Tourism statisticsState2026
South Dakota Tourism Statistics: 15M Visitors in 2025
South Dakota recorded 15 million visitors in 2025, Travel South Dakota reports. AirROI estimates 81,082 Airbnb stays in South Dakota in the 12 months to October 2026, with Rapid City the most booked town. The busiest month was July.
Airbnb figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026. Read the method
- Estimated Airbnb nights
- 365,254
- Typical Airbnb stay
- 4.5 nights
- Busiest Airbnb month
- July
- From within the United States, among guests who left a review
- 96.8%
Key facts
South Dakota Tourism Facts
Each sentence names its place, period and source, so it can be quoted alone.
Official
- Travel South Dakota puts South Dakota at 15 million visitors in 2025.
Airbnb stays
- AirROI puts Airbnb stays in South Dakota at 81,082 in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in South Dakota added up to 365,254 nights in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates a typical Airbnb stay in South Dakota lasted 4.5 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 64 days ahead.
Busiest months
- AirROI ranks July the busiest Airbnb month in South Dakota in the 12 months to October 2026, followed by June and August, with January the quietest.
- AirROI estimates the six busiest Airbnb months in South Dakota ran unbroken from May to October in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in South Dakota in August were booked furthest ahead, about 89 days, against 33 days for January, in the 12 months to October 2026.
Guests
- AirROI estimates 96.8% of South Dakota Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 were from within the United States.
By place
- AirROI ranks South Dakota 45th for Airbnb stays among the United States' 51 states in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Rapid City had the most Airbnb stays of the 10 towns it lists in South Dakota in the 12 months to October 2026, at 18,336, ahead of Lead and Sioux Falls.
Official numbers
How Many Tourists Visit South Dakota?
Travel South Dakota counted 15 million visitors in 2025.
| Figure | What it counts | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 millionVisitors | Visitors traveled to and within South Dakota | 2025 | Travel South Dakota |
Airbnb stays
Airbnb Stays in South Dakota
South Dakota had 3,434 Airbnb homes in the 12 months to October 2026. They took an estimated 81,082 stays and 365,254 nights. A typical stay lasted 4.5 nights and was booked about 64 days ahead. AirROI's figures cover the 21 towns it tracks in South Dakota; places it does not track are not counted, so every total is a floor.
- Airbnb homes
- 3,434
- Airbnb stays, estimate
- 81,082
- Airbnb nights, estimate
- 365,254
- Typical stay
- 4.5 nights
- Booked ahead
- 64 days
Busiest months
When Is the Busiest Time in South Dakota?
On Airbnb, July was the busiest month in South Dakota in the 12 months to October 2026, then June and August. January was the quietest. The six busiest months run unbroken from May to October.
July ranks first, January last
Airbnb months in calendar order, 12 months to October 2026. The number is the month's rank, and 1 is the busiest. The bar shows its part of Airbnb nights.
- Three busiest months
- Other months
From busiest to quietest: July, June, August, September, May, October, March, December, November, April, February, January.
Month by month: rank, typical stay and days booked ahead
| Month | Share of nights | Booked ahead |
|---|---|---|
| July | 11.9% | 82 days |
| June | 11.8% | 76 days |
| August | 10.5% | 89 days |
| September | 10.3% | 61 days |
| May | 8.7% | 58 days |
| October | 8.5% | 53 days |
| March | 6.9% | 36 days |
| December | 6.9% | 41 days |
| November | 6.8% | 49 days |
| April | 6.3% | 44 days |
| February | 5.8% | 33 days |
| January | 5.5% | 33 days |
Share is each month's part of the year's Airbnb nights. Typical stay and days booked ahead are AirROI estimates for stays in each month.
Where guests come from
Where Do South Dakota Airbnb Guests Come From?
Nearly all South Dakota Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 were from within the United States (96.8%), AirROI estimates. Among the same guests, Sioux Falls was the top origin city at 3.3%, ahead of Minneapolis at 1.7%. The figures rest on 235,287 reviews, written over many years.
96.8% from within the United States
Among guests who left a review, as of October 2026
- From within the United States 96.8%
- From abroad 3.2%
Top origin cities
Among guests who left a review
By town
Most Booked Towns in South Dakota
Rapid City, Lead and Sioux Falls took 53% of Airbnb stays in South Dakota in the 12 months to October 2026. July is the busiest Airbnb month in 6 of the 10 towns, led by Lead, and June in 4, led by Rapid City. Among guests who left a review, the share from abroad across these towns runs from under 1% in Powder House Pass to 4.6% in Rapid City.
| Rapid City | 18,336 |
| Lead | 12,545 |
| Sioux Falls | 12,165 |
| Custer | 7,385 |
| Spearfish | 4,491 |
| Sturgis | 4,208 |
| Deadwood | 3,241 |
| Hill City | 3,121 |
| Powder House Pass | 3,115 |
| Hot Springs | 2,238 |
* Among guests who left a review. Stays, nights and other figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, and cover Airbnb only. US is the top origin in every town, among guests who left a review, so this column names the top country abroad. Lists the 10 of South Dakota's 21 towns with 100 or more Airbnb homes. A town with no tourism page of its own links to its Airbnb market page.
FAQ
Questions About Tourism in South Dakota
How many tourists visit South Dakota?
South Dakota had 15 million visitors in 2025, according to Travel South Dakota. AirROI estimates 81,082 Airbnb stays in South Dakota in the 12 months to October 2026, which is a separate count of bookings.
When is high season in South Dakota?
The busiest Airbnb month in South Dakota in the 12 months to October 2026 was July, then June and August. The six busiest months run from May to October.
What is the quietest month in South Dakota?
January was the quietest Airbnb month in South Dakota in the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 12th of 12, and February ranked 11th. Stays in January were booked about 33 days ahead, against 89 days for August.
How long is a typical Airbnb stay in South Dakota?
A typical Airbnb stay in South Dakota lasted 4.5 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 64 days ahead. By month, stays ran from 3.6 nights in September to 5.5 nights in January.
Where do Airbnb guests in South Dakota come from?
Of South Dakota Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 96.8% were from within the United States, AirROI estimates. Among the same guests, the top origin city was Sioux Falls at 3.3%, ahead of Minneapolis at 1.7%.
What is the most booked town in South Dakota on Airbnb?
Rapid City was the most booked town in South Dakota on Airbnb, with an estimated 18,336 stays in the 12 months to October 2026, ahead of Lead and Sioux Falls.
Are Airbnb stays the same as tourists?
No. Travel South Dakota counts visitors (15 million in 2025). An Airbnb stay is one booking on one platform, however many guests it holds. AirROI's 81,082 stays are estimates for the 12 months to October 2026.
Method
How These Numbers Are Made
Official figures come from their publishers, linked above, and were last checked in November 2026. Stays and nights are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, built from Airbnb listing data, and cover Airbnb only. Nights add up each town's stays times its typical stay, across 21 towns. Month ranks compare each month's part of Airbnb nights. Origin rests on 235,287 reviews and describes guests who left a review, not everyone who stayed. Read the method page.