Midwest · SD
South Dakota
The Mount Rushmore State
Capital
Pierre
Best Time to Visit
May-September
01 Must-See Spots
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
the iconic presidential sculpture in the Black Hills
Badlands National Park
dramatic eroded buttes and the richest fossil beds in the world
Crazy Horse Memorial
the world's largest mountain carving in progress
Deadwood
the legendary Wild West town, now a National Historic Landmark
02 Hidden Gems
Wind Cave National Park
one of the longest caves in the world with rare boxwork formations
Custer State Park
the best wildlife loop drive in the US with bison, pronghorn, and burros
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
waterfalls, limestone cliffs, and gorgeous fall colors
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
a Cold War-era missile silo open for tours
03 National Parks & Sites
04 Insider Tips
Visit the Badlands at sunrise or sunset when the colors are most dramatic
Custer State Park's Wildlife Loop is best done early morning — bison often block the road
Wall Drug in Wall is a tourist trap but a fun one — and the water is free
The Black Hills have way more to offer than just Mount Rushmore — plan multiple days