8 Cozy Towns To Visit In South Dakota

Known for badlands, dusty prairies, and ragged rock formations, South Dakota may not seem like the coziest vacation spot. However, nested within South Dakota's canyons and hoodoos are small towns where you can do serene things, such as touring art galleries, patronizing cafes, admiring historic architecture, soaking in hot springs, and riding a scenic railroad. These eight towns can be comfortable bases for not-so-comfortable—but immensely rewarding—South Dakota exploring.

Lead

Although Deadwood is the South Dakota Wild West destination, tourists should lead with its next-door neighbor, Lead. Less touristy but hosting its own turn-of-the-century landmarks, Lead can warm bellies, hands, and spirits via The Stampmill Restaurant, Saloon, and Victorian Suites, which is a cornerstone of historic Main Street. Other Main Street retreats include Dakota Shivers Brewing, the Homestake Opera House, and the Black Hills Mining Museum. Lead's slogan is "deeply authentic," which has a double meaning. One can hibernate among neutrinos at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. Its Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center offers gifts and tours.

Madison

Madison nourishes thousands of students with Dakota State University and thousands of tourists with restaurants like The Office Bar and Grill, Country Cafe, Los Tapatios, China Moon Restaurant, and 2nd Street Diner. Of course, students also get nourishment from Madison's restaurants, and tourists also get nourishment from the university via tours of its historic campus. DSU was founded in 1881 and currently encompasses 78 acres and 23 buildings, the oldest of which, Beadle Hall, was built in 1886. Beadle Hall is considered the oldest building in South Dakota still used for its original purpose.

Custer

Custer is a 1,900ish-person community just minutes from Mount Rushmore. Aside from western America's most famous monument, Custer neighbors Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Jewel Cave National Monument, all of which are in the legendary Black Hills. While exploring this scenic region, one can stay in Custer proper at the 7 Grand Historic Lodge or in the countryside at the luxurious Bavarian Inn or one of numerous primitive campsites.

Whatever level of comfort you choose, you will be close to Custer's comfort food. Cowboy caviar at The Custer Wolf, bison ribeye at the Sage Creek Grille, and/or a bacon habanero jam burger at Baker's Bakery & Cafe can make your vacation extra pleasant.

Webster

Located in the northeastern glacial lakes and prairies region, Webster is scenic for the opposite reasons as Custer. This 1,700ish-person "city" is awash with lakes and marshes of all sizes, which comprise the Akerson Waterfowl Production Area, Antelope Lake Waterfowl Production Area, Gonsoir Waterfowl Production Area, Waubay Lake, the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge, and many other preserves.

After hiking, fishing, birding, hunting, and/or sightseeing in Webster's waterlogged wonderland, tourists can dry off in town at the Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry, AKA "the best-kept secret of NE South Dakota," before relaxing at the family-owned Webster Theatre. Add in a trip to The New Frontier Steakhouse & Lounge for the best taste of Webster.

Spearfish

Spearfish does have a lot of fish via the DC Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives, but it also has a lot of people by South Dakota standards. As of the 2020 Census, this Black Hills haunt houses 12,193 residents, which makes it the 10th most populous South Dakota municipality but would make it the 358th most populous municipality in California.

Therefore, Spearfish is an incredibly cozy size for non-South Dakotans and an incredibly cozy attraction for everyone thanks to the Termesphere Gallery, Crow Peak Brewing Company, Farmhouse Bistro & Bar, Spearfish Bed and Breakfast, and Black Hills State University. Of course, one can leave the comfort of Spearfish for the wilds of the Black Hills. Nearby natural landmarks include Bridal Veil Falls and Crow Peak.

Milbank

Sitting across the Lake Traverse Reservation from Webster, Milbank claims its fair share of lakes and preserves like Lake Farley, Lake Farley Park, the Garvey Waterfowl Production Area, and, a little farther away, Big Stone Lake. The last of those is a 26-mile-long lagoon on the Minnesota border that attracts aquatic adventurers from multiple states.

Milbank proper is a proper small town according to the rest of America but a small city in South Dakota. Roughly 3,500 residents and uncounted tourists have access to the Mill Theatres, The Pump, and the GrandStay Hotel & Suites. After seeing a show at the theater, grabbing a burger at the restaurant, and catching some Zs at the hotel, one can wake up bright and early for a historic tour of the 44-foot-tall Milbank Grist Mill at serene Mill Park.

Hill City

As the "Heart of the Black Hills," Hill City has about 870 residents but a disproportionate number of attractions inside town and out. Hill City's array of eateries and galleries and museums are within comfortable walking distance. One can traipse from the 1885 Steakhouse & Saloon to the ArtForms Gallery to the Museum at Black Hills Institute to the South Dakota State Railroad Museum. Arguably, the most relaxing mode of Hill City transportation is the train. The Black Hills Central Railroad 1880 Train takes passengers on a historic and scenic round trip between Hill City and Keystone.

Hot Springs

True to its name, Hot Springs can warm you with naturally heated mineral water. Five thousand gallons of the stuff flow each minute into Evans Plunge, which is a hot springs resort said to be the oldest tourist attraction in the Black Hills. Following a plunge into the constant 87-degree water, you can dive into other thermal pools at Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa or dig into The Mammoth Site, which is a museum and National Natural Landmark that "boasts the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world." Over 60 of those formerly fuzzy pachyderms have been excavated from their prehistoric resting place. The ground is cozy in Hot Springs.

From "deeply authentic" Lead to scholarly Madison to culinary Custer to Waubay-adjacent Webster to fish-filled Spearfish to mill-filled Milbank to hilly Hill City to hot springsy Hot Springs, South Dakota's small communities can keep you safe and comfortable while you explore the state's countless canyons and monuments. Badlands can be paired with good food, good entertainment, and good sleep.