If you love all things nature, you already know that South Dakota is THE place to be, thanks to our diverse landscapes, all-natural landmarks, and outdoor recreation opportunities galore! If you want to make sure to see all of the best spots, however, you will want to check off all of the boxes on this ultimate South Dakota nature bucket list:
- Cascade Falls (Hot Springs)
TripAdvisor/janicen96 You know that the Mount Rushmore State has some pretty epic water parks, but did you know that we also have an all-natural waterpark of sorts? Located near Hot Springs, Cascade Falls is a refreshing swimming hole that comes complete with super smooth, slide-like rocks. Speaking of swimming holes…
- Sylvan Lake (Custer State Park)
TripAdvisor/happygirl0810 …there is no SoDak swimming hole that is more beautiful and iconic than Sylvan Lake! Tucked away in the heart of Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake is a manmade dam surrounded by picturesque cliffs and Black Hills landscape, all of which make for a perfect summer day.
- Falls Park (Sioux Falls)
Jon Platek/Wikimedia Commons Arguably the most famous waterfall in South Dakota, Sioux Falls is the centerpiece of the state’s largest city and gushes some 7,400 gallons of water over a 100-foot cliff every second. Do you think that sounds intense? Wait until you see it with your own eyes!
- Wind Cave National Park (Hot Springs)
National Park Service of the United States of America/Wikimedia Commons After you take a dip in the previously mentioned Cascade Falls, take a trip to the 6th-longest cave in the world! Spanning some 140 miles, the Wind Cave is also considered to be the densest cave on earth and is said to contain 95% of the world’s discovered boxwork formations.
- Lewis and Clark Recreation Area (Yankton)
Yanktonranger/Wikimedia Commons Located along the banks of the Mighty Missouri, the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area is your one-stop-shop for all things outdoors, including swimming, hiking, boating and kayaking, biking, fishing, camping, and birdwatching.
- Badlands National Park (Interior)
D. Luchsinger/Wikimedia Commons While this picture may look like it was taken on Mars, it was indeed snapped at the jaw-dropping 242,756-acre Badlands National Park. Created by deposition and erosion some 69 million years ago, the Badlands are a colorful sight to see, thanks to its red and orange (iron oxides), white (volcanic ash), purple, and yellow (shale), and gray and tan (gravel and sand).
- McCrory Gardens (Brookings)
Rackshaw/Wikimedia Commons If you love fragrant flowers and pristine landscape, get ready to go ga-ga for McCrory Gardens! Housed on the campus of South Dakota State University, McCrory is comprised of 70 acres of gardens and a 45-acre arboretum, making for an urban retreat that cannot be beaten.
- Needles Eye (Custer)
TripAdvisor/Kayla Brown For a near once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, take a drive through the unique Needles Eye: a narrow tunnel tucked between an interesting cluster of rock formations.
- Buffalo Gap Natural Grassland (Hot Springs)
U.S. Forest Service/Wikimedia Commons Last but certainly not least on our all-natural bucket list is the second largest grassland in the country: Buffalo Gap. When you visit, be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled, as not only will you discover 600,000 acres of pristine grassland and eco-systems, but also bison, deer, bighorn sheep, and jackrabbits.
Where is your favorite all-natural attraction? Let us know in the comments or via our nomination form. For even more SoDak bucket list inspiration, click on The Ultimate And Definitive Bucket List For Everyone In South Dakota.
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Address: Buffalo Gap National Grassland, Northeast Fall River, SD 57766, USAAddress: MP 31, SD-87, Custer, SD 57730, USAAddress: McCrory Gardens Drive, Brookings, SD 57006, USAAddress: Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USAAddress: Lewis & Clark Recreation Area, 43349 SD-52, Yankton, SD 57078, USAAddress: Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, USAAddress: East Falls Park Drive, E Falls Park Dr, Sioux Falls, SD, USAAddress: Sylvan Lake, East Custer, SD 57730, USAAddress: Cascade Falls, Northeast Fall River, SD 57747, USA
- Cascade Falls (Hot Springs)
TripAdvisor/janicen96 You know that the Mount Rushmore State has some pretty epic water parks, but did you know that we also have an all-natural waterpark of sorts? Located near Hot Springs, Cascade Falls is a refreshing swimming hole that comes complete with super smooth, slide-like rocks. Speaking of swimming holes…
- Sylvan Lake (Custer State Park)
TripAdvisor/happygirl0810 …there is no SoDak swimming hole that is more beautiful and iconic than Sylvan Lake! Tucked away in the heart of Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake is a manmade dam surrounded by picturesque cliffs and Black Hills landscape, all of which make for a perfect summer day.
- Falls Park (Sioux Falls)
Jon Platek/Wikimedia Commons Arguably the most famous waterfall in South Dakota, Sioux Falls is the centerpiece of the state’s largest city and gushes some 7,400 gallons of water over a 100-foot cliff every second. Do you think that sounds intense? Wait until you see it with your own eyes!
- Wind Cave National Park (Hot Springs)
National Park Service of the United States of America/Wikimedia Commons After you take a dip in the previously mentioned Cascade Falls, take a trip to the 6th-longest cave in the world! Spanning some 140 miles, the Wind Cave is also considered to be the densest cave on earth and is said to contain 95% of the world’s discovered boxwork formations.
- Lewis and Clark Recreation Area (Yankton)
Yanktonranger/Wikimedia Commons Located along the banks of the Mighty Missouri, the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area is your one-stop-shop for all things outdoors, including swimming, hiking, boating and kayaking, biking, fishing, camping, and birdwatching.
- Badlands National Park (Interior)
D. Luchsinger/Wikimedia Commons While this picture may look like it was taken on Mars, it was indeed snapped at the jaw-dropping 242,756-acre Badlands National Park. Created by deposition and erosion some 69 million years ago, the Badlands are a colorful sight to see, thanks to its red and orange (iron oxides), white (volcanic ash), purple, and yellow (shale), and gray and tan (gravel and sand).
- McCrory Gardens (Brookings)
Rackshaw/Wikimedia Commons If you love fragrant flowers and pristine landscape, get ready to go ga-ga for McCrory Gardens! Housed on the campus of South Dakota State University, McCrory is comprised of 70 acres of gardens and a 45-acre arboretum, making for an urban retreat that cannot be beaten.
- Needles Eye (Custer)
TripAdvisor/Kayla Brown For a near once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, take a drive through the unique Needles Eye: a narrow tunnel tucked between an interesting cluster of rock formations.
- Buffalo Gap Natural Grassland (Hot Springs)
U.S. Forest Service/Wikimedia Commons Last but certainly not least on our all-natural bucket list is the second largest grassland in the country: Buffalo Gap. When you visit, be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled, as not only will you discover 600,000 acres of pristine grassland and eco-systems, but also bison, deer, bighorn sheep, and jackrabbits.
Where is your favorite all-natural attraction? Let us know in the comments or via our nomination form. For even more SoDak bucket list inspiration, click on The Ultimate And Definitive Bucket List For Everyone In South Dakota.
TripAdvisor/janicen96
You know that the Mount Rushmore State has some pretty epic water parks, but did you know that we also have an all-natural waterpark of sorts? Located near Hot Springs, Cascade Falls is a refreshing swimming hole that comes complete with super smooth, slide-like rocks. Speaking of swimming holes…
TripAdvisor/happygirl0810
…there is no SoDak swimming hole that is more beautiful and iconic than Sylvan Lake! Tucked away in the heart of Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake is a manmade dam surrounded by picturesque cliffs and Black Hills landscape, all of which make for a perfect summer day.
Jon Platek/Wikimedia Commons
Arguably the most famous waterfall in South Dakota, Sioux Falls is the centerpiece of the state’s largest city and gushes some 7,400 gallons of water over a 100-foot cliff every second. Do you think that sounds intense? Wait until you see it with your own eyes!
National Park Service of the United States of America/Wikimedia Commons
After you take a dip in the previously mentioned Cascade Falls, take a trip to the 6th-longest cave in the world! Spanning some 140 miles, the Wind Cave is also considered to be the densest cave on earth and is said to contain 95% of the world’s discovered boxwork formations.
Yanktonranger/Wikimedia Commons
Located along the banks of the Mighty Missouri, the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area is your one-stop-shop for all things outdoors, including swimming, hiking, boating and kayaking, biking, fishing, camping, and birdwatching.
D. Luchsinger/Wikimedia Commons
While this picture may look like it was taken on Mars, it was indeed snapped at the jaw-dropping 242,756-acre Badlands National Park. Created by deposition and erosion some 69 million years ago, the Badlands are a colorful sight to see, thanks to its red and orange (iron oxides), white (volcanic ash), purple, and yellow (shale), and gray and tan (gravel and sand).
Rackshaw/Wikimedia Commons
If you love fragrant flowers and pristine landscape, get ready to go ga-ga for McCrory Gardens! Housed on the campus of South Dakota State University, McCrory is comprised of 70 acres of gardens and a 45-acre arboretum, making for an urban retreat that cannot be beaten.
TripAdvisor/Kayla Brown
For a near once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, take a drive through the unique Needles Eye: a narrow tunnel tucked between an interesting cluster of rock formations.
U.S. Forest Service/Wikimedia Commons
Last but certainly not least on our all-natural bucket list is the second largest grassland in the country: Buffalo Gap. When you visit, be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled, as not only will you discover 600,000 acres of pristine grassland and eco-systems, but also bison, deer, bighorn sheep, and jackrabbits.
