Make the most of summer by staying at one of the five hotels connected to WaTiki® Indoor Waterpark Resort: Residence Inn by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, La Quinta by Wyndham, Home2 Suites by Hilton or Courtyard by Marriott. With convenient accommodations, your vacation is set for endless summer fun! Keep reading to learn more about some of the top attractions in the beautiful Black Hills.
Time Spent: 3.5 hours
Located steps from your room!
Enjoy an exhilarating day at this 30,000-square-foot water park with attractions like a lazy river, waterslides and a giant hot tub. Afterward, recharge at Sliders Bar & Grill and try your skills at Koko’s Arcade. Special discounts are available for hotel guests, military personnel and locals, with room packages tailored for parties.
2. Reptile Gardens
Time Spent: 3 hours
Mileage: 11.3 miles
Full of exhibits, Reptile Gardens is a place for the whole family. Attractions feature a playground, a beautiful botanical garden, giant tortoises and so much more.
3. Bear Country USA
Time Spent: 2.5 hours
Mileage: 14 miles
This wildlife park is where you’ll experience exciting encounters with black bears, bobcats, elk, cougars, goats, sheep and more. Not only is this great for family bonding, but seeing animals in their natural habitat offers visitors a memorable educational experience.
4. Storybook Island
Time Spent: 1.5 hours
Mileage: 7.9 miles
Open seven days a week, the park is full of playgrounds and popular characters from children’s books. Some characters include Yogi and Boo Boo Bear, Cat in the Hat, Humpty Dumpty and more!
5. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Time Spent: 3 hours
Mileage: 27.8 miles
Mount Rushmore offers a diverse range of activities suitable for the whole family, including hiking, "junior ranger" programs and self-guided tours. The park also prioritizes accessibility, providing convenient parking, written transcripts, braille brochures and wheelchair-accessible trails.
6. Crazy Horse Memorial
Time Spent: 2 hours
Mileage: 42.8 miles
Rich with Native American history, Crazy Horse is an educational experience with a museum, educational and cultural center, hiking trails and van rides to the top of Thunderhead Mountain.
7. Old McDonald's Farm
Time Spent: 2 hours
Mileage: 15.1 miles
The farm is home to over 100 farm animals in a hands-on environment. Bring your family to experience feeding the animals, pony and train rides, and the billy goat bridge.
8. Custer State Park Wildlife Loop
Time Spent: 2 hours
Mileage: 29.6 miles
This extensive stretch takes your family through the beautiful scenery of the Black Hills. Don’t forget about the various wildlife that calls the park home including bison, whitetail and mule deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, eagles and more! Make sure to plan extra time for the chance to see a buffalo crossing.
9. Keystone, South Dakota
Time Spent: 4 hours
Mileage: 25.1 miles
Embark on a day filled with excitement in Keystone, with activities like riding the 1880 Train, taking a helicopter ride with Black Hills Helicopters, experiencing thrills at Rush Mountain Adventure Park, exploring Rushmore Cave and playing arcade games at Sprockets. Whether for a full or half-day, Keystone promises fun for the whole family.
10. Badlands National Park
Time Spent: 4 hours
Mileage: 56.7 miles
Lose track of time in the best way at Badlands National Park, with its scenic drives and hiking trails. Explore massive rock formations, local wildlife, and swing by Wall, South Dakota, to become a Badlands Junior Ranger before returning to WaTiki® Waterpark.
