Activities For Dogs In South Dakota On Hot Days

The first stop we recommend is the Reptile Gardens. We know that may sound like a strange place to be dog-friendly, but the staff are extremely friendly and will even offer your dog some cool water if they're thirsty or get too hot (they do take care of animals after all!). But more importantly, there are several different activities they'll allow your dog to participate in. There is a ton to see from snakes, alligators, and giant tortoises to a bald eagle, all of which will keep you and your dog at a safe distance but close enough to get you a genuine in-person experience. Just make sure you call ahead to let them know and you should be set.

Once you've thoroughly heated yourself up in the summer sun, we suggest heading over to Braeburn Off-Leash Dog Area. There is a significant amount of creek area for them to splash around in and soak in the cool water, plus some shade and open space for them to run to get their own natural and evaporative air conditioning in gear. Just make sure to bring several towels unless you don't mind driving home with a strong wet dog smell looming in your back seat.

Bears and dogs don't sound like two things that go together, but at Bear Country USA, you'll have the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with a safe barrier between you. While your dog can't join you in any walking areas, they are welcome to accompany you on the meandering three-mile drive that will have you seeing bears, elk, cougars, wolves, elk, and buffalo - and better yet, you'll have the air conditioning to keep you cool while you take in the sights. Plus, once you're all done, you can just turn right back onto the highway and head home, tired but thoroughly entertained!

Believe it or not but there aren't a ton of dog parks in South Dakota, at least not in comparison to other nearby states. But Sioux Falls itself boasts four separate parks to check out. Lien Park, Spencer Park, and Family Park are all great options as they offer ample space to run, but they should be visited first before our last recommendation. These three boast limited cover overhead, so you'll want to keep your stay limited if it's sweltering and you should definitely load up on sunscreen if need be. The best part will likely be your last stop, which should be Falls Park, easily the most gorgeous and fun of them all. It consists of several large falls that course through the North End East neighborhood and your dog will have several access points from which to climb in a take a dip. They will need to stay leashed, but that won't stop them (or you in some facet) from cooling off in the flowing waters.

After you've gotten them cooled off, we suggest getting your dog groomed. You can get them a bath and have them trimmed or at least brushed so they can survive the heat with a lighter coat at the nearby PetSmart - plus it will get them smelling and looking fresh before you catch some food!

Once you've got them all fresh, pick a spot to grab some grub nearby. Although there are quite a few dog-friendly patios in the area, we suggest picking one with a nice covered area so you won't roast directly in the sunlight, like Monk's House of Ale Repute. If it's not too hot, or possibly later in the day, you'll have more options to choose from as the heat fades, but when all is said and done you'll have stayed cool, found something fun to do, gotten them freshened up and had some good food to boot!

While there are only a few bumper stickers that are almost universally known like the classic "I Closed Wolski's", few rival "Where the heck is Wall Drug?" which is seen from coast to coast and everywhere in between. At its heart, Wall Drug is a (mostly) dog-friendly series of shops and both indoor and outdoor attractions that will provide plenty of entertainment. There are places to shop, quirky things to take pictures with, historic information, places to eat, and even statues and giant figures you won't likely find other places. Just make sure to ask staff where dogs are and aren't allowed, as there are food serving areas that will likely be more restricted.

Out of all the places you can visit, few are as aptly named as the Corn Palace - it's exactly what it sounds like. With a specific corn theme, this roadside attraction actually brings in over 500,000 tourists every year, thanks to their one-of-a-kind identity. There are tons of corn-made murals to check out (plus the building itself, which is a bit of a marvel), and they regularly host live music and other events throughout the year to keep things fresh and interesting. If you plan it right, you may even hit it during festival time!