Hot Springs (South Dakota)

Hot Springs is a town of about 3,000 people in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, founded as a resort around a historic warm spring. It's a jumping-off point for nearby Wind Cave National Park. == Get in == Hot Springs is at the junction of US Highway 385 and US Highway 18. == Get around == == See == 1 The Mammoth Site, 1800 US 18 Bypass, ☏ +1 605-745-6017. Daily: May-Aug 8AM-6PM; Aug-Oct 9AM-5PM; Nov-Feb 9AM-3:30PM; Mar-May 9AM-5PM. The world's largest mammoth research facility. The museum encloses a prehistoric sinkhole that formed and was slowly filled with sediments and trapped wildlife during the Pleistocene era. Mammoth bones were found at the site in 1974, and a museum for in situ preservation was built soon after. It remains an active excavation site: the remains of 61 mammoths have been recovered so far. $15, discount for youth/seniors/military. (updated Jul 2025) == Do == 1 Evans Plunge, 1145 North River St, ☏ +1 605-745-5165. A water park owned and operated by the City of Hot Springs, that claims to be "the oldest tourist attraction in the Black Hills". (updated Jan 2021) == Buy == 1 Fall River Fibers, 631 North River St, ☏ +1 605-890-2750, fallriverfibers@yahoo.com. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. Yarn, spinning, weaving & fiber arts supplies. Lovely shop and helpful staff. They have local yarns and buffalo blends. Worth a stop for knitters. (updated Jan 2021) == Eat == Mornin' Sunshine Coffee House & Gifts, 509 North River St., ☏ +1 605-745-5550. Terrific breakfast, baked goodies and coffee. Friendly. Art on the wall is for sale. Opens 7AM daily, except Sunday opens at 8AM. (updated Feb 2018) == Drink == == Sleep == 1 Historic Log Cabin Motel, 500 Pacific Ave, ☏ +1 605-745-5166. 17 charming log cabins built on a hillside quad in 1929. Cabins are heated and of different sizes, ranging from 1-4 beds, with shower bathroom. Dog friendly. $85. (updated Feb 2018) == Go next ==