10 Easy Out-of-County Road Trips from Hot Springs, South Dakota
If you’re based in
Hot Springs, South Dakota, and you’ve already soaked in the mineral springs, walked the local trails, and explored downtown, you might be wondering:
“Okay… what’s next?”
The good news? You’re sitting in a perfect little launchpad for some of the best short road trips in the region. In less than a couple of hours in almost any direction, you can be in a new county, a new state, and a totally different landscape.
Below are
10 short out-of-county road trips to help you find fun things to do near Hot Springs, focused on these surrounding counties:
- Custer County, South Dakota
- Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota
- Dawes County, Nebraska
- Sioux County, Nebraska
- Niobrara County, Wyoming
All of these suggestions are
outside Fall River County, so you’re truly “getting out of town” while still staying close to home.
1. Custer State Park Wildlife Loop – Custer County, SD
If you only have time for one road trip from Hot Springs, make it this one.
The drive to
Custer State Park is roughly 30–45 minutes from town, depending on your route. Once you enter the park, head for the famous
Wildlife Loop Road.
- Spot free-roaming bison, pronghorn, deer, and prairie dogs.
- Keep an eye out for the “begging burros,” friendly donkeys that often walk right up to cars.
- Great photography stops with rolling hills and wide-open skies.
It’s especially magical early in the morning or toward sunset. If you’ve ever wanted that classic “South Dakota bison herd” photo, this is where you’ll get it.
2. Sylvan Lake & Needles Highway – Custer County, SD
From Hot Springs, head north into the heart of the
Black Hills to find one of the most photogenic lakes in the state:
Sylvan Lake.
Here’s what makes it worth the drive:
- Easy lakeside walking trail with big granite rock formations.
- Kayaking, canoeing, or just skipping stones along the shore.
- Picnic areas (pack a cooler and make a day of it).
On the way, or on the way back, plan to drive at least part of the
Needles Highway. This scenic road winds through tall rock spires, one-lane tunnels, and tight curves that feel straight out of a movie. Just keep your speed low and your camera handy.
3. Crazy Horse Memorial – Custer County, SD
Another simple day trip from Hot Springs is the
Crazy Horse Memorial, a powerful tribute to the famous Oglala Lakota leader.
What you can do there:
- Visit the Indian Museum of North America.
- Watch videos about the history and ongoing carving of the mountain.
- Learn more about Native American cultures and local history.
The carving itself is still a work in progress, and that’s part of what makes it interesting. You’re watching history being shaped—literally—right into the mountain.
4. Pine Ridge & Wounded Knee – Oglala Lakota County, SD
For a deeper, more reflective road trip, head south and east into
Oglala Lakota County to explore the
Pine Ridge Reservation area.
The site of
Wounded Knee is one of the most historically important—and heartbreaking—places in the region. It’s not a “tourist attraction” in the usual sense, but a place to remember and learn.
Tips for visiting respectfully:
- Read up on the history beforehand so you understand what you’re seeing.
- Be quiet and respectful at the site.
- Support local artists and small businesses if you have the chance.
This is a good road trip when you’re in the mood for meaning, not just scenery.
5. Scenic Drives & Badlands Edges – Oglala Lakota County, SD
Parts of the
Badlands region edge into Oglala Lakota County, and the drives here can feel remote, wild, and peaceful.
You won’t find big visitor centers or crowds like in the main areas of Badlands National Park, but that’s exactly the charm:
- Long, open roads with huge skies.
- Pull-offs where you can stop, get out, and listen to nothing but wind and birds.
- Great spots for stargazing on a clear night.
Bring plenty of gas, water, and snacks. Cell service can be spotty, so download maps before you go.
6. Chadron & Chadron State Park – Dawes County, NE
Cross the state line south into
Nebraska and you’ll hit
Dawes County, home to
Chadron and
Chadron State Park.
Chadron State Park is Nebraska’s oldest state park and offers:
- Miles of hiking and biking trails through pine-covered hills.
- Cabins and picnic areas, great for family day trips.
- Horseback riding in season.
The town of
Chadron itself has a low-key, small-college-town feel. Grab a coffee or burger, stretch your legs, and enjoy the slower pace before heading back to Hot Springs.
7. Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed – Dawes County, NE
Also in Dawes County, north of Crawford, is the
Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed. If you’re into history, archaeology, or just cool, lesser-known stops, this one’s for you.
Here’s what makes it unique:
- Remains of hundreds of ancient bison, discovered at a single site.
- Interpretive center explaining how and why they ended up there.
- Trails and views of the nearby prairie and buttes.
This is the kind of place where you walk away feeling like you just peeked back thousands of years into the past.
8. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument – Sioux County, NE
Head a bit farther west into
Sioux County, Nebraska, and you’ll find
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. It’s a small but fascinating park that’s easy to tour in half a day.
Highlights include:
- Well-marked trails past exposed fossil hills from the Miocene era.
- Exhibits explaining ancient mammals that once roamed the Plains.
- A visitor center with both natural history and Native American artifacts.
If you have kids who are into dinosaurs and fossils (even though these fossils are younger than dinosaurs), this is a fun and educational stop. It’s quiet, easy to navigate, and very different from the rocky Black Hills.
9. Fort Laramie National Historic Site – Niobrara County Area, WY
From Hot Springs, you can point your car west toward
Wyoming. While the
Fort Laramie National Historic Site itself sits just over the line in neighboring Platte/Goshen areas, it’s a realistic and rewarding road trip reached by traveling through
Niobrara County.
Why it’s worth the day:
- Well-preserved historic buildings from a key frontier fort.
- Stories of the Oregon Trail, military history, and Native American relations.
- Easy walking tours and plenty of room to explore.
If you’ve ever driven past the brown national park signs and wondered, “Should we stop?”, this is one of those places where the answer is yes.
10. Long, Empty Highways & Cowboy Country – Niobrara County, WY
Niobrara County itself is wide-open ranch and
“big sky” country. It’s the kind of place where your road trip becomes the main event.
Ideas for a simple, no-stress drive:
- Follow the smaller highways and backroads through prairie and rolling hills.
- Stop at small-town cafes for pie and coffee.
- Listen to your favorite playlist and just enjoy the miles.
Sometimes the best thing to do near Hot Springs isn’t a specific attraction at all—it’s spending a few hours on the road with nothing on your schedule except watching the landscape roll by.
Tips for Planning Your Road Trips from Hot Springs
To make these out-of-county adventures easier, keep a few basics in mind:
- Check driving times: Most of these trips are within 1–3 hours of Hot Springs, perfect for a day trip.
- Fuel up early: Once you get into rural areas, gas stations can be far apart.
- Pack snacks and water: Especially if you’re traveling with kids or exploring in summer heat.
- Watch the weather: Storms, snow, and high winds can make driving tricky.
- Respect local communities and lands: Follow posted rules, stay on roads and trails, and support local businesses when you can.
What’s Your Favorite Road Trip from Hot Springs?
Living in or visiting
Hot Springs, South Dakota means you’re never far from a new adventure. From the bison of
Custer State Park to the fossils in
Agate Fossil Beds, there’s a whole ring of experiences waiting just beyond Fall River County.
Have you driven any of these routes? Do you have a hidden gem you love in Custer, Oglala Lakota, Dawes, Sioux, or Niobrara counties?
Share your favorite day trip in the comments and let other travelers know what’s worth the drive. And if you found this guide helpful,
please share it with friends or family planning a visit to Hot Springs—your share might inspire someone’s next great road trip.
Comments
Post a Comment