Tripadvisor
1 / 29#29. Black Hills National Forest
- Rating: 4.8/5 (917 reviews)
- City: Custer South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Highest-rated things to do in South Dakota by visitors
When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.
If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.
Indeed, even if you've lived in South Dakota your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for South Dakota reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in South Dakota using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 15, 2025.
Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in South Dakota, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.
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Tripadvisor
2 / 29#28. Dignity of Earth and Sky
- Rating: 4.9/5 (421 reviews)
- City: Chamberlain South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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3 / 29#27. Adams House
- Rating: 4.6/5 (526 reviews)
- City: Deadwood South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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4 / 29#26. Mount Moriah Cemetery
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,881 reviews)
- City: Deadwood South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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5 / 29#25. Wind Cave National Park
- Rating: 4.4/5 (774 reviews)
- City: Wind Cave National Park South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
6 / 29#24. Cosmos Mystery Area
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1,158 reviews)
- City: Rapid City South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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7 / 29#23. Downtown Rapid City
- Rating: 4.4/5 (2,348 reviews)
- City: Rapid City South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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8 / 29#22. Chapel in the Hills
- Rating: 4.6/5 (700 reviews)
- City: Rapid City South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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9 / 29#21. Big Thunder Gold Mine
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,308 reviews)
- City: Keystone South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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10 / 29#20. Needles Eye
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,744 reviews)
- City: Custer South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
11 / 29#19. Corn Palace
- Rating: 3.7/5 (2,456 reviews)
- City: Mitchell South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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12 / 29#18. Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
- Rating: 4.7/5 (985 reviews)
- City: Spearfish South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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13 / 29#17. Bear Country USA
- Rating: 4.4/5 (4,353 reviews)
- City: Rapid City South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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14 / 29#16. Badlands National Park
- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,026 reviews)
- City: Rapid City South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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15 / 29#15. Jewel Cave National Monument
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,464 reviews)
- City: Custer South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
16 / 29#14. Spearfish Canyon
- Rating: 4.8/5 (846 reviews)
- City: Spearfish South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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17 / 29#13. The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,830 reviews)
- City: Hot Springs South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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18 / 29#12. 1880 Train/Black Hills Central Railroad
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1,685 reviews)
- City: Hill City South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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19 / 29#11. Loop Road
- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,996 reviews)
- City: Badlands National Park South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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20 / 29#10. Wall Drug
- Rating: 3.7/5 (4,311 reviews)
- City: Wall South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
21 / 29#9. Reptile Gardens
- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,366 reviews)
- City: Rapid City South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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22 / 29#8. Iron Mountain Road
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,739 reviews)
- City: Custer South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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23 / 29#7. Rushmore Tramway Adventures
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,752 reviews)
- City: Keystone South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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24 / 29#6. Wildlife Loop Road
- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,782 reviews)
- City: Custer South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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25 / 29#5. Crazy Horse Memorial
- Rating: 3.9/5 (5,607 reviews)
- City: Crazy Horse South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
26 / 29#4. Sylvan Lake
- Rating: 4.8/5 (2,020 reviews)
- City: Custer South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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27 / 29#3. Falls Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,460 reviews)
- City: Sioux Falls South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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28 / 29#2. Custer State Park
- Rating: 4.8/5 (6,303 reviews)
- City: Custer South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
29 / 29#1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Rating: 4.7/5 (12,061 reviews)
- City: Keystone South
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
