South Dakota Road Trip with Kids (The ULTIMATE

I brought my younger brothers on this South Dakota road trip. This was a big feat for me because I HATE driving. I love road trips, but I love being the passenger (thanks to my husband). Getting over my fear was definitely worth it because South Dakota is the perfect road trip to make with kids (or without!)

It’s another one of those states that people tend to overlook or drive through, but there is SO much to do and very affordable prices! So whether you have kids with you or not, here are 10 activities that all can enjoy on your next South Dakota Road Trip with kids.

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Table of Contents

When to visit?

South Dakota is a midwestern state which leads to all the crazy weather. If looking for comfortable temperatures, no snow, and smaller crowds, the best time to visit would be May, June and September.

Average Temperatures (Rapid City, SD):

Summer (June-August): 82/59 Fahrenheit
Fall (September-October): 67/45 Fahrenheit
Winter (November-February): 40/20 Fahrenheit
Spring (March-May): 56/34 Fahrenheit

Rapid City, South Dakota averages 18 inches of rain and 38 inches of snow (more than the US average).

Before your South Dakota Road Trip…

Be sure to pack your bags, snacks, and activities to keep the kids busy on the road! Check out this packing list/road trip planner for all the best tips and grab the activity book below to help entertain the back seat drivers!

Once you are prepared and ready to go, get ready for the road trip of a lifetime and check out the best things to see below!

Where to stay?

I have included recommendations based on where we stayed throughout this post. You can also check out Airbnb for more unique ideas on your South Dakota Road Trip!

Stops to make on your South Dakota Road Trip with Kids:

*** I completed this South Dakota Road trip from Minnesota. All the stops below are listed in order (from east to west). There are also recommendations of where to stay included throughout.

1. Corn Palace

We spent our first night in Mitchell, SD. It was basically just a stopping point to sleep, but we had a hard time avoiding the 5,000 billboards advertising the Corn Palace.

Because it was real close to our hotel (and free admission), we decided to stop by. It was cool to see, but definitely not a highlight of the trip. We were in and out within 20 minutes. But now we can see we have seen the “World’s Only Corn Palace”.

Cost: Free

Hours:

Winter/Spring/Fall: Mon-Saturday 8 am- 5 pm
Summer: 8am- 9pm
Closed on all major Holidays

Other Corn Palace Information: Public Tours are given throughout the summer, or you are welcome to explore at your own pace. There is a concession stand, gift store, and restrooms on site.

2. Feed the Prairie Dogs

feeding prairie dogs badlands national park, south dakota

After leaving Mitchell, we drove 3 hours to get to the Badlands. At the entrance of the Badlands, you can stop at a The Badlands Ranch Store and purchase peanuts (for one dollar) to feed the prairie dogs right outside the shop.

Although the prairie dogs were not too interested in the food, it was cool to see them peeking out of their burrows. Some did take the peanuts right out of our fingers! A great pit stop on your way into the badlands.

Cost: 1 dollar per bag of food

3. Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park overlook, South Dakota

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Badlands. I have been to many national parks, but this one seems like a different planet. It is busy, but you can walk in any direction you choose and find some peace and quiet. Be careful though, everything does look alike and it would be very easy to get lost.

The kids loved climbing the hills and finding new overlooks and holes to hide it. Make sure to have a good pair of hiking shoes with good traction because the ground is very slippery.

After many hours exploring, hiking, and climbing the hills, we found a spot for a picnic and headed on our way. A South Dakota road trip would not be complete without a stop at the Badlands!

hiking trail at Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Badlands National Park Quick Facts:

Admission Fee: 30 dollars per car
Address: 25216 Ben Reifel Road Interior, SD 57750
Visitor Center Hours: 9am-4pm (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day)
Where to eat? Cedar Pass Lodge is the only option (near the Visitors Center), or make sure to pack a picnic. We also ate dinner at Wall Drug (see stop 4).
Hiking? There are 8 official trails in the Badlands National Park ranging from .25 miles to 10 miles.
Other Things to do: Visit the Fossil Preparation Lab, Tour the museum exhibits in the Visitor’s Center, attend a Badlands Ranger Program. Get more information HERE.

4. Wall Drug

Again, if you have ever driven through South Dakota, I am sure you have seen the 5,000 billboards advertising Wall D rug.

Once you exit the Badlands National Park, it is only about a 10-minute drive.

It is basically a huge building with many different gift stores, a restaurant, and some games. We ate dinner here, shopped a bit, and then headed to our hotel.

Address: 510 Main Street • PO Box 401Wall, SD • 57790-0401
Hours: Mall Shops- 8:30-6:30, Cafe: 8:00-6:15

5. “Downtown” Keystone

After having dinner, we drove 1 hour to Keystone and checked into our hotel.

In the spirit of being flexible, I didn’t book the hotel until we arrived, but we ended up getting lucky and finding a great spot near “downtown” Keystone. (If interested, the hotel was Baymont by Wyndham and I booked through HotelsCombined..You could even see Mount Rushmore from the parking lot!).

We walked right down the hill to explore and grab a snack. There were gift shops, candy shops, and several ice cream parlors. It was the cutest little “downtown”.

We got some ice cream, shopped a bit, and headed back for a swim at the hotel.

Downtown Keystone, South Dakota near Baymont by Wyndham and Mount Rushmore

6. Big Thunder Gold Mine

Big Thunder Gold Mine, Keystone South Dakota

I saw a billboard for this when we were exploring downtown Keystone so I knew I wanted to try it.

I checked Groupon, and they had a great coupon for the mine tour and gold panning.

We arrived and checked in for our tour. The guide was great and gave us a very interesting history of South Dakota. The tour is very accessible for all, but it is a bit chilly and dark.

We explored inside the gold mine and then we were given a tutorial of how to pan for gold (and what they did after they found some). The kids then were given a pan and a small glass bottle to save the gold that they found from panning.

If you are feeling extra adventurous (or have extra time to spare) Big Thunder Gold Mine also offers a true gold pan in the Black Hills Wilderness (full and half day tours available).

Big Thunder Gold Mine Quick Facts:

Full priced Admission: Tour: $11.95 + $10.00 for gold panning
Hours: June-August- 8am- 8 pm, April and October- 9am-5pm, May and Septemeber- 9am-6pm
Address: 604 Blair Street, Keystone, SD 57751

7. Cosmos Mystery Area

Cosmos Mystery Area, South Dakota Road Trip

Another Groupon find 🙂 This place was awesome and I still can’t figure it out! Basically an outdoor museum of illusions, but you will have to experience the strangeness for yourself!

After the tour, the kids spent time “searching” for geodes and then cracked it on-site!

leaning at Cosmos inside a crooked house

Cosmos Mystery Area Quick Facts

Price: Adults-11 dollars Children- 6 dollars (full price)
Hours: May-October 9am-5pm
Address: 24040 Cosmos Road, Rapid City, SD 57702 605-343-9802

8. Watiki Water Park

Watiki Water Park, South Dakota Road Trip

Would it be a true kid-friendly road trip without a stop at an awesome waterpark?

I love water parks and this was no exception. Watiki water park has over 30,000 square feet of swimming and slides. There are hotels nearby, but we drove from Keystone for the night (30 minutes). We spent 5 hours swimming and playing in the arcade.

Watiki Water Park Quick Facts:

Summer Admission: $20 per person (Twilight deal)
Summer Hours: 8am- 10pm (Sundays close at 9)
Offseason Months: September 8, 2020- May 27, 2021
Physical Address: 1314 North Elk Vale Road, Rapid City, SD 57703

9. Mount Rushmore

kids sitting on ledge looking at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota

You can’t go to South Dakota without stopping to see Mount Rush more. There is no entrance fee, but you do have to pay 10 dollars for parking. We took the short trail around the park which brought us closer views of the Presidents and to a cave to have a unique viewpoint.

Mount Rushmore Quick Facts:

Cost: 10 dollars
Visitor Center Hours: 8am-5pm
Physical Address: 13000 Highway 244 Keystone, SD 57751
Pet Friendly? Only Service Dogs

10. Bear Country USA

Bear Country USA, stop along South Dakota Road Trip

My husband and I had stopped here 8 years ago on our first South Dakota road trip. I knew I wanted to return this trip.

Bear Country USA is a drive-through wildlife park where you can see bears, wolves, and other animals from the comfort of your car. After you finish the drive-through, you get to get out of your car to see the babies!

Bear Country USA Quick Facts

Admission: Adult-$18.00 child- $12.00
Hours: 9am-5pm (closing time changes by season)
Physical Address: 13820 S. Highway 16 – Rapid City, SD 57702

Bonus MN Stop: Minnesota’s Largest Candy Shop

Minnesota's Largest Candy Store sign with kids

If you are starting your South Dakota Road trip from Northern Minnesota or Wisconsin, make sure to stop at Minnesota’s Largest Candy store in Jordan, MN, and stock up on candy!

Bucket List for my Next South Dakota Road Trip:

Like I said earlier, there is SO much to do on South Dakota road trip. We didn’t have nearly enough time to see it all. Here is what I would like to do/see next time:)