Discover the best hot springs in South Dakota!
When it comes to tourism, South Dakota’s main attraction is Mount Rushmore. However, there is so much more that this state has to offer, including hot springs, of course!
The hot springs in this area rose to popularity during the 1800s mineral bathing boom, which brought the healing benefits of natural hot mineral water to the public’s attention.
Nowadays, South Dakota only has four hot spring options, but they are all well worth visiting. As with many states, a town called Hot Springs in South Dakota is named after the natural hot springs that can be found in that area. Half of the South Dakota hot springs can be found in this town. There is also an area known as Cascade Springs that houses the state’s only primitive hit spring.
In this guide, we are going to look at all four of the hot springs in South Dakota and see what this state has to offer.
4 Hot Springs in South Dakota
Even though there are only four hot springs in South Dakota, they offer a lot of variety of experiences. From luxury spas to recreation centers, and primitive outdoor pools, South Dakota has a hot spring choice for you.
Due to their location, these hot springs are easy to reach from neighboring states like Nebraska and Wyoming, which don’t have a lot of hot spring activity. If you are in one of these states, it’s definitely worth taking a day trip to soak in the mineral hot springs.
The town called Hot Springs can be found in the Black Hills National Forest, near Fall River. The hot springs here are heated by underground thermal vents that make the waters comfortably warm. This town has two of the most popular hot springs in this state.
Here are the four South Dakota hot springs:
Cascade Falls Warm Springs
Cascade Falls Warm Springs is the only primitive hot spring in South Dakota, and it’s a beauty!
Known to the locals as the ‘old swimming hole,’ this spot has been used by residents and visitors since 1880. The crystal clear water pours in from a waterfall and fills the pools with clean, warm mineral water. Since it is classified as a warm spring, Cascade Falls’ water temperature sits around 67 F. The source of this hot spring is six different artesian springs that feed Cascade Creek.
Since the pool is so large, it has a variety of depths that will suit different people, so you can enjoy the warm waters in the most comfortable way possible while taking in your lush, green surroundings.
This hot spring is open year-round, but we suggest going when it’s warmer so you can use the springs to cool down. However, this is a very popular spot, so prepare for it to get busy in the summer.
Evan’s Plunge Mineral Springs
If you are looking for a fully kitted-out wellness center that is great for kids, then Evan’s Plunge Mineral Springs is the hot spring you need to visit.
Also classified as a warm spring, Evan’s Plunge’s water sits at a moderate 87 F. This spring was initially discovered by the Lakota people, who called it ‘wiwila kata,’ which means warm waters. This original source can still be found at the north end of the pool.
In 1890, the spot was turned into a recreation center that is now the oldest attraction in Black Hills.
The center features a sizeable warm mineral water pool as well as kid’s pools that are filled with warm mineral water. There are also two hot tubs available for more relaxed soaking. There are also four different water slides to keep the kids entertained.
This all-inclusive hot spring complex also offers a sauna and steam room, a fitness center, sports courts, and water sports like water volleyball.
Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa
In all its rustic beauty, Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa is a luxury spa experience that has been in South Dakota for over 100 years.
The original spa buildings were built in 1890, but they were renovated in 2014 to create this elegant but rustic spa that is present today. The designers worked carefully to include remnants of the old buildings within the new design, so the outdoor pools are surrounded by old brick structures.
Moccasin Springs has a number of soaking options whose temperatures vary from 88-103 F depending on what pool you are visiting.
The largest pool is the original 1913 pool. This is an expansive pool of around 88-90 F has its own pool house, which features showers, a lounge area, and lockers for your belongings.
If you want a more private soak, you can use the Bathhouse, which has two individual hot tubs to soak in on your own.
The Moccasin Pool and Pool House got its name due to the shape of the pool. This is a more private feeling pool with walls built around it on three sides. If you swim through the archway at the end, you can swim your way into the 1913 pool. The pool house next to it is a great place to warm up and have a break between your dips in the pools.
Lastly, there are the Hot Pools. These are smaller pools that can accommodate a few people and feel more like hot tubs. These pools sit around 98-102 F and have a firepit next to them during the winter.
As well as the hot springs, the spa offers a restaurant, yoga classes, a salt room, and a variety of spa treatments.
The spa is open year-round, but we suggest checking the seasonal hours before visiting.
Stroppel Hotel and Mineral Baths
Stroppel Hotel and Mineral Baths is a bit on the scruffy side and definitely off the beaten path, but it is a unique hot spring location.
The hot spring was discovered when John Stroppel dug 1780 ft into the ground, and the spring started to bubble out. Since then, the hotel has been built to collect the water and put it to good use.
This hotel is full of rustic charm and plays host to many wellness retreats that include plunges in the healing mineral water. The plunges take place in simple rooms with a handrail leading down into the water. The temperatures range between 107 and 110 F.
If you want to stay on-site, the hotel has five rooms, all of which have showers that make use of the geothermally heated water. The price of the room includes one plunge per day for each guest. If you are not a guest, you simply need to pay the $10 fee for a thirty-minute plunge.
Apart from the springs, the hotel also offers massages and other spa treatments.
Full List of South Dakota Hot Springs
This list is limited in comparison with other states, but they still provide you with enough choices for you to thoroughly enjoy your experience.
Here is a list of the four the South Dakota hot springs:
| Hot Spring | Location in South Dakota | Developed or Primitive |
| Cascade Falls Warm Springs | Cascade Springs | Primitive |
| Evans Plunge Mineral Springs | Hot Springs | Developed |
| Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa | Hot Springs | Developed |
| Stroppel Hotel and Mineral Baths | Midland | Developed |
Types of Hot Springs in South Dakota
In a lot of states with a limited number of hot springs, the hot springs will only be developed. However, in South Dakota, the four hot springs offer both primitive and hot spring resort options.
Let’s take a closer look at the differences between a primitive and a developed hot spring.
Primitive
There is only one primitive hot spring in South Dakota, Cascade Falls, and it is so beautiful that it must not be missed!
Primitive hot springs are free to visit and are located in nature. This means almost anyone has access to it without breaking the bank. The views are also a huge plus as you are completely surrounded by nature.
What could be better than lying back in a hot spring and taking in the stunning mountain views that South Dakota is known for?
Most primitive hot springs require you to hike to reach them, so you need to take precautions. Make sure you are wearing proper hiking shoes and have plenty of water. You should also be on the lookout for wildlife like snakes, especially at Cascade Falls.
It is also important to note that most primitive hot springs will not have amenities like bathrooms.
Developed
If we compare Moccasin Springs with the Stroppel Hotel and Evan’s Plunge, it’s clear that there are some major differences between different types of hot springs.
Some form parts of a hotel or larger spa facilities, while others operate more like recreation centers. This means that you can benefit from the healing mineral water in whatever situation you and your family enjoy most.
You need to pay to use developed hot springs, and this fee can range from a simple entrance fee to a more expensive hourly rate at a more high-end establishment.
South Dakota may only have a handful of hot springs, but they are great spots to check out, especially as an alternative to the busier, more common tourist locations. Take advantage of what the state has to offer and go check out its wonderful hot springs.