South Dakota is an ever-popular destination for family travelers thanks to its practically endless adventure. There are so many family favorites that one trip will barely scratch the surface, so to help you plan your next trip to the 40th state, we’ve created a list to give you a little inspiration.
Mount Rushmore
This iconic national monument in Custer State Park is the grandaddy of American family road trips. No visit to South Dakota would be complete without a ride through the park to see the imposing sculpture on the side of a mountain overlooking the Black Hills.
Jewel Cave National Monument
Located within Custer State Park, the Jewel Cave system is one of the longest in the world. There are a variety of tours available, including the family-friendly Historic Lantern Tour that lets you explore a portion of the colorful cave system the way it was done in the 1930s.
The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary
This 11,000-acre sanctuary is devoted to giving wild Mustangs the freedom to roam to their hearts’ content. You will likely see some wild horses on the way to the visitor’s center, but to explore the sanctuary you’ll need to schedule a guided tour, available for a fee with advanced reservations through Sept. 30.
Badlands National Park
This natural wonder is worth the drive to see the incredible geologic deposits that make up one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Whether hiking or just driving through, a visit to the Badlands is a day well-spent sharing this impressive combination of wildlife and natural history with the family.
Minuteman Missile National Historical Site
This interesting site in Phillip is not too far from Badlands. A Plexiglass covering lets you see a deactivated missile, one of 1,000 once kept here, hidden in plain sight in case the military needed to call them into action. The site offers a glimpse into our country’s military history and an epic lesson for the whole family in the importance of peace.
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