Make the most of autumn in South Dakota by getting outside. From fun fishing trips to rock climbing, autumn is a South Dakota season that can’t be passed up. Whether you’re interested in going horseback riding in the breathtaking Black Hills or fishing for walleye in one of the state’s many impressive lakes, there’s an activity for everyone. Here are our favorites.
There is no better way to see the Black Hills countryside than by the vintage steam train, the 1880 Train that travels from Hill City to Keystone. The ride is an hour each way with a 15-minute turnaround time in each station. The train goes through some of the most beautiful views of foliage in South Dakota, so there is plenty of opportunity to view the autumn nature scenes of the Black Hills, as well as the abundance of wildlife in the hills.
Hiking in the Black Hills National Forest can be difficult and slow going, which is why some visitors choose to explore the park on horseback. Live the cowboy life for a day on this exciting and scenic tour! You’ll be able to listen to old tales and songs from the cowboys themselves, as well as have a full-on home cooked cowboy meal if you include the dinner packages. Check out what other packages are available on their website!
While the fall trees are amazing from the ground, they’re even better from the bird’s eye view of a hot air balloon. Black Hills Balloons offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience for travelers. For over 30 years, this tour company has provided thrilling rides for customers. The flight lasts about one hour and has gorgeous views of the Black Hills landscape and wildlife.
As Black Hills Open-Top Tours knows, the Black Hills has so much more than just Mount Rushmore. In fact, Custer State Park is often where tourists end up spending most of their time. On these tours, visitors pack into a comfortable and roomy open-top vehicle and tour the hills. While they offer many tours, one of the most popular is the Mount Rushmore Safari Tour, which tours the Mount Rushmore Monument, Crazy Horse Memorial, Iron Mountain Road, Mount Coolidge Lookout, Needles Highway, and the State Game Lodge at Custer State Park, as well as the new Visitor Center and Wildlife Loop.
The fall is the best time to pick up a new outdoor hobby before winter begins, and rock climbing is perfect for adrenaline junkies. Climb everywhere from Custer State Park to Devils Tower to around Mount Rushmore. The experience is open to everyone, from beginners to families to seasoned experts. All gear and training is provided. Each climber gets personalized instructions and training from the seasoned climbing guide. Not only do climbers learn a new outdoor skill, but can also see the majestic Custer State Park’s autumn foliage!
View this post on Instagram
The Black Hills Gold Rush of the 1870s changed everything in the Black Hills. Settlers arrived, established towns, and panned and mined for gold. The town of Deadwood is one of these Gold Rush-era towns that sprang up, and it attracts a cast of characters like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Learn about the insane Wild West history of Deadwood with Boot Hill Tours. The narrated tour goes around Deadwood as the guide tells visitors about local legends, historic buildings, the murder of Wild Bill at Saloon #10, and the lives of local legends.
With Halloween right around the corner, it’s the time of the year for spooky outdoor activities—like exploring the vast Wind Cave by candlelight! This is possible on the Candlelight Cave Tour, in which guides take visitors through a less developed and unlighted section of the sprawling cave system. The tour is strenuous and lasts about two hours. Due to the small group sizes, reservations are strongly encouraged.
View this post on Instagram
Estelline is a small town just outside of Watertown, but this tiny town packs in some unbeatable fall fun! Ensure that you get the most out of the last few months of fishing season by hitting the lake with an expert from South Dakota Guided Fishing. These guides provide transportation from Sioux Falls, Brookings, or Watertown to their lodging, and fish at many local lakes like Lake Thompson, Whitewood, East and West Oakwood, Grass Lake, Spirit Lake, Waubay Lake, and many more. You’ll catch everything from perch to walleye to Northern pike with the help of a South Dakota fishing guide.
The Black Hills is packed full of unique mining history, some of which can still be seen in ghost towns hidden throughout the hills. But these spooky ghost towns can be found and explored with the help of an expert guide from GeoFunTrek Tours in Keystone during one of their day-long tours. If ghost towns aren’t your thing, GeoFunTrek Tours also offer other exciting tour experiences like sunset and stargazing tours of the Badlands, dinosaur and fossil tours, mining and history tours, winery and art gallery tours, and walking tours.
Imagine leaving your cares behind, gazing up at the stars, breathing in the fresh prairie air, cozying up to warm campfire, and getting lost in the golden foliage. There is no secret that camping in the fall is spectacular, but when you’re surrounded with such beautiful golden landscape, you’ll be having the best time of the season. Badlands National Park has two campgrounds, Cedar Pass Campground is usually open until the end of October/beginning of November, while Sage Creek Campground is open year-round.
View this post on Instagram
