Badlands & Butterflies: Your Guide to South Dakota Love Stories

Devin Joubert
Aug 26
4 min read

Updated: Aug 31

Welcome to South Dakota!

Where wide skies, wild hearts, and wandering souls find their way back to love.

In the land of painted canyons and prairie winds, South Dakota is where rugged beauty meets quiet tenderness.

Whether it’s a sunrise horseback ride that leads to something more or a hometown crush rekindled at the Sturgis street dance, South Dakota romance is as bold as the bison and as steady as a mountain pine—unshaken, untamed, and unforgettable.

P.S. South Dakota is so important to me. It's kinda like a second home to me. I went there a lot as a child and it's been one of my husband and my FAVES as adults.

Where love stories are carved as timeless as Mount Rushmore—and just as unforgettable.

South Dakota is where wide-open skies and hidden heartbeats meet. Meet-cutes at small-town diners over hot coffee. Long drives down dusty roads with music turned up and windows rolled down. A ranch hand falls for a city dreamer.

Whether you’re team prairie sunset or Black Hills adventure, one thing’s for sure: love lives here—and it’s probably wrapped in a cozy flannel, asking you to stay awhile.

Tropes:

Cowboy + career woman
Amnesia / lost memories on the prairie
Childhood friends rekindling in adulthood
Working on a ranch together = forced proximity
Rugged loner + sunshine teacher (bonus: one horse, two people)

Let's Meet Our Authors From South Dakota!

This page will be updated with videos when they publish on YouTube.

Camryn Van Lingen

Christina Schepker-Pikul

The Books

Aren't they pretty?

💕 Fun Things to See in South Dakota

(for lovers of romance, cozy reads, and Mount Rushmore State magic)

Charming Small Towns

🏘 Deadwood, SD – Old West saloons, historic hotels, and cobblestone streets lit by lantern glow. Perfect for a “slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers in a gold rush town” vibe.

🌲 Custer, SD – Nestled near granite peaks and pine forests, it’s all cozy cabins, coffee shops, and stargazing dates under wide skies.

🏞 Spearfish, SD – Scenic byways, waterfalls, and autumn festivals. Think “friends-to-lovers road trip that turns into something more.”

🐴 Hot Springs, SD – Historic sandstone buildings, natural warm springs, and wild horse sanctuaries. Basically the setting for “healing hearts and second chances.”

🎨 Vermillion, SD – Artsy college-town charm with galleries, indie cafés, and river views. The perfect “meet-cute over lattes and paintbrushes” town.

Nature & Scenic Romance

⛰ Mount Rushmore & Black Hills – Iconic backdrops and winding drives that feel like a cinematic love story waiting to happen.

🦌 Custer State Park – Wild buffalo roaming the plains, lakeside picnics, and quiet hikes hand-in-hand.

🚴 George S. Mickelson Trail – Over 100 miles of Black Hills beauty, winding through pine forests, prairies, and old rail tunnels. Think hand-in-hand bike rides, laughter echoing through stone tunnels, and scenic overlooks that beg for a “stop and kiss” moment. With 100+ bridges and four tunnels, it’s basically a romcom montage waiting to happen. (Trail passes are required, but worth every penny for the memories.)

As you can see, Maggie and I are loving this.

🌊 Lake Pactola – The largest reservoir in the Black Hills, with crystal-clear waters, hidden coves, and perfect picnic spots. It’s the kind of place for “summer romance vibes”—swimming, kayaking, or sharing secrets on the shoreline.

🌌 Badlands National Park – Otherworldly landscapes and fiery sunsets. Cue “two lovers finding each other under a sky full of stars.”

⛰ Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak) – The highest point east of the Rockies, wrapped in sweeping Black Hills views and storied Lakota history. Couples can hike hand-in-hand through pine forests, climb stone steps to the historic fire tower, and share a “we made it” kiss at 7,242 feet. It’s the kind of spot that feels both epic and intimate—where love stretches as wide as the horizon. (I've climbed this so many times.)

Maggie and I on the top of the world... :P

🍂 Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway – Golden fall leaves, hidden waterfalls, and scenic overlooks that practically demand a kiss.

Unique Attractions

🎡 Downtown Sioux Falls – Falls Park, cozy breweries, and rooftop dining with fairy lights. A romcom setting if there ever was one.

🍷 Prairie Berry Winery (Hill City, SD) – Small-town charm, wine flights, and laughter-filled evenings. (Bonus: their “Red Ass Rhubarb” wine is practically legendary.)

🚂 1880 Train (Keystone to Hill City) – A vintage steam train ride through the Black Hills—slow travel that feels like stepping into a love story.

🦢 Sylvan Lake – Sparkling waters surrounded by granite spires. It’s giving “proposal-worthy picnic spot.”

🌻 Sunflower Fields in Late Summer – Endless golden blooms across the plains. That perfect “twirl her in the flowers” moment.

🦖 Dinosaur Park (Rapid City, SD) – Perched on a hilltop with sweeping views of the city, this quirky roadside attraction has been delighting families since the 1930s. My family has been one of them. We have pics of my parents and grandparents here. As well as pics of me there too. The giant green dinos are pure vintage charm—perfect for silly selfies, climbing adventures, and a dash of nostalgia. Generations of couples (and families!) have posed with these prehistoric giants, making it a “love across the ages” kind of stop. Bonus: sunsets here turn the skyline golden, creating the perfect backdrop for both goofy grins and romantic moments.

🧱 Berlin Wall Memorial – Checkpoint Charlie Segment (Rapid City, SD) – Tucked between Mount Rushmore and Ellsworth Air Force Base, this striking piece of history reminds visitors that freedom is never free. Standing before the remnants of the Berlin Wall—once the ultimate symbol of division—you’ll find a powerful backdrop for quiet reflection and gratitude. It’s less “romcom kiss” and more “hand squeeze that says we’re in this together.” A poignant stop for couples who believe love and freedom are worth protecting.

💌 Don't Forget Your Romance Reading Passport!

You can get it here for free. Follow along on the journey as we travel through the midwest on the Romance Reading Roadtrip! You'll also find ways to win some pretty flirty and fun books and bookish items in the Passport, so make sure to download it! :)