8 Coolest South Dakota Towns For A Summer Vacation In 2025

While nearly three million people visit Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse in the Black Hills mountains each year, there is so much more to discover in the towns of South Dakota. Even Hollywood certainly finds South Dakota cool. Films such as “Dances with Wolves” and “How the West was Won” are based on the state, as well as many other Wild West epics that recognize the state's magnificent landscape. In this list, you’ll find ways to explore this cinematic state from every angle imaginable. From deep in the earth in Jewel Cave, to high above it in a hot air balloon tour over the Black Hills, keep reading to plan a cool vacation full of authentic opportunities and rich history.

Mitchell

Corn murals and ancient artifacts are only a couple of things that make this Midwest town so special. Start your journey through the cool quirks of Mitchell at the Corn Palace. The palace is one of South Dakota’s rare gems, being the only corn-decorated structure in the country. Part crop and part castle, this is the perfect place to stop for photos. This small town also has the only archaeological site open to the public. The Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village is used to study and appreciate the life of the town’s original inhabitants from 1,100 years ago.

The village allows patrons to look through earthen lodges, admire a bison skeleton, and much more. Visitors are even welcome to help sort artifacts excavated from the site. Finally, visit the museum that puts ‘art’ in ‘artifact’, the Dakota Discovery Museum. The displays tell the story of South Dakota and the people who have lived in and nurtured the land for centuries.

Deadwood

Explore Deadwood's fascinating past, which is full of gold and grit, through interactive museums. The history of the Black Hills is preserved in the walls of the Adams Museum, a museum founded by a pioneer in 1930. The displays are packed with Western legend, from gold nuggets from the hills to plesiosaur recreations, with interactive games sprinkled throughout. Sink further into the gold rush era at the Days of '76 Museum. Wagons, carriages, and archives of clothing take visitors back to ‘76, when the hills of South Dakota were full of gold and the pioneers were full of hope.

While gold mining forged a bustling economy, citizens of Deadwood had another booming business that they still honor today- the town's brothel. You can visit a recreation of the brothel that thrived in the community from 1876 to 1980. Brothel rooms are made to be historically accurate, with period furnishings that capture the lives of employees and customers alike.

Spearfish

To truly delve into Spearfish, discover its history through interactive exhibits at the High Plains Western Heritage Center. The displays showcase the town and state's culturally and economically important past, highlighting the pioneers and western legends that forged the land into what we know today. To explore the natural land, before it was forged by anyone, voyage through a gorge enveloped by natural 1000-foot walls at Spearfish Canyon. Waterfalls ‘Spearfish Falls’, ‘Roughlock Falls’, and ‘Bridal Veil Falls’ (the most accessible of the three) cascade along a gorge that is more ancient than the Grand Canyon. After the landscape and history of Spearfish amaze you, let the locals do the same at Matthews Opera House & Arts Center. The space hosts exhibits, concerts, festivals, and other performances. ​

Custer

Custer is home to one of the world's longest caves. Jewel Cave National Monument has over 220 miles of passages winding through the earth. While taking a guided tour through this cave, you will find chambers full of crystals, stalactites, cave popcorn, flowstone, and more natural geographical wonders. From deep within the ground to high above it, take a hot air balloon tour over the Black Hills to fly over valleys, prairies, lakes, and mountains just miles from Mount Rushmore. Return to land at Custer State Park, which spans 71,000 acres of the Black Hills. Elk roam these acres, as well as herds of Bison. Rustic lodges dot the vast wild plains, offering a rare opportunity to wake up to the sun setting over granite hills and rolling plains. Spend the day kayaking or fishing in mountain-fed water, or hiking through trails in the wilderness.

Hill City

See the beautiful small town of Hill City from the belly of a vintage steam train. The 1880 Train follows the original tracks laid down in the late 1880s to service Hill City’s mines. Now, the track hosts 20-mile narrated tours of the area on steam-powered locomotives, one of which is a century old. Even older are the fossils and minerals at the Museum at Black Hills Institute. Through the investigations of the Black Hills, new species have been discovered, as well as a new fossil family. For pizza and locally crafted brews, go to Sick N Twisted Micro Brewery. With over 100 beers on tap and batches made in-house with local ingredients, this brewery is a great spot for having fun and getting to know locals.

Vermillion

Vermillion has spiritual significance while gaining national acclaim through its impressive musical collection. Start your exploration by visiting the museum that the New York Times calls the “Musical Smithsonian”. The National Music Museum’s collection of historic instruments spans five centuries. The instruments derive from various cultures, all with their own unique sound and purpose. While music is packed with spirit, more of it can be found in Vermillion’s beautiful landscapes.

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie has a lot more to offer than beautiful views. The ancient grounds burst with life in many forms, from colorful floral sprouts to legendary spirits that roam the hill according to Sioux, Omaha, and Otoe legend. Finally, make a toast to the founding family of South Dakota wine at Valiant Winery & Distillery. South Dakota’s first winery has been in operation since 1996, enhancing spirits with delicious local flavors. To mix spirited fun and relaxation, book a room at the vineyard, which offers wine tastings in the evening and a homemade breakfast in the morning.

Brookings

The small town of Brookings welcomes all who seek vibrancy and creativity. McCrory Gardens bursts with blooms of 100s of varieties of flowers, attracting butterflies and human visitors alike to its beautiful grounds. The arboretum houses native plants for research purposes on cultivating and domesticating South Dakota’s stubborn shrubs. To see even more colorful nature that makes the state so unique, go to the South Dakota Art Museum, where seven galleries cycle through exhibits of contemporary art. The canvases depict landscapes and the lives of locals, shown in different shades and mediums. Travelers of all ages looking for engaging fun can find it at the Children's Museum of South Dakota. The sensory-focused museum uses imagination and play to teach visitors about farming, agriculture, and the environment through hands-on learning.

Yankton

Those who visit Yankton get to experience the true beauty and power of nature. Explore some of this beauty in parks such as the Lewis & Clark Recreation Area, one of the most popular resort parks in the state. From sandy shores to towering trees, this park’s various landscapes make it a beloved destination for both hiking and lounging. Rustic cottages and cabins welcome adventurers who want to wake in the wild and spend the day walking along the lake’s edge. While by the Missouri River, you’ll have the chance to admire Gavin's Point Dam. The Dam, which is a mile and a half long, is more than a magnificent sight; it also gives visitors a chance to learn about hydroelectric power generation. Bird watchers love visiting the reservoir bellow the damn, where rare water fowl and marsh birds frequently visit.

Go from witnessing the power of Yankton to feeling it by throwing axes and engaging in exciting sports simulations at The Boat House, a family-owned establishment with an atmosphere of child-like wonder and fun for any age. Along with games and simulators, the Boat House has a taproom that offers pints of delicious brews with flavors that range from toasted and nutty to fruity and spicy.

South Dakota has written its story in history with shimmering gold. While holding space for this prominent past, the towns on this list embrace new and cool innovations while honoring the sacred grounds upon which they thrive. Play digital simulation games in Yankton, walk alongside spirits in Vermillion, or look through ancient artistic relics in Spearfish. No matter what you choose, South Dakota has so many cool experiences for an unforgettable summer vacation in 2025.