The Best South Dakota Travel Destination For Retirees

South Dakota is a midwestern state in the US. With a total population of just over 900,000 residents, it is far from being one of the most populous states in America. However, what it lacks in people it makes up for in natural beauty, rich history, and diverse experiences. In this one state, tourists can experience Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, Sioux Falls, the Wild West town of Deadwood, and more. Plus, the smaller population allows retired travelers to enjoy fewer crowds and less traffic year-round. South Dakota is an ideal place to visit in the spring, summer, or fall. Hop on a flight, put your car in drive, or pack up the RV — no matter how you choose to travel through South Dakota, you are sure to love it.

Badlands National Park

No trip to South Dakota is complete without visiting the 244,000-acre Badlands National Park. Known for its vibrant canyons and dramatic rock formations, the natural scenery in the Badlands is nothing short of breathtaking. Formed over 75 million years ago and sculpted by the wind, rain, and what would eventually become the Cheyenne and White rivers that flow through the park, retirees will love exploring this famous national treasure, whether you prefer to go for a short day hike across the landscape or marvel at it from any of its easily accessible lookout points, such as White River Valley Overlook, Big Badlands Overlook, or Panorama Point Overlook. Although the park was once home to ancient horses and even rhinos, today, visitors should keep their eyes peeled for the following types of wildlife: bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets.

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park is the second must-see travel destination in South Dakota for retirees. Located in the southwestern part of the state, Wind Cave National Park has the honor of being the first cave in the world to be declared a national park. It gets its name from the barometric winds that rush out of the cave’s entrance. The Lakota tribe believes that the cave is a sacred place where humans and bison first arrived to live together on Earth. Today, the park spans over 150 miles, making it the newly designated sixth-longest in the world after spelunkers discovered additional passages. Wind Cave also earns the title of the largest concentration of boxwork formations in the world. Boxwork formations are a type of honeycomb calcite found on the walls and ceilings of the cave. You can learn more about the cave by booking a guided tour; otherwise, it’s first-come, first-serve for the day you would like to take the tour. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. When you’re done exploring the cave, don’t miss out on the 30 miles of hiking trails in the picturesque prairie above the cave.

Custer State Park

Retirees should take their time visiting Custer State Park. Situated in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota, it is the state’s first and largest wildlife park. It’s known for its massive herd of free-roaming bison. Must-see attractions in the park include Needles Highway and Sylvan Lake. Plus, if you plan to visit in September, you might get there just in time for one of Custer State Park’s most exciting events of the year: the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. Every year, thousands of tourists travel to the park to watch a group of cowboys and cowgirls round up a herd of over 1,300 wild buffalo. Once the roundup is complete, attendees can stop by the Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival for delicious food, arts and crafts, and even more live entertainment.

Sioux Falls

Over in the eastern part of South Dakota, right near the borders of Minnesota and Iowa, lies Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls is the most populous city in South Dakota and is named after the many waterfalls that flow down the Big Sioux River through the center of town. To see these falls in action, all you have to do is visit Falls Park, a 128-acre oasis that is home to a cafe, an observation tower, and the remains of an old mill. Once you’re done marveling at the city’s famous waterfalls, be sure to check out Sioux Falls’ other attractions, like the South Dakota Art Museum, the SculptureWalk, and Pettigrew Home & Museum. If you prefer to get outdoors, Great Bear Ski Valley is a popular spot year-round, and during the summers, retirees can take advantage of the scenic Sioux Falls bike trails.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

If you’re a retiree traveling to South Dakota at any time of year, make sure that you set aside the time to visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial. One of the most unique and iconic tourist attractions in the continental US, not to mention one of the most photographed, Mount Rushmore is a historic sculpture like no other. The 60-foot-high carvings feature the faces of four of the country’s most revered presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore was carved over a 14-year period from 1927 until 1941. You can learn more about the history of the memorial at the Visitor Center, and don’t miss the Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony that takes place nightly between May and September.

The Corn Palace

In the southeastern town of Mitchell, South Dakota, lies the Corn Palace. A tourist attraction like no other, the Corn Palace dates back to the late 19th century is the only palace constructed entirely from corn. Over 500,000 people visit this South Dakota tourist attraction every year. The palace is covered in murals made from wild grasses, grains, oats, and of course, corn. Although the Corn Palace was originally built to showcase the state’s rich soils and to encourage people to move to the area, the attraction is now known for the many events that are held there, including the annual Corn Palace Festival. Mitchell’s Corn Palace is open every day of the week, and both admission and parking are free of charge.

Deadwood

Have you ever been to a place where the entire town has been designated a National Historic Landmark? That’s what you get in Deadwood, South Dakota. This historic town was established in 1876 and will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the Wild West. The town came to prominence as a result of the gold that was found in the Black Hill mountain range. Many of the town’s Gold Rush-era buildings have been preserved, which makes this town a sight to see. There are many historical walking tours of the town, as well as reenactments of famous gunfights. Tourists can also pan for gold at the Broken Boot Gold Mine and visit the graves of famous Wild West figures like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok at the Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Ingalls Homestead

If you are a fan of “Little House on the Prairie,” either the books or the old television series, then the Ingalls Homestead is not to be missed. You can step back in time to life on the prairie by visiting this historic site in De Smet, South Dakota. De Smet is nestled in eastern South Dakota, roughly one hour’s drive north of Mitchell. The Ingalls Homestead is where author Laura Ingalls Wilder lived, providing the backdrop and the inspiration for her world-famous books. Today, tourists can experience life as Ingalls once did, enjoying a covered wagon ride, attending a school session, and trying their hand at other pioneer activities, like driving a pony cart, making a corn cob doll, and washing clothes on a washboard.

South Dakota has so much going for it, especially for retirees. In just one state, senior travelers can experience some of the most beautiful parks in the country, go back in time to the Wild West and pioneer eras, visit a palace made entirely of corn, see thousands of wild buffalo being herded, and visit the world-famous Mount Rushmore. No matter what kind of trip you’re looking for, whether it be one filled with nature, history, or culture, you can find it at one of these best South Dakota travel destinations for retirees.