Family-Friendly Things to Do in Hot Springs, South Dakota
- Dana Shik
- Jul 10
- 8 min read
Our two-month summer RV journey across the U.S. and Canada took us through South Dakota from Sioux Falls in the east to Hot Springs in the state's southwest corner. Spending so much time on the road meant we had time to explore explore the area, settle into campground life for a few days, and enjoy a destination that offers a very different experience from the national parks surrounding it.
If you are looking for family-friendly things to do in Hot Springs, it is best known for the Mammoth Site, where the remains of more than 60 Columbian mammoths have been discovered over the past five decades. The town itself owes its existence to the naturally warm mineral springs that flow beneath it. Long before European settlers arrived, Native American tribes visited the area because they believed the springs had healing properties. In the late 1800s, Hot Springs developed into a health resort town, and many of the sandstone buildings that still stand downtown today date back to that era.
Hot Springs also makes a convenient base for exploring many of western South Dakota's best-known attractions. Wind Cave National Park is only about 15 minutes away, Custer State Park is roughly 45 minutes away, Mount Rushmore National Memorial can be reached in about an hour, and Badlands National Park is around an hour and a half from town. We visited all of them during this leg of our RV trip, and I've shared those experiences in separate articles. This post is all about what we discovered while spending three days in Hot Springs itself.
Our Campground
We arrived in Hot Springs after a couple of easy driving hours from Badlands National Park and checked into the KOA. The campground has a playground, pool, jumping pillow, mini golf, and plenty of room for kids to ride bikes. We usually pick kids-friendly campgrounds, especially on extended travels, where we need to keep our kids entertained while we catch up on work.
Long RV trips naturally settle into a rhythm after a while. Once the slides are out and everything is connected, everyone knows their job. Some unload bikes, someone walks the dog, someone starts making lunch (or dinner), and before long it feels like home again.
Before we even made it to our first activity, though, we managed to lock ourselves out of the motorhome. Thankfully, we eventually got back inside (thanks to our travel insurance and an awesome locks man!) and could laugh about it afterwards, but it definitely wasn't how we pictured starting our stay.
With that little adventure behind us, we headed to Breaker's Beach.
Spend an Afternoon at Breaker's Beach
Breaker's Beach was the first place we visited in Hot Springs after several active days in the Badlands.
Our 5, 7, and 12-year-old kids spent most of the afternoon on the beach, while our 14yo and I headed to shop for groceries. We enjoyed slowing down for a few hours and got back to our campground for dinner and a calm firepit.
That evening, our oldest son volunteered to cook dinner for the whole family. It's become something he enjoys doing during our travels but also at home, and it's always nice to have someone else take over the tiny RV kitchen for a change.
Dig for Fossils at the Mammoth Site
The Mammoth Site was the reason Hot Springs made it onto our itinerary.
Unlike many museums, this one gives families the chance to participate. Mammoth Site is the world’s largest mammoth research facility, where over 60 mammoths have been unearthed, along with at dozens of other Ice Age animals. As do many others, we asked how come so many mammoths were unearthed in one place. As scientists were able to show, the sinkhole where their remains were recovered from, filled with warm water from hot springs, creating a natural trap. Mammoths and other animals entered the area and were unable to escape. Over time, their remains accumulated and were preserved in sediment. Since 1974, the Mammoth Site is an active research facility that contributes to the study of Ice Age animals and environments, and visitors can enter the hall where the active dig and research at the sinkhole are conducted. There is even a 1-week long program for 18+ signees, to work with the scientists in the actual site.
Since we are traveling with our kids, we signed up for the family excavation experience, where they learned how paleontologists uncover fossils using excavation tools and careful brushing techniques. This activity was more suitable for our younger three, and watching them completely focused on the dig was probably our favorite part of the visit.
Afterward, we toured through the excavation site itself. Seeing scientists actively working in the site made the whole experience feel much more tangible than walking through a traditional museum, and our guide explained how the sinkhole formed, why so many mammoths ended up there, and how discoveries are still being made.
Cool Off at Cascade Falls
Later that day we drove over to the natural spring named Cascade Falls.
Cascade Falls is fed by six natural springs that keep the water at a constant 67°F (19°C) year-round. The water flows continuously through the pools before continuing downstream, and because it's spring-fed rather than recirculated, the water stays remarkably clear. Although the pools have been enjoyed by locals for generations, the site remains surprisingly low-key compared with many other South Dakota attractions, which is part of its appeal. After several warm days exploring South Dakota, it felt incredibly refreshing. The kids were far braver than we were and dipped straight in, while I was perfectly happy sitting with my feet still in my shoes—but I had the perfect excuse, as I was still recovering from knee fractures and wasn't ready for slippery or unstable ground.
It's not somewhere we would spend an entire day, but it's absolutely worth stopping for a couple of hours if you're already in Hot Springs.
It is fairly secluded, with only a handful of visitors in the area. It's quiet, serene, and truly a great way to spend a summer afternoon.
Spend a Rainy Day at Evans Plunge
Rain was forecast for our third day in Hot Springs, so we planned to spend it at Evans Plunge. Opened in 1890, it's the oldest tourist attraction in the Black Hills and has welcomed generations of visitors to its naturally warm mineral spring water. The water emerges from Evans Spring at roughly 87°F (31°C) before being blended to comfortable swimming temperatures throughout the pools.
Our younger kids stayed mostly in the children's play pool, while our older boys made the most of the water slides and volleyball pool. We ended up spending several hours there, which everyone agreed was a fantastic way to spend a rainy day.
Having indoor activities like this makes Hot Springs an easy place to spend a few days, even if the weather changes.
Enjoy Campground Life
One of the things we enjoy most about longer RV trips is that not every day revolves around sightseeing.
We caught up on laundry, organized the RV before the next leg of the trip, and finally had time to deal with all the little things that pile up after a week on the road while both of us work full-time. Our younger kids made friends around the campground almost immediately, our oldest devoted time each day to practicing piano and his drum pad, and we wrapped up one evening playing several rounds of Boggle around the picnic table with the outdoor screen we love bringing on trips.
At one point we also noticed Nebraska was only 25 minutes away from Cascade Falls, so we took a spontaneous drive across the state line just so the kids could add another state to this summer's map—although in our family, we really only count states we've actually explored.
Those are the moments we usually remember just as much as the attractions themselves.
Is Hot Springs Worth Visiting?
We think Hot Springs is a great stop for families traveling through western South Dakota.
Three nights felt like the right amount of time, but if you are planning to explore trails in the Black Hills, visit Wind Cave, and Custer State Park, you might want 1-2 more days. Among all these recommended spots, we still haven't been to Custer State Park, but we have included our impressions and extensive recommendations on Badlands, Black Hills Mount Rushmore, and Wind Cave in our first travel post about South Dakota.
If your South Dakota itinerary already includes Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, or Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Hot Springs fits naturally between them. It offers a nice mix of history, science, outdoor recreation, and the slower pace that makes longer family road trips so enjoyable.
FAQ
Is Hot Springs, South Dakota worth visiting with kids?
Yes. Hot Springs is a great family destination thanks to attractions like the Mammoth Site, Cascade Falls, Evans Plunge, and several family-friendly campgrounds. It's also centrally located for exploring Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and Badlands National Park.
How many days should you spend in Hot Springs, South Dakota?
We found that three days was the ideal amount of time. It gave us enough time to visit the main attractions, enjoy the campground, and slow down between exploring other destinations in western South Dakota.
What are the best things to do in Hot Springs, South Dakota?
Some of the most popular activities include visiting the Mammoth Site, swimming at Cascade Falls, spending a day at Evans Plunge, exploring downtown Hot Springs, and using the town as a base for nearby attractions such as Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park.
Is Hot Springs a good base for exploring the Black Hills?
Yes. Hot Springs is within easy driving distance of Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Badlands National Park, making it a convenient place to stay while exploring the Black Hills region.
Best Time to Go:⛅ May–September — mild weather across the state
🚎Where to rent an RV: We are traveling with our own motorhome, but if you need to rent one, try Cruise America - from Rapid City.
🏞️Places We Visited: The Mammoth Site• Breaker's beach • Evan's plunge • Black Hills (previous post) • Wind Cave NP (previous post) • Cascade Falls • Nebraska State Border
🏞️Places to Add Next Time: Custer State Park • A closer look at Wind Cave NP
What You’ll See:🏔️ Fossils • 💦 Natural Springs
🏕️Best RV Campground for Families: Hot Springs/Black Hills KOA
**Want to learn how and where to rent an RV, how to find, book, and prep for campgrounds?→ Check out my 101 RV travel guide eBook here for tips and hacks on RV life with kids.
📘 Want a full RV trip planning roadmap? My First Time RV rental guide walks you step-by-step through rentals, hookups, budgeting, packing, and what first-time renters usually miss. Our RV Planning Calculator (downloadable xls file for free!) is an excellent way to explore the costs of your next RV family adventure!
📦 Want to skip the “what did we forget?” moment? My RV packing list covers the essentials, the comfort upgrades, and the small items that make daily life on the road smoother. Another super helpful tool is our Vegan RV Pantry Checklist, that walks you through the staples and basics in a moving plant-based kitchen, to make sure you're covered for your next RV adventure!
🏓If you're looking to keep your kids entertained with something other than screens, on long road trips or on downtime, read through our Road Trips Games for Kids article, to find experience-based hand-picked games that truly worked for us!
🥗Recipes we cooked on our trip that fit a tiny kitchen🥗
Hot Springs is great in many ways, except it is not exactly a vegan-friendly town, so equipping your pantry and plan to cook is key for a successful visit.
Visit our recent article for an inspiring collection of one-pot recipes for more culinary ideas!
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