{"id":1306460,"date":"2026-10-12T11:44:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T11:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306460"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:57:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:57:46","slug":"south-dakota","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/south-dakota\/","title":{"rendered":"South Dakota"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306307,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-state","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_hu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guide","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"Things to do in South Dakota","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, the eroded peaks of Badlands National Park, bison herds in Custer State Park, Wild West Deadwood, two national park caves and the waterfalls of Sioux Falls.","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"1307975","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"See the main towns | #cities\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_state_stats":"1,300+ | Bison in Custer State Park","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"Badlands, bison and the Black Hills","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"South Dakota is split by the Missouri River into two very different halves. The east is farmland and lakes, with Sioux Falls, the biggest city. The west is the Wild West: open grassland, the strange eroded landscapes of the Badlands and the pine-covered mountains of the Black Hills, sacred to the Lakota people.\r\n\r\nMost visitors come for the Black Hills, where Mount Rushmore's four presidents are carved into granite and the Crazy Horse Memorial is still being carved nearby. Custer State Park has one of the largest public bison herds in the world, and its scenic drives, the Needles Highway and the Wildlife Loop, are spectacular. Wind Cave and Jewel Cave are among the longest caves in the world. Just east, Badlands National Park is a maze of colourful ridges, spires and canyons.\r\n\r\nDeadwood, a gold rush town where Wild Bill Hickok was shot, is now full of saloons and casinos. Give the Black Hills and Badlands four or five days, by car. Late May to September is the main season; early August brings the huge Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.","hw_hub_state_facts":"Main airports | Rapid City and Sioux Falls\r\nTime zones | Mountain west, Central east\r\nSales tax | 4.2%, plus local\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants\r\nGetting around | A car is essential\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nMount Rushmore | Free entry, paid parking\r\nHow long to stay | Four to five days\r\nBest months | June to September","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"Regions of South Dakota","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"The Black Hills and Badlands in the west, the Missouri River in the centre, and Sioux Falls in the east.","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"6","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_state_areas":"Black Hills | Rushmore, Custer, caves | Pine-covered mountains, granite spires and bison. | 43.8791 | -103.4591 | \nBadlands | Eroded ridges, prairie | Badlands National Park and Wall. | 43.8554 | -102.3397 | \nNorthern Hills | Deadwood, Spearfish | Gold rush towns and canyon waterfalls. | 44.3767 | -103.7296 | \nMissouri River | Lakes, the capital | Pierre and the big river lakes. | 44.3683 | -100.3510 | \nEastern South Dakota | Sioux Falls, farmland | The biggest city and the Corn Palace. | 43.5446 | -96.7311 | ","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"Things to do in South Dakota","hw_hub_state_do_body":"See Mount Rushmore, ideally at the evening lighting ceremony in summer, and visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. In Custer State Park, drive the Needles Highway through granite spires and tunnels, and the Wildlife Loop to see bison, pronghorn and the begging burros. Hike to Black Elk Peak, the highest point in the state.\r\n\r\nDrive the Badlands Loop Road through Badlands National Park and walk the Notch and Door trails, then stop at Wall Drug, a famous roadside shop. Take a cave tour at Wind Cave National Park or Jewel Cave National Monument.\r\n\r\nWalk the saloon-lined Main Street of Deadwood, drive Spearfish Canyon to its waterfalls, and see the falls at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. In Mitchell, the Corn Palace is decorated with murals made from corn.","hw_hub_state_do_points":"Mount Rushmore | Evening lighting in summer\r\nBadlands | Ridges and spires\r\nCuster State Park | Bison and the Needles Highway\r\nDeadwood | A Wild West town","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_state_do_more":"All things to do in South Dakota","hw_hub_state_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_state_free_body":"Mount Rushmore has no entry fee, though parking costs money. Wind Cave National Park is free to enter, with charges only for cave tours. Falls Park in Sioux Falls and the Corn Palace are free.\r\n\r\nDeadwood's Main Street and Spearfish Canyon cost nothing to explore.\r\n\r\nBadlands National Park and Custer State Park charge entry.","hw_hub_state_free_points":"Mount Rushmore | No entry fee, paid parking\r\nWind Cave | Free entry, paid tours\r\nFalls Park | Free, Sioux Falls\r\nCorn Palace | Free","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_state_free_more":"All free things to do in South Dakota","hw_hub_state_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_state_food_body":"Try chislic, cubes of grilled or fried meat on skewers, the state's signature snack, and kuchen, a custard cake brought by German-Russian settlers and now the state dessert. Bison burgers are on menus across the Black Hills, and Indian tacos are made on fry bread.\r\n\r\nRapid City and Sioux Falls have the best choice of restaurants and breweries.\r\n\r\nTip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.","hw_hub_state_food_points":"Chislic | Meat cubes on skewers\r\nKuchen | The state dessert\r\nBison burgers | In the Black Hills\r\nIndian tacos | On fry bread","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_state_food_more":"All food guides for South Dakota","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"Deadwood has saloons and casinos, open late. Rapid City has bars and breweries downtown, and Sioux Falls has a lively downtown along Phillips Avenue.\r\n\r\nIn early August, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings huge crowds and concerts.\r\n\r\nBars close at 2am.","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"Deadwood | Saloons and casinos\r\nRapid City | Bars and breweries\r\nSturgis Rally | Early August\r\nClosing time | 2am","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for South Dakota","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"Rapid City Regional Airport is the gateway to the Black Hills and Badlands, and Sioux Falls serves the east. There are no passenger trains.\r\n\r\nA car is essential. The Black Hills roads are winding, with narrow tunnels on the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, so check vehicle size limits.\r\n\r\nWestern South Dakota is on Mountain Time and the east on Central Time.","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"Rapid City airport | For the Black Hills\r\nCar | Essential\r\nNeedles Highway | Narrow tunnels\r\nTime zones | Mountain west, Central east","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"All transport guides for South Dakota","hw_hub_state_money_title":"What South Dakota costs","hw_hub_state_money_body":"South Dakota is good value, but accommodation in the Black Hills fills up and gets expensive in summer, and prices rise sharply during the Sturgis Rally in August.\r\n\r\nState sales tax is 4.2 per cent, plus local taxes. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.\r\n\r\nBadlands, Custer State Park and the cave tours charge fees; Mount Rushmore charges for parking.","hw_hub_state_money_points":"Value | Good, outside August\r\nSales tax | 4.2%, plus local\r\nSturgis Rally | Prices soar\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_state_money_more":"All budget guides for South Dakota","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"South Dakota is very safe; the risks are outdoors. Keep your distance from bison, which are fast and unpredictable, and never approach them on foot.\r\n\r\nIn the Badlands, carry plenty of water, as summers are very hot with little shade, and watch for rattlesnakes. Thunderstorms and hail are common on summer afternoons.\r\n\r\nWinters are cold, with blizzards on the plains. In an emergency, call 911.","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nBison | Keep your distance\r\nBadlands | Heat and rattlesnakes\r\nStorms | Summer afternoons","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"All safety guides for South Dakota","hw_hub_state_layout":"cities","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"Rapid City or Deadwood for the Black Hills and Badlands, and Sioux Falls for the east.","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"1","hw_hub_state_cities":"Rapid City |  | The gateway to the Black Hills and Badlands. | City of Presidents statues; Mount Rushmore nearby; Badlands nearby | 1308030\nDeadwood |  | A historic gold rush town of saloons and casinos. | Main Street; Mount Moriah Cemetery; Spearfish Canyon nearby | 1306646\nSioux Falls |  | The biggest city, built around waterfalls. | Falls Park; Phillips Avenue; SculptureWalk | 1306647","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"Late May to September is the main season, with all roads and sights open. September is quieter, with the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. Early August is busy with the Sturgis Rally. Winter is cold and many places close.","hw_hub_state_season_note":"Average highs for Rapid City, rounded.","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"January | 2 | 1 | Cold\r\nFebruary | 4 | 1 | Cold\r\nMarch | 9 | 1 | Cool\r\nApril | 14 | 2 | Spring\r\nMay | 20 | 3 | Season begins\r\nJune | 26 | 5 | Summer\r\nJuly | 30 | 5 | Peak season\r\nAugust | 30 | 4 | Sturgis Rally\r\nSeptember | 24 | 5 | Buffalo Roundup\r\nOctober | 16 | 3 | Autumn\r\nNovember | 8 | 1 | Quiet\r\nDecember | 2 | 1 | Cold","hw_hub_state_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"Motorcycles, bison and powwows.","hw_hub_state_events_source":"manual","hw_hub_state_events_count":"8","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_state_events":"Sturgis Motorcycle Rally | Early August | Sturgis | One of the biggest motorcycle rallies in the world. |  | \nBuffalo Roundup | Late September | Custer State Park | Cowboys drive the bison herd across the prairie. |  | \nBlack Hills Powwow | October | Rapid City | A big gathering of Native American dance and music. |  | \nMount Rushmore evening lighting | Late May to September | Mount Rushmore | A nightly ceremony lighting the sculpture. |  | ","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on summer prices in the Black Hills.","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Park fees and car hire cost extra.","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 50 | 25 | 25 | 15\r\nMiddle of the road | 110 | 50 | 45 | 40\r\nComfortable | 220 | 90 | 65 | 70","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"$","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in and around South Dakota, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in the USA","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"South Dakota questions","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_state_faqs":"Is Mount Rushmore free? | Entry is free, but parking costs money.\r\nHow many days do you need in the Black Hills and Badlands? | Four or five days.\r\nWhen is the Sturgis Rally? | In early August. Book well ahead or avoid the area that week.\r\nWhere can I see bison in South Dakota? | On the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park, and in Badlands and Wind Cave national parks.\r\nDo I need a car in South Dakota? | Yes. There is almost no public transport.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit? | June to September, with September quieter.\r\nWhich airport is best for Mount Rushmore? | Rapid City, around 40 minutes away.","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"Compare hostels across the Midwest and the Rockies: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in the USA | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. No filler.","hw_hub_state_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_state_hub_term":"south-dakota","hw_hub_state_country_slug":"usa","hw_hub_state_parent_hub":"north-america\/usa","hw_hub_state_currency":"USD","hw_hub_state_scope_rows":"1"},"class_list":["post-1306460","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>South Dakota Travel Guide: Rushmore and Badlands<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Plan a trip to South Dakota: Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park bison, Deadwood, the Sturgis Rally and Sioux Falls.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/south-dakota\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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