Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Hot Springs, SD
Year Listed: 2009 Hot Springs, less than an hour from Mt. Rushmore, is famous for its healing waters, impressive collection of pink sandstone buildings, scenic beauty and excess of natural and cultural resources. For more than a century, Hot Springs has welcomed visitors who have come to enjoy the warm-water swimming pool of Evans Plunge. The plunge and its therapeutic healing water is a cornerstone of the history of Hot Springs and it is the oldest tourist attraction in the region. At the flow rate of nearly 5,000 gallons per minute, Evans Plunge never contains the same water, changing entirely every hour and a half. Today, the plunge has been updated to include an indoor water park, fitness center, hot tubs and steam rooms. Hot Springs is the perfect gateway to the magnificent beauty of the southern Black Hills. Just south of town is the Wild Horse Sanctuary, where more than 500 wild mustangs run free across 11,000 acres. This area is also renowned for Native American ceremonial sites, petroglyphs and spectacular scenery. Ten miles outside of Hot Springs is the Angostura Reservoir and Recreation area. Showcasing the splendor of the southern Black Hills, the lake has room for boating, fishing and swimming, as well as 36 miles of shoreline and some of the finest sandy beaches in South Dakota. The site is also ideal for leisurely hikes and bike rides. Archeology fans will find something to love in the area. Hot Springs is home to the world-famous Mammoth Site, an active paleontology research site that includes the remains of 58 Ice Age mammoths and 27 other prehistoric species, most an estimated 26,000 years old. One of the nation's oldest National Parks, Wind Cave National Park is just minutes north of town. It has 119 miles of known passageways loaded with a maze of unusual formations and is home to abundant wildlife such as bison, elk, deer, antelope, prairie dogs and coyotes. Hot Springs is the cultural capital of the Black Hills, offering an array of diverse shops, world-class art galleries, annual arts festivals, restaurants and hotel accommodations. More than 35 sandstone structures are located in the downtown area. From the paved Freedom Trail, which winds under a waterfall and along the banks of the Fall River in the heart of town, visitors can see the century-old buildings, including the four-story schoolhouse built in 1893, now home to the Fall River County Pioneer Museum, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which houses the Battle Mountain Museum. Interested in visiting Hot Springs? Visit their Chamber of Commerce.
Take the Plunge
Fall River in Hot Springs, South Dakota.
Credit: Hot Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Outdoor Activities
Archeology & Natural Resources
Downtown
River Street in Hot Springs, South Dakota
Credit: Hot Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
Now it's your turn! Share your experiences or impressions of this Distinctive Destination: Unique restaurants, sights, family-friendly activities, hang outs, art galleries... tell visitors what they shouldn't miss!
Submitted by fran at: November 5, 2009
Red Rock River Resort in HotSprings is serene & romantic. The restaurant has as chef trained @ the Culinary Institute. The food is local, creative & delicious. The spa is restful & includes a heated sandroom - not to be missed!
Submitted by Hot Springs Cowboy at: September 30, 2009
In order to save the Historic Sandstone buildingsmillions of dollars need to be invested in the community. The town is economically depressed and has been for some time. Its sad to see the potential of what can be, when given resources search as the gambling revuneues Deadwood has. But unfortunately Deadwood only gives the State Historic office $100K a year for grant for projects. This is the same amount that was given 20 years ago when gambling started. I am just saying one alternative is gambling. There must be others as well. The downtown historic district is extremely overtaxed, and the only people in town who seem to be making money are those on Social Security. The trust HURT I know, but something NEEDS to happen, before Hot Springs becomes just a dot on a map. I for one LOVE, HOT SPRINGS, and hope that my comments don't sound to harsh. I just want the word to get out that the community needs HELP!
Submitted by a friend at: July 12, 2009
hot springs was the best town i ever lived in. i would go back any day!
Submitted by Stuart Kaye at: June 18, 2009
I do not think that gambling is a worthwhile price to pay for saving heritage architecture! Deadwood has a remarkable collection of buildings, but otherwise it is a tacky, overcommercialised, unpleasant place.
Submitted by Mark in Oregon at: May 19, 2009
Gambling may well work. I think a partnership with the folks at Pine Ridge would be the most promising route.
Submitted by Hot Springs Cowboy at: May 2, 2009
In order to save the wonderful Historic Buildings Hot Springs has that are falling further and further into disrepair, from years of abuse and neglect, the City and its Historic Preservation Commission needs to focus on what the community of Deadwood some 75 miles from Hot Springs did 20 years ago to legalize gambling into order to preserve their history and creat a model for Historical Preservation. Hot Springs has become what Deadwood was 20 years ago, and has very limited resources, local and through the state for much needed Historical Preservation. Its time Hot Springs look at gambling!
Submitted by Ashten at: April 27, 2009
hi, i'm not even halfway through being a teenager, and as far a things for locals to do, i will agree that there isnt much. but. i have spent the best times of my teeny little life here. and yea, i've lived the big cites, big populations, big traffic that makes it to where you drive a good 45 minutes just to get from your house to the grocery store. I love this place. every inch of it has character. even if i were only to look at the sidewalk when i walk through town, theres loads of character and awesomeness there too. just try it. you look on the ground, and theres dates. there's names. lol theres even impressions of an actual gun and pair of handcuffs in front of the cop station. Hot Springs is ever so convienently set between the seven sisters and battle mountain (hills) and the weather is nuts. it rains glittered snow in the sunshine, goes from 85 degrees to snow over night, and yea, to say the least we dont really listen to the weather guy. if it werent for the lack of educational/future opportunities here, i personally would never see a reason to leave this place. for me,,, its perfect.
Submitted by tuffy925 at: April 10, 2009
Go to the Veterans Affairs medical center. Nice campus.
Submitted by Kathy at: March 5, 2009
Hot Springs has been a "Distinctive Destination" to my husband and I for many years. We decided to buy a little piece of paradise two years ago and have just recently joined this wonderful community. The natural beauty here was the primary draw and we found that there is always something new to discover here. The hillsides are verdent with stands of tall grasses, sunflowers, goldenrod and many other varieties of plant life. The sunsets are like an artist's canvas with all the hues of color, and each night being a new painting. We are now a distinctive destination for our family and friends who have visited our new home.
Submitted by ds at: February 20, 2009
okay