by Sharon Harrison
On our recent trip to South Dakota, we found such a great variety of things to do that it kept our family of 10, aged 6-60, busy and entertained. We are from Kansas, so the rugged terrain was quite different from our flat and/or rolling hills state. We loved the history, the food, the monuments, and the beautiful outdoor activities we found to do. Here are some of my favorite things we found to do.
Mount Rushmore
Of course, a trip to South Dakota would not be complete without seeing Mount Rushmore. We spent about three hours at this location. After you walk through the path of state flags, you will go into the visitors' center to watch an interesting short movie about how the statues were made. Then, you can walk the Presidential Trail which takes you in a circle so you can see the monument from different angles. It was a beautiful walk and so awesome to see this in person. Mount Rushmore was free, but you do have to pay for parking.
2. Crazy Horse Memorial
Not too far from Mount Rushmore is the Crazy Horse Memorial. This mountain monument is still under construction. You can also watch a movie about the making of this statue. You can go through the Indian museum, listen to an Indian story teller/singer, and watch traditional Indian dances. The price is per person or per vehicle. I enjoyed learning more about this statue and the Native American people.
3. Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake is located within Custer State Park. It has a trail that goes all around the lake, crossing rocks and boulders. The walk takes around an hour. You can rent paddle boats and kayaks, or swim in the cool water. There is a gift/snack shop and bathrooms on site. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the water or shaded by trees.
4. Buffalo Jeep Safari, Custer State Park
One of our favorite activities was doing the Buffalo Jeep Safari in Custer State Park. Our group of ten was divided in to tour jeeps. Our drivers were very knowledgeable about the buffalo herds and other animals that live in the park. We watched the buffalo run in herds and drove right up close to them. We went off-road to the little visited areas where the buffalo run to. It was an amazing experience!
5. Cosmos Mystery Area
Cosmos Mystery Area is a house that makes you walk all wonky. You will be able to stand on the walls and watch as water and balls go uphill. After a 40-minute tour, you will feel a little dizzy trying to figure out how all this works! Fun for all ages!
6. Andy's Trail Rides
Our group of 10 enjoyed a one hour trail ride at Andy's Trail Rides, just outside of Deadwood/Lead, South Dakota. My three grandkids had never ridden on a horse alone before, but the horses they rode on were very gentle and they loved it! The rest of us followed the kids (and the staff member who led us). We went through the forest, across logs and saw beautiful scenery along the way. Andy's also has a two-hour ride.
7. Rushmore Cave
Rushmore Cave is the ninth longest cave in South Dakota. It is the closest to Mount Rushmore. It is 3,652.6 feet long. Entry is through Rush Mountain Adventure Park. It has a wide variety of natural formations and is easy to walk through on the tour.
8. Rush Mountain Adventure Park
Rush Mountain Adventure Park has a little something for everyone in the family. Besides the cave, they have a mountain coaster that winds through the trees at speeds of up to 35 mph. The Soaring Eagle Zipride goes 630 feet down the mountainside and then back up on a suspended cable. The Gunslinger 7-D ride lets you shoot the bad guys while your seat moves and wind blows your hair, making the adventure seem real. The Wingwalker Challenge Course lets you go up two levels, walk tightropes, go across bridges, zipline across two areas. There is even a toddler course for the smaller ones. There really was something for everyone.
9. Deadwood Lawman's Patrol Guided Tour
Be sure to book the Deadwood Lawman's Patrol Guided Walking Tour in advance and then meet up with historical figure Sheriff Seth Bullock and find out all about the history of Deadwood. In this photo, he is showing us the original location of Saloon No. 10, where the famous shooting of Wild Bill Hickok took place. He was very knowledgeable and the tour took about 1.5 hours, after which he had to head down to a shootout.
10. Take a stage coach ride in Deadwood
Stop by Outlaw Square and get your tickets to ride on the Deadwood stage coach. I was surprised to learn there are two benches on each side of the inside of the coach. The driver told us as many as twenty people used to ride on the inside of those stage coaches! It was a bumpy and slow ride. I can't imagine going very far in a stage coach, but it was a fun ride up and down Main Street.
11. Deadwood Soda Saloon
A wonderful saloon where all ages of cowboys and cowgirls could belly up to the bar in a family friendly and fun environment! Enjoy a hand crafted root beer, sarsparilla, birch beer or root beer cream. There is a whole menu of original concoctions to try. I highly recommend the Dirty Deadwood drink. It was so good, I went back another day and got a second one!
12. Bear Country U.S.A.
Bear Country USA is a drive-through wildlife park with wolves, bears, elk & other North American animals. Take a three-mile drive through various enclosures to experience animals in a more natural environment than a zoo. Then, walk around and view baby bear cubs running, chasing, wrestling and fighting, amongst other wildlife of the area. The baby bears were the cutest, but it was really neat to have the adult bears walk right by our car.
13. Mount Moriah Cemetery
Take a drive up to Mount Moriah Cemetery. It is a very peaceful cemetery that overlooks the town of Deadwood. Enjoy a peaceful walk and find the graves of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Potato Creek Johnny. You will also find that there are sections for Jewish, Chinese, Civil War veterans, children, prominent people and even a mass grave from deaths in a fire at a mine.
14. Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, Lead, South Dakota
Go see the amazing open cut of the Homestake Gold Mine, where miners dug for gold. This site then became an amazing underground tunnel system for performing scientist research. The tunnel system goes down 8600 feet. We were able to view the open cut from the observation deck, but if you want to go on the tour, you have to schedule that in advance.
15. Spearfish Canyon
Spearfish Canyon Nature Area is a beautiful drive through a series of waterfalls and hiking trails. Drive into this area, find a place to park and have a picnic, or go on one of the many trails. It is truly a beautiful place in the Black Hills!
16. Take a hike!
The best way to enjoy South Dakota is to get off the highways and main roads and take the path least traveled! Find a path and take a hike. You never know what you might find, but you will definitely make great memories!
Making memories!
Check this out for keeping your food and drinks EXTRA cold!.......
This is our group spread out for our picnic. You can see the cooler with another bag on top. We got two of the ice packs. We laid one down on the bottom and stood the other up as a separator between the sandwiches and drinks. Our sandwiches never got soggy and everything stayed cold. We used the pocket in the front for mayo, extra cheese, plastic wear and napkins. We used the bag on the top to carry our chips and other snack foods. We loved this picnic system. It was easy to drag along as it comes with a cart that folds up. Picnics were loved by everyone!
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