The Dakotas Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Mount Rushmore; very cool but very touristy!
This is a very special place for my family and I. My grandfather, Raymond Berg, and great-grandfather, Alfred Berg, both worked on this national monument.
A little closer view of President George Washington.
Sylvan Lake, known as the "crown jewel" of Custer State Park, is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Created in 1881 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch, it offers picnic areas, rock climbing, small rental boats, swimming, and hiking trails. It is also popular as a starting point for excursions to Harney Peak and The Needles. A hotel was operated on the shore of the lake in the early 20th century. The lake was featured in Disney's 2007 film National Treasure: Book of Secrets. The film made the lake appear to be located directly behind Mount Rushmore when in reality it is actually five miles southwest of Mount Rushmore.
July 31, 2017 You couldn't ask for a better sky

Where to stay in The Dakotas

These falls are right in town surrounded by a nice park.

Downtown Sioux Falls

5/5(1 area review)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Sioux Falls, Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science and Old Courthouse Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Sioux Falls
I love water towers

Downtown Deadwood

If you're spending some time in Downtown Deadwood, Adams Museum and Gold Dust Casino & Hotel are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Deadwood
#Perspective Stopped off in Rapid City on our way to Yellowstone NP, was blown away by the graffiti art down some of its back lanes. Thought the overhead power lines created great leading lines through the image.

Historic Rapid City

Historic Rapid City is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Main Street Square or Art Alley.

Historic Rapid City
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Northwest Sioux Falls

If you're spending some time in Northwest Sioux Falls, Sanford Pentagon and Sioux Falls Arena are top sights worth seeing.

Northwest Sioux Falls
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Mall District

While visiting Mall District, you might make a stop by sights like Empire Mall and The District.

Mall District
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University Heights

While visiting University Heights, you might make a stop by sights like Center for Western Studies and Edith Mortenson Theatre Center.

University Heights
Canad Inns Destination Center Grand Forks

Canad Inns Destination Center Grand Forks

3.5 out of 5
1000 South 42nd St Grand Forks ND
The price is £81 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
£81
12 Apr - 13 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Grand Forks. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,524 reviews)
fun for family

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026

Canad Inns Destination Center Grand Forks
Ramada by Wyndham Sioux Falls Airport-Waterpark & Event Ctr

Ramada by Wyndham Sioux Falls Airport-Waterpark & Event Ctr

3 out of 5
1301 West Russell Sioux Falls SD
The price is £50 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
£50
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Sioux Falls. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 indoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,539 reviews)
The staff were friendly, and our room was clean. The mini water park is what drew us here for the kids. Our kids definitely enjoyed the part. The property itself could use some updating & th gym was subpar.

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2026

Ramada by Wyndham Sioux Falls Airport-Waterpark & Event Ctr
Fargo Inn and Suites

Fargo Inn and Suites

2 out of 5
1025 38th St SW Fargo ND
The price is £67 per night from 18 Mar to 19 Mar
£67
18 Mar - 19 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Fargo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
Fargo Inn and Suites
See all 4,960 properties in The Dakotas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
GrandStay Residential Suites - Rapid City

GrandStay Residential Suites - Rapid City

2.5 out of 5
660 Disk Dr Rapid City SD
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Rapid City. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,822 reviews)
Floors had not been cleaned from previous occupant, nor had the toilet, which had a ring of filthy scum around the bowl. There were visible crumbs across the floor and my socks stuck to a large spill in the kitchen area and I mopped it up with a bathroom washcloth so I could walk through the area. ...

Reviewed on 13 Mar 2026

GrandStay Residential Suites - Rapid City
Spearfish Cottages

Spearfish Cottages

3.5 out of 5
514 W Mason St Spearfish SD
Stay at this cottage in Spearfish. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a picnic area. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (604 reviews)
A coffee pot would be nice vs the keurig. Otherwise it was great

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026

Spearfish Cottages
Holy Smoke Resort

Holy Smoke Resort

3.5 out of 5
24105 Highway 16A Keystone SD
Stay at this cabin in Keystone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a gift shop. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (579 reviews)
Good

Reviewed on 24 Oct 2025

Holy Smoke Resort
See all properties in The Dakotas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

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Mount Rushmore

4.5/5(14 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Mount Rushmore, a popular spot to commune with nature in Keystone. Discover the area's notable monuments or seek out its horse riding.

Mount Rushmore
Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park

Despite the forbidding name, this park has great beauty in its cliffs, prairies and ancient fossil beds.

Badlands National Park
Mount Rushmore which includes outdoor art and art

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Visit this popular landmark in South Dakota to see firsthand the enormous sculptures of four U.S. presidents carved into a mountain.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Sunset on Sylvan Lake at Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Custer State Park

4.5/5(7 reviews)

You can take time to visit Custer State Park during your travels to Custer. Amble around the area's scenic parks or seek out the horse riding.

Custer State Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Travel back in time to the badlands, a world of bison, never-ending prairies and lively pioneer towns.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Panoramic view of The Needles on Needles Highway, Black Hills, near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota

The Black Hills

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at The Black Hills during your travels in Hill City. Discover the area's mountain views and shops.

The Black Hills