Holiday homes & rentals in South Dakota

South Dakota holiday accommodation takes the form of lakefront cottages, wilderness cabins, city bungalows, and chic apartments.

When to visit South Dakota

With four distinct seasons, there's plenty to do at every time of year in South Dakota - it just depends whether you prefer sun or snow activities. Although the weather is typically sunny, breezy, and fair, South Dakota can experience extreme fluctuations. Due to a semi-arid continental climate, summer temperatures can reach over 100°F, while winter temperatures often drop below zero.

What to do on your holiday in South Dakota

Seasons should be taken into account when you visit South Dakota. For vacationers who prefer a white winter, Great Bear Recreation Area near Sioux Falls is perfect for frosty activities. Snow tubing, snowboarding, and skiing are just some of the active pursuits available at Great Bear during the winter. For the remainder of the year, guests can hike, fish, and explore acres of wilderness.

Those visitors who enjoy snowmobiling, ice climbing, and ice fishing should head to the Rapid City, Spearfish, or Sundance areas.

No matter the time of year, the most famous place to visit in South Dakota is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Larger than life, the carved faces of four U.S. presidents (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt) gaze out at you from the rock. Mornings typically bring the best light for optimal views.

Consider basing yourself in Deadwood if you wish to visit the Black Hills. This town offers casinos, live entertainment, and fine dining. You might explore Custer State Park, considered one of the nation’s top ten state parks. Here, you can catch a glimpse of mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and bison. Activities include fly-fishing, hiking, and rock-climbing.

Drive northeast in the state to see prairies and glacial lakes such as Lake Thompson. Enjoy plenty of outdoor adventures here, including camping, fishing, and biking. In the central part of South Dakota, you’ll find the Missouri River region. With more than 3,000 miles of shoreline, it provides excellent fishing, kayaking, sailing, and swimming.

Events to check out during your South Dakota holiday

South Dakota offers visitors an opportunity to connect with the past, and one way to do this is through the annual Buffalo Roundup. Held in September at Custer State Park, wranglers corral more than 1,300 bison.

Four days in August brings car enthusiasts together in Deadwood. Concerts, a classic car competition, and hot-rod races are some of the events. For those visitors wanting to taste a bit of the West, head to Vermillion for Ribs, Rods & Rock n’ Roll. This annual State Barbeque Cook-off draws a crowd for a two-day event in September.

Many towns in South Dakota hold parades for major holidays. However, Sioux Falls has one of the best. The annual Parade of Lights in November features dazzling displays of lights and elaborately decorated floats.

Discover the wild outdoors in South Dakota

Mount Rushmore

Covering 1,278.45 acres, this memorial park features astounding 60-foot sculptures of four former American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the hypnotic Black Hills of South Dakota.

Badlands National Park

Ravaged by the elements over time, the park houses America's largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie. Watch out for the light-footed sabre-toothed cats that hide in the buttes canyons, and pinnacles.

Crazy Horse Memorial

Under construction, the memorial will feature a statue of the Native American war leader Crazy Horse, riding a horse and pointing into the distance. It will be the world's largest mountain carving once completed.

Custer State Park

This state park beckons for its scenic drives, historic sites, clean lakes (such as Sylvan), and camp grounds. You'll be able to interract with animals too.

Reptile Gardens

There's everything here from giant tortoises, insects, alligators, birds of prey and over 50,000 flowers. The alligator show is a winner.

Frequently Asked Questions