15 Unforgettable Landmarks In South Dakota You Have To Visit At Least Once
South Dakota might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about travel, but it should be. This state is packed with incredible landmarks that tell stories of American history, natural wonders, and cultural heritage.
From massive mountain carvings to sprawling badlands, I promise you’ll find something here that takes your breath away and creates memories you’ll treasure forever.
1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
When you stand before these giant presidential faces carved into granite, it’s hard not to feel amazed. Mount Rushmore features George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, each standing 60 feet tall. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum spent 14 years creating this masterpiece with his team.
You can walk the Presidential Trail to get different viewing angles and learn fascinating facts along the way. The evening lighting ceremony is especially moving and shouldn’t be missed. I recommend arriving early in the morning to beat the crowds and catch the soft golden light on the carved faces.
The visitor center offers exhibits about how workers dangled from ropes to blast and carve the mountain.
2. Badlands National Park
Did you know the Badlands were formed over millions of years by wind and water erosion? These otherworldly rock formations look like something from another planet with their sharp peaks and deep canyons. The layers of rock display stunning colors ranging from deep reds to pale pinks and creamy whites.
Wildlife thrives here despite the harsh landscape, including bighorn sheep, bison, and prairie dogs. The Loop Road offers spectacular viewpoints where you can stop and take photos. Sunrise and sunset transform the landscape into a painter’s palette of brilliant colors.
If you’re adventurous, hiking trails like Notch Trail provide up-close experiences with these ancient formations that will leave you speechless.
3. Crazy Horse Memorial
How incredible is it that this mountain carving has been in progress since 1948? When completed, Crazy Horse Memorial will be the world’s largest sculpture, depicting the legendary Lakota warrior on horseback. The face alone is already taller than Mount Rushmore’s presidents combined.
Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski started this tribute to Native American heritage, and his family continues the work today. The Indian Museum of North America on-site showcases beautiful artifacts and tells important stories. You can watch ongoing blasting and carving work from the visitor complex.
Though it’s still unfinished, the sheer scale and dedication behind this project make it absolutely worth visiting and supporting.
4. Custer State Park
It’s one of the largest state parks in America, and Custer State Park is absolutely teeming with wildlife. You’ll encounter one of the world’s largest publicly owned bison herds, with around 1,300 animals roaming freely. The famous Wildlife Loop Road gives you front-row seats to see these magnificent creatures along with pronghorn, elk, and burros.
Needles Highway winds through impossible rock formations and narrow tunnels carved through granite spires. The scenery changes around every curve, from pine forests to meadows to towering rock pinnacles. Sylvan Lake nestled among the rocks is perfect for a picnic or paddle.
Each fall, the park hosts a bison roundup that’s thrilling to witness.
5. Jewel Cave National Monument
Are you ready to explore the third-longest cave system in the world? Jewel Cave stretches over 200 miles underground, though only a small portion is open for tours. The cave gets its name from the sparkling calcite crystals that line the walls like precious jewels.
Rangers lead you through narrow passageways and large chambers filled with stunning formations. Flowstone, stalactites, and delicate soda straws decorate the underground wonderland. The temperature stays at a constant 49 degrees year-round, so bring a jacket even in summer.
Different tour options range from easy scenic walks to challenging wild caving adventures where you’ll crawl and squeeze through tight spaces for an unforgettable experience.
6. Wind Cave National Park
With one of the longest and most complex cave systems on Earth, Wind Cave holds geological treasures you won’t find anywhere else. The cave is famous for its rare boxwork formations, which look like honeycomb patterns made of thin calcite fins. These delicate structures cover the ceilings and walls in mesmerizing geometric designs.
Above ground, the park protects mixed-grass prairie where bison, elk, and prairie dogs live. The cave got its name from the strong winds that blow in and out of its entrance. Tours range from easy walks to strenuous crawling adventures through undeveloped passages.
I suggest booking your cave tour in advance since they fill up quickly during peak season.
7. Deadwood Historic Town
Step back into the Wild West where legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane once roamed. Deadwood’s entire downtown is a National Historic Landmark, preserving the authentic frontier atmosphere from the 1870s gold rush days. The original buildings line Main Street, now housing museums, restaurants, and casinos.
You can visit Mount Moriah Cemetery where Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are buried side by side. Daily reenactments bring history to life with gunfight shows and period-costumed characters. The Adams Museum displays fascinating artifacts from Deadwood’s colorful past.
Try your luck at the historic casinos or catch a show at the Deadwood Mountain Grand for entertainment that honors this legendary town’s heritage.
8. Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Though it might seem unusual for a tourist attraction, this Cold War relic tells an important chapter of American history. The site preserves a deactivated nuclear missile silo and underground launch control center exactly as they appeared during the Cold War. Standing at the fence overlooking the silo, you can see the massive missile door that once protected a weapon capable of traveling thousands of miles.
Free ranger-led tours take you deep underground into the launch control facility where two officers once sat ready to launch missiles. The cramped quarters and 1960s technology provide a sobering look at life on nuclear alert.
Reservations are required for the underground tours and they book up fast.
9. Spearfish Canyon
If you love scenic drives, Spearfish Canyon will absolutely blow your mind. This 20-mile gorge features towering limestone cliffs that rise over 1,000 feet above the canyon floor. The Spearfish Creek flows through the bottom, creating several beautiful waterfalls along the way.
Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls are particularly stunning and easy to access from the road. Fall brings spectacular color when aspens and oaks turn brilliant gold and red against the pale limestone walls. Spring runoff makes the waterfalls thunder with extra power.
Several hiking trails branch off from the scenic byway, letting you explore deeper into side canyons and discover hidden gems that most visitors miss completely.
10. Corn Palace
You might think a building decorated with corn sounds silly, but the Corn Palace is genuinely impressive and uniquely American. Every year since 1892, artists have covered the exterior walls with intricate murals made entirely from thousands of bushels of colored corn and other grains. The designs change annually, celebrating different themes from South Dakota culture and history.
Inside, you’ll find a basketball arena, gift shop, and exhibits about the palace’s history. The building serves as a symbol of agricultural pride and community spirit. Visiting during harvest season is especially meaningful when fresh corn decorations go up.
It’s wonderfully quirky and shows the creativity and dedication of small-town America at its finest.
11. Bear Butte State Park
Sacred to many Native American tribes, Bear Butte rises dramatically from the surrounding plains like a sleeping giant. This ancient volcanic formation stands 1,200 feet above the prairie and has served as a spiritual site for ceremonies and vision quests for centuries. Prayer cloths tied to trees along the trails show that it remains an active place of worship today.
The Summit Trail climbs steeply to the top, rewarding hikers with panoramic views stretching for miles. Please treat the mountain with respect, as it holds deep spiritual significance. The visitor center explains the geological formation and cultural importance.
Early morning hikes offer the best chance to spot wildlife and experience the peaceful atmosphere this special place deserves.
12. Wall Drug Store
What started as a small-town pharmacy in 1931 has grown into one of America’s most famous roadside attractions. Wall Drug began offering free ice water to travelers, and that simple gesture built an empire. Today, the sprawling complex covers an entire city block with shops, restaurants, and attractions.
You’ll find everything from a giant jackalope photo op to a singing cowboy orchestra. The Western art gallery displays beautiful paintings and sculptures. Homemade donuts and buffalo burgers draw hungry visitors from the nearby Badlands.
Hundreds of billboards across the country still advertise the distance to Wall Drug, making it a nostalgic symbol of classic American road trips and good old-fashioned hospitality.
13. Mammoth Site
Imagine stumbling upon the bones of ancient mammoths while building a housing development. That’s exactly what happened in Hot Springs in 1974, leading to the creation of this incredible paleontological site. The Mammoth Site preserves a sinkhole that trapped and killed dozens of Columbian and woolly mammoths around 26,000 years ago.
You can watch paleontologists carefully excavating bones during the summer field season. The indoor facility protects the dig site while letting visitors view the fossils in place. Over 60 mammoths have been discovered here so far, along with other Ice Age animals.
It’s a rare opportunity to see active fossil research and learn about creatures that once roamed these plains.
14. Chapel in the Hills
Hidden in the Black Hills, this stunning wooden church looks like it was transported straight from Norway. Chapel in the Hills is an exact replica of the famous 850-year-old Borgund Stave Church. The intricate woodwork features dragon heads and traditional Norse designs that honor Scandinavian heritage.
Built entirely without nails using ancient Viking construction techniques, the chapel showcases incredible craftsmanship. The peaceful grounds include a prayer walk, log cabin museum, and grass-roofed buildings. Services are still held here, and it’s a popular wedding venue.
Visiting during golden hour when sunlight filters through the pine trees creates a magical atmosphere. Admission is free, though donations help maintain this beautiful tribute to immigrant culture and faith.
15. Dignity Statue
Overlooking the Missouri River near Chamberlain stands a breathtaking 50-foot sculpture honoring Native American women. Created by artist Dale Lamphere, Dignity depicts a young woman wearing a traditional star quilt that moves with the wind. The stainless steel and carbon steel sculpture gleams in the sunlight and changes appearance throughout the day.
The statue was installed in 2016 to mark South Dakota’s 125th anniversary and recognize the contributions of Native American culture. Her serene face and graceful pose convey strength and hope. The hilltop location provides stunning views of the river valley below.
Photographers especially love capturing the statue during sunrise and sunset when dramatic lighting creates spectacular images that celebrate both art and heritage beautifully.
