7 Autumn-Ready South Dakota Towns For A Weekend Retreat
Autumn in South Dakota is a season of timeless beauty. Yes, you can sense winter in the air, but those crisp, clear nights give way to vibrantly colorful days in landscapes awash with autumnal hues. This is the best time of year to take a relaxing, restorative weekend exploring South Dakota’s incredible natural attractions, from the winding Missouri River to the rugged Black Hills. Take a leisurely cruise on a breathtaking scenic byway, say hi to the locals at a small town fall festival, and hike through a dazzling fall forest. South Dakota offers a weekend you will never forget.
Spearfish
Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills region, Spearfish isn’t just a charming small town. It is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Top of that list is Spearfish Canyon, a creek-carved gorge with narrow, 1,000-foot walls on either side. One of the most stunning sights in the canyon is Bridal Veil Falls, a 60-foot cascade with an observation deck that offers incredible autumn views.
See more landscapes bathed in fall colors along the 19-mile Spearfish Canyon State & National Scenic Byway, which runs south from Spearfish to the town of Roughlock Falls and is known as one of the best fall drives in the state with views of limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and forests of spruce, Ponderosa pine, aspen, birch, and more.
Spend the night in comfort while enjoying the great outdoors at the Inn at Spearfish Creek. These creekside, fully furnished cottages are in the heart of town but conveniently located for hiking trails, bike paths, fishing spots, and other area natural attractions. Before leaving Spearfish, learn more about the area’s fascinating history at the High Plains Western Heritage Center, which tells the story of South Dakota’s pioneer, ranching, mining, and forestry traditions.
Huron
Huron, in South Dakota’s glacial lakes and prairies region, is known for a very unusual landmark. Entering the town from the east, you will see its most famous resident, a 28-foot statue of the world’s largest pheasant, a nod to the town’s history of pheasant hunting.
The town’s quirky spirit is very evident in the fall when it hosts the Great Scarecrow Festival, a two-day Halloween-themed party that encourages locals to get creative. This family-friendly festival is held at Campbell Park in mid-October.
Huron can trace its history back to the 1800s, and some of this heritage is on display at the Pyle House Museum. The museum is housed in a 1893 Queen Anne-style Victorian home in the heart of downtown and honours two incredible women. Mamie Pyle was the lead Suffragist in the state and served as President of the Universal Franchise League while her daughter, Gladys Pyle, was the first woman elected to the South Dakota Legislature.
On a beautiful fall day in Huron, there is nothing better than spending a lazy afternoon at the Cornerpost Grapefarm and Winehouse. Sip locally crafted wines while enjoying the views over the vineyard, take a tour, or enjoy a tasting at this charming family-owned winery.
Get the full Huron experience with a stay at Lake’s Lodge on Lake Byron, a cozy hunting lodge where you can book a guided pheasant hunt or simply stay the night in the rustic retreat, which offers modern guestrooms, spacious living areas, and a large outdoor deck overlooking the lake.
Custer
Custer is the gateway town to some of South Dakota’s biggest attractions, including Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. The place to be in the fall, however, is Custer State Park.
This 71,000-acre preserve comes alive with breathtaking colors at this time of year. It is also the home of the annual Buffalo Round-Up, which takes place at the end of September and involves herding around 1,300 buffalo into the park corrals. Even if you miss the round-up, there is still a good chance you will see buffalo in the park and other wild residents, which are more active in the fall. Take the Wildlife Loop Road to see deer, elk, bison, and soaring eagles overhead.
The best sights in Custer aren’t always above ground. The town is also home to the Jewel Cave National Monument, a 220-mile cave network which is one of the longest in the world. Cave access is by guided tour only, and advance reservations are recommended. The park also includes easy to moderate surface hikes, one of which, the Hell Canyon Trail, winds 5.5 miles through the dense Black Hills National Forest.
You will need a base camp while exploring all of Custer’s jaw-dropping scenery. The Shady Rest Motel, run by former park rangers, offers historic pine cabins with all modern conveniences, including a kitchenette, dining area, and private bathrooms.
Sisseton
With easy access to six state parks, historic sites, and recreation areas, Sisseton is a hidden gem town in South Dakota’s northeast that is perfect for an outdoorsy fall weekend.
Just over 30 miles west of town is Fort Sisseton Historic State Park, where you can take a wander around a frontier-era outpost. The park contains the well-preserved remnants of the officers’ quarters, stone barracks, powder magazine, and guard house from the 1864 fort. The park hosts several Halloween events, including ‘Haunted Fort,’ which features ghost stories, hayrides, campfires, a haunted maze, and a scavenger hunt.
Another popular fall activity is walking the tree-lined trails at Sica Hollow State Park. The ten-mile hiking path system meanders through mature forests, past waterfalls, streams and springs, and into scenic prairie grasslands. In autumn, it is known as a leaf-peeping paradise thanks to the abundance of native oak, aspen, maple, and elm trees. Get more photogenic vistas at the Nicollet Tower and Observation Center, which has views of three states from its 75-foot tower.
For a truly rustic experience in Sisseton, stay at Camp Dakota, a full hookup campsite in the heart of the countryside and conveniently located for Sica Hollow State Park and the Nicollet Tower. The park features a basketball court, picnic tables, and fire circles, as well as horseshoe toss, volleyball, hiking, biking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Yankton
A lively college town on the Missouri River, Yankton has hosted many legendary travellers over the years, including the explorers Lewis and Clark. Walk in their footsteps at the beautiful Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area, the second most visited park in the state. The centrepiece of the park is its 25-mile lake, but there are also hiking trails, bike paths, picnic and camping facilities.
Yankton was the first capital of the Dakota Territory, and you can see its history in its fascinating architecture and heritage sites. Visit the 1886 Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home in the historic riverfront district to tour a stunning example of a Queen Anne home, or drop into the Mead Museum for three floors of exhibits housed in a 1909 building. Outside the museum is Heritage Park, where you will find the 1906 Gunderson schoolhouse and the Great Northern Railroad Depot.
The Museum runs Haunted History Tours in October. Another big draw at this time of year is Harvest Halloween, a fall festival held at the end of October which features a cornpit, haybale maze, trick or treating events, games, live music, food vendors, and more.
When Lewis and Clark stayed in Yankton, overnight accommodations were pretty rustic. Enjoy a more modern experience at the Lewis and Clark Resort, which offers 2, 3, and 4-bedroom lakeside cabins in the Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area.
Deadwood
Founded in 1876, it is easy to imagine cowboys and outlaws riding through the streets of Deadwood, a former mining town in the Black Hills. Get the Old West experience with a guided tour from Lawman’s Patrol, a narrated walking tour that takes you around the town’s bars, brothels, and saloons as seen from the perspective of Deadwood’s first lawmen.
If you are in town at the start of October, you may be lucky enough to catch Deadwood’s Oktoberfest celebrations. This legendary party takes over Main Street and features a scavenger hunt with prizes, a German car show, “Wiener Dog Races,” and Beer Barrel Games.
See the stunning fall landscapes of the Black Hills from horseback with Andy’s Trail Rides, a year-round horseback adventure during which you will travel along secluded elk trails through wooded mountain terrain. Bring a camera for the incredible views at the peak.
If you are in Deadwood with your significant other, you may want to book a room at the 1899 Inn. This romantic bed and breakfast is a classic guesthouse in the Presidential District, featuring antique furnishings, grandly decorated suites, and a breakfast service.
Canton
Canton, near the Iowa border, is a small town with a big heart set amid pristine wilderness. The town is a favorite with nature-lovers thanks to nearby Newton Hills State Park, which is ablaze with autumnal colors in fall. Formed by glaciers, the park’s rolling hills are home to over 200 species of birds, along with deer, turkeys, marmots, and other wildlife. The park is open for biking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and camping. You will find more scenic nature walks and idyllic picnic spots closer to town at Chautauqua Park, which overlooks the Big Sioux River.
Newton Hills State Park also hosts Canton’s seasonal celebration, FestiFall, which takes place in early October and features arts and crafts, kids’ games, hay rides, and bluegrass music. There is also a pumpkin decorating contest, pumpkin carving demonstrations, and pumpkin catapulting. Following the festival, visitors are invited to take part in a Candlelight Walk along 2.2 miles of candlelit trails.
The Canton Depot Museum traces the story of the town back to 1879 when the railroad first came to Canton. Built in 1907, the depot used to service as many as 65 trains a day before the last train came through in the 1960s.
A short drive west of Canton is the beautiful Steever House Bed and Breakfast, a restored Queen Anne Victorian home amid the rolling hills of eastern South Dakota. The inn has five guestrooms and two king-sized suites with whirlpool tubs and fireplaces for the ultimate luxurious weekend getaway.
Planning your South Dakota Fall Escape
Peak fall viewing in South Dakota depends on where you are in the state. In general, the colors reach their peak from mid-September to mid-October, but high-elevation areas like the Black Hills experience their prime foliage earlier. If you are visiting a national or state park for fall color viewing, it is best to reserve your park permits and accommodations ahead of time, as these get busy. And bring a jacket — fall temperatures can be on the cooler side, with average daytime highs just below 60°F and lows in the mid-40°F.
The nights might be getting longer and the days cooler, but there is no need to hibernate yet. Hit the road, plan a weekend away, and make memories before winter bites. Celebrate the season in the heart of America with a Midwest getaway packed with adventure, excitement, and autumnal magic.
