A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the Mount Rushmore State - South Dakota

Welcome, intrepid traveler, to South Dakota! Known as the Mount Rushmore State, South Dakota is a land of vast plains, rugged mountains, and rich history. From iconic monuments and scenic byways to historic towns and stunning landscapes, South Dakota offers a wealth of experiences for every kind of adventurer. Let’s embark on an extensive journey through the best places to visit in South Dakota.

1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore, one of America’s most iconic landmarks, is a must-visit destination in South Dakota. This monumental sculpture, carved into the granite face of the Black Hills, features the faces of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Visitor Center and Museum: Start your visit at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, where you can learn about the history and construction of Mount Rushmore through exhibits and films.

Presidential Trail: Take the half-mile loop trail for close-up views of the monument. The trail includes 422 steps and offers different perspectives of the carvings, as well as interpretive panels.

Sculptor’s Studio: Visit the studio where sculptor Gutzon Borglum worked on the models for Mount Rushmore. Exhibits here provide insights into the artistic and engineering challenges of the project.

Evening Lighting Ceremony: From late May to early September, attend the nightly lighting ceremony, which includes a ranger talk and the illumination of the monument.

2. Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park, with its dramatic landscapes of eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires, is a natural wonder that offers breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife:

Badlands Loop Road: Drive the 31-mile scenic byway for stunning views and easy access to numerous overlooks and trailheads. Key stops include Big Badlands Overlook, Panorama Point, and Yellow Mounds Overlook.

Hiking Trails: Explore the park’s unique geology and ecosystems on foot. Popular trails include the Door Trail, which leads through a break in the Badlands Wall; the Notch Trail, which features a ladder climb; and the Castle Trail, the longest trail in the park.

Fossil Exhibit Trail: Learn about the park’s rich fossil history on this short, accessible boardwalk trail, which features interpretive exhibits and replicas of prehistoric animals.

Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and prairie dogs. The Sage Creek Wilderness Area is a prime spot for wildlife viewing.

Camping: Spend the night under the stars at one of the park’s campgrounds. Cedar Pass Campground offers amenities like flush toilets and showers, while Sage Creek Campground provides a more rustic, back-to-nature experience.

3. Custer State Park

Custer State Park, one of the largest state parks in the United States, offers a diverse array of outdoor activities and stunning landscapes:

Wildlife Loop Road: Drive this 18-mile loop to see the park’s famous bison herd, as well as pronghorn, elk, and wild burros. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for wildlife viewing.

Sylvan Lake: This picturesque lake, surrounded by granite formations, is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. The Sylvan Lake Shore Trail offers an easy, scenic walk around the lake.

Needles Highway: Drive this scenic byway, which winds through narrow tunnels and past towering granite spires. The route includes the iconic Needles Eye, a narrow rock formation with a keyhole opening.

Cathedral Spires Trail: Hike this challenging 1.6-mile trail to see the park’s impressive granite spires up close. The trail offers stunning views and is a favorite among rock climbers.

Black Elk Peak: Climb to the highest point in South Dakota on this 7-mile round-trip hike. The trail offers panoramic views of the Black Hills and the surrounding area.

4. Deadwood

Deadwood, a historic gold rush town, offers a glimpse into the Wild West with its preserved buildings, lively casinos, and colorful history:

Historic Main Street: Stroll down Main Street to see beautifully restored 19th-century buildings, including saloons, hotels, and shops. Many of these buildings house casinos, where you can try your luck at gaming tables and slot machines.

Adams Museum: Learn about Deadwood’s history through exhibits on the town’s colorful characters, including Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The museum also features artifacts from the gold rush era.

Mount Moriah Cemetery: Visit the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and other famous figures from Deadwood’s past. The cemetery offers panoramic views of the town and the surrounding hills.

Broken Boot Gold Mine: Take a guided tour of this historic gold mine, where you can learn about mining techniques and even try your hand at panning for gold.

Deadwood Alive: Experience the excitement of the Old West with daily reenactments of historic shootouts and stagecoach rides. The performances take place on Main Street and at the Trial of Jack McCall show.

5. Crazy Horse Memorial

The Crazy Horse Memorial, a monumental sculpture in progress, honors the Lakota leader Crazy Horse and Native American heritage:

Visitor Center and Indian Museum of North America: Learn about the history and significance of the memorial through exhibits, films, and artifacts. The museum features a diverse collection of Native American art and cultural items.

Sculptor’s Studio and Home: Visit the studio of Korczak Ziolkowski, the sculptor who began the Crazy Horse Memorial. The studio includes models, tools, and personal items related to the project.

Laser Light Show: During the summer months, enjoy the nightly Legends in Light laser show, which illuminates the mountain with colorful lights and animations.

Volksmarch: Participate in the annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch, a 10K hike that allows visitors to walk to the arm of the Crazy Horse carving. The event takes place in June and October.

6. Rapid City

Rapid City, known as the Gateway to the Black Hills, offers a mix of urban attractions and outdoor adventures:

Downtown Rapid City: Explore the vibrant downtown area, featuring shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Don’t miss Art Alley, a colorful street filled with murals and graffiti.

The City of Presidents: Walk along Main Street and St. Joseph Street to see life-size bronze statues of all the U.S. presidents. The statues are part of a public art project that celebrates the nation’s leaders.

Dinosaur Park: Visit this quirky hilltop park featuring large concrete dinosaur sculptures. The park offers great views of the city and the surrounding area.

Museum of Geology: Discover an impressive collection of fossils, minerals, and gemstones at this free museum, located on the campus of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Outdoor Activities: Rapid City is a great base for exploring the Black Hills. Nearby attractions include Bear Country USA, a drive-through wildlife park; and Reptile Gardens, a reptile zoo and botanical garden.

7. Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish Canyon, known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreation, is a must-visit destination in the Black Hills:

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway: Drive this 22-mile route, which winds through the canyon and offers stunning views of limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and lush forests. Key stops include Bridal Veil Falls, Roughlock Falls, and the Spearfish Canyon Lodge.

Hiking Trails: Explore the canyon’s natural beauty on foot. Popular trails include the Roughlock Falls Trail, which leads to a beautiful waterfall; and the Devil’s Bathtub Trail, which features a natural swimming hole.

Spearfish Falls: Located near the town of Savoy, this picturesque waterfall is easily accessible via a short hiking trail.

Fishing: The Spearfish Creek is a popular spot for fly fishing, offering opportunities to catch brown and rainbow trout.

8. Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park, home to one of the longest and most complex caves in the world, offers both underground adventures and beautiful prairie landscapes:

Cave Tours: Take a guided tour to explore the intricate passages and unique formations of Wind Cave. Tours range from easy walks to strenuous spelunking adventures. Highlights include boxwork, a rare cave formation found in abundance here.

Aboveground Activities: The park’s surface features mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forests, providing habitat for bison, elk, pronghorn, and prairie dogs. Enjoy hiking, wildlife watching, and scenic drives.

Rankin Ridge: Hike to the highest point in the park for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The Rankin Ridge Trail is a 1-mile loop that includes an interpretive trail with information about the area’s natural and cultural history.

Elk Mountain Campground: Spend the night under the stars at this peaceful campground, which offers sites for tents and RVs. The campground is open year-round and features basic amenities like restrooms and drinking water.

9. Hot Springs

Hot Springs, a historic town known for its warm mineral springs, offers a mix of relaxation and outdoor activities:

Evans Plunge Mineral Springs: Enjoy a soak in the naturally warm waters of this historic indoor pool, which features slides, a water volleyball area, and a children’s pool.

Mammoth Site: Visit this active paleontological dig site, where you can see the remains of over 60 mammoths and other Ice Age animals. Guided tours provide insights into the site’s history and ongoing research.

Cascade Falls: Located just south of Hot Springs, this natural spring-fed pool is a great spot for swimming and picnicking.

Angostura Recreation Area: This large reservoir offers boating, fishing, swimming, and camping opportunities. The area features sandy beaches, picnic areas, and hiking trails.

Wind Cave National Park: Just a short drive from Hot Springs, this park offers cave tours and outdoor activities, as mentioned earlier.

10. Mitchell

Mitchell, a city with unique attractions and rich history, is a great stop on your South Dakota adventure:

Corn Palace: This quirky attraction is decorated each year with murals made from thousands of ears of corn and other grains. The Corn Palace hosts events, concerts, and festivals throughout the year.

Dakota Discovery Museum: Learn about the history and culture of the Northern Plains through exhibits on Native American artifacts, pioneer life, and regional art.

Prehistoric Indian Village: Explore the remains of a Native American village that dates back over 1,000 years. The site includes an archaeological dig area and a museum with exhibits on the village’s history and artifacts.

Mitchell Lake: Enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and picnicking at this scenic lake, located just outside the city.

11. De Smet

De Smet, known as the Little Town on the Prairie, offers a glimpse into the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder:

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes: Visit the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the beloved “Little House on the Prairie” series. Tour the Surveyor’s House, the Ingalls Home, and the First School of De Smet.

Ingalls Homestead: Experience pioneer life at this living history site, which offers hands-on activities like covered wagon rides, hay twisting, and corn husk doll making. The homestead also features a sod house, a one-room schoolhouse, and a barn with farm animals.

De Smet Cemetery: Pay your respects at the gravesites of the Ingalls family members, including Charles, Caroline, Mary, Carrie, and Grace Ingalls.

Kingsbury County Courthouse: This historic courthouse, built in 1891, features exhibits on local history and the Ingalls family.

12. Pierre

Pierre, the state capital, offers a mix of historical attractions and outdoor activities along the Missouri River:

South Dakota State Capitol: Take a guided tour of this beautiful Beaux-Arts building, which features a stunning rotunda, marble staircases, and murals depicting the state’s history.

Cultural Heritage Center: Learn about South Dakota’s history and culture through exhibits on Native American heritage, pioneer life, and statehood. The center also features a research library and archives.

Oahe Dam and Lake Oahe: Explore one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Oahe Dam Visitor Center provides information on the dam’s construction and operations.

Farm Island Recreation Area: This scenic park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a swimming beach. The island is a great spot for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.

Fisher Lilly Park: Enjoy a relaxing day at this riverside park, which features walking trails, picnic areas, and a fishing pier.