Tick Season in South Dakota: What You Need to Know Before You Head Outside

South Dakota’s wide-open prairies, dense forests, and river-laced wetlands make it one of the most rewarding states for outdoor activity — but those same landscapes come with a persistent seasonal risk. Every spring, ticks emerge across the state, and a single bite can lead to a serious illness if you are not prepared.

Whether you are hiking the Black Hills, fishing a favorite stretch of river, or simply walking your dog through tall grass, knowing when tick season peaks, which species are active near you, and how to respond if you find a tick attached to your skin can make a meaningful difference for your health and your family’s safety.

Key Insight: Ticks are tiny, but the diseases they carry — like Lyme disease, babesiosis, and spotted fevers — can have serious health consequences. Early awareness is your best defense.

When Is Tick Season in South Dakota

South Dakota’s tick season typically starts in late April and continues into October. That six-month window covers the heart of the state’s outdoor recreation calendar — from spring turkey and trout season all the way through fall hunting and harvest.

Ticks become more active in warmer temperatures, around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that in a mild year, you may start encountering active ticks earlier than you expect, sometimes before the calendar even flips to May. A wet spring and a warm winter are the best conditions for ticks, which rival the mosquito as one of the biggest wildlife threats in the state.

CDC tracking shows that tick bite visits were already rising sharply in the spring, hit their highest in May and June, and remain elevated in July with only a slight seasonal downturn. In other words, late spring through midsummer represents the most critical window for vigilance.

Mild winters and continued rainfall in the Upper Plains are believed to help more ticks survive and emerge earlier than usual, meaning tick populations can be up, and the active season both longer and more intense in warmer years. If you spend time outdoors during trout fishing season in South Dakota or the pheasant hunting season, tick awareness should be part of your preparation from the very first outing.

Important Note: The blacklegged tick (deer tick) is capable of remaining active year-round as long as temperatures stay above freezing, so do not assume you are completely safe just because the calendar says winter.

Types of Ticks Found in South Dakota

According to the U.S. Forest Service, 17 species of ticks can be found in South Dakota. However, most residents and outdoor enthusiasts will encounter only a handful of species regularly. Understanding how to identify each one helps you assess your risk after a bite.

American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)

The American dog tick, also known as the wood tick, is the most common tick in South Dakota and is found across the entire state. Often found along the edges of forests, grassy fields, sidewalks, and trails, this tick is characterized by its reddish-brown body with silver markings on its dorsal shield.

Dog ticks are most active from April to early August when conditions are warm, and they can be carriers of diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Wood ticks are considered a “hardy” tick and are easier to spot on skin or clothing than some other species.

Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)

Deer ticks, also called blacklegged ticks because of their dark legs, are one of the more common varieties found in South Dakota. Female deer ticks have flat, oval bodies and are typically less than an eighth of an inch in length. Their small size makes them particularly difficult to spot, especially in nymph form.

Deer ticks mainly transmit Lyme disease, and the South Dakota Department of Health is actively monitoring the potential westward spread of the deer tick within the state. The deer tick that carries Lyme disease bacteria has been found in five eastern South Dakota counties to date.

Rocky Mountain Wood Tick

The Rocky Mountain wood tick is found in higher-elevation parts of South Dakota, like the Black Hills. It is a close relative of the American dog tick and shares many of the same disease transmission risks, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. If you are heading into the hills for dove hunting season in South Dakota or any other backcountry activity, this species warrants extra attention.

Lone Star Tick

The lone star tick is not as common as the dog tick and is mainly found in the southeastern part of South Dakota. It has a large body with brown legs, and females sport a distinctive lone star spot.

This species is capable of transmitting alpha-gal sugar, which can result in the development of alpha-gal syndrome — an allergic reaction that occurs after consuming red meat. While less widespread than other South Dakota ticks, its unusual disease profile makes it worth knowing about.

Pro Tip: To learn more about how ticks reproduce and why populations can spike so dramatically from one season to the next, understanding their life cycle is a helpful starting point.

Tick-Borne Diseases in South Dakota

Tick-borne diseases of special relevance in South Dakota include tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease. According to Susan Hoover, an infectious disease physician at Sanford Health, tick-borne illnesses are relatively rare but can be very serious, and in South Dakota, tularemia is probably the most common one — though the state also sees instances of Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

These diseases may manifest as mild illnesses with many of the same symptoms as the flu — fevers, chills, body aches, and sometimes a rash — but people can end up hospitalized, and if untreated, some can be fatal or have serious long-term outcomes.

Symptoms of tick-borne diseases usually develop within two weeks after the bite, and common tick-borne diseases often start as fever and flu-like symptoms. If you develop any of these signs after spending time outdoors, contact your healthcare provider promptly. You can also read more about tick-borne encephalitis to understand the broader range of tick-transmitted illnesses that exist globally.

Important Note: Both nymphs and adult ticks can transmit diseases to humans and pets, but nymphs can be much smaller and tick bites from nymphs often go unnoticed — making them a particular concern for disease transmission.

High-Risk Areas and Habitats in South Dakota

Several tick species in South Dakota are active during warmer months and commonly found in grassy, wooded, or brushy areas. Knowing where ticks concentrate most heavily allows you to take targeted precautions rather than treating every outdoor setting with equal concern.

Ticks are most abundant in tall grass, forested areas, and near water, such as lakes or wetlands. This covers a broad swath of South Dakota’s most popular outdoor destinations. The Black Hills, with their dense ponderosa pine forests, are a well-documented hotspot — particularly for the Rocky Mountain wood tick. Ticks do not jump; instead, they wait on vegetation for an animal or human to brush against them. This behavior, called “questing,” means that walking through tall brush or along trail edges puts you at the highest risk.

Eastern South Dakota’s river corridors, wetland margins, and grassland edges are prime habitat for the American dog tick and blacklegged tick. If you spend time near the Missouri River, the Big Sioux River valley, or any of the state’s lakes and reservoirs, tick awareness is essential. South Dakota is also home to animals that eat ticks, such as wild turkeys and opossums, which can naturally help reduce tick populations in certain areas.

• Black Hills National Forest: High-elevation forests with Rocky Mountain wood tick activity
• Eastern grasslands and river corridors: Prime American dog tick and blacklegged tick habitat
• Tall grass prairies and field edges: Hotspots wherever vegetation is dense and uncut
• Wetlands, lake margins, and wooded trails: Especially active areas from late April through July
• Southeastern South Dakota: Lone star tick territory, particularly in brushy or wooded areas

If you also enjoy outdoor activities in neighboring states, be aware that tick risks are similar during pheasant hunting season in North Dakota and dove hunting season in North Dakota.

How to Protect Yourself, Children and Pets During Tick Season in South Dakota

Protecting yourself, your children, and your pets during tick season does not require avoiding the outdoors entirely. A few consistent habits, applied before, during, and after any outdoor outing, dramatically reduce your exposure risk.

Before You Go Outside

When going outdoors, consider wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and long socks with shoes. This will prevent ticks from latching onto your skin if you encounter them, and wearing light-colored clothing will make it easier to spot any ticks that crawl on you.

Repellents containing permethrin may be sprayed onto clothes and shoes to repel ticks through multiple outings. For skin-applied repellents, look for EPA-registered products. When choosing a repellent, make sure to read and follow all label directions, paying special attention to how often it can be re-applied and what to do after use, such as laundering clothes or taking a shower.

While You Are Outdoors

Be especially careful in places where ticks are abundant, such as in tall grass, wooded areas, and near lakes and waterways. Stay on the center of trails when possible, and avoid leaning against trees or sitting directly on logs and leaf litter. Tucking pants into long socks, preferably white ones, can make crawling ticks more visible so they can be removed before they attach.

After You Come Inside

After spending time outdoors, check yourself for ticks that may have gotten onto your body. Common places to check include the scalp, ears, underarms, back, waist, belly button, pelvic area, and legs. Showering within two hours of coming indoors is also recommended, as it helps wash off unattached ticks and makes it easier to do a thorough body check.

Protecting Children

Young children under 10 are among those at higher risk for severe complications following a tick bite. Health officials urge parents and caregivers to perform tick checks following any outdoor activity and to seek medical attention if rashes, fever, or flu-like symptoms appear in the weeks after a bite. Apply tick repellent to children’s clothing rather than directly to their hands or faces, and always check their hairline and behind the ears carefully.

Protecting Your Pets

Always scan your pets for ticks often by rubbing your fingers through their fur and checking their entire body. Dogs that spend time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas are at significant risk throughout tick season. Talk to your veterinarian about tick prevention products such as collars, topical treatments, or oral medications. For more detailed guidance, see these tips for preventing tick-borne diseases in your dog.

Common Mistake: Many people only check for ticks on the lower body. Ticks frequently migrate upward and attach in warm, hidden areas like the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, and in the groin. Always do a full-body check from head to toe.

What to Do If You Find a Tick in South Dakota

Finding a tick on yourself, a child, or a pet is understandably alarming, but staying calm and acting methodically gives you the best outcome. The key priorities are removing the tick correctly, monitoring for symptoms, and knowing when to seek medical care.

How to Remove a Tick Safely

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers. If a tick is attached to human skin, carefully remove it as quickly as possible so the tick does not have a chance to bury its mouthparts deeper. Using tweezers, place the tips as close to the skin as possible and remove the tick with a slow but steady pull.
2. Pull straight out — do not twist. Be careful not to puncture, crush, or twist the tick in the removal process. Do not use folk methods such as a lighted match, as a traumatized tick may expel the contents of its gut, increasing the chance of infection.
3. Clean the bite area. Once the tick is removed, disinfect the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
4. Save the tick if possible. Place the tick in alcohol in a sealed bag and put it in a refrigerator to allow for accurate identification if a tick-carried disease is suspected.
5. If the head breaks off. If it appears the head was left in, see a doctor, as the remaining parts will likely lead to an infection.

Important Note: Embedded ticks should be removed promptly but carefully to avoid squeezing them. Squeezing can expel the contents of the tick into the wound, which greatly increases the chances of contracting a tick-borne disease.

After Removal: What to Watch For

Once you have removed the tick, you do not need to seek medical attention immediately, but you should monitor for symptoms. Symptoms of tick-borne illness usually develop within two weeks after the bite and commonly start as fever and flu-like symptoms. Keep an eye out for any rash, especially an expanding bull’s-eye pattern around the bite site, as this is a hallmark sign of Lyme disease.

If you are concerned about a tick bite or develop other symptoms after the bite, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early treatment is the most effective way to prevent serious complications from any tick-borne illness.

South Dakota’s outdoors are also home to other wildlife that can pose health or safety considerations. You may want to familiarize yourself with venomous animals in South Dakota and the types of mosquitoes in South Dakota for a fuller picture of vector-borne and wildlife risks in the state.

Reporting Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Illness in South Dakota

Reporting your tick encounter is one of the most valuable contributions you can make to public health in South Dakota — and it costs you nothing but a few minutes of your time. The data collected through reporting programs helps health officials track where ticks are spreading, which species are becoming more prevalent, and where disease risk is increasing.

Under the South Dakota Department of Health tick identification project, individuals can learn more about different tick species, submit their own photos and encounters with ticks, and hear from an expert epidemiologist about tick identification. This data helps inform overall surveillance for ticks in the state, aiding communities, health care providers, and the DOH.

Submitting a report to the DOH is optional, but a submitted report and image of the tick can help you and the DOH identify which type of tick attached itself, where it was located, and how to treat the bite. The DOH is leaning on the public to help in this surveillance endeavor.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

• You develop a fever, rash, headache, or flu-like symptoms within two to three weeks of a tick bite
• You notice an expanding bull’s-eye rash around the bite site
• The tick’s mouthparts broke off and remain embedded in your skin
• You are unsure how long the tick was attached (longer attachment time increases disease risk)
• Your pet shows signs of lethargy, loss of appetite, or lameness after a tick bite

Follow up with your healthcare provider or veterinarian if you have any concerns after a tick bite. Your provider can order appropriate tests and begin treatment early if a tick-borne illness is suspected.

Pro Tip: The South Dakota Department of Health is collecting data on tick encounters in the state. If you collect a tick on yourself or a pet, consider filling out their tick survey so researchers can learn more about tick distribution across South Dakota.

Staying informed about the wildlife and natural hazards of South Dakota helps you enjoy everything the state has to offer with greater confidence. Whether you are exploring the bats of South Dakota, watching for caterpillars in South Dakota, or simply enjoying a walk through the grasslands, a little preparation goes a long way. Visit the South Dakota Department of Health tick-borne diseases page for the most current guidance, tick identification resources, and reporting tools available to residents and visitors.