South Dakota Attractions Guide
South Dakota's Black Hills pack more icons per mile than almost anywhere in America: Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, Custer State Park's wildlife and winding drives, Deadwood's gold-rush streets, and the still-growing Crazy Horse Memorial. It's a road-trip state at heart β most visitors base in Rapid City and loop through the hills. Here are the must-sees, region by region.
Mount Rushmore
The mountain of presidents, and the anchor of every Black Hills trip.
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial β The 60-foot faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln carved into the granite.
- Presidential Trail β A half-mile loop with staircases bringing you to the base of the mountain for close-up views.
- Sculptor's Studio β Gutzon Borglum's original studio, with the 1:12 scale model used to carve the mountain.
- Evening Lighting Ceremony β A patriotic program and illumination of the faces on summer nights.
Badlands
A stark, otherworldly landscape of eroded spires and pinnacles.
- Ben Reifel Visitor Center β Start here for exhibits, films, and ranger advice on trails and wildlife.
- Badlands Loop Road (SD-240) β The 39-mile scenic drive through the heart of the park's eroded formations.
- Door Trail β An easy boardwalk through a maze of eroded pinnacles.
- Notch Trail β A moderate hike with a log-ladder climb to sweeping views of the White River Valley.
- Roberts Prairie Dog Town β Watch hundreds of prairie dogs at the Sage Creek Basin colony.
Custer State Park
Seventy-one thousand acres of granite peaks, lakes, and free-roaming bison.
- Needles Highway β Fourteen miles of narrow tunnels, hairpin turns, and granite spires; drive it slowly.
- Sylvan Lake β The park's "crown jewel," a glassy lake ringed by rock formations, with swimming and hiking.
- Wildlife Loop Road β An 18-mile drive through bison herds, pronghorn, and the park's famous "begging burros."
- Iron Mountain Road β Pigtail bridges and one-lane tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore in the distance.
Deadwood
The preserved 1876 gold-rush town where Wild Bill met his end.
- Historic Main Street β The preserved gold-rush downtown, now lined with casinos, saloons, and shops.
- Mount Moriah Cemetery β The final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, with sweeping town views.
- Adams Museum β The Black Hills' oldest history museum, covering the gold rush and frontier era.
- Historic Adams House β A beautifully restored 1892 Queen Anne Victorian mansion.
Crazy Horse
The mountain carving that will dwarf Rushmore β still very much a work in progress.
- Crazy Horse Memorial β The world's largest mountain carving in progress, depicting the Lakota leader on horseback; finished, it will stand 641 feet long and 563 feet high.
- Indian Museum of North America β Extensive Native American art and artifacts in the visitor complex.
- The viewing veranda β Watch active carving work and compare the mountain to the scale model of the planned finished sculpture.
Practical Tips
Best season to visit: May through September. Avoid early August unless you're coming for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, when the Hills are packed.
Getting around: A car is essential; fly into Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP).
Fees: Mount Rushmore has no entrance fee (parking is paid); Custer State Park requires a park entrance license, and Badlands requires a national park pass.
Frequently asked questions
How much time do I need at Mount Rushmore?
Half a day covers the memorial itself β the Avenue of Flags, Presidential Trail, and museum. Pair it with Crazy Horse or Custer State Park for a full day.
When will the Crazy Horse Memorial be finished?
There is no completion date. Work continues as funding allows through private donations, and visitors can watch the ongoing carving from the viewing areas.
Sources
- Travel South Dakota: https://www.travelsouthdakota.com
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial (NPS): https://www.nps.gov/moru/
- Badlands National Park (NPS): https://www.nps.gov/badl/