Take a hop, skip, and a spring toward fun in Hot Springs
Tucked under the southern edge of the Black Hills, Hot Springs was once prized by Cheyenne and Sioux tribes who appreciated the warm water bubbling up from the canyon and feeding Fall River, which runs right through town. European settlers reimagined the city as a frontier health spa, and today, with six thermal springs still gurgling through town, it still feels like the right place to rest your weary bones. When you're well-soaked, it's time to enjoy the city's historic architecture and the area's hiking trails and campsites.
Sightseeing in and around Hot Springs
Do you want to discover things to do while you're in town? Although it can be tempting to stay in your comfortable vacation rental, you'll want to experience everything that makes Hot Springs a fun place to get away. Here are some of the top attractions to put on your list, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa (0.6 mi / 1 km)
- Evans Plunge Mineral Springs (0.7 mi / 1.2 km)
- Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road (18 mi / 28.9 km)
- Sylvan Lake (28.8 mi / 46.3 km)
- Angostura Recreation Area (6.7 mi / 10.7 km)
- Peter Norbeck Visitors Center (23.5 mi / 37.9 km)
Swim, splash, and slurp _ this water is at your service
If you're new to the city, you'll want to start with a stroll through the two downtown parks that hug Fall River. Their walking paths and pedestrian bridges will lead you to the fresh water at Kidney Springs, a good place to fill up your empty water jugs. Then enjoy a day of pampering or play at one of the city's spas or waterparks. For a little more outdoor adventure, Angostura State Recreation Area is just a few miles south of your Hot Springs vacation rental and offers campsites, a crystal-clear lake, and perfect fishing and swimming spots.
Warm summers and winters tailor-made for a hot spring
Your Hot Springs vacation rental will be set in a stunning landscape, no matter what the time of year. It's cool, semi-arid climate means rain is rare and winters are chilly. Spring is the rainiest season, so be prepared for occasional showers or thunderstorms. Summers are warm and lovely, especially in the mornings. Afternoons are hot but rarely hit temps above 90¡F. Fall is crisp and clear, and winter is cold but less bitter than what you might face at higher elevations in the Black Hills. Expect snowfalls in the inches, not the yards.
Let splendid wild horses stampede into your heart
Within a short drive of your Hot Springs vacation rental you'll find South Dakota's most dramatic sights. To the north is Custer State Park, 71,000 acres of terrain where bighorn sheep, antelope, and wild turkeys run free. If that's not enough to get your heart racing, look for the roaming herd of 1,300 bison. South of Custer is Wind Cave National Park, where you can explore one of the longest caves in the world, and a bit further south is the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, a haven for beautiful beasts and the humans who love them.
How to get to and around Hot Springs
The nearest airport is in Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), located 46.9 mi (75.5 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you can also fly into Chadron, NE (CDR-Chadron Municipal), which is 45.8 mi (73.7 km) away.
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