Curator’s statement
Hot Springs, South Dakota surprised me. While it is a small town, it brings all the charm and the locals are all so friendly! The natural hot springs and ability to travel to other outdoor national monuments makes it the perfect place for a slow trip to indulge in nature. I loved my weekend trip here and would go back in a heartbeat.
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Things to do in South Dakota
Bison Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave NP: Take an easy tour through the National Park’s cave system! My guide was super knowledgeable and I loved getting to learn about the caves. They are still discovering new tunnels, and it was super cool to explore the ones they have mapped! Highly recommend you drive through the park so you can see all the bison and prairie dogs. PLEASE DO NOT PET OR APPROACH THE FUZZY COWS.
Moccasin Springs: I wish I’d spent more than one day here! I spent most of the day soaking in the pools and couldn’t get enough. I loved getting a little bit of me time in and they had a lot of other amenities to utilize to get in some extra pampering. I think my favorite part was taking one of the noodles and just floating in the big pool, dozing off in the sun.
Custer State Park: Home to Crazy Horse Monument, a must-see! They are still working on it, but twice a year you can walk all the way up to the monument and get up close and personal! This is called the Volksmarch, and if you go during one of the weekends you can join, highly recommend you go on one of those two weekends!
Jewel Caves National Monument: Previously a National Park, and has a vastly different cave structure than Wind Cave. Take a tour to see how different they are! My belief is that the two cave systems used to be connected, and maybe they still are, and we just have yet to reestablish the connection.
Hot Springs Theatre: Step back in time by seeing a movie at this theater. I saw the new “How to Train Your Dragon” when it came out and loved it!
Places to eat & drink in South Dakota
The Kitchen Ink: Super fast service and the food was delicious! Located right down the block from the quaint movie theater, make it dinner and a movie.
Mornin Sunshine Coffeehouse: Definitely get a bagel sandwich as well as one of the kombuchas! A local guy brews it himself and has made it available to local vendors. While it is small, they have outdoor seating available as well!
Upper Crust Bakery: So good! You have to try one of their pies if you go. Located right next to Mornin Sunshine, so a super convenient stop.
Smokehouse Sports Bar & Grill: Classic bar food, but if you’re looking to try something new, get their bison burger! YUM.
Need to know
Stop by the parking lot right next to the waterfall in town. There is a farmer’s market that pops up, and I loved walking through getting handmade items and chatting with everyone.
Travel Advisor
Ellen Reinhold
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our South Dakota page.