Palisades State Park

Photo by @k.e.moni (Instagram)

Located just northeast of Sioux Falls sits the gorgeous Palisades State Park, one of the most unique areas in all of South Dakota! The park is popular among campers, photographers, sightseers, picnickers, rock climbers and hikers. Palisades State Park campground is next to the beautiful Split Rock Creek and has 34 single-family campsites and 6 cabins. There’s also a playground, picnic area, biking trails and an amphitheater. Scenic overlooks and rushing water make Palisades a popular getaway.  The park is located just south of Garretson, 10 miles off Interstate 90. For more information, click here.

Custer State Park

Custer State Park is considered one of the best state parks in America. The granite peaks and rolling plains are calling. The clear mountain waters are inviting and the open ranges are waiting to be discovered.  Encompassing 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is home to abundant wildlife and adventure; camping, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, or relaxing, there’s something here for everyone. Any Black Hills vacation would not be complete without a day spent exploring and enjoying all that this  amazing park has to offer. Custer State Park is located at 13329 US Highway 16A Custer, SD. For more information, click here.

Badlands National Park

Seattle Trekker

Badlands National Park is in South Dakota. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands. The park’s 244,000 acres of rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. Badlands National Park is a popular destination for hiking, and camping, and is a hot spot for photography enthusiasts. For more information, click here.

Bear Butte State Park

Angela Scott

Mato Paha or “Bear Mountain” is the Lakota name given to this site. To the Cheyenne, it is “Noahvose.” This geological formation is one of several intrusions of igneous rock in the Black Hills that formed millions of years ago. The mountain is sacred to many American Indian tribes who come here to hold religious ceremonies. Activities include: boating, fishing, hiking, and horse back riding. Camping is also available. Bear Butte State Park is located 6 miles northeast of Sturgis off SD Highway 79. For more information, click here.

Wind Cave National Park

Deborah Johnson Photography

Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America’s oldest national parks. Below the remnant island of intact prairie sits Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Elk Mountain Campground, which straddles the edge of a ponderosa pine forest and open prairie, offers unique opportunities to view the diverse flora and fauna of the southern Black Hills. This 62-site campground is open all year with sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s a lot to see and do at Wind Cave National Park, even without setting foot in the cave. Whether it’s going for a hike, watching wildlife, or pitching a tent in the backcountry, Wind Cave offers something for everyone. For more information, click here.