Things to do in  South Dakota

The stony faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt peer out from the iconic granite outcrop known as Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The monument in the Black Hills of South Dakota is one of the most well-known symbols of the United States, and with more than 2 million visitors each year, it’s one of the state’s most popular attractions.

Nestled in the Black Hills, South Dakota’s massive Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres (28,730 hectares) of rolling prairie hills, open grassland, pine forests, lakes and streams, and tall granite peaks. The park is known for the many herds of wildlife, including bison, elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep, that freely roam the land.

If the Black Hills were in Colorado, they'd be swarming with visitors and overpriced breweries. However, as this range is a bit more remote, it flies (mostly) under the radar. The region spans roughly 1.2 million acres (0.5 million hectares) of forested hills and mountains and is full of gold rush history, Native American culture, hot springs, and incredible scenery and wildlife.

The dramatic pinnacles and Martian-like buttes of South Dakota’s Badlands National Park provide a stark contrast to the surrounding prairie and Black Hills. Scenic drives, trails, and campsites give visitors many ways to take in this unique landscape that seems more moon-like than Earth-like. Visitors will spot bison, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep, and for history nuts, the park also contains one of the world’s richest fossil beds.

The turn-of-the-century Historic Adams House in Deadwood showcases the architectural style of the 1890s with oak interiors and stained glass. Visit this Queen Anne-style home to admire the building’s design, learn about Deadwood's founders, and see firsthand how families spent their wealth in this gold-mining town.

The laws of gravity may not apply at Cosmos Mystery Area. At this Black Hills attraction, you see water appear to flow uphill, discover that seemingly level surfaces aren't straight, and find tall people that seem tiny. Don't miss walking up a wall in the Mystery House, and try cracking crystal-filled geodes at the on-site mine.

If there’s one spot that proves South Dakota doesn’t get its due, it just might be the Needles Highway, aka SD-87. A spectacular 14-mile (22-kilometer) stretch through a landscape of granite-like needles, spruce forests, one glittering lake, and curious bison just beyond each hairpin turn, this drive within Custer State Park puts “wild” in the “wild, wild West.”

Stretching for 17 miles, Iron Mountain Road is a spectacularly scenic road connecting Keystone, Mount Rushmore National Monument, and Custer State Park. Along the way, you’ll encounter 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, three pigtails, three tunnels, two splits, and epic views of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and potentially wildlife.

Set amidst a world-class sea of attractions—from Mount Rushmore to Wind Cave National Park—Rapid City punches well above its size (population: 80,000). Downtown Rapid City is proof of that, with its 100+ shops, restaurants, bars, cafés, boutiques, and more. When you need a break from western South Dakota’s epic nature, head to the quickest city around.

While the masses hit up the famous Sylvan Lake on their Needles Highway drive, those searching for more peace and quiet head to Stockade Lake, just east of Custer, South Dakota. Oddly enough, this is the largest of the lakes within Custer State Park, but somehow, it has the fewest crowds. Get there before the word gets out.

Journey through America’s history at the National Presidential Wax Museum. Located in Keystone, near Mount Rushmore, the museum features lifelike wax figures of every US president, historical artifacts and memorabilia, and realistic depictions of pivotal and iconic moments in the country’s history.

The Days of '76 Museum displays a collection of pioneer memorabilia that commemorates the first settlers of the Dakota Territory. Deadwood’s annual Days of ’76 celebration began in 1920 as a way to honor the region’s 1876 gold rush and pioneers; the museum preserves and displays the festival’s memorabilia all year round.

One of Sioux Falls' oldest buildings has been put to good use. The city’s gorgeous, circa-1893 courthouse was a seat of government until 1962, and now it serves as a regional history museum. Visitors can explore three floors of public exhibits—look for Sioux artifacts and more—and the building’s fabulous architecture, which includes stained glass windows, tiled fireplaces, and muraled walls.