Snowbird Storage: How South Dakotans Store Before Heading South for Winter

Every fall, thousands of South Dakotans pack up and head to Arizona, Texas, or Florida for the winter. But you can’t take everything with you — and you can’t leave it unprotected in an empty house through a South Dakota winter. Here’s how snowbirds in the Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman area handle storage before heading south.

The Snowbird Storage Problem

You’ve earned your winters in the sun. But leaving South Dakota for four to six months creates a logistical puzzle that every snowbird figures out eventually: what do you do with all your stuff?

If you’re keeping your South Dakota home, some things stay in the house. But if you’re downsizing, selling, or just nervous about leaving valuable items in an unoccupied home through months of sub-zero temperatures, you need a plan.

And if you’re renting out your place while you’re gone — increasingly common — you definitely need somewhere for your personal belongings.

The bottom line: snowbird storage in South Dakota isn’t a luxury. It’s a practical necessity for anyone who splits their year between here and somewhere warmer.

What Snowbirds Typically Store

Based on what we see at Lock N’ Leave It Storage, here’s what heads into a unit every September and October:

Vehicles

Many snowbirds drive one vehicle south and store the other. A second car, a truck, a classic car you don’t want sitting in a cold garage — vehicle storage is one of the most common snowbird needs.

Before storing a vehicle for the winter: - Fill the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer - Change the oil (dirty oil sitting for months creates corrosive acids) - Inflate tires to the recommended PSI — slightly over is fine to prevent flat spots - Disconnect the battery or put it on a trickle charger - Place mothballs or dryer sheets inside and around the vehicle to deter mice (this is South Dakota — rodents WILL find your car) - Don’t set the parking brake for long-term storage — brake pads can bond to rotors in cold weather - Cover with a breathable car cover

A 10x20 unit fits most cars and trucks with room to walk around them.

Furniture and Household Items

If you’re downsizing or renting out your home, larger furniture pieces go into storage: couches, dining sets, bedroom furniture, bookshelves, dressers. The stuff that’s too good to get rid of but doesn’t fit in your winter life.

Climate control matters here. South Dakota winters regularly drop below -20°F. Wood furniture can crack in extreme cold. Leather dries out. Electronics don’t love temperature swings from -20 to 100+ over the course of a year. If you’re storing anything you care about, climate-controlled storage is worth the extra cost.

Seasonal Equipment

• Lawn mower, garden tools, and outdoor furniture
• Snow blower (yes, store it — if you’re not here, it doesn’t need to be at the house)
• Grills and smokers
• Bicycles, golf clubs, and sporting equipment
• Kayaks, canoes, and fishing gear

Personal Items and Valuables

• Family photos and documents
• Collections (coins, stamps, antiques)
• Holiday decorations
• Extra clothing and seasonal wardrobes
• Musical instruments
• Art and framed items

Security: What Matters When You’re Gone for Months

When you’re 1,500 miles away in Mesa, Arizona, you need to trust that your stuff is secure. Here’s what to look for in a snowbird storage facility:

Physical Security

• Gated access with individual access codes — you know who’s coming and going
• Security cameras monitoring the facility 24/7
• Adequate lighting throughout the property — well-lit facilities deter problems
• Quality locks — bring your own disc lock or cylinder lock (skip the cheap padlocks from the hardware store)

Facility Quality

• Clean, dry units with concrete floors and sealed walls
• Climate control options for temperature-sensitive items
• Pest management — ask about rodent prevention measures
• Drainage — units should be graded so water flows away, not in

Lock N’ Leave It Storage facilities in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman offer gated access, security cameras, and the kind of no-nonsense construction that handles South Dakota weather. Your stuff stays secure whether you’re in Freeman or Phoenix.

Auto-Pay and Remote Management

Nobody wants to worry about a storage bill while sipping coffee on a patio in Tucson. Set up automatic payments before you leave and forget about it until spring.

Before you head south, confirm: - Auto-pay is set up and the card on file won’t expire while you’re gone - You have the facility’s phone number saved in your phone - You know the access code for the gate - You have a local contact (friend, family member, neighbor) who can check on your unit if needed - Your renter’s insurance or storage insurance is current

Most issues can be handled with a phone call. But having a trusted local person who can physically check on things gives you peace of mind that no app can match.

The Snowbird Storage Checklist

Use this before you leave:

Weeks before departure: - [ ] Reserve your storage unit (don’t wait until October — snowbird season is busy) - [ ] Gather packing supplies: boxes, tape, furniture covers, moisture absorbers - [ ] Decide what’s going to storage vs. staying in the house vs. going south with you - [ ] Arrange vehicle prep if storing a car or truck

Packing day: - [ ] Wrap furniture in moving blankets or plastic covers - [ ] Use sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard when possible (moisture and rodent protection) - [ ] Place silica gel packets or moisture absorbers throughout the unit - [ ] Put frequently needed items near the front of the unit (in case you come back mid-winter) - [ ] Create an inventory list — photograph each section of your packed unit - [ ] Place a few dryer sheets around the unit to deter mice

Before locking up: - [ ] Double-check that nothing perishable is in the unit - [ ] Confirm your lock is secure - [ ] Test the gate code - [ ] Set up auto-pay - [ ] Take a final photo of the unit contents for your records

At home (if keeping the house): - [ ] Set heat to at least 55°F to prevent pipe freezing - [ ] Shut off water to washing machine and outdoor spigots - [ ] Have someone check the house periodically - [ ] Forward mail or set up USPS hold

How Long Do Snowbirds Typically Store?

Most snowbirds from the Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman area store from October through April — roughly six months. Some leave as early as September if they’re heading to Arizona before the snowbird rush. Others hold out until after Thanksgiving.

Month-to-month leases work best for most snowbirds. You’re not locked into a year-long contract, and you can adjust timing based on when winter actually decides to show up (and when it decides to leave — April blizzards are a South Dakota specialty).

If you’ve been making the snowbird trip for several years and know your schedule, a longer-term arrangement may get you a better rate. Ask about it.

Climate Control: Worth It for Snowbirds?

Short answer: probably yes, at least for your most valuable items.

South Dakota winters are brutal on stored goods. A standard storage unit will see temperatures well below zero for extended periods. Then summer hits and you’re looking at 90°F+ inside a metal building. That swing from -20 to 100+ over the course of a year stresses materials in ways that aren’t always visible.

Items that benefit from climate-controlled storage: - Wood furniture (cracking, warping) - Leather goods (drying, cracking) - Electronics (condensation from temperature swings) - Documents and photographs (moisture damage) - Musical instruments (wood and string instruments are especially sensitive) - Artwork and framed items

Items that are fine in standard storage: - Metal tools and equipment - Outdoor furniture (plastic, aluminum) - Sporting goods (most) - Holiday decorations (except delicate ornaments) - Clothing in sealed plastic bins

Read our full breakdown: Climate Controlled vs. Standard Storage: Is It Worth It?

Ready to Lock It and Leave It?

You’ve worked hard enough to enjoy your winters somewhere warm. Don’t let storage logistics keep you up at night — or keep you in South Dakota longer than you want to be.

Lock N’ Leave It Storage in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman makes snowbird storage simple. Reserve your unit before you leave, set up auto-pay, and head south knowing your stuff is secure, dry, and waiting for you when the ice finally melts.

Contact us to reserve your unit. Snowbird season fills up fast — the earlier you book, the more options you’ll have.