10 Easy Road Trips Near Aberdeen, South Dakota (That Take You Out of Brown County)
If you live in or near
Aberdeen, South Dakota and you’re itching to escape town for the day, you’re in luck. Within about an hour or two, you can find quiet lakes, tiny museums, prairie views, and even a few surprises you’d never expect in the middle of the Dakotas.
This guide focuses on
short out-of-county road trips from Aberdeen. That means we’re skipping Brown County and heading to nearby counties like
Spink, Day, Marshall, Edmunds, McPherson, Faulk in South Dakota and
Dickey and Sargent just across the border in North Dakota.
Grab your keys, top off the gas tank, and let’s go.
1. Redfield & the Pheasant Capital of the World (Spink County, SD)
About
45 miles southwest of Aberdeen, Redfield makes a fun, easy day trip into
Spink County.
What to do in and around Redfield:
- Downtown Redfield: Stroll Main Street, pop into local shops, and grab a burger or slice of pie at a small-town cafe.
- Pheasant-themed photo ops: Redfield calls itself the “Pheasant Capital of the World,” so you’ll see colorful pheasant art, murals, and signs around town. It’s a fun stop for photos.
- Outdoor time: Check out nearby public hunting areas in the fall, or just enjoy the open prairie views and gravel-road cruising the rest of the year.
If you want a simple Sunday drive from Aberdeen, Redfield is one of the easiest options: mostly straight roads, small-town charm, and classic South Dakota scenery.
2. Pheasant City Lodge & Prairie Views (Faulk County, SD)
Drive about
65–75 miles southwest from Aberdeen and you’ll be in
Faulk County, home to rolling prairie and big-sky sunsets.
While a lot of folks go there for
pheasant hunting, you don’t have to hunt to enjoy the area:
- Scenic drives: Head toward Faulkton and nearby lodges. You’ll cross wide open fields, old farmyards, and shelterbelts that glow gold in late afternoon.
- Wildlife spotting: Watch the ditches and fields for pheasants, deer, and hawks. Around dawn and dusk, the roads can feel like a moving wildlife tour.
- Small-town stops: Pull into a local bar and grill for a steak or a cold drink and chat with the locals. Rural Faulk County is friendly and laid-back.
This trip is less about attractions and more about soaking in that classic
South Dakota prairie experience.
3. Ipswich & Scenic Backroads (Edmunds County, SD)
To the west of Aberdeen you’ll find
Edmunds County, with
Ipswich as one of its main hubs, roughly
35–40 miles away.
Things to do for a short Edmunds County road trip:
- Explore Ipswich: Walk around the courthouse square, look at old buildings, and grab a coffee or lunch at a local spot.
- Gravel-road touring: Take a slow loop on the backroads. You’ll find old barns, windbreaks, and those long, straight sections of road that feel like they go on forever.
- Sunset chasers: If you’re into photography, bring your camera. The combination of fields, big clouds, and low sun can be amazing, especially in late summer and early fall.
This is a great “I just need to get out of town for a couple hours” drive from Aberdeen.
4. Leola & Prairie Quiet (McPherson County, SD)
Drive
about 45 miles northwest of Aberdeen and you’ll reach
Leola in
McPherson County. It’s quiet, it’s rural, and that’s exactly the appeal.
Why go?
- Slow-down time: This is the kind of place where you can literally hear the wind. Park on a side road, roll down the windows, and just breathe.
- Country churches & old farms: Keep an eye out for small, rural churches and long-abandoned farmsteads. They make striking photo subjects.
- Border hop: From here, it’s not far to the North Dakota line, so you can loop north and back into South Dakota in one relaxed circuit.
If life in Aberdeen feels too busy (yes, even there), McPherson County is your reset button.
5. Britton & Marshall County Lakes (Marshall County, SD)
Head about
60–70 miles northeast from Aberdeen and you’ll hit
Marshall County, home to the town of
Britton and several lakes and sloughs.
What to check out:
- Britton’s small-town core: Walk around the downtown, peek into shops and cafes, and grab something homemade if you can.
- Nearby lakes: Explore some of the fishing lakes and wildlife areas scattered around the county. You’ll find quiet shorelines ideal for a picnic.
- Bird-watching: Especially in spring and fall, this area can be great for spotting waterfowl and shorebirds.
You can easily pull off a loop from Aberdeen to Britton, then swing down toward Day County before heading home.
6. Waubay National Wildlife Refuge (Day County, SD)
If you only pick one nature-heavy day trip from Aberdeen, make it
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge in
Day County. It’s roughly
70–80 miles east, and the drive itself is part of the fun.
Why it’s worth the trip:
- Visitor center & overlooks: Learn about the region’s lakes and wetlands and then walk up to an overlook for a sweeping view of the water.
- Easy hiking trails: Short, well-marked paths take you through prairie, trees, and along the edges of wetlands. You don’t need to be a hardcore hiker.
- Wildlife watching: Bring binoculars if you have them. You might spot ducks, geese, herons, deer, and more.
This is one of the top
out-of-county nature trips near Aberdeen and a cool way to see what the “prairie pothole” region is all about.
7. Pickerel Lake Recreation Area (Day County, SD)
Also in
Day County,
Pickerel Lake Recreation Area sits about
85–90 miles from Aberdeen, depending on your route. It’s a perfect warm-weather escape.
What to do at Pickerel Lake:
- Swimming & beaches: On a hot day, the sandy beach is a lifesaver. Pack towels, sunscreen, and a cooler.
- Boating & fishing: If you’ve got a boat, even a small one, bring it. Otherwise, just enjoy the views from shore or a fishing dock.
- Picnics with a lake view: Many picnic tables sit close to the water. It’s an easy place to spend an afternoon without much planning.
The lake is deep and clear, and it feels a world away from town even though it’s still a simple day trip from Aberdeen.
8. Fort Sisseton Historic State Park (Marshall County, SD)
For a different kind of “wild,” head to
Fort Sisseton Historic State Park in
Marshall County, usually about
75–90 miles from Aberdeen depending on your route.
Why you should go:
- Historic frontier fort: Walk through old stone buildings and imagine life here in the 1800s. It’s one of the more unique historic sites near Aberdeen.
- Interpretive signs: The park has signs and displays that explain the fort’s role on the frontier, which is especially fun if you’re traveling with kids.
- Annual events: Check dates for the Fort Sisseton Historical Festival if you like reenactments, crafts, and old-time demonstrations.
This is a nice combo of
history, picnicking, and easy walking. If you want more, you can pair it with lakes or wildlife areas nearby.
9. Ellendale & Rural North Dakota Charm (Dickey County, ND)
Cross the border into North Dakota and explore
Dickey County, starting with the town of
Ellendale, about
40–45 miles north of Aberdeen.
Things to do:
- Wander downtown Ellendale: Check out the historic buildings, small businesses, and local eateries. It’s a friendly town with that classic Dakotas feel.
- Campus stroll: The local college campus adds a bit of energy and is a nice place for a short walk.
- Easy country drives: From Ellendale, explore the surrounding roads lined with fields, shelterbelts, and old farmhouses.
If you’ve never crossed the state line up here, this makes for a fun “I left South Dakota today” kind of trip with very little driving stress.
10. Forman & Prairie Lakes (Sargent County, ND)
A little farther north and east is
Forman in
Sargent County, North Dakota, roughly
80–90 miles from Aberdeen.
Why make the drive?
- Quiet small town: Like many towns in the region, Forman has a slow pace and friendly feel. Walk around town and find a spot for lunch.
- Lakes and sloughs: The surrounding area has small lakes, wetlands, and plenty of farmland. It’s a good spot for peaceful drives and casual bird-watching.
- Cross-border loop: You can turn this into a loop: up through Dickey County, across Sargent County, and then back down into South Dakota.
If you like seeing
how similar and yet slightly different rural North Dakota and South Dakota feel, this is an easy way to compare.
Tips for Planning Your Out-of-County Road Trips from Aberdeen
To keep your day smooth and stress-free, a little prep goes a long way:
- Fuel up in Aberdeen: Some small towns have limited gas station hours, especially on Sundays.
- Pack snacks and water: Even if you plan to eat out, it’s nice to have backup.
- Check road conditions: In spring, gravel roads can get muddy; in winter, drifting snow is no joke.
- Bring layers: Plains weather changes fast. A hoodie in the car can save the day.
- Download a map: Cell service can get spotty in the backroads, so offline maps help.
If you’re wondering which trip to try first, ask yourself:
Do I want lakes, wildlife, or small towns?
- Pick Waubay NWR or Pickerel Lake for water and hiking.
- Pick Redfield, Ipswich, or Ellendale for classic small-town exploring.
- Pick Leola or Faulk County backroads if you just need quiet.
Share Your Favorite Day Trips Near Aberdeen
Have you explored any of these
out-of-county road trips from Aberdeen?
Did we miss a hidden gem in
Spink, Day, Marshall, Edmunds, McPherson, Faulk, Dickey, or Sargent County?
Drop a comment with:
- Your favorite short drive from Aberdeen
- Best lake or picnic spot you’ve found nearby
- Any small-town cafe or diner worth the detour
And if you know someone in the Aberdeen area who’s always saying, “There’s nothing to do around here,” go ahead and
share this post with them.
Sometimes, the best adventures are less than two hours down the road.
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