South Dakota - January 28, 2025

25 Adventures for 2025

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Places to Go Free Travel Guide Great 8

GREAT PLACES TO GO

A new year means 365 chances for monumental adventures. Let’s get started.

25 THINGS TO DO

How many of these adventures can you fit into one action-packed year?

DISCOVER HIDDEN GEMS

Our Great Finds Passport is a crash course into everything you never knew your trip needed. Next stop: anyone’s guess!

SHRED THE POW

Who doesn’t love a snow day? Check out the best places for adrenaline-inducing winter fun.

BACKPACK IN THE BADLANDS

Pack up and unplug with this rugged backcountry guide.

LOAD UP THE KIDS

Waterslides, wildlife and educational adventures await on a family-friendly spring break. No, you won't find this on the year-end test.

DIG IN

South Dakota's culinary scene has been shaped by Indigenous people, immigrants, farmers, hunters ... and even church-basement ladies. Take a four-course road trip to meet some of the talented people making South Dakota so delicious.

FLOAT ON

Follow the path of Lewis & Clark along 59 miles of the Missouri River National Recreation River. Northwest Passage not included.

EXPLORE OUR UNDERGROUND SCENE

Looking for low-profile exploring? Head down to Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park for subterranean fun.

LOOK TO THE SKIES

The further you get from city lights, the closer you get to other worlds. Peep the best places for dark sky stargazing.

RETRACE THE REVENANT

The 2016 film “The Revenant” brought the epic story of Hugh Glass, frontiersman and bear attack survivor, to the world. But what you might not know about the film is the real events took place in South Dakota.

ENJOY AMERICAN WORKS OF ART

Terry Redlin captured iconic American scenes like no one else. Walk through a stately tribute to his collection in his hometown of Watertown.

STRETCH YOUR LEGS

When it comes to classic roadside attractions, you don’t need to look far to find the far out. Check out these kitschy classics (for the ‘gram, of course).

WALK IN THE WOODS

Just south of Canton, Newton Hills State Park is a forested gem on the plains of eastern SoDak. Highlights: hiking, camping, horseback riding, hammock naps.

WET YOUR WHISTLE

Something about local brews just taste better. See which South Dakota breweries cracked our cold ones list.

LOOK CRAZY HORSE IN THE EYES

Join the spring or fall volksmarch for a trip to the tip of Crazy Horse’s outstretched arm. Learn more about this Black Hills tradition, along with a few other facts that might surprise you.

APPRECIATE UPCYCLED ART

One man’s scrap metal is another man’s inspiration. You can find the Western-themed sculptures of local legend John Lopez in every corner of the state.

WATCH YOUR BOBBER

See what makes South Dakota’s lakes and rivers a great place to cast a line, any time of the year.

SAMPLE THE STATE NOSH

Skewered meat never tasted so good. Discover the phenomenon that is “chislic” – along with more South Dakota favorites.

SOAK IN THE SCENERY

The geothermal waters of Hot Springs make for a super warm welcome, and the perfect spot to chill out.

STOMP YOUR BOOTS

Aberdeen knows how to throw one heck of a party. Get your fill of corndogs and country music at this fan favorite.

GO "ALL IN"

Today’s Deadwood might have more laws than it did in 1876, but it’s no less exciting.

HIT THE TRAIL

Let’s play bikes! Find your kind of trail at riding hubs across the state.

CHASE WATERFALLS

Follow along with this photo journal for a trip through Spearfish Canyon, complete with misty waterfalls, babbling creeks and the off chance of mountain goat sightings.

HIT THE ROAD

Soak up the solitude on an epic winter road trip.

DECK THE HALLS

Every holiday season, nearly 100 decked-out trees transform the South Dakota State Capitol into an enchanting winter wonderland.

TREK THROUGH A WINTER WONDERLAND

Step one: see the frozen falls. Step two: warm up with some hot chocolate. It’s a simple recipe, but a holiday favorite.

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