Hot Springs South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hot Springs, South Dakota.
1. The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
ANCIENT MAMMOTH ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG
The Mammoth Site is an interactive archaeological site featuring a live dig of ancient mammoths with self-guided QR code tours. Visitors can explore engaging exhibits on prehistoric life while learning about paleontological discoveries. The site includes a comprehensive gift shop with fossils and educational materials.
2. Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa
RELAXING NATURAL HOT SPRINGS
Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa offers ancient Roman bath-inspired hot springs with multiple temperature pools and a tranquil atmosphere. The spa combines traditional and modern design elements to create a peaceful retreat experience. It includes restaurant and spa amenities for a complete day of relaxation.
3. Evans Plunge Mineral Springs
HISTORIC INDOOR MINERAL POOL
Evans Plunge is an indoor mineral spring pool with natural warmth and historic charm dating back to 1880. The facility offers fun activities including water slides, swing bars, and relaxing hot tubs, sauna, and steam room. With year-round water temperatures of 87 degrees, it's a popular destination for families and swimmers of all ages.
4. Pioneer Museum
REGIONAL HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS
Pioneer Museum is a historic venue with four floors packed with pioneer and regional historical artifacts. The museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Black Hills area through a variety of exhibits. Though described as an older-style museum, it provides a comprehensive look at the area's pioneering past.
5. Cascade Falls and Swimming Hole
NATURAL SWIMMING AREA
Cascade Falls is a natural swimming area featuring pristine waters in a scenic outdoor setting. The falls create a refreshing swimming hole that's popular with locals and tourists during warm months. It's part of the J.H. Keith Park and Whitney Preserve, offering both swimming and nature appreciation opportunities.
6. World Fossil Finder Museum
UNIQUE FOSSIL DISCOVERIES
The World Fossil Finder Museum showcases several worldwide first fossil discoveries not typically found in other museums. Founded by amateur paleontologist Frank Garcia, the museum houses significant Ice-Age discoveries considered among the most important paleontological finds on the planet. The family-friendly museum aims to inspire and educate children about prehistoric life and fossil hunting.
7. Angostura Recreation Area
LAKESIDE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Angostura Recreation Area offers extensive outdoor recreation opportunities centered around a large reservoir near Hot Springs. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, and camping in this picturesque setting. The area includes Pirates Restaurant at Lake Angostura for dining with scenic lake views.
8. Hot Springs Theatre
HISTORIC ART DECO CINEMA
Hot Springs Theatre is a 1920s art deco movie theater located in downtown Hot Springs showing current films. The theater features comfortable, extra-wide spacing between rows of updated seats and modern digital equipment and sound. It boasts the largest indoor movie screen in the Black Hills, creating a unique entertainment experience.
9. Black Hills Playhouse
THEATER IN THE FOREST
The Black Hills Playhouse offers incredible theatrical performances in a stunning forest setting near Hot Springs. Visitors can explore the surrounding park before ending their day with a professional play. The venue combines natural beauty with cultural entertainment for a memorable Black Hills experience.
10. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND SCENIC DRIVES
Custer State Park encompasses over 71,000 acres of terrain with an abundance of wildlife including a herd of 1,300 bison. Visitors can spot pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, wild turkeys, and even a group of wild burros throughout the park. The park offers opportunities for scenic drives along the Needles Highway and other renowned routes.
11. Western Horizons Hot Air Balloons
AERIAL BLACK HILLS ADVENTURE
Western Horizons Hot Air Balloons offers a unique adventure to experience the amazing natural beauty of the Black Hills from above. Their typical flights provide spectacular aerial views of historic Hot Springs and the surrounding Southern Black Hills unlike any other perspective. This exciting experience allows visitors to see the region's natural landscape from a breathtaking vantage point.
12. Springs Lodge & Coffee
LOCAL DINING FAVORITE
Springs Lodge & Coffee is a popular local dining establishment in Hot Springs offering refreshments after a day of exploration. The venue serves as both a lodging option and a place to enjoy coffee and meals in a comfortable setting. It's conveniently located for visitors looking to relax after enjoying the town's mineral springs and attractions.
13. Pirates Restaurant
LAKESIDE THEMED DINING
Pirates Restaurant offers themed dining at Lake Angostura near Hot Springs, combining food with scenic reservoir views. The restaurant provides a family-friendly atmosphere with its unique pirate theme and waterfront location. It serves as a popular destination for visitors after a day of recreation at the Angostura Recreation Area.
14. Wind Cave National Park
UNDERGROUND CAVE SYSTEM
Wind Cave National Park protects one of the world's longest and most complex cave systems just outside Hot Springs. The cave is famous for its rare boxwork formations, a honeycomb-like calcite structure rarely found elsewhere. Above ground, the park preserves one of the few remaining mixed-grass prairie ecosystems in the United States.
15. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
ICONIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the carved faces of four American presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln—on a granite mountainside. Located under an hour's drive from Hot Springs, this iconic monument draws millions of visitors annually. The site includes a visitor center, museum, and evening lighting ceremony that highlights the sculpture's impressive scale and craftsmanship.