Explore South Dakota’s Black Hills region, a natural wonder in its own right. Located about six hours from Yellowstone, the Black Hills are home to seven national sites—Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Missouri National Recreational River, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and Wind Cave National Park.
In this natural playground, you can enjoy an abundance of recreational opportunities, gorgeous scenic drives—which include the beautiful Spearfish Canyon—and wildlife-watching. This region is also packed with cultural and historical sites. Here are some traveler favorites.
National Parks in South Dakota
Badlands National Park
This park preserves a landscape of brilliant orange- and white-striped buttes, spires, and other geologic formations. One of the world’s richest fossil beds is here; paleontologists have studied many important finds in the park, including camels, three-toed horses, and ancient deerlike animals. Abundant wildlife—such as bison, bighorn sheep, and black-footed ferrets—roam freely across the prairie.
Wind Cave National Park
Journey deep into the Earth on a tour of one of the world’s most complex cave systems. The caverns here feature an impressive collection of boxwork—a honeycomb-like pattern composed of thin calcite fins and other geologic formations. Above ground, this park also boasts prairie and ponderosa pine forest ecosystems perfect for hiking, camping, and wildlife-watching.
Other Attractions in South Dakota
Jewel Cave National Monument
At nearly 153 miles long, Jewel Cave is the second longest in the world. Visitors who venture into the cave can gaze at calcite crystals, stalactites and stalagmites, and various other formations (such as ribbonlike “cave bacon”).
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
This epic trail courses through 11 states as it follows the route that famous explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark took from 1804 to 1806. In South Dakota, the trail follows a tranquil portion of the Missouri River, along which the expedition met with members of the Yankton Sioux tribe.
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
During the Cold War, the Minuteman I and II intercontinental ballistic missiles represented the threat of nuclear war. This park preserves two 1960s missile sites to educate the public about the arms race, missile technology, and how such weapons affected America’s politics and strategy.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
This site has become a must-see symbol of the United States. The enormous carvings of presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln, completed in 1941 after 14 years of work, remind Americans and visitors alike of the nation’s rich history.
Custer State Park
Get an up-close look at 1,300 wild bison, hike dramatic granite spires, catch a trout, and stargaze at this standout state park in the Black Hills near Mount Rushmore.
Bear Butte State Park
The igneous-rock mountain that gives this park its name (called Bear Mountain in Lakota) is sacred to several Native American tribes. Visitors can fish, camp, hike, and learn about the Northern Plains tribes.
Three Favorite Hikes
Castle-Medicine Root Loop, Badlands NP
›› This 4.2-mile trip loops through prime bison habitat and million-year-old glacial formations.
Harney Peak, Black Elk Wilderness Area
›› Take the Harney Sylvan Lake Trail to South Dakota’s 7,242-foot high point, then return via the Cathedral Spires and Norbeck trails for a 6.8-mile loop.
Wind Cave Canyon Trail, Wind Cave NP
›› This 1.8-miler cruises through a classic limestone canyon where birdwatching is excellent. Watch out for great horned owls and cliff swallows.
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