Top Bucket List Things To Do During Your South Dakota Assignment
One of the biggest pros of venturing into a travel healthcare career is the ability to work wherever your heart desires. If you crave the mountains, you might land an assignment in Colorado or Washington, or if you love the ocean, you may travel to California or Hawaii. From big cities to small towns, the adventures are endless!
Now, you might be thinking “Why would I want to travel to South Dakota?” We get it – when people think of the Midwest, they often picture flat land and cornfields. But we’re here to show you that South Dakota is full of hidden gems that are well worth the visit. We’ve already covered top things to do in Wisconsin and Indiana, now let’s dive into the top bucket list things to do during your South Dakota travel assignment!
1 – Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, SD
You can’t have a blog on things to do in South Dakota without mentioning Mount Rushmore. Nestled within the beauty of the Black Hills, this iconic sculpture features 60-foot-tall carvings of four United States presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Designed by Gutzon Borglum and completed with the help from his son Lincoln, the memorial honors what Borglum saw as pivotal figures in U.S. history.
While you probably can’t spend a whole day at the memorial, there is a short hike that takes you around the monument for some different views, as well as a Visitor’s Center and Sculptor’s Studio to learn more about the history and making of Mount Rushmore!
2 – Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Wildlife Loop Road, Custer, SD
Located in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is definitely one of the most stunning state parks in the Midwest. This area has over 60 trails for walking, hiking, and exploring nature. A few popular hikes include Little Devil’s Tower, Black Elk Peak Loop, Cathedral Spires Trail, and Sunday Gulch Trail. All provide stunning views of the famous Needles which are tall, jagged, rock formations throughout the area (pretty cool for boring Midwest, huh?).
Not one for hiking? How about a car ride through Needles Highway? This scenic highway is 14-miles long and known for its winding roads, narrow tunnels (we’re talking one car at a time), and stunning views of the Needles. There are a few places you can stop along the way to take in sites and read about the history of the highway.
Lastly, did you know that Custer State Park is home to nearly 1,300 bison? If your assignment happens to be in or near the area, we highly recommend checking out Wildlife Loop Road! This 18-mile, U-shaped highway is home to many wildlife (hence the name) such as deer, elk, coyotes, prairie dogs, pronghorn, and you guessed it, bison. For the best chances at spotting bison, visit during sunrise or sunset, especially in the summer, since it tends to get too hot for the animals to come out during the day.
3 – Badlands National Park
Believe it or not, South Dakota has not only one, but two national parks! Badlands National Park is one of the more underrated parks in the United States, but there’s still lots to explore and learn in this historical park. One of the most interesting facts about the Badlands is that it contains one of the world’s richest fossil beds. From mammoths to saber-toothed cats, and even Native American artifacts. It’s said that the Badlands used to be hunting grounds for mammoths, and later used as hiding grounds for Native Americans since the area was deemed “Badlands” for being hard to traverse through.
When visiting Badlands, there are a few entrances to get you into the park. The South entrance is the more popular one as it’s right off the highway and close to most of the popular hikes. The North entrance is closer to the Keystone/Rapid City area; however, this area is part of an Indian reservation so the road may be closed to travelers. Once in the park, you can park your car and wander around on the boarded walkways or explore a few of the hikes that take you further into the Badlands such as The Notch Trail which contains a wooden ladder to get into the crevasses. If the weather is too hot, you can also drive along the Badlands Loop Road which is a 39-mile scenic byway through the park with several stops overlooking the gorgeous scenery.
4 – Wall Drug, Wall, SD
While Wall Drug may be one of the world’s biggest tourist traps with what feels like hundreds of billboards along I-90, it’s definitely worth visiting and experiencing. Not only is it an actual drug store, but it’s almost like its own village. Founded in 1931, Wall Drug has a lot to offer, from dining, activities for the whole family, shopping, and visitor information.
Inside Wall Drug there’s a mall area with shops featuring souvenirs, handcrafted regional specialty items, cowboy/cowgirl boots, and jewelry. You’ll also find in their Backyard area the Mining Company rock shop, Shooting Gallery Arcade & Little Britches Toy Emporium, and Prairie Parlor. They also have a Pharmacy Museum featuring a replica of how Wall Drug looked back in 1931. Their restaurant is famous for their homemade donuts, hot beef sandwiches, and 5-cent coffee! Once you finish there, head on over to the Soda Fountain Ice Cream Shop for homemade ice cream floats and sundaes.
You and your family and friends could spend hours here exploring all the different shops and activities. Plus, Wall Drug is only 8 miles from Badlands if you want to hit both on the same day. Don’t forget to snap a pic on top of their famous Jackalope statue when you go!
5 – Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, SD
Photo Credit: Global National Parks
Did you know that South Dakota not only has two National Parks, but also two caves? While in this blog we’ll discuss Wind Cave National Park, there’s also another cave in Custer, SD called Jewel Cave National Monument. You can easily visit both caves in one trip if you’re in the area as they’re only about 30 miles apart!
Established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, Wind Cave National Park is the sixth national park in the U.S. and the first cave to be deemed a national park in the world. Wind Cave received its name because of its ability to “breathe” as air continually moves into or out of the cave, equalizing the atmospheric pressure of the cave and outside air. Wind Cave is also known for its honeycomb-patterned, calcite formations known as boxwork! It’s also the sixth longest cave in the world at 168.02 miles, and the third longest cave in the U.S. behind Jewel Cave, which is more than 208 miles long.
If planning to visit Wind Cave National Park, it’s recommended to book a tour ahead of time. The only way to view the cave is through a guided tour. Otherwise, there are hikes around the area you can do to view wildlife like bison and prairie dogs while you wait for the next tour to become available.
6 – The World’s Only Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD
Photo Credit: Jaye Travel Blog
So, we may have joked about the Midwest only being known for corn, but trust us, you haven’t experienced corn like this. And yes, we do have an entire palace dedicated to corn (Hey Alexa, play the “It’s Corn” song). The World’s Only Corn Palace has been bringing in visitors for over 100 years. Every year the palace is redecorated with naturally colored corn, grains, and native grasses, making it “the agricultural showplace of the world.” During the day, tourists can go inside the palace to view artwork and pick up souvenirs. In the evening, the palace typically hosts concerts, basketball games, dances, meetings, banquets, and even local proms. The World’s Only Corn Palace is right off the highway if you’re looking for a quick stop! Be sure to take a selfie with the six-foot-tall ear of corn named Cornelius.
7 – Falls Park, Sioux Falls, SD
Photo Credit: Travel South Dakota
If your travel assignment is in or around the Sioux Falls area, you must go to Falls Park! Located near downtown, this park is comprised of over 128-acres and one big waterfall (hence the name) along the Big Sioux River. An average of 7,400 gallons of water drops over the 100-foot waterfall each second. The park also has paved pathways for you to walk through for different views of the park. However, the best view is in the five-story observation tower where you’ll get 360-degree views of the park and city skyline. Don’t forget to stop by the visitor center and gift shop to pick up some souvenirs and learn about the history of the park. On your way out, we highly recommend stopping by Mary’s Mountain Cookies for the best gigantic cookies you’ll ever have. They have a ton of flavors to choose from and all of them are fantastic. Trust us, they’re worth it!
8 – Ingalls Homestead, De Smet, SD
Go back to life on the prairie by visiting the Ingalls Homestead – home of the famous author, Laura Ingalls Wilder. According to her book, By the Shores of Silver Lake, her family moved to the De Smet area in 1879. While there, you can explore the land and learn about how life was back in the pioneer days. The Homestead also offers numerous activities for you and your family to do such as covered wagon rides, hay twisting, washing clothes with an old-fashioned washboard, twisting together your own jump rope, making dolls out of corn cobs, or driving a pony cart. It should only take you about two hours to venture through the area and activities, making this spot a perfect area for something quick and relaxing to explore.
9 – The Mammoth Site, Hot Springs, SD
If you’ve always been a fan of paleontology growing up, then you need to visit The Mammoth Site during your next assignment in South Dakota! Known as the world’s largest mammoth research facility, The Mammoth Site is home to over 60 mammoths and at least 87 other Late Ice Age animals that have been unearthed. Today, it is still an active paleontological excavation site where paleontologists are continuing their research and finding more fossils to dig up. The Mammoth Site has a little bit of something for everyone. From self-guided tours through the indoor active dig site to learning about the history of the site. Better yet, The Mammoth Site is open year-round to enjoy during any season!
10 – Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse, SD
If you’re in the Black Hills area, be sure to not only stop by Mount Rushmore, but also Crazy Horse Memorial. Construction on Crazy Horse Memorial began back in 1948, and while the monument is still under construction, there are a few activities you can do around the area. Once the monument is finished, it will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse, riding a horse and pointing to his tribal land. Before visiting the monument, be sure to check out their website to see if any events are happening for you to attend and experience the Native American culture. There is also The Indian Museum of North America for you to view art and artifacts from various Native Nations, as well as learn about their heritage.
Bonus – Devils Tower National Monument, Crook County, WY
Yes, we know this isn’t technically in South Dakota, but if you’re staying near Rapid City, the Devils Tower National Monument is only about an hour and a half drive and worth checking out! This tower is a giant geological feature composed of igneous rock. It is also considered sacred by Northern Plains Indians and indigenous people. There is a lot of history that surrounds this rock which you will learn about if you walk the loop around the monument. If you happen to visit, bring binoculars to see if there are any climbers scaling the rock too! On your way out, be sure to stop by the Prairie Dog area they call home just outside of the rock. There’s also a neat area right outside the park with a general store for souvenirs and quick bites or a cafe if you’d like to stop and have lunch there!
South Dakota may not be the first place that comes to mind for a travel assignment – but once you’re here, you’ll be amazed at how much it has to offer. From breathtaking landscapes and unique attractions to rich history and local flavor, this state is full of surprises. So lace up your hiking boots, charge your camera, and get ready for an adventure you won’t forget!