Travel Through South Dakota

South Dakota’s famous “Great 8” consists of eight incredible outdoor attractions: Badlands National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Historic Deadwood, Jewel Cave, Missouri River,  Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave National Park.

Most are located in the southwestern part of the state, and some companies offer tours that will take you to see most of them. It is probably easiest to rent your own car so you can see them all.

Many airlines offer flights to South Dakota from major U.S. cities, including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis and Orlando. You can fly to cities including Huron, Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls. Airlines that fly here include American, Delta and United Airlines.

Learn more about traveling to South Dakota by air.

South Dakota is located on the northwestern edge of the midwest area in the United States. Depending on where you are driving from and which South Dakota city you’re traveling to, it can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to get here. Here are some examples:

• It takes a little more than six hours to get to Rapid City from Denver, but nearly ten hours to get from Denver to Sioux Falls.
• The drive from Minneapolis to Sioux Falls takes about four hours.
• Traveling from Los Angeles to Rapid City by car takes nearly 20 hours, so plan to stop overnight at least once.
• From New York City, drive time to Sioux Falls exceeds 21 hours.
• From Orlando, the drive to Sioux Falls takes 24 hours.

See road trip ideas and itineraries here.

While weather can vary greatly from season to season, it is always beautiful in South Dakota. The western part of the state is dry, while the eastern half has a little more moisture in the air. Here’s how the weather varies by season:

• Winter: Expect perfect weather for skiing and other snow sports, as well as spotting buffalo and other wildlife. Be sure to dress accordingly.
• Spring: While temperatures remain cool, with highs of 50 F/10 C during the day, spring comes to life as baby animals are born and precipitation waters the flowers that begin to cover the plains. Snow is still possible in early spring, but temperatures really warm up in May.
• Summer: With warm weather and occasional thunderstorms, summer is a great time for hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities.
• Fall: For some of the best autumn leaves in the country, come to South Dakota in the fall. The temperatures tend to be mild, but it’s still a good idea to bring a range of clothing layers when spending time outside.

Learn more about South Dakota’s weather.

All travelers – including infants and children -- entering the U.S. must have a valid passport, and it must be valid for at least six months following their stay. Your country may also require you to acquire a visa in order to travel to the U.S. If your country is part of the Visa Waiver Program, you may not need to acquire a visa if your stay in the U.S. is less than 90 days.

Key laws in South Dakota include a maximum automobile speed limit of 80 mph/129 kph on interstates, though speed limits are lower in urban and other residential areas. South Dakota law requires seatbelts for all auto passengers and car seats for children younger than five. Drivers must move over for emergency vehicles. The legal drinking age in South Dakota is 21, and there are limits to when and where alcohol can be purchased. See more South Dakota laws.

If you’re visiting South Dakota, chances are you will be visiting state and national parks – and will want to know what some of the rules and regulations for these places are. While there are general rules governing these parks, you will want to check with the park you’re visiting for rules specific to that park.

Many national and international car rental companies operate in South Dakota. Whichever company you choose, you will need a valid driver’s license. You may also need an International Driving Permit – especially if your license does not contain English lettering.

South Dakota uses the U.S. dollar as currency, and most attractions, restaurants and hotels will accept major credit cards. While there are some currency exchanges in South Dakota, some are limited in the types of currency they can exchange. That’s why it’s a good idea to change your money at a gateway airport before you get here. If you plan to use a credit card here, be sure to check with your card issuer before you travel to ensure you are authorized to use it in the U.S.

To know whether you’ll be able to use your mobile phone in South Dakota and the U.S., check with your cell service carrier. You will want to be sure you won’t be subjected to expensive roaming fees, and that you’ll have a reasonable amount of cell service. You may also want to look into getting a local SIM card with an inexpensive calling plan.