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My boyfriend and I are going to plan a trip to South Dakota this summer. I don't know a single thing about this state (except that it is under North Dakota ) and want a little advice from you!
We want to visit Mt. Rushmore. We will be visiting for approximately 4 days. What other tourism spots are worth seeing? I read online about jewel and windy cave and black hills forest?? Anyways, any suggestions to go within a 4 day timetable would be greatly appreciated. If you have anything you think is worth seeing/visiting I would like to know so I can begin my research online.
Also, what will the weather be like in the summer, say in May or June?
South Dakota is a state that has the Black Hills and some rugged high country on the western part, open prairie in the middle, and farming and lakes on the eastern end. Eastern SD is similar to Iowa and Minnesota and is a little more humid but is generally green in the summer. Western SD is drier and its climate is similar to Colorado's climate. In May and June, you can expect 70s and 80s normally, but sometimes you may get days that are in the 60s on the cooler side and 90s if on the warmer side (depends on the year and weather patterns). At 65-85 degrees, the air is nice and comfy with minimal humidity normally.
As for tourist attractions, I definitely recommend Mt. Rushmore, but also recommend the Badlands, Wall Drug, Spearfish Canyon (in the northern Black Hills), and taking a stroll through historic Deadwood. Deadwood has casinos, but one can be easily preoccupied by looking at the late 1800s buildings and visiting a museum or two that tells you a lot about the gold mining days. Badlands are a unique set of canyons and are very picturesque at sunrises and sunsets.
Another good place to see is Crazy Horse. If you like to swim, Evans Plunge in Hot Springs would be a good stop and has a few waterslides and is one the largest pools that is fed by natural springs.
There is plenty to do in the Black Hills if you have four days. There are others on this forum that will offer additional advice and their advice is very good.
It's too bad you will only be here for four days because there is so much to do and see in the Black Hills you'd need more time! Maybe that will inspire you to come back if you like it.
Like Chris said, hit all the major tourist spots like Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, The 1880 Train, Deadwood, and Wind Cave National Park. Also drive through Custer State Park. It's a park where buffalo and wildlife roam free and buffalo crossings can even hold up traffic. Bring your camera because you'll love it! Get a bite at The Alpine in Hill City, it's a Bavarian themed restaurant with great steaks and even better desserts. Hang out at the beach at Sheridan Lake or Pactola Reservoir or go hiking in the forest. There are so many trails and Harney Peak is the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and the French Alps. There are also lots of museums and festivals in Rapid City to keep you occupied and theme parks galore.
Hi and welcome! You've gotten some good advice. I'm in the western part of the state and think it is the more interesting end to visit. I'd underscore Spearfish Canyon--there's a really nice lodge there if you want to have one night at a special place: Spearfish Canyon Lodge | Experience the Black Hills of South Dakota Hiking and biking (there are rentals) in this area is exceptional.
The Mickelson Trail is over 100 miles of gentle up and down hard-packed trail (you can ride a hybrid bike easily--again, rentals all over) that runs North-South along this end of the state. It has trailheads in Edgemont in the south on up to Deadwood in the north. Check this website--scroll down to highlights and get info, maps, etc. George S. Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills of South Dakota
So give you a sense of distance, Spearfish is about an hour away on the highway. Sturgis is in between--if you are at all into motorcycles, then you know that every August, we are invaded by bikers who congregate for a week or so at the Sturgis Rally.
Rapid City is the 2nd largest city in the state and has several interesting museums (Dahl, the Journey, featuring a lot of Native American history and art); check out the live birds on the second floor of the library downtown. There are also statues on many street corner--each is a former president and tourists seem to enjoy having their photos taken with some of them. Here's the Rapid website: Visit Rapid City - Black Hills of South Dakota
Check weather underground just before you leave Arizona! I run a race in Deadwood most years the first weekend in June--once it was nearly 90 when we finished, once it snowed the day before the race....Deadwood's north and about 2000 feet higher in altitude than Rapid, so the snow was sticking on the trail when we lined up just before 7 am!
Spearfish is a gorgeous community to visit. Stanford's Grub and Pub is a good place to eat. It is a quirky place but has a fun atmosphere. I ate there a few years back and strongly recommend it.
Bear Butte, near Strugis would be another good place to visit. It has a history with Native Americans and is an important landmark in the Native American culture.
Thank you all for the replys, I am getting even more excited about visiting. Now I can start researching all the different places you have mentioned and begin planning out our vacation and decide what stops we will make. Your suggestions are very helpful to me and I can't wait to go. I was a little worried that I am going to be freezing there since I am so used to the 100 degree temps here in the summer, but it doesn't sound all that bad I'll just make sure to pack some coats. Also, I am thinking that if we travel around to different places it would be best to rent a car, right?
Hi Gilbert! Phoenix here. Check out this thread from last month with more good info. The others have also given you great info -- print it out and bring it with you. Then find out how much it will cost to extend your stay, cuz you'll wish you had... //www.city-data.com/forum/south...th-dakota.html
Cheers! Yeee haaa
Thanks. My boyfriend was wondering if four days was going to be too long and we were going to run out of things to do, but it sounds like it may not be enough time!
You'll probably be ok during the daytime, but the evenings cool off fast in the Hills. Hope you have a wonderful time and we'd all be happy to answer any more questions once you start choosing the things you want to see.
Thanks. My boyfriend was wondering if four days was going to be too long and we were going to run out of things to do, but it sounds like it may not be enough time!
Oh you definitely won't run out of things to do and you'll find our summer climate to be very similar to Arizona's. Hot and dry with a possible sudden thunderstorm.
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) and want a little advice from you!
Yeee haaa
