Winter is here and it’s getting pretty cold across the state. Luckily, we’ve rounded up a list of amazing places for you to visit for a South Dakota winter vacation. Some are indoors, where it’s toasty and warm; others are outside, so just bundle up and enjoy that fresh, cold air! Come check out some of the best places to visit in South Dakota in winter.

1. Andy's Trail Rides, Lead

Tara Yonce/Google
Take a winter sleigh ride with Andy's Trail Rides on Deer Mountain. There's nothing like this one-of-a-kind experience, and Andy is the most amazing host you'll ever find.

2. Butterfly House & Marine Cove, Sioux Falls

4320 S Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, USA
Jim Novak/Google
When it's cold outside, head indoors to the Butterfly House & Marine Cove. The butterfly house is kept at a balmy, tropical 80 degrees.

3. The Flume Trail

Flume Hiking Trail, 12979-23712 Pot Rustle Loop, Rapid City, SD 57702, USA
Alex Calderon/flickr
One of South Dakota's best winter hiking trails, the Flume Trail takes you through some gorgeous scenery, with plenty of historic artifacts thrown in for good measure.

Get a closer look at the Flume Trail:

4. Hot Springs

Hot Springs, SD 57747, USA
Hot Springs, South Dakota Chamber/Visitor/Event Information/Facebook
The town of Hot Springs makes the perfect winter getaway, with its hot springs, historic downtown, and resort hotels.

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5. Rapid City Main Street Square

512 Main St suite 980, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
Javan Peters/Google
Rapid City Main Street Square is all dressed up for Christmas right now, but the outdoor ice rink is open for a few months after the holidays, too.

Check out Rapid City’s Main Street Square ice rink:

6. Community Caves, Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish, SD 57783
The Adventures of Shaun/Google
Most people don't know about Community Caves in Spearfish Canyon, but you definitely need to plan a visit to this unique place. Take care on the icy trail!

Get a close-up look at Community caves during the winter:

7. Aberdeen Public Library

215 4th Ave SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401, USA
Co-Op Architecture
The Aberdeen Public Library is so gorgeous that you're going to want to snuggle up with a book here this winter.

8. Latchstring Restaurant, Lead

10619 Roughlock Falls Rd, Lead, SD 57754, USA
Latchstring Restaurant/Google
When it's cold outside, dining inside a cozy log cabin is just what you need. You'll find The Latchstring Restaurant in Lead.

9. Deadwood

Deadwood, SD 57732, USA
Historic Deadwood/Facebook
Deadwood is beautiful year-round, but it's especially charming in the winter!

What are your favorite things to do in South Dakota in December? Let us know your favorite places to go for a South Dakota winter vacation in the comments. Our state gets some pretty cold winters, so make sure to bundle up and find out more about surviving winter in South Dakota.

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More to Explore

Intriguing Attractions In South Dakota

Will Suphan | December 09, 2023

What are some hidden gem attractions in South Dakota?

Hidden gem attractions in South Dakota include:

  • Stratobowl. This is a treeless spot in the middle of a forest that has become the launching pad for an annual hot-air balloon festival.
  • Porter Sculpture Park. Come to this park to see sculptures of bull heads, dragons, and much more.
  • Cosmos Mystery Area. This attraction has a tour that seems to defy physics with water running uphill and various other illusions.
  • 1800 Homestead Cabin in Badlands. This is an extremely old cabin with no electricity or running water if you really want to rough it.

Discover more about hidden gem attractions in South Dakota. 

What are some unique attractions in South Dakota?

Unique attractions in South Dakota include:

  • Geographic Center of the Nation Monument in Belle Fourche. When you come to this monument, you’ll be standing in the geographic center of America.
  • Mount Rushmore National Monument. This massive sculpture of four U.S. Presidents is the only one of its kind.
  • Mount Moriah Cemetery. Walk among the final resting places of various legends of the Old West with a ton of history.
  • The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs. This is an ongoing paleontological dig with more mammoth fossils than anyplace else.

Find out more about unique attractions in South Dakota. 

What are some bucket list attractions in South Dakota?

Bucket list attractions in South Dakota include:

  • 1880 Train. This is an old train that you can ride on which takes you through the most scenic parts of the Black Hills.
  • Reptile Gardens in Rapid City. This is a reptile zoo with lizards, snakes, tortoises, crocodiles, amphibians, and more.
  • Winner Drive-In. See movies the old-fashioned way at this outdoor drive-in movie theater and get a touch of nostalgia.
  • Ingalls Homestead in De Smet. This was the setting for part of the Little House on the Prairie books that is a must-see.

Learn more about bucket list attractions in South Dakota. 

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