Major city · United States
Hot Springs
Spend 1–2 days in Hot Springs, SD; walk the town, visit the Mammoth Site and Evans Plunge, then drive 30 min to Wind Cave NP.
Hot Springs is a small resort town of ~3,000 people in the Black Hills. Its main attractions – the Mammoth Site museum and the historic Evans Plunge water park – are within walking distance. The town sits at the junction of US‑385 and US‑18, making it a convenient base for short drives to Wind Cave National Park (≈30 min). One full day covers the town sights; a second day allows a wind‑cave visit before heading on.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, limited daylight)
- Airport
- RAP
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hot Springs911 ▾
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hot Springs, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetycheckHot Springs is low‑crime; main risks are winter weather and wildlife on road trips; carry a map and check park alerts.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police/fire/ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckRAP Rapid City Regional Airport (≈70 km (43 mi) north, 1 h drive via US‑385 (check)).RAP Rapid City Regional Airport (≈43 mi (70 km) north, 1 h drive via US‑385 (check)).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; rent a car for trips to Wind Cave, Badlands or Deadwood.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–$4
- Street or quick mealBreakfast sandwich$5–$8
- Museum or sight ticketEvans Plunge entry$5–$10
- Budget bedLog cabin (1‑4 beds), a night, per roomUS$85
- Mid-range bedLog cabin (1‑4 beds), a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedLog cabin (1‑4 beds), a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RAP Rapid City Regional Airport (≈70 km (43 mi) north, 1 h drive via US‑385 (check))RAP Rapid City Regional Airport (≈43 mi (70 km) north, 1 h drive via US‑385 (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) low), wettest May (7 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Hot Springs: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
5 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
5 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; rent a car for trips to Wind Cave, Badlands or Deadwood. US‑385 and US‑18 provide regional access.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wind Cave National Park
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Drive north on US‑385, about 30 min
Guided tours for cave interior; check reservation.
Badlands National Park (Interior)
cautionDoor to door: ≈4 h round‑trip (check)
Drive east on US‑18, about 2 h (check)
Long drive; consider overnight in Wall or Rapid City.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Historic Log Cabin Motel
Log cabins from 1929, 1–4 beds, $85/night
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–$100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–$150 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Log cabin (1‑4 beds)1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Car rental (compact, 2 days)2 × US$120 · 2026 estimate, check | US$240 |
| Wind Cave entry (guided tour)2 × US$20 · 2026 estimate, check | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$63 |
| Trip total≈ US$347 per person per day, bed included | US$693 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights, car rental and park fees excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–$4 |
| Breakfast sandwich | $5–$8 |
| Evans Plunge entry | $5–$10 |
| Mammoth Site entry | $15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter snow can close roads to Wind Cave; check conditions.
- Evans Plunge may have seasonal hours; verify before visiting.
Emergency numbers
- Police/Fire/Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Hot SpringsHot Springs
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Embassy
US citizens: nearest consular office in Rapid City (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rapid City → Hot Springs (rental car, 70 km): ≈ $40–$60 for 2‑day compact rental
- Wind Cave entry (guided): $15–$25 per adult
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- How much is this? — How much is this?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hot Springs. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, limited daylight) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add car‑rental guide for US‑385/US‑18 routes.
- Link to Wind Cave visitor‑center page for ticket info.
- Include seasonal road‑closure alerts from South Dakota DOT.
Sources
Ask about Hot Springs
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