Planning a big move to the glorious state of South Dakota? This impressive state is filled with Native American history from tribes such as Cheyenne, Arikara, Ponca, Lakota, and Dakota Sioux (with nine tribes still in the state today). The state is known for its geographical regions like plains, the Black Hills Mountain range, and Badlands (a rich fossil bed). Wildlife abounds in the state as buffalo, deer, antelope, jackrabbits, porcupines, elk, and prairie dogs call South Dakota home. Birds like bald and golden eagles and burrowing owls are also quite common. Between plentiful trees (like Black Hills spruce, ponderosa pines, and weeping willows), wildflowers, and natural resources, the state is filled with beauty.
Check out the best state parks in South Dakota:
LaFramboise Island State Park
Google Rating: 4.9
First on tap? LaFramboise Island State Park, a cool nature area along the Missouri River. If you’re keen on wildlife viewing and birding, this state park is just the ticket. The island itself is covered in green, mossy trees and fertile meadows, making this a perfect habitat for plants and animals. Spend the day on the trails and take in picture-perfect wildlife scenes. Plus, visitors can canoe, bike, boat, or cross-country ski.
Custer State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
If you live in Rapid City, take a drive to Custer State Park. Just 31 miles outside the city, visit rolling plains, stunning wildlife, and more. The 71,000-acre state park is an explorer’s dream. In the Black Hills, visitors can dive right into a nature preserve, historic lodges, campgrounds, guided activities, and a visitor center. Take advantage of trails (for hiking and biking), boating, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, and birdwatching. Visitors can also snowshoe in the winter months.
Lewis & Clark State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
71 miles from Sioux City is a large camping park in an impressive forest. Located on one of the upper bays of Lake Sakakawea, Lewis & Clark State Park includes miles of shoreline, plus activities like archery, basketball, and biking.
Newton Hills State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Birdwatchers, take note and get ready to experience Newton Hills State Park. Over 200 species of birds visit this natural area each year, in addition to wild turkeys, marmots, deer, rabbits, foxes, and squirrels. The park is also rich in history—burial mounds and historical artifacts were discovered near the park which shows that Woodland Indian Culture lived in this region sometime between 300 B.C. and 900 A.D. Aside from wildlife viewing and history, visitors can take in a bevy of sights and sounds at Newton Hills State Park. Spend your visit walking on the trails or go boating, canoeing, fishing, geocaching, horseback riding, paddle boarding, and swimming. Hunting—particularly bow hunting—is allowed on the premises. Snowshoeing is popular in the winter.
Snake Creek State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Snake Creek State Park is the place to be if you love boating. Located in Charles Mix County, the 695-acre state park is on the Lake Francis Case shoreline. Step right into impressive natural beauty with river views, bluffs, and year-round campsites (115, in fact). Hike, swim, fish, boat, or camp to your heart’s content.
Angostura State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
A mere 10 miles away from Hot Springs, you’ll uncover Angostura State Park. The state recreation area sits on 1,125 acres and boasts marvelous waters from the Angostura Reservoir, 36 miles of shoreline, and epic views. Spend the day or plan a camping trip to enjoy the park’s many activities. Swim, fish, hike, birdwatch, boat, play horseshoes or disc golf, kayak, paddleboard, picnic, or enjoy a round of volleyball.
Lake Herman State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Don’t forget to add Lake Herman State Park to your year-round explorations. The 1,350-acre state park is notably located on Lake Herman, which was formed by melting glacial ice. Take some time to sit in the bounty of nature, observe wildlife, and linger along the trails. Some of the most popular activities in the state park include boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and cross-country skiing. As if that wasn’t enough, visitors can sail, stargaze, wind and kite surf, canoe, and more.
Indian Creek State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Get your feet wet by hiking at Indian Creek State Park. With over two and a half miles of trails, it’s an easy spot for newbie hikers. View wildlife like deer and orchard orioles and be enchanted by the pretty sights. Indian Creek is a popular destination for boating, canoeing, fishing, geocaching, kayaking, and more.
Fort Sisseton State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Named after the Sisseton tribe, Fort Sisseton State Park is a historic fort and a former frontier army outpost. Visit historical buildings and engage in a variety of activities from boating and fishing to geocaching and hiking.
Oahe Downstream State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Want to see some bald eagles? In that case, head on down to Oahe Downstream State Park. In the winter months, visitors can spot eagles roosting in their nests near the dam. Enjoy waterfront camping, hiking, an interactive butterfly garden, and disc golf at this premier spot.
Badlands National Park
Google Rating: 4.9
Dramatic, postcard-perfect views await at Badlands National Park. Attracting numerous visitors every year, the national park is renowned as one of the world’s richest fossil beds. With 244,000 acres, there are charming prairies, breathtaking canyons, and striking buttes. Wildlife can be spotted at every turn, and the park is home to many endangered species. Many creatures dwell here including bison, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, birds of prey, rattlesnakes and reptiles, amphibians, and pronghorns. Hike, visit the fossil lab, stargaze, go on a guided activity, camp, and cycle. There’s a range of kid-friendly programming and ranger activities too.
Wind Cave National Park
Google Rating: 4.5
Take a trek 18 miles from Custer and you will find Wind Cave National Park. The park comprises two very different experiences: a verdant prairie grassland with rolling hills and the Wind Cave, a dark underground cavern known as one of the biggest and most complex cave systems in the world. To kick off any visit, embark on a driving loop of a picturesque trail, wildlife view, and try a ranger-guided activity (for adults and kids alike). Camp, spot the iconic American Bison, and most of all, get an underground view of the majestic canyons (complete with a guided tour).
The Mount Rushmore State
Considering a move to South Dakota? Check out our other articles on the best places to live and notable safe cities to call your next home. And when you’re ready to find your new home, you can find new listings every day at NewHomeSource.com.
*All parks have been ranked based on the criteria of popularity, distance from the closest major cities, violent crime, property crime, google ratings, and the number of google reviews.
Stephanie Valente is a Content Director and Editor in Brooklyn, NY. She’s previously held writing and social media positions at Barkbox, Men’s Journal, and currently works at a full-service advertising agency. She’s a self-confessed home and design enthusiast. Stephanie is an award-winning poet and fiction writer. When she’s offline, you can find her taking a yoga class, running, hanging out with her rescue dog Pepper. Find her on stephanievalente.com.
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