South Dakota is a popular destination for the RVing crowd. Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and the other attractions of the Black Hills are what tend to draw visitors. That said, these are far from the only things to see in the state. In fact, some of our favorite attractions are the many South Dakota amusement parks.
These include:
- WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort
- Wild Water West
- Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center
- Rush Mountain Adventure Park
- Storybook Island
- Splash Zone Waterpark
South Dakota Amusement Parks at a Glance
| Park | Location | Ticket Cost | Attractions | Onsite RV Parking? |
| WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort | Rapid City, South Dakota | Day passes typically around $20β$40 depending on age and season | Indoor water slides, lazy river, activity pool, hot tubs, childrenβs play areas, arcade | No |
| Wild Water West | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Approximately $20β$35 depending on age and date | Water slides, wave pool, lazy river, go-karts, mini golf, batting cages, paintball, zipline attractions | Yes (onsite campground and RV park available) |
| Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center | Spearfish, South Dakota | Generally $5β$15 depending on residency, age, and access level | Indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, splash features, fitness facilities, recreation programs | No |
| Rush Mountain Adventure Park | Keystone, South Dakota | Attraction packages typically range from $20β$60+ depending on activities selected | Mountain coaster, cave tours, zipline, ropes course, climbing wall, scenic attractions | No |
| Storybook Island | Rapid City, South Dakota | Free admission; donations encouraged | Fairy tale-themed playgrounds, childrenβs attractions, character displays, seasonal train rides, family events | No |
| Splash Zone Waterpark | Brookings, South Dakota | Approximately $8β$15 depending on age and residency | Water slides, lazy river, leisure pool, splash playground, childrenβs water features | No |
Why RV to a South Dakota Amusement Park?
- Taking an RV to visit South Dakota amusement parks gives you easy access to scenic RV routes that pass through attractions like the Black Hills, Badlands, and Mount Rushmore.
- RV campgrounds are available near local amusement parks, making it easy to stay nearby.Β
- RV camping can reduce lodging and dining expenses, making it a cost effective option.Β
- Additionally, RVing offers flexibility that hotel travel simply cannot.Β
WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort
First on our list is WaTiki Waterpark Resort in Rapid City. This awesome water park is totally indoors, meaning it can be enjoyed year-round, even when the weather doesnβt feel like cooperating. At 30,000 square feet in size, it is the largest indoor water park in either of the Dakotas, and itβs jam-packed with great stuff to do.
Stand-Out Features
- Activity pool
- Three water slides
- Lazy river
- Hot tub
- Kokoβs Kingdom play area
RV Camping Near WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort
The WaTiki Resort property actually includes five different hotels. This might lead many to believe it would be best to stay in one of the onsite rooms. While we understand this thinking, we have to disagree. The best way to see Rapid City is definitely by RV.
Wild Water West
Another wonderful South Dakota water park, Wild Water West is located in Sioux Falls. This fantastic park is all outdoors, meaning you will need to enjoy it during the summer months, but if you do happen to be visiting when itβs warm out, it is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
Stand-Out Features
- Wave pool
- Activity pool
- Lazy river
- Baby pool
- Baby pool slides
- Caribbean Falls water play structure
- Tornado Alley funnel slide
- 65-foot water slide complex
- Four winding water slides
- Go-karts
- Bumper boats
- Batting cages
- Mini golf
RV Camping Near Wild Water West
We will always recommend taking an RV on any getaway, and your trip to Sioux Falls is no exception. After all, why wouldnβt you want to wrap a bit of camping fun into your South Dakota water park adventure? That sounds like the perfect way to make the vacation even more exciting!
Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center Waterpark
Yet another awesome place to play in the water, Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center Waterpark is run by the city of Spearfish and is a favorite spot of locals and visitors alike. The park is a full two acres of swimming pools, water slides, and fun, and we canβt imagine being bored while visiting.
Stand-Out Features
- Three huge water slides
- Adventure walk
- Rock climbing wall
- 260-foot lazy river
- Zero-entry kiddie pool
- Splash pad
- 400-gallon dump bucket
RV Camping Near Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center Waterpark
RV camping is a fun addition to any trip. It gives you your own space to spread out, and it makes moving easy. For this reason, we highly recommend packing up the RV and taking it with you on your South Dakota trip. You wonβt regret it!
Rush Mountain Adventure Park
Looking for a unique amusement park in South Dakota? Look no further than Rush Mountain Adventure Park. This is a fantastic family fun option located in the Black Hills, making it a great addition to any trip to the area.
Stand-Out Features
- Rushmore Cave
- Challenge course
- Tightropes
- Zip-lines
- Soaring Eagle Zipride
- Rushmore Mountain Coaster
- Gravity-propelled mountain coaster
- Speeds up to 35 MPH
- Gunslinger 7-D Ride
- Immersive interactive video game experience
- Thrill attractions
- Cave exploration experiences
RV Camping Near Rush Mountain Adventure Park
You could park your RV in the aforementioned KOA park in Rapid City. That said, if you donβt love that option, there are plenty of other RV parks and campgrounds in the area. The ones listed below are some other good ones.
Storybook Island
Road tripping with little ones? Storybook Island is an ideal stop for you! This 8.5-acre park is located in Rapid City. It features all kinds of storybook fun and really immerses you in the world of fairytales and nursery rhymes.
Stand-Out Features
- 100+ fairytale and nursery rhyme scenes
- Giant Humpty Dumpty falling-from-the-wall scene
- Life-size Rapunzel braid hanging from a tower
- Interactive themed play environments for children
- Photo opportunities throughout the park
- Live theater productions
- Storybook train ride
- Carousel ride
RV Camping Near Storybook Island
As Storybook Island is located in Rapid City, it would be just fine to stay in either of the aforementioned Rapid City Campgrounds. However, if those wonβt work for any reason, you do have other options. Take the RV parks listed below for instance.
Splash Zone Waterpark
Yes, we are adding another waterpark to this list. Trust us, Splash Zone Waterpark deserves its place here. Located in Brookings, this is an indoor waterpark and is the perfect way to spend the day no matter the weather.
Stand-Out Features
- Zero-depth pool
- Kidsβ play area
- Water slides
- Spray cannons
- Dump bucket
- Lazy river
- Hot tub
- Splash and play zones for children
RV Camping Near Splash Zone Waterpark
Splash Zone Waterpark is located in a hotel. Nevertheless, we highly recommend skipping the hotel room, buying day passes, and staying in your RV instead. The campgrounds below are great places to park a motorhome or trailer.
Tips for an Amazing South Dakota Amusement Park Trip
- South Dakota can shift quickly between hot afternoons and cooler evenings. Layered clothing helps you stay comfortable all day.
- Combine amusement parks with nearby attractions like the Black Hills or Badlands to make the most of your travel time.
- Arrive early to beat crowds at smaller regional parks, especially during peak summer weekends when both locals and tourists are out.
- Pack for both water and dry rides. We recommend including sunscreen, water shoes, and quick-dry clothing.
South Dakota Amusement Parks: Frequently Asked Questions
The best amusement parks in South Dakota include Storybook Island, Rush Mountain Adventure Park, and WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort. These attractions are great because they offer a mix of rides, water fun, family activities, and unique Black Hills adventures.
Many parks in the state are designed with families in mind. They offer kiddie rides, splash areas, lazy rivers, and gentle attractions as well as a few thrill options for older kids and adults.
Late spring through early fall is the main season for amusement parks in South Dakota. Summer offers the most full operation, but temperatures can be uncomfortably hot, especially in July and August.Β
Be sure to explore all of the other amazing things to do in South Dakota! The options listed at the beginning of the article are a great place to start, but you can find even more sights to add to your to-do list by having a peek at the articles linked below:
