewis and Clark Resort, which also has a waterfront restaurant and cabin rentals. The recreation area is one of the most popular camping destinations in southeastern South Dakota— spend a few days with the family on the shores of this beautiful lake.

**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states have travel restrictions and attractions may be temporarily closed or have limited hours. We direct you to their websites for updates and add them to your list for future travels!