15 Must-See Things to Do in South Dakota – Mount Rushmore and Beyond

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South Dakota is named the Mount Rushmore state for a purpose — its No. 1 attraction, Mount Rushmore Nationwide Monument. However that carved rock monument to American historical past is only one purpose to go to. From gorgeous landscapes to underground caves, these are the 15 issues to do in South Dakota that ought to be in your bucket record. You’ll cowl a variety of floor to see all of it, so we additionally suggest the very best lodges shut to every attraction.

My first go to to South Dakota was on a household trip with two youngsters. We took the traditional Midwest street journey from Chicago to South Dakota. As we drove alongside I-90 looking on the miles and miles of nothing however prairie grasslands damaged up solely by the Corn Palace in Mitchell (extra on that in a minute), it was onerous not to consider the pioneers who traveled this route not within the consolation of an air-conditioned SUV, however in a coated wagon stuffed with their possessions.

Then, after days and days of seeing nothing however flat prairie land, the underside of the world dropped away as they reached the vanguard of the Badlands. I can’t think about the extent of despair because the exhausted households tried to determine a means round, as a result of they by no means may have gone by way of.

Fortunate for us, there isn’t a want for despair nowadays. A go to to South Dakota is stuffed with surprise. There are sufficient larger-than-life vistas, each pure and man-made, to maintain guests in awe for days.

TravelingMom Tip: Examine the calendar for the dates of the Sturgis Bike Rally earlier than reserving your journey to South Dakota. We didn’t on our first go to and located it powerful to guide lodges and cabin leases. Plus, our nature karma was misplaced because the tons of of hundreds of full-throated Harley bikes cruised alongside the winding roads.

1. Mount Rushmore Nationwide Memorial

Sure, I do know you’ve seen the photographs. However the Keystone, South Dakota, dwelling of the huge mountainside carving honoring U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln is likely one of the locations it is advisable see with your individual eyes. It’s in some way each a lot greater and far smaller that you simply imagined.

Plan to reach towards the tip of the day to see the lighting ceremony. It’s a transferring 45-minute presentation that talks concerning the contributions of every of the presidents.

It culminates in a flag-lowering ceremony attended by former and present members of the navy who’re invited to hitch the U.S. Park Ranger on the stage. It ends with every navy member asserting his or her identify and department of the service. The primary time I noticed it, the Military vet from World Struggle II who rolled onto the stage in his scooter drew probably the most applause.

Whilst you’re ready for the massive end, wander by way of the museum to look at a film depicting the carving of the mountain between 1927-1941, be taught concerning the artist, Gutzon Borglum, and see the gear utilized by the employees who needed to climb 700 stairs simply to get to work the place they spent their days hanging off the aspect of the mountain whereas they carved the rock.

Subsequent, take the stroll to the bottom of the monument and cease alongside the best way to lookup — straight up into George Washington’s nostril.

Then reward everybody with a scoop of wealthy creamy vanilla ice cream nonetheless constructed from the recipe first delivered to America by President Thomas Jefferson. The recent summer time day we had been there, it was a really lengthy line, nevertheless it moved rapidly.

The place to Keep Close to Mount Rushmore

We stayed at Rock Creek Lodge and Cabins in Custer, South Dakota. Regardless of its location on a major drag in Custer, the night was quiet and comfy. My cabin had two queen beds, a small desk, microwave and mini fridge, TV and wifi. Plus, there’s a pool. Every of the cabins in a little bit completely different, so analysis that earlier than you guide.

The keep consists of breakfast, however skip it and stroll the few blocks into city as an alternative to feast on breakfast at Baker’s Bakery and Cafe. We had The. Greatest. Biscuits and Gravy. Ever. Plus, the cinnamon rolls are the scale of your head. And price each final calorie! The motto there’s “You’ll love our buns.” And it’s true. We did.

2. Loopy Horse Memorial

The Loopy Horse Memorial continues to be rising from the mountain, greater than seven many years after Korczak Ziolkowski began his large challenge. Officers there resolutely refuse to call a goal completion date. The privately-funded vacationer attraction refuses to take authorities cash so work progresses at a snail‘s tempo with solely a couple of dozen carvers engaged on the mountain at any time.

Undoubtedly take the narrated college bus tour that will get you nearer to the bottom of the mountain and provides a special view of the carving.

However spend most of your time wandering by way of the museum to be taught concerning the origins of this monument to Native American Lakota Chief Loopy Horse, the person who fought Custer.

You’ll find out how Ziolkowski acquired the land, the challenges he overcame to get the challenge so far as it has come, the members of the family who keep it up his work and the evolution of the carving course of. We even realized about how the sculpture will likely be completely different from Ziolkowski’s mannequin as a result of realities of physics and engineering that made the unique mannequin unworkable.

And save time to wander by way of the reward store to discover the Native American jewellery, artwork and different souvenirs on the market earlier than you allow the location.

3. Badlands Nationwide Park

One look and it’s straightforward to see why the Lakota folks named this bleak panorama of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires “mako sica.” The identify interprets to “land unhealthy.” That is after I suppose most about these pioneers who trekked throughout the huge, flat panorama of South Dakota of their wagon trains.

On our first go to, we arrived on an unseasonably cool summer time day. Moderately than the 110 levels of a standard late July day, we had a merely heat 85-degree day. However the blazing solar and scorching breeze made it straightforward to think about what this desolate space have to be like on a very scorching day.

My teenagers plunged into the Badlands Nationwide Park like a toddler runs to a sandbox. In actual fact, my 19-year-old son christened the Badlands the “greatest playground ever” as he scrambled over yet one more crumbling rock.

TravelingMom Tip: In the event you plan to cease for even a brief hike, ensure everyone seems to be sporting the correct footwear (no flip flops!) and convey loads of water.

4. Needles Freeway

Driving between Mount Rushmore and the doorway to Custer State Park alongside the 14-mile stretch referred to as Needles Freeway is a kind of instances I used to be sooooo glad I wasn‘t driving. It‘s not that the twisty-turny street is such an enormous driving problem. It‘s extra that the breathtaking vistas of this scenic drive are far too distracting to maintain one’s eyes on the street.

In a number of spots, the street narrows to 1 lane because it passes by way of a hollowed-out tunnel barely extensive sufficient for one full measurement SUV. We may have rolled down the home windows and touched the rocks on both aspect. I used to be really impressed with the drivers who managed to squeeze their RVs by way of the opening in these tight tunnels.

Needles Freeway is considered one of three scenic routes alongside Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.

Beginning on the south finish the place it meets US 16A, we headed north alongside a street that gives vista after scenic vista, constructing to the crescendo of the Cathedral Spires and Needles Eye. (You possibly can enter the street from both finish, however when you begin at Hill Metropolis and drive south, every little thing after the Cathedral Spires will really feel somewhat anti-climactic.)

5. Custer State Park

The 71,000-acre Custer State Park might be greatest referred to as the house of a herd of free-roaming bison (versus those which might be ranch-raised to provide the meat for the yummy bison burgers served in most eating places we visited throughout our journey). The group we stumbled upon alongside the street had been simply hanging out, sunning themselves on a grassy space.

Our Buffalo Jeep Safari tour obtained us near the bison and the lovable little prairie canine that popped up from the bottom in every single place we appeared. They had been the hit of our group, a lot to the amusement of the South Dakota natives who consider prairie canine as pests. We additionally caught glimpses of bighorn sheep, mule deer and antelope.

Whereas driving the Wildlife Loop Highway is the draw, Custer State Park has a lot extra to supply, together with horseback using, biking, boating and mountain climbing trails. There are also stunningly stunning lakes surrounded by prehistoric-looking rock formations. Parking close to any of the lakes is severely restricted, nevertheless it appeared particularly troublesome at Sylvan Lake. Plan to reach early and spend the keep mountain climbing, picnicking and kayaking.

Don’t miss a cease on the model new Bison Heart. You’ll get your whole bison questions answered there — together with the one all of us saved asking: What‘s the distinction between a bison and buffalo?

TravelingMom Tip: Anticipate to have little entry to wifi or cell service within the park. Embrace this time to be unplugged, however positively choose up a Custer State Park map on the entrance. You’ll need it when your GPS publicizes it can’t entry a sign.

The place to Keep in Custer State Park

There are campgrounds all through the park. However there are also stunning lodges and cabins the place you possibly can sleep in consolation and magnificence.

On my final go to, we had been fortunate sufficient to remain at Creekside Lodge. It was in-built 2008 and provides outsized rooms that might simply accommodate a household. Some rooms can accommodate as much as six folks.

The opposite Custer State Park Lodges are:

• Blue Bell Lodge
• State Recreation Lodge
• Sylvan Lake Lodge
• Legion Lake Lodge

6. Spearfish Canyon

Residence to waterfalls, mountain climbing trails and a wide ranging vistas, Spearfish Canyon is one other not-to-be-missed spot in South Dakota.

We took the simple Roughlock Falls path to the highest of the falls the place, a fellow hiker stated, her now-husband introduced her on a crisp winter day to suggest. It was straightforward to examine such a romantic second at such an achingly stunning spot.

7. Fast Metropolis

This city is probably the most centrally positioned spot for visiting all of western South Dakota’s well-known spots — Mount Rushmore, Custer, Loopy Horse and the Badlands.

TravelingMom Tip: In the event you desire to not do all that driving, contemplate taking a tour to the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Custer and even Satan’s Tower Nationwide Monument in Wyoming. That means, everybody can sit again and ogle the unbelievable surroundings.

Enjoyable issues to do in Fast Metropolis embrace:

• Take a selfie with a president. The city is dwelling to bronze replicas of each president as much as Barack Obama. (President Trump’s statue is in course of.) They dot the road corners round downtown. Choose up a map of the presidents on the Fast Metropolis Customer Heart at 512 Most important Road or obtain a map from the web site.
• Stroll down Artwork Alley to see the murals created by native artists. In the event you see one you want, take a photograph. Chances are high it’s going to have been painted over by the point you come! Artwork Alley is positioned between sixth and seventh, and Most important and Saint Joseph streets.
• Go to a Speakeasy. The Blind Lion Speakeasy is within the basement of a non-descript constructing. The musty-smelling area with the decrepit furnishings seems like a real Twenties underground bar. And the craft cocktails impress! Much more spectacular had been the individualized cocktails our proficient bartender concocted for every of us after interviewing us about our preferences — candy or dry, fruity or tart, and so on.

For the children, there are myriad choices for enjoyable issues to do in Fast Metropolis. From a dinosaur park (I used to be actually sorry I didn’t have time to discover that!) to the world’s largest reptile zoo to the spectacular South Dakota Air and Area Museum, it’s best to discover loads to entertain the children once you aren’t exploring the pure wonders of this a part of the state.

The place to Keep in Fast Metropolis

In the event you’re into ghosts, positively go for the historic Lodge Alex Johnson. The 1928 resort is a member of the Curio Assortment by Hilton (so positively be part of the Hilton Honors program earlier than reserving).

However its declare to fame is its ghosts. The entrance desk has a binder filled with ghost tales reported by friends who had “experiences.”

I scoffed. I like a great ghost story, however I used to be by no means a believer. Till I stayed in Room 405 and had my very own “expertise.” Let’s simply say 3am is the bewitching hour.

Except for my visitation, I actually preferred the resort. It’s centrally positioned downtown so every little thing is inside straightforward strolling distance and the mattress was comfortable. My room was small, however because it was simply me, I didn’t want extra space.

If I had been touring with children, I might have stayed at one of many 5 lodges within the WaTiki indoor waterpark complicated. You possibly can select from a Residence Inn by Marriott, Residence 2 Suites by Hilton, LaQuinta by Wyndham, Courtyard by Marriott and the Fairfield by Marriott.

8. Sizzling Springs

Evan’s Plunge public pool options the pure mineral scorching springs the city was named for. That is additionally the situation of The Mammoth Website, an energetic fossil dig website that’s unearthing the biggest focus of Woolly and Colombian Mammoths in a single spot.

9. Wind Cave Nationwide Park

After you’ve explored the well-known sights in South Dakota’s Black Hills, it’s time to go underground. President Theodore Roosevelt declared Wind Cave a nationwide park in 1903. It was the seventh nationwide park created and the primary cave to be designated a nationwide park.

TravelingMom Catherine Parker says Wind Cave is greater than only a park with a cave. With nature trails, tenting and a herd of bison, Wind Cave Nationwide Park generally is a hub for exploring the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Wind Cave is the third longest collapse America, however solely 5 % of the greater than 100 miles of passageways have been mapped. Its rock formations, referred to as boxwork, appear to be honeycomb product of rock. There’s additionally popcorn and frostwork to see throughout guided excursions of the cave system.

It’s referred to as Wind Cave as a result of it’s so huge that it has its personal air stress system. Mom Nature is at all times making an attempt to equal the air stress on the floor, so the wind popping out of the cave is powerful sufficient to blow off a hat.

Be aware that the entire excursions embrace greater than 100 stairs.

10. Jewel Cave Nationwide Monument

Simply 31 miles from Wind Cave, Jewel Cave was found by native prospectors in 1900. Proclaimed a nationwide monument in 1908, the Civilian Conservation Corps developed the world within the Thirties.

There’s a simple tour that includes simply 15 steps. However when you actually need to discover the cave, you’ll must climb up and down 732 steps on metallic scaffolding. Youngsters can’t be carried and should have the ability to navigate the steps on their very own. For that purpose, children below 6 are discouraged from visiting.

11. Minute Man II Missile Silo

The important thing to retaining everybody completely happy on a household trip is making certain that everybody will get to do not less than one factor she or he actually desires to do. For my husband on our household trip in South Dakota, that was the Minute Man Missile Silo tour close to Wall.

The decommissioned missile (conflict head eliminated) stays in its silo on the center of a South Dakota area, nevertheless it’s now a part of a nationwide historic website that features a customer middle 15 miles away. That you must purchase tickets to go to. You can also make reservations from 90 days up till 24 hours earlier than your go to by visiting this website.

Minute Man missiles had been a Chilly Struggle creation and a stark reminder of how shut the U.S. got here to nuclear conflict. The missiles had been saved as defensive weapons solely. They deterred the Soviet Union from launching a primary strike as a result of the Soviets understood that the USA may launch a retaliatory strike earlier than the Soviet missiles hit the U.S. All of it provides as much as the “mutually assured destruction” I keep in mind studying about in my highschool historical past class.

TravelingMom Tip: Let the children gather a Junior Ranger Badge right here.

12. The Corn Palace

This kitschy spot in Mitchell, South Dakota is a must-see roadside attraction on a street journey from Chicago to the pure fantastic thing about western South Dakota.

Not surprisingly, it’s the world’s solely corn palace. This folk-art surprise in the midst of a South Dakota prairie began in 1892 as a strategy to show to the world that South Dakota had a wholesome agricultural local weather.

At this time, The Corn Palace is thought worldwide. Every year, the constructing is redecorated in a brand new design created from naturally coloured corn and different grains and native grasses. This corny spot (see what I did there?!?!) attracts a half million guests yearly.

Cease right here to stretch your legs and purchase some corn-themed treats and souvenirs.

13. Wall Drug

One other must-stop spot on a street journey throughout South Dakota, Wall Drug shouldn’t be your common drug retailer. It’s extra like a mall-entertainment-center-restaurant-souvenir store. Let the children get some play time within the Yard, the place there can splash across the Prepare Station Water Present or pose for pix with a roaring T-Rex or in entrance of a miniature Mount Rushmore.

Because the Nice Despair, thirsty vacationers have stopped at Wall Drug for a free drink of ice chilly water. You possibly can nonetheless get free ice water at present.

14. Deadwood

That is the Wild West city the brothels constructed. As we realized on a guided tour of The Brothel Museum, intercourse work was a staple of Deadwood from its earliest days as a Gold Rush city proper up till 1980. (Our tour information was a terrific storyteller, however lots of the tales are R rated, so this may not be the suitable match for a household journey.)

I used to be excited to go to this Wild West city that was as soon as the house of Calamity Jane and Wild Invoice Hickok — and a little bit upset to find it’s actually simply one other city the place playing is authorized and, due to this fact, in every single place.

The city is a Nationwide Historic Landmark. You discover that historical past with a stroll by way of Mount Moriah Cemetery, the place Jane is buried subsequent to Invoice, be part of a ghost tour by way of downtown Deadwood and go to the Days of 76 Museum to see the gathering of horse-drawn wagons, stagecoaches and carriages, a few of that are rumored to have their very own ghosts.

Undoubtedly take a couple of minutes to look at the free present on Most important Road that features a shoot-out and the re-enactment of Will Invoice Hickok’s homicide.

The place to Keep in Deadwood

We stayed on the Lodge by Gold Mud. This spanking new boutique resort is housed in a renovated historic constructing, giving it the very best of each worlds — an historic really feel you need in Deadwood with the entire trendy facilities you need anyplace you keep.

15. Sioux Falls

Falls Park is the place to be in Sioux Falls. In any case, that’s the place the city obtained its identify.

The attractive waterfall on the Large Sioux River is the spotlight of a 123-acre public park and the most effective free issues to do in Sioux Falls. The park can be dwelling to a 5-story remark tower you possibly can climb to get a view of the falls and surrounding space.

Wander round city, too, to see the general public artwork that will get swapped out annually.