Hot Springs
Around Hot Springs
Illustration made for Popchat
Countryside and towns · South Dakota · 7359 people
Hot Springs
Locals say Fall River
Warm waters, cool hills
rustpine green
Welcome to Fall River County, where the Black Hills meet the prairie. Soak in the springs, dig for mammoths, and enjoy the wide-open skies. Whether you're here for the rodeo or just passing through, you'll find a friendly wave and a good story.
Clubs for Hot Springs
No clubs for Hot Springs yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Hot Springs. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Hot Springs. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Evans Plunge A historic indoor warm-water pool, fed by natural mineral springs, operating since 1890.
- The Mammoth Site An active paleontological dig site and museum preserving the world's largest Columbian mammoth concentration.
- Angostura Reservoir A large reservoir with a state recreation area for boating, fishing, and camping.
- Cascade Falls A scenic waterfall on Cascade Creek, a popular picnic and photo spot.
- Hot Springs Historic District Downtown Hot Springs with sandstone buildings, bathhouses, and a small-town feel.
- Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary A nonprofit sanctuary where visitors can see wild mustangs and other native wildlife.
- Outdoors Hike the trails around Cascade Falls
- Outdoors Fish or boat on Angostura Reservoir
- With kids Visit the Mammoth Site and see the active dig
- With kids Swim at Evans Plunge
- Evenings Grab a drink at a local bar
- Evenings Catch a band at the Hot Springs American Legion
- Locals love Hot spring pools
- Locals love Fossil and paleontology sites
Through the year
- Fall River County Fair August County fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, and local food vendors.
- Hot Springs Rodeo July Annual rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing, and a small-town parade.
- Edgemont Rodeo June Smaller community rodeo in Edgemont, featuring local cowboys and cowgirls.
- Mammoth Site Fossil Fest September Family-friendly celebration of paleontology with dig demonstrations and kids' activities.
- Angostura Lake Fishing Derby May Annual fishing tournament at Angostura Reservoir, popular with local anglers.
Semi-arid with hot summers and cold winters. Low precipitation, but afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August. Best: Spring and early fall are ideal—mild days and cool nights.
Talk like a local
- “the Springs”
- Short for Hot Springs, the main town in the county.
- “the Lake”
- Refers to Angostura Reservoir, a popular local lake.
- “the Mammoth”
- The Mammoth Site, a famous paleontological attraction.
- “the breaks”
- A term for the rugged terrain of the southern Black Hills.
Getaways
- Rapid City Explore the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and downtown's City of Presidents.
- Newcastle–Sundance Visit Devils Tower National Monument, just across the Wyoming line.
- Pine Ridge Drive through the Badlands and visit the Oglala Lakota cultural sites.
- Spearfish Drive Spearfish Canyon, see Bridal Veil Falls, and enjoy the canyon's hiking.
Local flavour
Rooting for Rapid City Rush (ECHL), South Dakota State Jackrabbits (NCAA D-I), University of South Dakota Coyotes (NCAA D-I)
Eat and drink
- Chislic Cubed, seasoned meat (often beef or venison) deep-fried and served with saltine crackers – a South Dakota staple.
- Kuchen German-style fruit or custard cake, a prairie tradition brought by early settlers.
- Buffalo burgers Lean bison burgers, reflecting the ranching heritage and nearby rangelands.
Where people go
- Hot springs resorts Natural mineral pools and bathhouses, the reason Hot Springs got its name.
- Mammoth fossil sites Active paleontological digs, like the Mammoth Site, where ancient bones are still being uncovered.
- Canyons and buttes Rugged sandstone cliffs, red rock canyons, and flat-topped buttes that define the southern Black Hills.
- Reservoirs and lakes Angostura Reservoir and other lakes for fishing, boating, and summer recreation.
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Nearby
Every areaRapid CitySouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the pinesNewcastle–SundanceWyomingSmall-town heart, big-sky soul.Pine RidgeSouth DakotaHeart of Lakota country, where the prairie meets the sky.SpearfishSouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the pinesBelle FourcheSouth DakotaOpen skies, wide prairies, and the heart of the nation.Alliance–ChadronNebraskaWhere the prairie meets the starsScottsbluffNebraskaWhere the plains meet the bluff.GilletteWyomingBig skies, deep mines, and open hearts.
Fall River County, SD. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.