South Dakota is the Mount Rushmore State, a land of sweeping Great Plains, dramatic Badlands formations, and the storied Black Hills. From the granite faces of four presidents to the fossil-rich Badlands, the buffalo herds of Custer State Park, and the raucous saloons of Deadwood, South Dakota rewards travelers with authentic American West experiences far from the usual tourist circuits.
Historical sites
Places where South Dakota's past comes alive.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Where: Keystone
Admission: Adult: $10 USD parking (all passengers enter free) | Child: Free
Crazy Horse Memorial
Where: Custer
Admission: Adult: $16 USD per person | Child: Under 6 free
Deadwood Historic District
Where: Deadwood
Admission: Adult: Free to walk; Adams Museum $7 USD; Days of '76 Museum $8 USD | Child: Free under 12
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Where: Philip / Badlands area
Admission: Adult: $10 USD for underground launch facility tour | Child: Free under 15
Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center
Where: Chamberlain
Admission: Adult: Free (donations welcome) | Child: Free
Wounded Knee Memorial
Where: Pine Ridge Reservation
Admission: Adult: Free; respectful donations to local guides welcome | Child: Free
Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
Where: Hot Springs
Admission: Adult: $14 USD | Child: $9 USD (4–12 years)
Adams Museum (Deadwood)
Where: Deadwood
Admission: Adult: $7 USD | Child: $4 USD (6–12)
South Dakota State Capitol
Where: Pierre
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Fort Sisseton Historic State Park
Where: Lake City
Admission: Adult: $8 USD/vehicle | Child: Included